Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 99

Sebastian's sudden comment brought conversation at the dinner table to a momentary halt.

Scarlett froze with her soup spoon halfway to her mouth, her eyes shifting toward Sebastian, who continued eating his mashed potatoes as if nothing unusual had happened.

"Alright," she responded, not understanding his meaning but nodding in agreement.

George, however, quickly grasped Sebastian's intent. "Indeed, proper forms of address are important. You're younger, so from now on, Seb will be your big brother."

Scarlett paused, glancing at Sebastian. Was this what he had been suggesting? 

She suspected George was making arbitrary arrangements, but when she met Sebastian's intense gaze, she knew this was intentional. 

After several attempts, she finally managed to say, "Seb," while meeting George's expectant look.

As soon as the name left her lips, Scarlett felt a strange tingling sensation. Catching Sebastian's deep, meaningful stare, she felt what seemed like an electric current running down her spine. 

The memory of their recent encounter in the changing room flashed through her mind. Her earlobes reddened slightly as she lowered her head to sip her soup, avoiding Sebastian's gaze.

Such shy behavior was obviously unusual. 

George's expression darkened as he looked toward Sebastian, but was somewhat relieved to see his grandson's face remained cold, showing no trace of tenderness.

After dinner, a security officer drove Scarlett back to Westcourt Garden while Sebastian stayed behind.

Grandfather and grandson continued their conversation in the tea room. 

The air was heavy with the scent of sandalwood incense, its smoke rising slowly from the burner before dissipating.

George sipped his tea, his eyelids lowered, his voice measured but serious. "That Seymour girl has questionable intentions. Once things settle down, we'll find suitable matches and send her away."

Sebastian also lowered his eyes as he drank his tea, smiling slightly at these words. "That's very thoughtful of you, Grandfather."

"I see you have no interest in her, which is for the best," George nodded, looking at his grandson's impassive face with some disapproval. "You're not getting any younger. I'll arrange some introductions for you tomorrow."

Sebastian set down his teacup and adjusted his clothes. "Don't trouble yourself, Grandfather. We're still dealing with the aftermath of the recent engagement."

Thinking of the mess the Seymour family had left behind, George didn't insist further. Their conversation was brief. 

Soon after, Sebastian left the tea room.

The Maybach was waiting in front of the main building. Hearing the door open, Mark immediately got out to open the car door for Sebastian. 

Once Sebastian was inside, the Maybach drove away from the Howard Manor. 

He didn't live at the Howard Manor; since reaching adulthood, his visits there could be counted on one hand.

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Early the next morning, Scarlett was awakened by a servant.

Though the Howard family had host dinner and she had already taken the day off from work, she wasn't allowed to sleep in. 

Yesterday's dress was hanging in the most prominent place in the closet, but Scarlett didn't change into it yet. Instead, she went downstairs for breakfast in simple loungewear.

Westcourt Garden had two servants, both transferred from the main house. 

Scarlett sat at the dining table and was surprised to see a bowl of shrimp and corn chowder before her. 

In the nearly week she had lived at the Howard Manor, she had never been served this dish.

"Mr. Howard mentioned you enjoy seafood," the servant explained with a smile, noticing her confusion.

Scarlett was taken aback, absently stirring the soup with her spoon. She hadn't expected Sebastian to mention such a small detail.

After breakfast, Scarlett rested briefly. By ten o'clock, a driver from the main house arrived to pick her up.

Upon arriving at the main building, Scarlett was first led to the tea room.

"Is this the Seymour girl?" she heard a gentle, familiar voice as she entered.

Looking up, she saw Tiffany, whom she had met just last Friday evening, sitting in the tea room alongside several other ladies who appeared to be close friends.

Scarlett had applied light makeup today; her injuries had mostly healed. 

This was, after all, her first appearance since being taken in by the Howard family. Her lightly made-up face was radiant. One glance was enough for undisguised admiration to appear in Tiffany's eyes.

The wealthy ladies looking at her couldn't help but exclaim.

"This Seymour child is quite a beauty. She doesn't resemble her father at all."

"Indeed, she must take after her mother."

The ladies began chattering among themselves as they studied Scarlett.

Scarlett rarely faced such warm scenes and felt somewhat awkward, but she maintained her composure, treating them as she would business partners.

"Mrs. Myers, lovely to see you again. You look even more beautiful than before," she said graciously, exchanging brief pleasantries before taking a seat at the lowest position.

But before she could sit down, Tiffany gestured to her. "Why sit there? Come sit with me."

Tiffany was indicating the spot beside her. The lady who had been sitting there—Penelope—had already stood up, clearly intending to give Scarlett her place. 

Scarlett hesitated momentarily but didn't refuse, walking over to take the seat.

The ladies' attitude toward her was extremely cordial. Everyone chatted and laughed, with no mention of the recent Seymour family scandal.

Sitting closest to Scarlett, Tiffany was the first to notice the marks on her face. After careful observation, she continued chatting as if nothing was amiss.

Through their conversation, Scarlett learned the identities of the ladies present. 

Tiffany was the wife of the chairman of Titan Ventures Group. Her father-in-law and George were old friends, so the two families had always maintained good relations.

Scarlett had heard of this lady before. Tiffany was reportedly notorious for her rebellious nature in her youth, causing her family considerable distress. 

Looking at the gentle woman before her, Scarlett found it difficult to connect her with the rebellious girl from the rumors.

The other ladies were Isabel Gomez, Penelope Parker, and Sandra Garner. 

Sandra was the oldest, around George's age—the widow of one of his war comrades. Penelope was the wife of an international trade manager and had accompanied Tiffany.

Isabel's position was more unique. She had been invited to this family dinner primarily because of her own influence as the chairwoman of Vertex Holdings Group. 

Her husband was the vice president of a city hospital—a position widely known to be inflated, a secret everyone in Sovereign City understood.

"Mr. Howard."

Amid their conversation, they heard a servant's respectful greeting outside the tea room. Everyone in the room fell silent, turning to look at the entrance.

Scarlett only needed a peripheral glance to know who had arrived. 

Sebastian entered, tall and dignified, his light amber eyes sweeping across the gathering.

He greeted Sandra first, then Tiffany, and finally Isabel. After these brief exchanges, Scarlett knew it was her turn. She stood up. "Sebastian."

She remembered last night's instruction, but noticed Sebastian's eyes darken at her form of address.