Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 78

From the moment Scarlett turned away, she felt someone's gaze fixed on her back, though she didn't dare look behind her. 

This sensation persisted until she rounded the staircase corner and finally disappeared.

The third floor housed numerous offices, most with their doors wide open. As Scarlett looked around, she quickly drew attention.

"Excuse me, miss, who are you looking for?" A young man emerged from a nearby office, appraising her with a flash of admiration in his eyes.

"Hello, I'm the Director of Integrated Services at MRK," Scarlett smiled politely, retrieving her business card. "I'm here to see Mr. Wright about the City Complex Building project."

The man took her card and glanced at it. "Oh, Ms. Seymour." 

He kept the card in his palm while pointing her in the right direction. "Go down this corridor. When you see a set of double wooden doors, that's Mr. Wright's office."

Scarlett nodded her thanks and headed where he indicated.

After she left, a figure emerged behind the man, draping an arm over his shoulder with a teasing expression. "What have you got there, Mr. Watson?"

Feeling embarrassed, Ethan Watson shrugged off his friend's hand. "Are the documents ready?"

His friend knew Ethan was just feeling self-conscious. He grinned, "All done. Here you go." 

He slapped the documents against Ethan's chest, then raised his chin in the direction Scarlett had gone. "Going to pursue that?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Who knows?"

---

Scarlett followed the corridor around a corner and finally spotted the double doors the young man had described—high-quality nanmu wood doors exuding solidity. 

She pressed the doorbell beside them and quickly heard movement inside.

The door opened automatically, and through the gradually widening gap, she heard a voice. "Come in."

Although she knew the person inside couldn't see her, Scarlett nodded instinctively.

The office featured a minimalist design, but stepping inside, one immediately felt an invisible pressure descending from the ceiling, making visitors hesitant to look around freely.

Shawn sat behind his desk, an all-in-one computer in front of him, though he was looking down at documents. 

He wore an administrative jacket, perfectly pressed without a wrinkle, his hair neatly combed back—serious and reserved.

Hearing the sound of high heels, Shawn looked up. Seeing Scarlett, he seemed momentarily surprised, then straightened and slipped the documents into a drawer.

"I didn't expect you'd be here this early." He seemed somewhat surprised.

Scarlett suddenly realized she hadn't confirmed a specific meeting time. "I'm sorry, I forgot to call ahead. Am I interrupting you?" 

The sudden abdominal pain last night had made her completely forget this important detail. Her face flushed slightly as she bit her lower lip.

"Not at all. I thought you'd come in the afternoon. Had I known you'd arrive now, I would have had someone meet you downstairs." Shawn smiled gently, standing and walking toward her. 

He stopped an arm's length away, gesturing for her to sit on the nearby sofa.

"I thought you might be busy, so I wanted to come early," Scarlett said, sitting down as indicated.

After she sat, Shawn didn't join her immediately. Instead, he walked to a tea cabinet. "Green tea?"

Seeing him preparing tea, Scarlett quickly waved her hand. "No need, just water is fine."

Shawn paused, nodded, and turned to boil some water before sitting down. "Thank you for coming. I heard you haven't been feeling well lately. Looking at you, it seems you haven't fully recovered."

Scarlett was momentarily surprised, then realized MRK staff probably hadn't told Shawn the truth. 

She nodded, "Yes, but it won't affect my work at all, Mr. Wright. Please don't worry."

"I have complete faith in your professional abilities," Shawn smiled warmly.

Scarlett hadn't heard such an expression of trust in a long time. She was briefly stunned before smiling. "Thank you for your confidence."

The laptop she'd brought could barely run the design software, but they discussed specific details over the small screen.

"...Actually, I think we could make some adjustments to this renovation rather than just replicating the previous plan exactly..." As Scarlett spoke enthusiastically, Shawn stood, gesturing for her to continue while he fetched a glass of water.

"We can consider this approach, but it needs discussion. There's a meeting next Wednesday. If you're available, you're welcome to attend."

Scarlett hadn't expected to be invited to a government meeting. "May I?"

Shawn nodded. "The meeting is specifically about the renovation, the contractor should be represented. And you have an excellent grasp of the project. If I had to choose, I'd prefer you to attend."

There was an implication in his words. Scarlett raised an eyebrow slightly. "Alright, I'll be there."

Shawn nodded, taking out his phone. "Would you mind sending me the latest proposal? Let's exchange contact information."

Scarlett looked at the phone extended toward her, then glanced instinctively at the all-in-one computer on the desk.

Noticing her glance, Shawn's smile remained unchanged. "That's government property, generally only used for official documents."

Scarlett quickly looked away, taking out her phone to scan his code. His profile picture seemed at odds with his appearance—it was a blooming lily.

Looking at this avatar, Scarlett couldn't help but frown. "Is this lily flower you?"

Shawn nodded. Only then did Scarlett send the friend request.

"That's all. Just send me the proposal," Shawn said after receiving the request.

After exchanging the proposal, Scarlett gathered her things and left. 

When she reached the first floor, someone was already waiting in the lobby—a person she had seen before at the MRK Building, trailing behind Shawn.

"Ms. Seymour, Mr. Wright asked me to drive you back."

"That won't be necessary," Scarlett declined with a wave of her hand.

Just as she finished speaking, a black Maybach pulled up in front of them. 

Seeing this car, Scarlett's expression changed subtly. She immediately tried to step away but wasn't quick enough—the front window of the Maybach was already rolling down.