Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 72

Orion stared at Scarlett, caught completely off guard by her response. After a moment, he laughed softly and picked up a pen, absently twirling it between his fingers.

Scarlett's gaze fell to the spinning pen, its soft clicking sound tapping against her heart like a metronome of anxiety. 

As seconds stretched into minutes, her breathing grew uncomfortable with mounting tension.

When the pen finally came to rest, Orion spoke. "If that's how you feel, we'll do it your way."

Scarlett nodded, her expression still grave. Working through Adele would undoubtedly create obstacles.

Seeing her concern, Orion broke into a reassuring smile. "However, I'm happy to make an exception. If she deliberately blocks your decisions, you can report directly to me."

This brightened Scarlett's mood slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Watson."

They discussed the project for a few more minutes. After signing, the preliminary work would fall to the Comprehensive Design Department. 

As director, Scarlett would normally oversee this process, but with Adele joining as general manager, she would now determine the procedures.

Just as Scarlett gathered her documents, a knock sounded at the door. Emma stood in the partially opened doorway, with someone visible only in profile behind her.

From the glimpse of his attire, Scarlett immediately knew who it was.

"Mr. Watson, Mr. Howard is here," Emma announced.

Orion glanced at Scarlett. "Let him in."

Sebastian entered with perfect posture, his privileged background and high position giving him an aura of authority that didn't diminish even in Orion's territory. Without waiting for an invitation, he seated himself on a nearby sofa.

The low sofa made his long legs look almost comical, as if he'd stolen a child's chair, yet he somehow appeared even more imposing. 

His eyes fell level with Scarlett's legs in her light-colored pantsuit—chosen deliberately after yesterday's events had soured her on pencil skirts.

Despite the fact that such pants might have looked bulky on someone else, they enhanced Scarlett's excellent proportions, giving her a powerful allure.

"Is Ms. Seymour's report finished?" Sebastian asked, his gaze shifting to her face as he raised an eyebrow, fingers tapping lightly on his leg.

He was clearly dismissing her.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow in return. "Of course. Mr. Watson, I'll be going now."

She nodded slightly to Orion without even glancing at Sebastian, then turned and left.

Back at the Design Department, Hatty—Scarlett's specially arranged assistant— intercepted Scarlett before she could reach her office.

"Ms. Scarlett Seymour, Ms. Adele Seymour wants to see you," Hatty said, glancing around nervously before adding in a hushed tone, "This Ms. Adele Seymour isn't easy to deal with. You should be careful."

Scarlett's expression changed slightly. "She just arrived, and you're already saying this?"

Hatty, seasoned from her time in Marketing, caught Scarlett's probe but decided to back her anyway. "I've been around. I just delivered something to her, and the way she speaks—clearly a spoiled rich girl." 

Despite her innocent appearance, Hatty's dismissive wave and worldly mannerisms betrayed her experience.

Scarlett couldn't help but smile, accepting the goodwill. "Alright, I understand. I'll be careful."

Taking the elevator to Adele's floor, Scarlett immediately noticed employees staring at her. They quickly averted their eyes when she looked at them, only to whisper among themselves after she passed.

This familiar, nauseating reaction told Scarlett everything she needed to know. She frowned, making no effort to hide her irritation.

At Adele's office, the secretary showed no respect. "Scarlett, right? Wait there. Our manager is in a meeting."

The office door was slightly ajar, and women's voices drifted out, occasionally erupting in laughter. Scarlett recognized both Edith and Adele, discussing what sounded like idle gossip.

After waiting less than a minute, Scarlett turned to leave.

"What are you doing? Ms. Seymour still wants to see you!" the secretary called after her.

Scarlett paused, giving the woman a cold look over her shoulder, deliberately raising her voice to ensure the women inside could hear her. "She seems busy. Unfortunately, I'm busy too."

With that, she walked away.

The laughter in the general manager's office abruptly stopped. Adele's face darkened with anger and embarrassment at being defied.

Edith covered her mouth, her eyes filled with schadenfreude even as she consoled her friend. "Don't be angry, Adele. You know how Scarlett is. She is a director after all..."

"She's a director! And I'm the general manager!" Adele couldn't tolerate the disrespect. "She's clearly looking down on me!"

Edith smiled, leaning close to whisper in her ear, "As the general manager, dealing with a mere director..."