Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 48

Scarlett's hurried exit gradually slowed, her angry expression giving way to something more troubled. When Chris caught up, he immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

She pressed her lips together, glancing back at Edith and Sebastian embracing. Though she remained silent, Chris didn't miss the flash of fear that crossed her face.

"Don't worry about it. She deserved that slap," he reassured her, then frowned as he remembered the Howard family's recent leniency toward the Seymours. "If they try anything unfair, just come straight to me."

Scarlett shot Chris a look that was both amused and resigned. "Sebastian would steamroll right over you if he wanted to."

Her tone was teasing, but they both knew it was true. If the Wright family's eldest son had made that promise, she might have felt more secure.

Chris's expression froze. Though frustrated, he was painfully aware of the gap between himself and Sebastian. He could only scratch his head, speechless.

"What's there to worry about?" Dennis chimed in. "We have my cousin Orion, don't we?"

As if summoned by his name, Orion appeared behind them with a smile. "What about me?"

Perhaps because of her earlier outburst, Scarlett instinctively wanted to avoid any connection with Orion. "Nothing," she quickly shook her head.

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Seymour, may I have a word?"

After a moment's hesitation, Scarlett followed him aside while Chris and Dennis went ahead to wait in the car.

"Mr. Howard seemed quite angry," Orion suggested once they reached a bend near the vehicles. "In my opinion, Ms. Seymour, you should consider leaving the Howard Group."

"I never planned on staying anyway," Scarlett replied impassively. Working there would only make her a target for Edith's bullying. Why willingly subject herself to that misery?

Her mother's jewel, however, complicated matters. At this thought, she bit her lip, conflicted.

"If you don't mind, you could work at my company. MRK happens to need someone with your talents." Orion seemed genuinely impressed by Scarlett's abilities.

Scarlett's brow creased with suspicion. While she had design talent, not a single piece bearing her name had ever been released. 

For years, she'd been merely a design manager at the Howard Group. The only work that would have carried her name—Starlight, her potential masterpiece—had been destroyed by Edith's hands.

"Talent like yours is wasted fetching coffee at the Howard Group," Orion leaned closer, lowering his voice. "At my company, no one would dare sabotage your Starlight."

Scarlett's gaze sharpened. "You've been investigating me?"

The atmosphere between them instantly grew tense.

"Sweetie, Starlight's upcoming debut wasn't exactly a secret in design circles." Orion shrugged, palms up. 

"The original model received compensation, then some nobody social media personality started flaunting the dress—even from just a glimpse of fabric, anyone could tell it was related to the Starlight theme."

Scarlett's expression remained controlled, but her rapidly fluttering eyelashes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Starlight was your life's work," Orion pressed on. "As someone in the industry myself, I know you wouldn't trash your own creation. I think we both know who was behind it."

"Just tell me what you really want." She gave him a cold look. They were strangers; she didn't believe for a second that he was helping out of kindness.

Orion's eyes lit up. "That's a bit blunt, isn't it? I simply want MRK's logo on Starlight's promotional materials."

"You're that confident it will succeed?" Even she, the designer, couldn't guarantee Starlight would be a hit.

"Why wouldn't it? Sweetie, you need to have faith in yourself."

"When the Howard family realizes what a genius they let slip through their fingers, they'll be absolutely livid." Orion's smile crinkled his eyes.

Scarlett couldn't ignore the personal satisfaction in his tone. "That's your real objective, isn't it?"

She'd always known about the bad blood between the Watsons and the Howards. Both were elite dynasties—their grandfathers had even been brothers-in-arms—yet somehow they'd had a falling out. 

For decades they'd been undercutting each other, constantly competing for supremacy. Yet after all that rivalry, they remained equals.

However, since Sebastian took over the Howard Group, the Howard family had begun pulling ahead.

"Why worry about that?" Orion smiled. "As long as you agree, I promise your position at MRK will be second only to mine. Top-tier benefits, even a company apartment right next to the office building."

She had to admit, the offer was tempting. "Is there a probation period?"

"Full-time position. Nine to five, weekends off, comprehensive insurance. If you need it, we'll provide a car—you choose the make and model, company expense."

"That generous?"

"I'm just afraid of losing you, sweetie."

Scarlett tried to ignore his oily endearment and extended her hand. "Deal. When do we sign the contract?"

"Tomorrow at one, at the café on the ground floor of the MRK Building."

After dinner at a well-rated restaurant downtown, Scarlett declined Chris's offer to drive her back and took the bus to her hotel instead.

She had already taken out her key card in the elevator. As she swiped it at her door and heard the confirming beep, a large hand with distinct knuckles reached from behind her and pressed against the door.

The wrist wore a watch with a gold face encrusted with small diamonds that glittered in the light, sending a jolt of anxiety through her body.

"Let's talk inside," said the man behind her, his voice low.

Unable to see his face, Scarlett grew increasingly nervous, frozen in place.