Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 52

In the end, Scarlett surrendered, pulling open the car door and getting in. After she was inside, Mark finally started the vehicle and drove away from the bus stop.

Knowing Mark's intentions, Scarlett couldn't care less. She lowered her head and pulled out her phone again. 

Brianna hadn't sent any messages for the past ten minutes. She frowned as she scrolled up, quickly growing bored, and tossed her phone aside.

Mark glanced at Scarlett in the rearview mirror. Her expression was thunderous. 

From Brianna's messages, it was clear they were furious about her hitting Edith. And Sebastian rushing to send her to the Seymour Villa obviously carried the intention of making her answer to Edith.

The car began climbing uphill.

"Ms. Seymour, I'll stay nearby, don't worry," Mark finally offered, perhaps because Scarlett's expression looked so grim.

Scarlett gritted her teeth and silently sent Chris a message. By the time Chris replied, the car had already stopped at the entrance of the Seymour Villa. Before she could read the response, Mark opened the door beside her.

"Ms. Seymour, if you please."

Scarlett stared at the Seymour Villa entrance, frozen in place. Seeing this, Mark didn't rush her. 

She took several deep breaths, lowered her head with a mocking smile, then got out and walked straight toward the entrance without even glancing at Mark.

The moment she stepped inside, Scarlett sensed something wasn't right. Several bodyguards stood at the entrance—not the type the Seymour family would typically employ. 

Scarlett had only seen such men around her grandfather, Richard Seymour, when he was still alive. These weren't mere bodyguards; they were high-level security personnel.

Her face darkened as she immediately realized who they belonged to: Sebastian's grandfather, George. In all of Sovereign City, only George Howard and Cedric Watson commanded such elite security. 

She hadn't expected George to value Edith so highly that he would personally come to the Seymour Villa.

Mark, following behind Scarlett, also tensed visibly.

"Mr. Rogers," one guard nodded politely to Mark before turning to Scarlett. "Ms. Seymour, I presume? This way, please."

Scarlett knew she had no grounds for resistance and could only follow obediently. Mark tried to follow but was blocked by another guard.

"Mr. Rogers, that won't be necessary."

Mark forced a smile. "Very well." He turned to leave, but the moment he got into the car, he dialed Sebastian's number. "Mr. Sebastian Howard, Mr. George Howard's people..."

Meanwhile, Scarlett quickly adjusted her mindset as she followed the security personnel inside. 

If George was present, the Seymour family wouldn't dare be too aggressive. Edith would have to temper her attitude, and if the timing was right, she might even be able to reclaim her mother's jewels.

With this thought, her expression relaxed considerably. But as she approached the main hall and heard Edith's coquettish voice, she instinctively frowned with irritation and disgust.

As Scarlett stepped into the hall, everyone inside stopped talking and turned to look at her. 

George looked over immediately, his gaze penetrating—more intimidating than Sebastian's. His stern face added to his natural authority, commanding respect without saying a word.

Looking at him, Scarlett felt genuinely intimidated, but she didn't show it. After briefly meeting George's eyes, she lowered her gaze and spoke steadily, with neither subservience nor arrogance, "Good day, Mr. Howard."

Her composure surprised George. Even Edith hadn't been this collected during their first meeting. 

In comparison, Scarlett's demeanor actually pleased him more. But as he looked her up and down, he thought with regret that she was, after all, just an illegitimate daughter who couldn't be presented in proper society.

Meanwhile, Sebastian frowned upon receiving Mark's call. "I understand."

He stood up, intending to leave, but was stopped by Orion, who offered him a cigarette with a playful smile. "Mr. Howard, sounds like you're in a bind."

Sebastian eyed the cigarette, his brow relaxing slightly as he accepted it, lighting it with Orion's offered flame. "Mr. Watson has time on his hands?"

"In business, the more partnerships, the better," Orion said, cigarette between his lips as he gathered the contracts from the table. He raised an eyebrow. "Besides, who's a better choice than me?"

Sebastian chuckled softly, taking a drag. Smoke swirled around his face as he looked over. "Deal."

Back at the Seymour Villa, seeing Scarlett enter, Brianna immediately rose from the sofa and walked over with a beaming smile, linking arms with her. "Scarlett's home! Come, come, have a seat."

Not only was she playing nice, but even Edith, sitting beside George, called to Scarlett with feigned affection. Even David, who had always shown Scarlett nothing but coldness, displayed a smile.

Scarlett found it all painfully ironic. She subtly avoided Brianna's hand while following her lead. 

Seeing Scarlett's compliance, Brianna smiled and didn't take offense, cheerfully guiding her toward the sofas.

But Scarlett chose to sit on the outermost sofa, keeping her distance from the Seymour family and George. George had been watching her the whole time and nodded with approval at her proper behavior.

Edith, however, was dissatisfied. She had hoped Scarlett would cause a scene, but this docile behavior might only earn her more goodwill. 

With this in mind, Edith couldn't help glancing at George beside her. His expressionless face revealed nothing of his thoughts.

Edith turned to the properly seated Scarlett with a frown and began setting a trap. "Scarlett, why didn't you reply to Mom's messages?"

"I didn't see them," Scarlett replied calmly.

Edith forced a smile. "Really? I thought you were ignoring me on purpose."

"Why would I do that?" Scarlett asked, looking over with a smile.

Edith couldn't answer and feared continuing might reveal Brianna's true attitude toward Scarlett, so she just laughed awkwardly and fell silent. 

But as she laughed, she suddenly let out a cry so affected and exaggerated that everyone turned to look.

Edith covered her cheek and, meeting everyone's gaze, lowered her head shyly. "I'm sorry, I pulled at my injury."

Her left cheek was covered with a cold compress bandage, visibly more swollen than her right. George turned to look and finally remembered the real purpose of his visit today.

He immediately looked at Scarlett with disapproval. "I hear from Edith that you haven't apologized yet."

Scarlett had anticipated this move and remained composed. "Edith insulted me first."