Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Theodore didn’t come home until late that night.

This time, Emma really was watching TV–some mindless drama that required no thinking at all.

She realized, somewhat amused, that the show’s plot had a lot in common with her own life. Even the supposedly brilliant male lead, who was sharp as a tack until he met the manipulative “other woman,” suddenly lost all sense and became hopelessly blind to reality. The circumstances were different, but the outcome was the same.

Watching the male lead get played for a fool, Emma couldn’t help but think of Theodore. The thought made her laugh out loud.

That was when Theodore walked in, catching the sound of her laughter.

Of course, Emma had already heard his footsteps in the hallway.

She half–expected him to mock her; after all, his darling Cecilia had to be upset today, and if his sweetheart was unhappy–especially because of Emma–there was no way he’d let Emma off the hook.

But to her surprise, he didn’t.

He strolled in, briefcase in hand, loosening his tie as he spoke. “What are you watching that’s so funny?”

“Oh, just watching a bunch of idiots act out their nonsense.” She shot him a look. Honestly, it was like watching their whole crowd on screen.

He snorted. “Seems like you’re having a great time all by yourself.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Emma set her tablet aside and looked him straight in the eye. “Is there anything–or anyone–worth getting upset about?”

Theodore didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he said, “I don’t want to argue with you anymore. Everything’s ready. We’ll go to the law office tomorrow to sign the papers, and that’ll make it official.”

He pulled a stack of documents out of his briefcase and tossed them

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Chapter 141

onto the coffee table in front of her. “Take a look. See if there’s anything you want to add.”

Emma picked up the papers. Sure enough, it was the agreement she’d asked him to prepare that very day.

No surprise–he ran a business, after all. The language was concise, direct, and left no room for ambiguity. It covered all three of her conditions, spelled out with meticulous precision. She read through it three times, searching for any hidden tricks, but Theodore hadn’t played any word games. The only thing she was required to do was drop the case–something he’d detailed with almost comical thoroughness. Every date, every reason, every possible loophole closed, as if he was determined to leave her no escape. But at least he hadn’t set any traps.

Maybe she spent too long double–checking, flipping through the pages again and again, because Theodore sat down across from her, rolling up his sleeves.

“What, still confused? Should I get you a lawyer–someone professional to comb through it for loopholes?”

“Not a bad idea,” Emma replied. “I’ll get my own tomorrow. No need to trouble you.”

Theodore let out a sharp laugh. “Am I really that untrustworthy? I don’t recall ever screwing you over.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You can answer that question with your own conscience.” With that, she set the documents aside–two perfectly identical copies, now neatly tucked away.

He watched her with a half–amused, half–exasperated glint in his eyes. “You know, when I talked to my lawyer about this contract today, he was floored. Said he’d never seen anything quite like it.”

Truth be told, Theodore had barely managed to keep a straight face when explaining it to his lawyer friend, who ended up laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair. Who’d ever heard of a settlement like this?

Emma smiled faintly. “Of course your lawyer was shocked. Has he ever

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met someone as shameless as you before?”

Theodore paused, speechless for a moment.

Then he shook his head. “Shameless? Maybe. But I do know you’ve gotten a lot sharper with that tongue of yours.”

Emma said nothing.

He leaned a little closer. “I remember back in high school, you could go half a day without saying a word. I actually thought you were the quiet, honest type. When did you get so fierce?”

As if she didn’t know who to thank for that.

Fierce, was she?

Emma gripped the two copies of the contract, her voice steady and deliberate. “You can laugh all you want at this circus of a contract, Theodore. Maybe it wouldn’t hold up in court, but that’s not the point. Among our friends, our families, and all those people watching online, it matters. If you break your word, the law might let you off, but public opinion won’t. Your precious Cecilia can look forward to her fifteen

minutes of fame.”

Theodore didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he looked more relaxed than she’d seen him in ages–collar loose, sleeves rolled up, lounging back on the sofa with a faint, lazy smile in his eyes.

“I watched today’s security footage,” he said, his gaze narrowing just a

touch.

Here it comes, Emma thought. Another clever excuse for Cecilia, no doubt.

He pulled out his phone and tapped away for a moment.

Emma’s own phone buzzed. She picked it up–and blinked in surprise. A bank transfer. Theodore had just sent her a hundred thousand dollars.

“Cecilia lost her temper, I’ll admit that much. But she felt cornered, stuck with a lawsuit, and she panicked. Meanwhile, you keep waving your Mrs.

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Chapter

Whitman flag, refusing to let go even when you’re in the right.” He set his phone down. “So I’m apologizing on her behalf, Mrs. Whitman.”

He said “Mrs. Whitman” with a mocking twist.

Exactly as she’d expected. Cecilia could do no wrong; Emma, meanwhile, was always the unreasonable one.

No point arguing. She hadn’t intended to anyway. Besides, a hundred thousand dollars for her silence–a surprise bonus, really. Who in their right mind would turn their nose up at that?

As for love–well, she’d never had it. Whoever wanted it could have it.

She pocketed the money, cradled her phone, and headed off to bed.

Theodore trailed after her, his tone lazy as he walked down the hall. “For a hundred grand, the least you could do is make me something to eat, don’t you think?”

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