Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 77

Scarlett glanced at Sebastian, then turned back to tidying her clothes. "No."

Sebastian had already removed his jacket and hung it on the coat rack by the door. "Really? I heard Shawn was looking for you."

She'd always known his information network was extensive, but not this efficient. Scarlett froze momentarily.

She remained silent, hanging the outfits back in the closet. The pale blue-purple dress set she planned to wear tomorrow was deliberately placed at the front.

Sebastian recognized the outfit—he'd had it purchased for her. The tailored design would perfectly accentuate her figure. His eyes darkened as he frowned. "Choose something else."

"Why?" Scarlett looked over at him.

"It's inappropriate," was all he said. He approached the closet to help select something himself, yet found nothing satisfactory. 

Scarlett's figure was too good—any professional outfit would look alluring on her.

He clicked his tongue in disapproval.

Scarlett watched his increasingly agitated movements as he sorted through the hangers. Frowning, she pushed past him. "I'm wearing this one." 

She pulled out the pale blue-purple outfit and turned to find Libbie.

Sebastian didn't stop her. But when Scarlett returned, he spoke up. "I'll drive you tomorrow."

He clearly knew her schedule inside out.

"That's not necessary." Scarlett pressed her lips together.

"Objection overruled." Sebastian pulled her to bed, his movements forceful.

"My stomach hurts." She raised her hand to stop his advances.

Hearing this, Sebastian lowered his gaze to her abdomen. "Your period?"

Scarlett nodded, curling up to put distance between them. He didn't move closer, watching as she lay down before leaving the bed a moment later. The bedroom door opened and closed.

Scarlett lay with eyes shut, lips pressed together, her heart aching as if cut by a dull knife. The pain in her lower abdomen grew increasingly sharp.

In truth, her period hadn't actually started yet. This always happened—she'd experience pain beforehand, only for it to worsen when her period actually began. Pure torture.

Some time later, Scarlett felt someone helping her sit up. A warm spoon pressed against her lips.

Scarlett frowned, opening her eyes to find Sebastian's face before her.

"Open your mouth," his brow furrowed.

Scarlett obeyed. The slightly sweet chicken soup was warm and comforting, though it did little to ease the pain. The warm liquid reached her stomach, providing minimal relief.

She clutched her abdomen, only managing two sips before refusing more.

"Drink a little more," Sebastian's voice was deep.

This was the first time Sebastian had ever cared for her during her period. 

Scarlett felt disoriented. The past few days of recklessness with Sebastian had made this month's pain even worse, clouding her consciousness.

"It won't help," she frowned, the pain making her irritable. Sebastian's insistence that she drink the soup only aggravated her further. 

"I need pain killers," she mumbled.

Sebastian quickly withdrew. Scarlett dozed off briefly, awakening to voices at the door. She opened her eyes to a slit and saw Libbie approaching the bedside with water while Sebastian helped her sit up.

After taking the pain medication and having a hot water bottle placed on her stomach, Scarlett felt much better.

The next morning, Scarlett woke to find the hot water bottle still warm on her abdomen.

She shifted slightly, freezing when she felt something sticky beneath her. Looking down, she saw several drops of blood on the sheet.

Frowning, she went to the bathroom to shower and change her pad, then stripped the sheets and carried them to the laundry room. 

The outfit she'd sent for pressing yesterday had been returned.

She felt better today. The abdominal pain persisted, but thanks to last night's medication, it had subsided to a tolerable level.

She changed and went downstairs, meeting Libbie.

"Good morning, Ms. Seymour. How are you feeling?" Libbie smiled immediately upon seeing her.

"Much better, not as painful," Scarlett nodded slightly, her gaze pausing when it reached Sebastian at the end of the dining table. "Mr. Howard."

Sebastian acknowledged her with a nod but didn't really look at her.

After breakfast, Scarlett planned to take a taxi to city hall, but she encountered Mark just outside the door.

"Ms. Seymour, please." Mark smiled, stepping aside to reveal the black Maybach behind him.

The rear door was already open, and Scarlett could clearly see Sebastian sitting inside.

"No need, I'll take a taxi," she looked away instinctively.

"Please get in." Mark stood his ground.

"It's out of your way. Please don't make this difficult for me," Scarlett frowned, stepping back to move around him.

"And please don't make this difficult for me." Mark moved to block her escape route completely.

Scarlett glanced irritably at the Maybach, knowing resistance was futile. She checked her watch—there wasn't much time left before her appointment. 

Though Shawn had said there was no rush, as the bureau chief, he was busy and couldn't wait for her indefinitely.

"Fine." She pressed her lips together and got in.

Sebastian was looking at his tablet and didn't even glance at her when she entered.

As they approached city hall, Scarlett lightly tapped the back of the seat. "Mr. Rogers, you can stop here."

Mark showed no sign of slowing down. Before she could protest, the car turned into the city hall parking lot. When Scarlett got out, Sebastian followed.

"Are you monitoring me now, Mr. Howard?" Scarlett frowned at Sebastian following behind her.

Sebastian glanced at her and chuckled lightly. "You think too highly of yourself."

Just as Scarlett was about to respond, someone approached from the main hall.

"Mr. Howard!" the person called out loudly, walking over to shake Sebastian's hand.

Seeing this, Scarlett realized Sebastian had his own business at city hall, which wasn't surprising. 

The Howard family had connections in both business and political circles, so visiting city hall was perfectly normal.

"And who is this lady?" The man noticed Scarlett. Seeing her beauty and noting that she'd been speaking with Sebastian, he inevitably made assumptions. "Is this your fiancée?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sebastian's meaningful gaze turned toward him.

Scarlett's face darkened. Being mistaken for Sebastian's fiancée didn't please her; instead, an inexplicable sense of crisis instantly seized her mind.

"No, you're mistaken. I have no relationship with Mr. Howard. I'm here to see Mr. Wright," she spoke quickly, afraid that even a second's delay would validate the man's assumption.

The man made a sound of acknowledgment, laughed at his poor eyesight, then informed Scarlett that Shawn was in his third-floor office.

Scarlett nodded and left, almost like she was escaping.