Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 137

Fallon’s words left Emma completely stunned.

Ever since Emma’s wedding, Fallon had cared for her with unwavering dedication, always putting herself in Emma’s shoes, sometimes even more so than Emma herself. Yet, as Theodore had once pointed out, Fallon was on his payroll–at the end of the day, she answered to him.

But now, Fallon gripped Emma’s arm tightly, defying Theodore for the first time. Her hands trembled, but her resolve was rock solid.

Cecilia’s eyes filled with tears again. She bit her lip, lowered her head, and fell into a perfect picture of wounded innocence, silently playing the victim.

Theodore couldn’t stand to see her like this. His expression darkened instantly, thunderclouds gathering in his eyes. “Fallon, are you saying you want to quit?”

Fallon flinched.

She was clearly afraid–but just as clearly standing her ground.

Theodore’s gaze turned even colder. “And your daughter? Are you saying she can just drop out of school?”

He’d found Fallon’s weak spot.

Fallon came from a rural town, escaping an abusive and unfaithful husband to start over in the city with her daughter. She’d worked hard to build a new life. Because she cared for Emma so attentively, Theodore had pulled some strings to get Fallon’s daughter into a good school.

Now he was using that as leverage. Emma thought it was downright despicable.

“Theodore!” Emma was furious. “Threatening Fallon like this–is there any humanity left in you?”

But Theodore remained unmoved by her anger. His tone was icy,

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detached, as if he was speaking from some unreachable height. “As the head of this company, I expect my employees to follow orders and show respect. If they can’t, why should I keep them on?”

“Theodore! You-”

“No need to call my name,” he cut her off sharply. “Today, Fallon either apologizes to Cici or she packs her things and leaves. Adults don’t get to have it both ways.”

Beside him, Cecilia sobbed softly, clutching Theodore’s sleeve. “Theo, please don’t put Fallon in this position. She must be mistaken about me! We’ve barely even spoken, she hardly knows me at all. How could she think I’m some sort of… immoral woman? It has to be a

misunderstanding…”

As she finished, Cecilia shot Emma a look of smug provocation.

Emma understood instantly. The implication was clear: Fallon and Cecilia were practically strangers, so for Fallon to insult her like that, she must have been put up to it–by Emma.

If Emma could read between the lines, so could Theodore. His stare swung immediately in Emma’s direction.

Emma smiled coolly. “What is it? Do you think I’ve been poisoning your goddess’s reputation behind her back? Do you want me to apologize, too?”

Cecilia was the ultimate drama queen. She clung to Theodore’s arm, voice trembling. “No, Theo, please, I don’t want Emma to apologize. How could I ask that of her? I came here to apologize to Emma! Theo, please don’t fight with her, I really don’t want to see you argue…”

“Exactly!” Emma snapped. “You don’t want us to fight, you just want me gone!”

“Emma!” Theodore thundered, his voice sharp. “Do you have any idea how serious an accusation of attempted murder is? How could you pin something like that on Cici?”

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Emma let out a cold laugh. “She was willing to burn me alive–am I supposed to be too soft–hearted to accuse her?”

“I’ve told you a thousand times, it was an accident! Are you ever going to let it go?” Theodore’s anger was boiling over. “She’s here to apologize, what more do you want?”

“Apologize?” Emma turned to Cecilia, staring her down. “You’re here to apologize to me, right? I didn’t accept it, and we ended up fighting in the hallway, is that it? You couldn’t beat me, and I pushed you down, didn’t I?”

Chapter 138

Chapter 138