Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 40

The person who showed up was Jeffrey from the Ramirez family, seventh in line among the younger generation.

Jeffrey strolled over with a grin, his eyes trailing Edith as she walked away. "Is that the one your grandpa picked for you?"

Sebastian nodded, keeping silent.

"Your grandpa's got good taste. At least he didn't pick Scarlett," Jeffrey chuckled, slinging an arm over Sebastian's shoulder and lowering his voice with a hint of mockery. "You should've seen what Scarlett was wearing just now..."

Jeffrey, eager to spill the gossip, didn't notice the dark look on his friend's face.

Sebastian frowned, grinding his teeth, and shoved Jeffrey's hand away. "Is this how your father taught you?"

Jeffrey paused, then frowned, giving Sebastian a once-over before raising an eyebrow. "Do you like..."

But before he could finish, Sebastian shot him a sharp look. "She's an employee of mine, very capable. It would be a shame to let her go."

Sebastian's voice was calm, revealing nothing.

"Got it," Jeffrey said, raising an eyebrow with a knowing look.

Sebastian glanced at him but didn't continue the topic, instead shifting the conversation to the cooperation between their families.

Meanwhile, despite Scarlett's attempts to adjust her outfit, the whispers around her didn't stop.

Chris stayed by her side the whole time.

He showed clear disdain for the gossip, and people were wary of crossing him, so the murmurs eventually quieted down. However, some still cast unfriendly glances at Scarlett.

"Persistent ghosts!" Chris muttered irritably, clicking his tongue.

Scarlett remained indifferent, her expression calm. "This is all they can do. Don't let it get to you, or you'll just hurt yourself."

Despite her words, her eyes still showed irritation when she looked at the Seymour family members.

David soon heard about the incident in the ballroom and stormed over to find Scarlett, but he ran into Chris first.

Seeing Chris standing protectively in front of Scarlett, David immediately put on a fawning smile. "Mr. Wirght?"

Although David was the current head of the Seymour family, his lack of capability meant he often had to rely on family support, so he couldn't afford to offend anyone lightly.

Even though Chris held no real power, David didn't dare to be disrespectful.

Chris frowned at him. "Is there something you need, Mr. Seymour?"

Scarlett stepped out from behind Chris, looking at David with a blank expression.

Seeing that Scarlett had Chris's protection and noticing the subtle glances from the surrounding crowd, David realized that causing a scene would only harm the Seymour family's reputation.

He forced a smile. "Nothing much, just came to say hello."

Chris knew this was just an excuse but didn't call him out on it. Instead, he lowered his voice while toasting, "Your wife really surprised me."

This was certainly not a compliment.

David smiled awkwardly, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then turned to leave. As soon as he turned away, his previously smiling face darkened.

Shortly after this encounter, a man approached Scarlett with a drink.

Scarlett, expecting mockery, raised her glass warily. "Hello, Mr. Richardson."

John Richardson, however, was quite the gentleman. He clinked glasses lightly and looked Scarlett up and down with admiration. "Did you make that dress from a curtain scarf? Brilliant idea."

Scarlett was taken aback by the compliment.

Chris, initially on guard, relaxed and smiled when he realized John meant no harm. "Yeah, I was surprised when I saw it too."

"Indeed, as expected from a designer," John continued to praise Scarlett. "You handled the situation with such composure, Ms. Seymour. Impressive. Here's my card."

John, ever the gentleman, handed over his business card.

Scarlett had received many business cards before, but this was the first time she got one in a personal context. She accepted it with a mix of surprise and gratitude, realizing she didn't have her own cards with her.

John noticed and chuckled. "No worries. When you need to contact me, I'll know your number."

"It's my honor, Mr. Richardson," Scarlett replied with a smile.

John's appearance seemed like an isolated incident, but soon, more people approached Scarlett, speaking to her with genuine admiration rather than disdain.

Everyone praised Scarlett's ingenuity with the scarf dress.

While Scarlett was pleased, she couldn't understand what had caused such a sudden change in people's attitudes.

Even Chris was puzzled by the shift.

During another conversation, someone mentioned Scarlett's position at the Howard Group.

"I heard you're the director of the design department at the Howard Group, and Mr. Howard himself acknowledges your talent. You must be quite the professional."

The speaker was straightforward, saying whatever came to mind.

"We reviewed the situation and realized it was Mrs. Seymour who brought you out. The problem must have been on her end."

Hearing this, Scarlett glanced over at Sebastian.

Sebastian was deep in conversation with a young man Scarlett recognized as the seventh child of the Ramirez family, a young and successful entrepreneur.

Sebastian didn't seem to notice Scarlett's gaze, his attention focused on Jeffrey.

"Scarlett's looking at you," Jeffrey said, facing Scarlett's direction.

Sebastian didn't turn around, his voice calm. "Why should I care?"

"Alright, we won't," Jeffrey said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "How do you plan to handle tonight's mess?"

He was referring to the Seymour family's clumsy attempt at framing and matchmaking.

"No one will dare to gossip," Sebastian said calmly, glancing at Edith and Brianna as they re-entered the room. "Opportunities are limited. Let's see if they can seize them."

Jeffrey followed his gaze, raising an eyebrow but staying silent.

Edith and Brianna, upon re-entering, quickly noticed the change in how people looked at them.

After the party ended and the guests left, Brianna turned around only to be slapped by David.

"Idiot! You've embarrassed us! Now everyone knows you're petty and can't tolerate your own daughter!"