Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 74

Behind Sebastian, the junior managers scrambled to address the situation, while others whispered reassurances in his ear.

"Mr. Howard, this is all a misunderstanding!"

Sebastian turned to look at the nervous manager beside him. "Idle gossip is never good when left unchecked."

His voice was low, betraying neither warning nor displeasure, yet the manager was sweating profusely, nodding vigorously. "Of course, we'll handle it immediately!"

This was the first step in the renewed friendship between the Watson and Howard families—any complications, even small ones, could derail everything.

The incident had ruined Scarlett's mood for car shopping. Seeing her distress, Chris took her to a seafood restaurant downtown instead.

"Don't be upset. Here, have some crab," he offered.

It was August, and blue crabs were at their prime. Chris cracked open a shell and extracted a perfect piece of white meat, dipping it in hot garlic butter with a squeeze of lemon—irresistibly delicious.

Scarlett and Chris got along so well largely because of their similar tastes. She ate without hesitation, her fingers soon covered in butter and crab juice.

"I'm telling you, you should just move to Castrovella City," Chris said as he cracked open a claw, clearly irritated. "As long as you stay here, the Seymour family follows like bloodhounds."

Scarlett struggled with a crab leg, finally reaching for the crackers. "MRK has promised to restart the Starlight Show. They're working on preliminary plans now. I want to finish that first before deciding anything."

"You really think that'll work?" Chris frowned, his face tightening at the thought of Adele at MRK. "I don't understand what Orion was thinking, letting her in."

Scarlett found it equally bewildering.

"Has Dennis heard anything?" she asked.

"I haven't asked. He's been swamped—heading to Africa next month for special training. I can't even get a hold of him," Chris replied, popping a piece of crab meat into his mouth.

Scarlett merely nodded.

"But I bet Edith has something to do with this," Chris continued, breaking open another crab and transferring the choicest meat to Scarlett's plate.

"How so?" she asked, picking at it with her fork.

"Word is Orion and Sebastian have been meeting frequently, which has infuriated Mr. Cedric Watson." Chris licked butter from his fingers. "The Seymour family has no direct line to the Watson family unless Sebastian personally intervenes."

Scarlett's fork paused briefly before she resumed eating. "Is that so?"

Her tone was even, as if she'd anticipated this all along.

"You already guessed?" Chris looked concerned.

"More or less." She shrugged, frowning at the thought of Sebastian's intensity. "He can't stand seeing me content, always has to cause problems."

Chris pressed his lips together. "You've been entangled with him for so long. Now that he's getting engaged, aren't you ready to let go?"

"I'm not the one holding on," Scarlett immediately denied.

But Chris's next words stopped her cold. "If that's true, why are you living in Sebastian's villa?"

Her movements froze, her heartbeat suddenly loud in her ears. "How did you know?"

"My car has GPS tracking," Chris raised an eyebrow. "It showed the car parked at Sebastian's villa overnight. I also asked Orion—he said you moved out of your apartment."

"Isn't that the same as moving into his villa?"

Scarlett had thought her secret was safe, never realizing how easily it could be discovered.

Seeing her distress, Chris added reassuringly, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Scarlett forced a smile. "Thank you."

They fell into a long silence after that.

As they left the restaurant, Chris again mentioned studying abroad in Castrovella City. This time, after their conversation, Scarlett didn't immediately refuse.

She suddenly realized her relationship with Sebastian would eventually be discovered. When that happened, she could predict the criticism she would face. Edith would certainly seize such an opportunity.

And she would never be Sebastian's first choice. She had to take responsibility for her own future.

"Mr. Wright, perhaps you're overthinking things." A man's voice cut through the night silence, startling them both.

Scarlett immediately looked toward the street where the voice had come from.

This was a famous seafood district. Though it was the right season, it was still early, prices were high, and there were few customers.

Sebastian leaned against his car, a cigarette between his fingers. Judging by how much had burned, he'd been standing there for nearly five minutes.

"Mr. Howard," Chris said with an awkward smile, hoping to gloss over the conversation.

Sebastian dropped his cigarette and crushed it under his thin-soled leather shoe. Looking up at Scarlett, he commanded, "Come here."

He never once looked at Chris.

Chris frowned and started to speak, but Scarlett stopped him with a gesture.

The Wright family was well-off, but compared to the Howard family, the difference was vast. Scarlett didn't want Chris to become Sebastian's target and walked over voluntarily.

Sebastian always responded well to her compliance. As she approached, he put his arm around her waist, his large hand resting on her full stomach.

"You want to study abroad?" he asked with a smile.

Scarlett felt a chill down her spine and immediately lowered her head. "No."

Sebastian's gaze fell on her slightly trembling eyelashes before he looked up at the defiant Chris. "Did you hear that, Mr. Wright?"

Chris had witnessed Sebastian's intimidation tactics before. After an internal struggle, he stepped forward resolutely. "Mr. Howard, I don't know what your motivation is, but does Scarlett deserve to be treated this way?"

"Chris, my affairs don't need your management," Sebastian warned coldly, ignoring the question.

Hearing this response, Chris felt even more indignant on Scarlett's behalf.

"You're not even in love with her! You should let her go! Sebastian, you coward!"

His words made Scarlett stiffen instantly. She clutched Sebastian's clothes, her voice small and pleading.

"Don't!"

Sebastian's gaze turned icy, but feeling Scarlett's closeness and submission, his expression softened slightly. "Mark."

Only then did the others realize Mark had been standing by the front of the car all along.

"Mr. Wright, you're intoxicated. Let me drive you home." Mark stepped forward, his manner gentle but firm.

Chris shook off his hand. "I'm not drunk!"

But in the next moment, Mark gripped his arm with enough force to make Chris wince.

Sebastian's words drifted through the air. "Don't you have an important race coming up soon, Mr. Wright?"