Chapter 96
Shawn slid into the car, adjusting his suit before lifting his gaze to Sebastian, who remained standing where he was.
An underling immediately moved to close the door, hunching slightly to ensure he didn't block the line of sight between the two power players.
The vehicle with its understated license plate moved forward slowly, then stopped precisely to position the back seat directly in front of Sebastian, ensuring the two men could speak face-to-face.
"Mr. Howard, considering how long we've known each other, let me offer some friendly advice—stay away from the Seymour family mess."
Sebastian stood with one hand in his pocket, smiling pleasantly. "I appreciate the warning, Mr. Wright, but it seems I'm already involved."
Hearing this, Shawn frowned slightly. "Is that so?"
Sebastian nodded. There was no further exchange between them. Shawn's car quickly departed, followed by a procession of police vehicles.
Sebastian lit a cigarette and leaned against his car until he finished smoking.
"Pass the information to my grandfather," he said as he extinguished the cigarette.
Mark, who had been waiting nearby, opened the car door and acknowledged the instruction with a nod.
Sebastian unbuttoned his jacket with one hand and got in. Soon after, the silver-black Bentley also drove away from the Seymour Villa.
The Seymour Villa finally fell silent, until, after some time, an eruption of chaotic voices broke out. Lights flickered on and off throughout the property.
---
George was awakened by his security detail. Age had made sleep difficult for him, and having just taken medication to help him rest, being shaken awake triggered a cold fury in his eyes.
Fortunately, the man waking him was his long-time security officer who, unfazed by the lethal glare, simply said, "Mr. Howard, there's trouble at the Seymour family."
At these words, George's frown deepened, his anger at being awakened dissipating. With the security officer's help, he sat up. "What happened?"
"David Seymour has been embezzling funds. Mr. Shawn Wright personally led the arrest."
George paused in the middle of getting out of bed, his expression darkening. "Embezzlement? How much?"
"Not much. Eighty million dollars," the security officer replied, offering a glass of warm water.
"Where's Seb?" George took the glass, sipped once, and set it aside.
He quickly rose as the security officer draped a coat over his shoulders. "Mr. Sebastian Howard went to the Seymour Villa briefly. He should be arriving soon."
Hearing this, George finally seemed satisfied and nodded.
When Sebastian returned to the Howard Manor, the main building was brightly lit. He knew George had already received the news.
George sat in the front hall with a long-unused pipe in hand. Seeing Sebastian enter, he took a drag. "You're here."
"Grandfather." Sebastian unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down beside George.
"They've all been taken away?" George asked, glancing toward the entrance.
It was already deep into the night. The few servants who had been standing by had withdrawn to allow the two men to speak privately.
The front hall had grown exceptionally quiet, with only the sound of George puffing on his pipe.
Sebastian crossed his legs, resting his hand naturally on the armrest. "Shawn personally made the arrest."
"I know that much." George gave him a look, the pipe stem between his teeth, his gaze light but scrutinizing. "What about Edith? If this is about embezzlement, it shouldn't involve her or the others."
The implication was clear—this matter shouldn't touch Edith.
"That would be the logical conclusion," Sebastian said with a slight smile.
He picked up the teacup in front of him, took a small sip to wet his throat, then continued, "But the Seymour family's crimes extend beyond embezzlement. Or perhaps, Grandfather, aren't you curious why David needed those eighty million dollars?"
Hearing this, George sat up straighter. "What? Is there something more to this?"
Sebastian had brought a document folder with him, which he now handed to George. "From Shawn."
George looked at the folder, his heart pounding, but he took it anyway. As he pulled out the contents and read, his expression cycled through multiple emotions before settling on rage.
"Wretched scum!" He violently hurled the documents across the room.
Sebastian remained composed, leaning back slightly as he calmly watched George vent his anger. The shocking revelations didn't end there.
"Recently, David used the Howard Group's name to secure projects and fraudulently obtained sixty million dollars in construction funds," Sebastian said, setting down his teacup with a crisp sound as porcelain met glass.
This was news to George, whose face had now turned ashen.
George valued reputation above all else, especially the reputation of the entire Howard family. David's actions were equivalent to a public slap in the face.
"How dare he! This is utter humiliation!" George was genuinely furious, his chest heaving rapidly.
Sebastian moved to comfort him, though his tone remained disturbingly calm. "The situation has been handled promptly. Not many people know yet."
The scattered documents lay strewn across the floor.
George stared at them, his eyes burning with rage. Out of trust, he had never investigated the Seymour family, but this was how his trust had been repaid!
And Edith, who was supposed to marry into the Howard family, had given birth in high school and even plotted to kill her cousin! She was a monster in human form!
The entire Seymour family had been leeching off the Howard family from the moment the engagement was announced!
The sounds of fury from the front hall made those waiting outside exchange worried glances. The security officer wanted to enter, but Mark stopped him.
With a smile, Mark said, "They're having a private conversation. Everything will be fine."
But the security officer insisted on checking, only to be waved away by George the moment he opened the door. He met Mark's smiling eyes, said nothing, and turned away.
After dismissing the security officer, George took a deep breath and looked at Sebastian. "The marriage is off."
"And what about repaying our debt of gratitude, Grandfather?" Sebastian didn't rush to agree, nodding slightly as if considering.
"Perhaps we could pull some strings, minimize the damage, and protect the Seymour descendants. That would honor our obligation to Mr. Richard Seymour."
At this suggestion, George frowned. In his view, the current Seymour family was like a foul-smelling cockroach.
If they pursued this course of action, they'd likely be entangled with them for life. Such prolonged entanglement would eventually bring down the Howard family too!
With this in mind, George shook his head. "No." His refusal was absolute.
Sebastian remained silent, sitting quietly nearby. After a long while, George picked up one of the documents and studied it. "Are there no innocent children in the Seymour family?"
Clearly, Sebastian's mention of "protecting the Seymour descendants" had left a deep impression on George.
The older one gets, the more one values promises. He was unwilling to give up any opportunity.
Unfortunately, from the documents before him, it seemed every child in the Seymour family was tainted in some way—gambling, prostitution, even several who had been detained for fighting in their youth.
George examined the materials for a long time before finally remembering someone from the depths of his memory.
"That Scarlett girl... hasn't she always behaved herself?"