Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 169

Emma just couldn’t wrap her head around it—why was her family so terrified of Theodore? Honestly, he was just a regular guy. It’s not like he could leap over buildings or had some secret life as an assassin.

He was just wealthy, that’s all.

Some people always bow down to the powerful and trample the weak. They act tough around those who won’t fight back, but the moment they’re faced with someone rich or influential, they shrink and cower.

If her father had dared to stand up to Theodore the way he did with her and her grandmother, Emma might actually have respected him for once.

Seriously, if her dad, her brother, and her mom teamed up and just used brute force, could Theodore really stop them? But the moment he walked in, they all turned spineless.

People like that—bullies, really—are beneath contempt.

Theodore’s arrival changed the whole atmosphere in the house. He put one arm around Emma and the other around her grandmother, standing protectively between them. “I’m taking Emma and Grandma to get her hand bandaged. The rest of you can leave. Now.”

Julian and Gabriella exchanged glances. Julian forced a laugh. “We’re not going anywhere. We live here, after all.”

Theodore let out a cold chuckle. “You actually think I’m giving you a choice?”

Julian’s smile faltered. “Listen, son-in-law, this is my own house. I grew up here.”

The implication was clear: Theodore didn’t get to make the rules.

But Theodore just replied, “All I know is, this is Grandma’s house. If you’re not leaving, fine. Just wait.”

“Grandma,” he said quietly, guilt in his voice—after all, Julian was her son. “Maybe I went too far today. But with Emma’s hand hurt like that, I just couldn’t let it go. If you’re upset with me, I’ll take the blame.”

His grandmother’s eyes filled with tears as she cradled Emma’s injured hand. “It’s my fault… It’s all on me. I never managed to rein in my son. I didn’t raise him right…”

“No, Grandma,” Theodore replied gently. “I really believe a person’s character is something they’re born with. My father-in-law has always been a bit of a mess, but I was willing to put up with it for Emma’s sake. Today, though, he crossed a line. This isn’t your fault. If upbringing was everything, why are Emma and her aunt both such good people? So don’t blame yourself, Grandma. If anything, the bad genes went to him—some things are just in the blood.”

But his words didn’t seem to comfort her.

In the end, she thought, I just married the wrong man…

“Please don’t be sad, Grandma,” Emma said, leaning into her. “It’s just a scratch. I’ll be fine.”