Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 57

Sebastian's warning only made Scarlett's frown deepen, though she didn't reveal her feelings. 

"Mr. Watson helped me today," she said calmly, implying that staying away from him wasn't an option.

Sebastian cast her a fleeting glance. That look alone was enough to make Scarlett lower her head in frustration. She knew her answer had displeased him, but she couldn't avoid Orion—not when he'd been her benefactor.

Sebastian merely let out a cold laugh, and after that, neither spoke. He didn't stay long, seemingly using the room just as a brief stopover. When he left, Scarlett was in the bathroom.

When she emerged, the room was empty—and so was the table where she'd laid out her mother's gemstone fragments. 

Seeing the bare surface, a cold sweat ran down Scarlett's spine. She hurriedly called Sebastian, who answered quickly.

"Where's my gemstone?" she asked without preamble, her anxiety making it sound more like an accusation. 

As the words left her mouth, Scarlett realized her tone was problematic, and her anger deflated somewhat.

Sebastian seemed unbothered. Instead of answering about the gemstone, he simply said, "Wait for me after work tomorrow."

Scarlett wanted to ask more, but heard only the dial tone. She lowered her phone, staring at the dog picture on her screen before muttering, "I won't wait."

With nothing else to do, Scarlett curled up in the overly soft single armchair to watch a movie. She wasn't worried that Sebastian would keep the gemstone—his watch alone was worth more than that obviously fake stone.

The next morning, Scarlett was awakened by her phone alarm. When she moved, her body ached all over—a result of sleeping in that excessively soft armchair.

While getting ready, she checked the Howard Group's official blog. Given George's visible displeasure yesterday, the marriage alliance between the families should have been difficult to continue.

Yet the blog had only deleted the previous accusations against her and added a few statements clearing her name. Nothing else had changed.

Were they continuing with the marriage?

Scarlett frowned at the website content, spitting out toothpaste and rinsing her mouth. She couldn't understand how the families could still consider marriage after everything that had happened. 

But she quickly dismissed the thought—the Howard family's decisions were hardly her concern.

She took a taxi from the hotel to the MRK Building. Dressed casually but stylishly, with her top-tier looks and figure, she immediately attracted attention upon entering.

Being beautiful, Scarlett was immune to admiring glances. Without an employee badge, she headed straight to the reception desk.

"Hello, I'm—"

"Mr. Watson isn't in today. Please come back another time," the receptionist interjected with a professional smile, dismissing her quickly and efficiently.

Scarlett was taken aback. Before she could understand what was happening, another receptionist who had just arrived for work added, "Miss, you won't be able to see Mr. Watson here. Please leave."

The meaning was clearer now. Orion's reputation as a playboy was well-earned. MRK receptionists not only greeted visitors but also prevented Orion's romantic interests from entering the building to avoid unnecessary complications.

Though Scarlett had never experienced this, she quickly sensed something was wrong. She pulled out her employment contract from her tote bag. "This is my employment contract. I haven't received my badge yet, so I need access today."

After examining the contract, both receptionists immediately stood up, apologizing politely.

"We're so sorry, miss. Please come this way."

One receptionist returned the contract with both hands while the other led the way. With an escort, Scarlett finally passed through the security gate.

The receptionist called after her, "Employment processing is on the seventh floor!"

As Scarlett entered the elevator, the two receptionists whispered to each other.

"Did you see? It's a special appointment contract."

"Yes, I wonder which university she graduated from. So young and already specially appointed?"

Unaware of their conversation, Scarlett reached the seventh floor. As the elevator doors opened, she immediately noticed a meticulously groomed woman with her hair tied up standing at the entrance.

The woman made no move to enter the elevator. When Scarlett stepped out, she nodded slightly. "Ms. Seymour?"

Scarlett nodded, looking her up and down.

"I'm Emma Reed, Mr. Watson's personal secretary. He instructed me to help you get familiar with the environment." Emma slightly bowed her head, her gaze unclear under her glasses. Her voice was flat, carrying a mechanical quality of someone strictly business.

This personality type wasn't unfamiliar to Scarlett—Sebastian's assistant Mark was similar.

"This way, please."

Emma moved quickly, as if racing against time. Scarlett tried to keep up but found the woman's legs seemed to be powered by propellers. "Excuse me, Ms. Reed, could you slow down a bit?"

Emma turned back, glanced at Scarlett who had fallen behind, and pushed up her glasses. "Ms. Seymour, you need to adapt to this pace quickly. MRK doesn't carry dead weight."

Even in the lobby, Scarlett had noticed MRK's serious atmosphere. Everyone moved with expressionless faces, as if preparing for battle. 

The tense environment seemed designed to exploit workers, yet it was precisely this seriousness that had forged MRK's legendary status.

Scarlett felt embarrassed and hurried to catch up. "I'll adapt quickly."

Emma's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before she frowned almost imperceptibly. "Let's go. The Integrated Design Department requires a different elevator."

When they finally reached the design department, Scarlett had no chance to rest. Emma immediately led her to tour the general office area.

It was only 8 AM, an hour before official working hours, yet the office was almost full. Everyone had already started working.