Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 81

Sebastian's words sent ripples through the room.

Everyone in the store instantly turned to look. 

Edith's expression twisted into something strange and awkward—she pursed her lips, wanting to smile but trying to maintain composure. Yet the joy bubbling inside couldn't be contained, and she let out a soft laugh. 

Though quiet, to Scarlett's ears it rang more painfully clear than Sebastian's "we'll buy it."

She immediately looked up, marking the first time she had ever so directly gazed at Sebastian in public. Her stare was too pointed to ignore. 

Sebastian met her gaze, his half-lidded eyes making their usual clarity turn murky, his emotions unreadable behind that shadowed gaze.

Edith, lost in the satisfaction of Sebastian's gesture, completely missed the loaded exchange between them. 

Among the group, only Adele noticed, her brow furrowing slightly as her eyes darted back and forth between the two.

Scarlett quickly forced a smile—an awkward attempt to recover from her momentary lapse. "Mr. Howard truly lives up to his reputation," she said, the words strained and unnatural.

It was all she could manage to say, while her heart felt like it was being torn apart. 

She couldn't understand why Sebastian would buy the ring. He had just moments ago slipped it onto her finger, yet now he was purchasing it for Edith. 

The confusion left her with an unexpected feeling of betrayal.

The sensation was unbearable. Sebastian seemed to be saying something, but when she looked up, her vision had gone blurry. 

She could only make out Edith's smug, triumphant posture as Sebastian stood beside her, accepting the packaged ring with what appeared to be tenderness.

Edith made a small sound of satisfaction and began chattering excitedly. Her voice reached Scarlett's ears in waves, sometimes distant, sometimes too close. 

Scarlett's gaze followed the small shopping bag. The ring couldn't be resized, and it didn't fit Edith's finger—so why buy it?

"What's the point of buying it when I can't even wear it?" Edith laughed, reaching for the bag but missing. Her smile faltered, but before she could ask, Sebastian spoke.

"Wedding ring."

Those two words were enough to make Edith beam again, even more proudly than before. She arched her eyebrows, deliberately looking at Scarlett. 

Scarlett's previous mockery still rang in her ears, and now she wanted to show her exactly who Sebastian intended to marry.

But Scarlett had already looked away. 

The small bag containing the amber ring had been passed to Mark.

Edith was in high spirits for the return journey, constantly taking photos with her phone to show off the massive gemstone on her finger. 

Within minutes, before the group had even left the mall, Scarlett had already seen three separate posts on Edith's Facebook—each with different angles and captions.

The car returning home had room for everyone, but Scarlett still said her goodbyes at the mall elevator.

"Come with us, Scarlett," Edith said in an unusually gentle voice, her mood clearly improved. "You haven't been home in ages. Why not join us for dinner tonight?"

In that moment, she truly resembled a caring older sister. Scarlett couldn't even detect any malice in her words. It felt strange and irritating.

"No thanks, I have other plans." Scarlett lowered her eyes, her voice flat as she declined Edith's invitation. After these words, she turned and walked away.

"What a shame," Edith's voice carried from behind, followed immediately by Adele's: "Why invite her? She'd only ruin our good mood anyway."

Throughout the entire exchange, Sebastian hadn't said a word—just as Scarlett hadn't looked at him once. 

Both were avoiding each other. Or rather, Scarlett was avoiding Sebastian. She could feel his gaze on her, and though she tried desperately to ignore it, she couldn't. Instead, her mind kept replaying the moment he had slipped that ring onto her finger. 

Her finger still tingled with the phantom sensation. But when she raised her hand to look, the empty finger snapped her back to reality.

It wasn't until she settled into a taxi, watching the street scenes pass by, that Scarlett began to relax slightly. 

Unconsciously, she looked down at her ring finger again. Not long ago, it had worn a ring—a wedding ring that wasn't meant for her.

She couldn't understand Sebastian's intentions, but now it seemed he had merely acted on impulse. That soft laugh of his must have been mockery at her reaction—her stunned expression mixed with a hint of expectation. 

She had looked like a complete fool.

Thinking about it now, Scarlett deeply regretted not slapping his hand away immediately, stopping Sebastian's childish prank before it happened.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the taxi seat, swaying gently, nearly dozing off for a brief moment of rest. 

But each time the car slowed, her eyes would snap open, her thoughts tense, every sense on high alert. 

After several cycles of closing and opening her eyes, the taxi finally reached her destination.

It was lunchtime, and MRK Building had small groups of people scattered throughout, discussing work, personal matters, or gossip.

"Did you see Ms. Adele Seymour's post? That gemstone is huge!"

"It's not hers though—it's Edith Seymour's. Apparently Mr. Howard went with her to pick out the engagement ring!"

"Your information is outdated. Mr. Howard took SR's new design ring and said it would be their wedding ring!"

As Scarlett entered the elevator, a group of young women passed by, their chatter leaving a wake of words that stirred the bitterness in her heart. 

She pressed the door-close button, and the space fell silent again. Scarlett tilted her head back, took a deep breath, and composed herself before the doors reopened.

---

"Ms. Seymour?"

When she arrived at Orion's office, Scarlett ran into Emma, who was holding a lunch box and appeared to be heading out to eat.

Scarlett smiled with a nod, lifting the document folder in her hand. "Is Mr. Watson in? These are the plans approved by Mr. Wright—he needs to review them."

"He's in his office," Emma said, leading her toward it. As Scarlett prepared to knock, Emma added, "Mr. Watson's brother is in there too."

Scarlett's raised hand paused, unsure whether to proceed or wait. But before she could decide, the door swung open from inside, followed by an angry voice.

"You won't even help with something this small?"

The man stormed out, completely failing to notice someone standing in his path. 

By the time he realized, it was too late. Scarlett was knocked off balance, about to fall straight backward.

Fortunately, his reflexes were quick—he swiftly reached out to grab her waist. 

Scarlett, feeling herself falling, frantically grasped upward, catching hold of his collar.

Time seemed to freeze. The two colliding figures maintained their balance in an awkward yet intimate pose.

Emma reacted quickly, immediately stepping forward to help. Orion, who had been sitting in his office, rose immediately after the incident to check on the situation.