Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 67

"Rest assured, I'm not pregnant," Scarlett announced, seeing Sebastian's troubled expression.

Mark raised his eyebrows from the front seat and promptly raised the privacy partition.

Sebastian said nothing, just examined the test results thoroughly before carefully storing them in the side compartment.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of having your child," Scarlett hastened to explain. "I got sick to my stomach today and kept throwing up, so that's why I..."

"I understand," Sebastian interrupted, seemingly uninterested in her hospital visit. 

He looked at her languidly. "Paul tells me you wanted to discuss the collaboration between MRK and the Howard Group?"

Scarlett knew she couldn't hide this from him. Though a car wasn't her first choice for business negotiations, she recognized that Sebastian bringing it up himself meant the chances of success were high.

"Yes, this project is based on the fundamental situation of both your company and ours..." She launched into explaining the proposal she had reviewed so many times she could recite it from memory.

However, Sebastian cut her off. "I'll sign the project."

This abrupt interruption left Scarlett with a trapped feeling in her chest. She frowned, trying to release the tension, but couldn't control it and suddenly dry-heaved.

The sound filled the car. Blushing deeply, she murmured, "I'm sorry."

Sebastian studied her calmly, seemingly pondering something. "Perhaps we should get you checked again?"

Scarlett was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "Mr. Howard, you don't trust me?"

"This has nothing to do with trust. It's simply inappropriate," Sebastian replied casually, looking directly at her. "We can't afford mistakes at this time."

Her hand tightened against her skirt. Though she had anticipated this answer, it still caused a twisting pain in her heart. 

She took small, subtle deep breaths until the ache subsided somewhat. "Of course I understand."

Seeing her compliance, Sebastian nodded approvingly. "I can sign the project documents. Tonight, you'll move back to Windchime Villa."

"I don't—" Scarlett began to refuse, but when her eyes met his penetrating gaze with its dangerous warning, the words died in her throat. 

She licked her lips and looked away. "My things aren't packed, and I have work tomorrow. Maybe this weekend..."

"Windchime Villa has everything you need. As for your apartment, I'll have Teddy Parker take care of it." Sebastian's tone was pleasant enough, but left no room for negotiation.

Scarlett clenched her teeth, knowing resistance was futile. "I understand."

"You'll have a car tomorrow," Sebastian suddenly added.

Scarlett turned her head. "I can go myself—" She realized they had already left the city center. "My documents are still in the car!"

"Mark will handle it," Sebastian replied, not even looking up from his tablet.

---

When they arrived at Windchime Villa, Libbie was already waiting at the entrance. Scarlett felt embarrassed facing her, having just left and returned within two hours.

"Ms. Seymour, you're back!" Libbie smiled happily, taking her hand. "I heard your stomach is upset, so I made some oatmeal. Try a little and see how you feel."

Sebastian glanced at their joined hands but said nothing as he loosened his tie and headed upstairs.

Under Libbie's care, Scarlett consumed a bowl of lightly salted oatmeal and took her medication as prescribed. Just as she was about to go upstairs to rest, Mark returned with the documents.

"Mr. Rogers, I'll take those," Scarlett said, recognizing the MRK project folder in his hands.

Mark handed them over without hesitation. Scarlett took the documents to the second-floor study but didn't find Sebastian there. Standing at the staircase, she looked up toward the third floor, hesitating.

The third floor was Sebastian's private space. Even though Scarlett had lived here on and off for nearly five years, there were still areas she wasn't permitted to enter. 

Her room was on the second floor, as were most of the functional rooms in the villa. The third floor was almost exclusively Sebastian's domain.

She would have preferred to completely detach herself from him. Although they now had to live under the same roof, she didn't want any deeper entanglements. 

Going upstairs and seeing something she shouldn't would only make things worse.

With this in mind, Scarlett decided to text Sebastian instead.

[Are you on the third floor? I have the documents.]

After sending the message, Scarlett leaned against the stair railing, stretching her muscles. A reply came quickly.

Sebastian: [Come up.]

Just a simple phrase, but it granted Scarlett a new privilege. She frowned, shifting her gaze from the screen to the third floor. After a moment's hesitation, she began climbing the stairs.

The third floor contained only two rooms with a spacious, open tea room connecting them. 

Scarlett found the door that was slightly ajar, knocked, and waited for Sebastian's voice. Only after receiving a clear response did she push the door open.

Sebastian sat on the sofa watching television, holding a glass of whiskey on ice. He wore a bathrobe, his hair still dripping water that ran down his exposed chest and traced the contours of his abdominal muscles. 

His pale skin wasn't a sign of weakness; it only enhanced his aristocratic aura, making it clear to anyone who looked that he was someone beyond reach.

He looked at Scarlett. "Sit."

Scarlett glanced around before choosing a nearby armchair.