Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 49

Sebastian looked down, his gaze catching only Scarlett's exposed nape and slender yet full figure. He pushed the unlocked door open.

"Inside," he commanded, nearly shoving her through the doorway before the door slammed shut behind them.

Scarlett stood frozen in the entryway, her expression cold. "If you're here because of Edith, I won't apologize."

Sebastian shot her a contemptuous glance as he removed his jacket. With one arm, he encircled her slim waist. "Got some backbone now that Mr. Watson has your back?"

Her expression hardened. "None of your business!" She pushed his arm away and kicked off her shoes, rushing deeper into the room like she was fleeing.

Sebastian's face darkened as he watched her retreat.

In the bedroom, Scarlett curled up and pulled the covers over her head. She felt the mattress dip, then his weight shifted onto her body—oppressive and burning hot—making her want to escape even more. 

Before she could move, Sebastian yanked the covers away. Their eyes met, and she could clearly see the crimson in his gaze.

Thinking she was hallucinating, she closed her eyes.

"Well done, Scarlett," he laughed, though the words came through clenched teeth.

She didn't need to see his expression to know Sebastian was on the edge of fury. She opened her eyes but avoided his gaze, looking down at her hands instead, lips pressed together in silence.

This only angered him further. He gripped her chin, forcing her face toward his. "Found a new patron so quickly? What did Orion offer you?"

His certainty about her relationship with Orion irritated her. She pushed his hand away and backed against the headboard. "Mr. Watson is certainly more generous than you."

That single sentence turned Sebastian's face dark. His eyes narrowed. "Scarlett, you need to remember your place—"

"My place?" she cut him off, her tone challenging. "If you find me so distasteful, we should part ways cleanly. Why make things so complicated?"

"You're testing my limits," he warned, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Scarlett scoffed, even laughing. "Limits? Mr. Howard, do you even have any?"

Sebastian fell silent, then suddenly smiled—a smile devoid of warmth that made her heart skip a beat. "Do you really think you can escape my control?"

Her heart raced, but she maintained her composure. "Mr. Howard, let's be honest—what we had was just a transaction. Now I want to end it, and I have every right to choose a new partner."

His gaze deepened as he moved closer, forcing her against the headboard until their breaths mingled. "Transaction? You're so naive."

She felt the pressure but still met his eyes, refusing to back down. "What do you mean?"

"Some things, once started, can't be ended at your whim. Terminating our arrangement? That's not your decision to make." Sebastian leaned closer, his gaze dropping to her lips.

"So what does Mr. Howard propose?" Scarlett failed to notice the approaching danger. "Should I continue following you and being bullied by Edith?"

"Stay in line. It won't be for long," he answered ambiguously as he pressed down, his movements rough and agitated.

Scarlett bit down hard, refusing to make a sound, her eyes glistening.

"The Watson family is more complicated than you imagine. Stay away from Orion," Sebastian continued, rising slightly to look down at her.

Tears welled in her eyes as she glared at him, lips pressed tight.

"Say something," he demanded.

"Get lost," she spat, humiliated and frustrated.

Sebastian's face remained cold as he watched Scarlett gradually lose herself in their passionate encounter. 

The wild, cathartic intimacy lasted the entire night. At first, she could still argue back, but as time passed, she couldn't maintain her resolve. Her tearful pleas couldn't restore his rationality.

Only when she passed out from exhaustion did Sebastian finally stop. He sat at the edge of the bed, glancing at her reddened eyes. His gaze was calm as he lightly touched her warm cheek. When would she learn to behave?

---

News of Scarlett slapping Edith reached both families that same evening. In the early hours, Sebastian was summoned to the Howard Manor.

He had anticipated this and left immediately when the call came. Mark was already waiting in the car.

"Mr. Sebastian Howard," Mark reported once they were moving, "Ms. Seymour went to the Howard family hospital complaining of headaches after being slapped. The emergency doctor reported this to Mr. George Howard."

Sebastian frowned. "Where is Edith now?"

"They said it wasn't serious. She's returned to the Seymour Villa."

At the Howard Manor, Sebastian headed straight for the study where George sat waiting. The older man gestured to the opposite sofa. "Sit."

"Tell me," George leaned on his cane, his gaze piercing, "if Edith hadn't made this public, how long were you planning to hide it?"

Sebastian remained composed. "I thought it was a minor issue, not worth troubling you, Grandfather."

"Not worth troubling me, or were you trying to protect that illegitimate daughter?" George's cloudy eyes nonetheless sparkled with certainty.

Sebastian took a deep breath. "Naturally, I didn't want to disturb you. A quarrel between the Seymour sisters hardly requires your intervention."

His reasoning was sound. By any measure, a dispute between sisters was indeed a small matter. But to George, it was no small affair. Edith was his chosen granddaughter-in-law, and he wouldn't allow her to suffer any grievance.

"Is that so? Well then, Scarlett has no reason to remain at the Howard Group. My people will inform HR." George glanced at Sebastian, his deep eyes carrying hidden meaning.