Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 139

“I only agreed to drop your charges. As for what happens between me and Theodore, I don’t really see how that’s any of your business,” Emma said with a calm, almost playful smile.

“What do you mean it’s not my business? Aren’t you planning to-” Cecilia’s frustration got the better of her, nearly spilling out the secrets. she’d kept buried. She caught herself just in time; she’d always worked hard to present herself as someone who’d be content with even a small place in Theodore’s heart. But now the words stuck in her throat, stinging with frustration. She glared at Emma, wishing her stare could burn holes right through her.

“Theodore, are you okay with the second condition?” Emma turned to him, her tone light, almost casual.

Theodore’s expression darkened; this condition was clearly another dagger to the heart.

Emma was in no rush. She waited, patient as ever.

Finally, Theodore’s eyes hardened with resolve, jaw tight. “Fine,” he said, the word nearly bitten off.

“And the third…” Emma trailed off, as if considering her words.

Theodore’s eyes narrowed, suddenly alert, like a predator sensing danger. “You’re not about to ask for a divorce, are you?”

The word “divorce” seemed to spark actual flames in Cecilia’s eyes.

But Emma just smiled, stubborn and defiant. “No, I’m not asking for a divorce.”

She didn’t look at Theodore, so she had no idea what expression he wore. Cecilia, on the other hand, looked ready to erupt, her anger radiating off her like heat.

Emma turned and aimed her next words at Theodore. “Here’s my third condition: I want your promise that you’ll never, ever marry Cecilia.”

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Chapter 139

This condition was pure mischief, a final twist of the knife. After she walked away, whatever the two of them did was none of her concern. But for now, if it upset them, that was satisfaction enough. Across the table, Cecilia already looked like she might faint from anger.

“Theo…” Cecilia’s voice trembled, her eyes darting anxiously to Theodore. If he agreed, what would become of her?

Theodore’s gaze lingered on Emma for a long, silent moment.

“Theo!” Cecilia called again, desperate.

Finally, Theodore snapped out of it. “Fine. I promise.”

Cecilia looked utterly crushed, biting her lip so hard it nearly bled, but she couldn’t say a word.

Emma frowned. “And how exactly is that supposed to be legally binding? You can’t just say it and expect it to count.”

Theodore let out a cold laugh. “You don’t trust me? My name is all the guarantee you need.”

Emma smiled wryly. “Mr. Whitman, with me, your guarantee is worth nothing.”

Theodore’s face darkened even more.

“My conditions are clear, Mr. Whitman. Now it’s your turn. Write them down, make it official–have your lawyer draw up the paperwork, notarize it, whatever needs to be done. Then go through each item, one by one. Also, sell the house and all the luxury goods, transfer the money to me. As for your little vacations and shopping trips, reimburse me in cash. I want everything wrapped up within a week. If you don’t finish on time, don’t blame me for not keeping my end of the bargain.”

Emma paused, then added, “And if you try to threaten me with Fallon again, it won’t work. Whatever you think your wife is capable of, believe me, I can do too.”

“You?” Theodore’s lips curled into a sneer. “And just how do you think you’ll manage that? Going to beg that pretty–boy dancer for help?”

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Emma bristled at the tone but only frowned slightly. “Who I ask for help is none of your concern.”

“You keep saying nothing’s my concern, but don’t forget–you’re my wife! If that were really true, you’d have no right to make any of these demands. Not one, not two, or even three!” Theodore snapped, then stood abruptly. “Let’s go, Cici.”

The pair stormed out. As Cecilia left, she turned back to shoot Emma a look filled with pure, seething hatred.

Emma only raised her chin and smiled. “Goodbye. Don’t let the door hit

you on your way out.”

Where those two went was the last thing on her mind.

Now only Emma and Fallon remained in the room.

Fallon’s eyes were still red, her cheeks blotchy. She wiped her tears and whispered apologetically, “Ma’am, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for being so reckless–I forced you into dropping the charges for my sake.”

Emma smiled gently. “None of this is your fault. Honestly, I never planned to keep holding that over their heads. If anything, I’m glad I never expected that, after everything, someone would stand so firmly by my side.”

“But ma’am, you could’ve been hurt!” Fallon’s voice trembled with worry.

“But I wasn’t, was I?” Emma’s eyes glimmered with determination. “Still, Fallon, maybe you should start thinking about your own future.”

“Ma’am?” Fallon looked startled.

Emma didn’t elaborate. Not yet. Until she walked out of this house for good, no one could know her plans–except her grandmother.

But even if Fallon was left with nowhere to go, Emma would never abandon her. She’d make sure Fallon landed on her feet.

As for dropping the charges… Well, that chapter wasn’t finished just yet.

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Theodore’s office.

Cecilia was packing up her things, sulking in her chair.

Jared, sitting beside her, tried to cheer her up. “Come on, Cecilia, trust Theo. He wouldn’t have agreed if he didn’t have something up his sleeve.” But Cecilia couldn’t be comforted. What could he possibly do now? Not being able to marry Theodore was already the worst outcome. Whatever tricks he had left, what good would they do?

Just then, Theodore walked over. “Come on, let’s go get some lunch,” he

said.

Jared pulled him aside, lowering his voice. “Theo, did you really agree to all her conditions? Even the part about never marrying Cici?”