Chapter 94
The moment Scarlett spotted the Bentley with its distinctive tri-region license plate, she felt a sense of foreboding.
Though she hadn't been drinking and her mind remained clear, the sight of the luxury vehicle made her stomach tighten.
Orion, who had consumed quite a bit of alcohol, was now half-asleep against the car hood, completely oblivious to what was happening behind him.
As usual, Mark stepped out and opened the door. "Ms. Seymour."
Scarlett remained frozen in place until Sebastian extended his hand from the backseat. In his palm rested a crescent-shaped gemstone. "Don't you want it?"
Her pupils constricted at the sight. Her reluctance vanished instantly, though a glance at Orion mumbling incoherently made her hesitate again.
Fortunately, her indecision was cut short when the Watson family's driver arrived.
Though he didn't recognize Scarlett, he immediately identified the Howard family's vehicle and respectfully greeted, "Mr. Howard."
Sebastian didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Scarlett, who now had no reason to refuse. She got into the car.
As the Watson driver helped Orion into their vehicle, he kept glancing at the woman who had just entered the Bentley.
Mark promptly closed the door and shot him a warning look.
Understanding the unspoken code among servants of prominent families, the driver smiled apologetically, recognizing his staring had been impolite.
Mark drove away without further acknowledgment.
Once inside, Scarlett took the crescent-shaped gemstone from Sebastian's palm.
It had been repaired with gold threads, the craftsmanship so exquisite that if not for the way the gold lines followed the original cracks, she might have thought they were part of the stone's original design.
Holding the small gem, her heart softened immediately. Despite the lingering awkwardness between them, her gratitude was genuine. "Thank you."
Sebastian chuckled softly, surprised by her thanks after she'd been avoiding him lately.
But her next words wiped the smile from his face. "By the way, congratulations on your marriage."
"Marriage?" He looked at her with a slight frown.
Scarlett realized her mistake. "I mean, congratulations on your engagement."
"You're that eager for me to get engaged?" The genuine confusion in Sebastian's voice bewildered her.
She looked at him directly. "Isn't your engagement party the day after tomorrow?"
Sebastian remained silent. Scarlett said nothing more.
They sat in this heavy silence until the car reached the main city road.
"I'd like to go to my apartment," Scarlett finally said, addressing Mark. She feared being taken to Windchime Villa again.
Mark didn't respond, glancing at Sebastian through the rearview mirror.
"Take her there," Sebastian said, not insisting otherwise.
At the apartment building, Sebastian stayed in the car as Scarlett got out. The Bentley drove away quickly.
His respectful distance left Scarlett with mixed feelings.
Rationally, she knew this restraint was for the best—Sebastian was about to be engaged to her nominal sister. Maintaining this not-too-close, not-too-distant relationship was ideal.
Still, she couldn't help wanting to distance herself further.
---
Saturday meant no work, but Scarlett was up early anyway. She was applying a face mask when her phone rang.
"Where are you?" Chris asked immediately after she answered.
"At my apartment," Scarlett replied softly, careful not to disturb her mask.
"Wait for me," he said before abruptly hanging up.
Scarlett frowned slightly. Ten minutes later, her doorbell rang.
"Coming!" She went to open the door with her face mask still on.
Chris stood outside, breathing heavily. "You're still doing a face mask?"
Scarlett tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
"Something's happened with the Seymour family. Did you know?" Chris asked with a mysterious expression.
Scarlett froze. "What happened?"
"Embezzlement," Chris said clearly, causing Scarlett's eyes to widen.
"How is that possible? How would they dare?" Embezzlement was no small matter.
"How did you find out?" Scarlett grabbed Chris's hand, looking tense. "Who embezzled funds?"
Chris took a sip of water. "It's David; he's been arrested. Shawn got the news this morning. "
Scarlett was stunned for a moment before asking, "What about Edith?"
She was about to be engaged to Sebastian, and the Howard family had always valued their reputation.
With David arrested for embezzlement, Edith's reputation would be tarnished. The engagement party would likely be canceled.
"It's been canceled," Chris confirmed, seeing through her mind.
Scarlett lost interest in her face mask. Though she felt little attachment to the Seymour family, this was too significant to ignore. Moreover, David was still her father.
Chris saw her gathering her things and grabbed her wrist. "You're going to the Seymour Villa?"
Scarlett nodded.
As she went to her bedroom to change, Chris called from outside. "Shawn says you'd better stay out of this. The embezzlement has nothing to do with you. The Seymour family is in chaos right now, and you shouldn't—"
His voice suddenly stopped.
Scarlett was in the middle of zipping up her dress.
"Chris?" she called, curious about the abrupt silence.
The next second, her bedroom door opened, causing her to scream and cover herself reflexively. When she saw who had entered, her scream cut short.
It was Sebastian. He adjusted his cuffs as he walked over and helped her zip up her dress. "Going to the Seymour Villa?"
Scarlett didn't respond, confused about how events had escalated to this point.
"The Seymour family is in chaos. You're coming with me," Sebastian said, taking her arm and leading her toward the door.
Scarlett saw Chris standing in the hallway, blocked by Mark. She planted her feet. "What exactly is going on?"
If the only issue was David's embezzlement, then only the second branch of the family—or even just David himself—should be affected.
Yet both Chris and Sebastian kept saying the entire Seymour family was in chaos. Clearly, something else was happening behind the scenes.
Sebastian's eyes were clear. "Once we reach the Howard Villa, you'll understand everything."
Chris pushed past Mark. "Sebastian! Scarlett is closest to me. She should come to the Wright Manor!"
Hearing this, Scarlett's sense of foreboding intensified. Why would she need to go to the Wright Manor? From Sebastian's demeanor, it seemed he intended to take her to his home.
"Is that so?" Sebastian responded, his eyes lowering as he tightened his grip on Scarlett's hand, pulling her against him.
His arm around her waist forced her to tilt her head back to breathe. In the next moment, Sebastian leaned down and kissed her parted lips.
Witnessing this, Chris's expression turned strange.