Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 306

Emma hadn’t left the house these past few days—she wanted to spend time with her grandmother.

Her grandmother had just been discharged from the hospital. Though she was getting stronger each day, she was still frail, and it was best for her to rest quietly at home.

Larson, meanwhile, had become unusually busy. He was out the door before dawn and didn’t return until late at night, so Emma barely caught a glimpse of him. Until the day he accompanied Grandma for her visa appointment, Emma hadn’t seen him at all.

Larson apologized to both of them, saying he’d been so swamped with work that he hadn’t been able to spend time with them.

“Of course your work comes first. We’re just fine here,” Grandma teased him with a smile.

That’s when Larson brought up the company’s upcoming gala. “Would you like to come? If you’d like to go, Mr. Fairchild will bring over a dress and some jewelry for you to try on later.”

Grandma shook her head with a chuckle. “I think I’ll skip it this time. Why don’t you see if Emmie wants to have some fun?”

Emma hesitated. Her cousin was new to the country—was he unfamiliar with local customs? And as the host, would he need her by his side? But then she looked down at her foot. Would her injury embarrass him?

After a moment’s wavering, she agreed. If he was asking her so directly, he must want her there. She’d go!

Larson’s face lit up. “Great. I’ll have Mr. Fairchild bring you a dress—” He paused, then changed his mind. “Actually, let’s not. Tomorrow, I’ll take you shopping myself. I don’t really trust Mr. Fairchild’s taste when it comes to women’s clothes.”

Emma bit back a smile and nodded enthusiastically. Perfect—she’d been wanting to visit Ellis Atelier anyway and catch up with some old friends.

Meanwhile, in Theodore’s office, Jared and Hanley were deep in discussion with him about Rossi Inc.’s first Cresthaven Gala.

“People from all walks of life will be there, and our firm’s on the guest list,” Jared said, excitement shining in his eyes.

“Come on, bodyguards and security—how expensive is that, really?” Jared snorted. “Ask around our building; offer five hundred a day, and the security staff would be running to sign up. If he was going to rescue Emma’s grandmother, of course he’d hire a few people.”

Theodore found Jared’s rationale convincing. In fact, when Grandma was discharged, he’d noticed that the car Larson drove wasn’t anything fancy.

“Fair enough.” Theodore felt unexpectedly lighter. “Let’s focus on landing Rossi. The gala’s our first big opportunity—let’s make sure nothing goes wrong.”

Jared piped up again. “By the way, Cici wants to come to the gala, too.”

Theodore looked surprised.

Jared sighed. “She’s become so timid around you, Theo. She doesn’t dare ask you for anything anymore—she came to me in secret, wondering if she could tag along. She just wants to make some normal friends and have a life of her own, instead of hiding in her room like a mouse, too scared to step outside.”