Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 59

Scarlett turned at the sound, spotting someone standing in the doorway. She quickly set the watering can down and smiled warmly. "Please, come in."

She was beautiful, her striking features made even more radiant by the sunlight streaming in behind her. 

The man delivering the project could barely lift his gaze, as if afraid of somehow tarnishing the stunning sight before him.

"Ms. Seymour, this is the City Complex Building design project and the blueprints," he said, his words coming out awkwardly.

Scarlett accepted the USB drives with a puzzled expression. "No hard copies?"

"We thought digital would be more convenient," he replied with a smile, carefully avoiding mentioning what people in the general office had really said.

Scarlett didn't mind. She plugged the drive into her company-issued laptop and her expression gradually grew serious as she became absorbed in the project details.

The man was taken aback. Could she actually understand the material? He'd assumed this was just a formality.

"You can sit while you wait," she said, glancing up at him.

He nodded, somewhat dazed, and settled onto the nearby sofa. As he sat down, he bounced slightly, testing the cushion before sitting again with raised eyebrows. Expensive furniture really was different.

He didn't have to wait long. Scarlett reviewed everything quickly—most of the project document consisted of standard boilerplate text, with only a few key pieces of information scattered throughout.

Though Scarlett's primary expertise was in fashion design, her time at the Howard Group had exposed her to various design fields including landscape and interior design.

"I've reviewed everything. It looks good—the proposal definitely has MRK's signature style," she said while copying the files and ejecting the drives. "However, since the Howard Group was originally favored for this project, you might want to incorporate some elements of their style."

She handed the drives back. "Specifically, reference the 'Commercial Management Design' they published on their website last June. That should minimize revision requests later."

The man was surprised by her detailed feedback. As he accepted the drives, he couldn't help asking, "Ms. Seymour, where did you work previously?"

Only a genius or someone with significant experience could hit the ground running like this on their first day. He didn't want to admit this beautiful woman was a genius—that would be too unfair.

Scarlett had nothing to hide. "The Howard Group."

Her name was still prominently displayed on their announcements page.

"Impressive," he murmured before leaving the office.

When he returned to the general office, his colleagues immediately surrounded him.

"What took so long? Was there a problem?" asked a concerned coworker who had created the blueprints.

The man glanced at her with a relaxed smile. "Don't worry. Our new director isn't just a pretty face—she used to work at the Howard Group."

This news exploded like a thunderclap, instantly bringing everyone to attention like prairie dogs popping out of their burrows.

Someone immediately checked the Howard Group's website.

"It's true! 'We apologize to Scarlett Seymour for previous incorrect information. During her tenure as Design Director...'"

"Wow, Design Director at the Howard Group! No wonder Mr. Watson ordered new sofas and computers. She's the real deal!"

When Scarlett left her office during lunch, the same people who had been cold that morning now greeted her enthusiastically.

"Good day, Ms. Seymour!"

"Ms. Seymour, going to lunch? We can go together."

"Heading to the cafeteria? We'd be happy to show you the way."

They eagerly clustered around her, moving toward the central glass doors. 

The Integrated Design Department occupied an entire floor, with glass partitions instead of walls except for load-bearing structures. 

For convenience, the cafeteria was on the same floor and was larger than those for other departments.

Just as Scarlett was about to respond, her phone chimed.

She glanced at it, her face automatically unlocking the screen to reveal Sebastian's message:

[Come downstairs.]

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly darkened the screen and smiled apologetically at the group. "My friend is here."

Though disappointed, they didn't press the issue. After escorting her to the elevator, they continued toward the cafeteria in small groups.

---

Scarlett took the elevator to the first floor, but had no intention of meeting Sebastian. Too many people had been around her—if even one person had glimpsed her phone screen, they would have seen his name in her contacts.

She instinctively wanted to hide their relationship, preferring that no one know they were acquainted. 

Having made up the excuse to leave, she couldn't return to the cafeteria upstairs. Instead, she bought bread at the convenience store next to the building.

As she paid, Scarlett felt dejected. She'd been looking forward to trying the cafeteria—rumor had it that the Integrated Design Department's dining hall rivaled state banquets in quality. 

Yet here she was at MRK, reduced to eating convenience store bread.

"Ms. Seymour."

Just as she was tearing open the packaging with her teeth, Mark's voice suddenly came from behind her.

She froze, her hand instantly tightening around the bread, squeezing the soft loaf flat. 

Turning slowly, she met Mark's amused gaze and forced a smile while hiding the bread behind her back. "Mr. Rogers, what a coincidence."

"Not a coincidence. Mr. Howard is waiting for you," Mark said, stepping aside.

With his movement, Scarlett finally noticed the black car parked to the right of the building, where a new library was under construction and foot traffic was minimal.

Her gaze fell on the tinted rear window as she pressed her lips together, wondering how much Sebastian had seen. 

She walked toward the car, her eyes darting around for a trash can to dispose of the evidence. But by the time she reached the car door, no trash can had appeared.

Mark had already opened the door. Looking inside, she could see Sebastian's long legs folded elegantly, the pointed tips of his thin black leather shoes just visible in the center.

Sebastian seemed to be watching her from inside the car. His face was obscured, making it impossible to see where his gaze was directed, but she instinctively hid the bread anyway.

Her attempt at concealment apparently amused him. He chuckled softly, though his tone remained cool. "When I asked you to come downstairs, was it so you could buy bread?"