Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 314

“Oh, Mr. Whitman’s right behind us,” Jared replied with a grin.

Larson leaned closer and murmured, “Your soon-to-be ex-husband is quite something. Around Cresthaven, he’s a bit of a celebrity.”

Emma shot him a look.

Larson shrugged and admitted, “Honestly, if we’re talking business strength, his company should have landed this deal. But, well…”

“Are you really going to side with family over what’s right?” Emma’s tone was gentle, but she wasn’t naive. There was no way she’d let her brother hand over their company’s money to Theodore’s gang of snakes.

He gave her a sideways glance. “Emmie, like it or not, the fate of their company is hanging on your word.”

Emma looked thoughtfully at the group of confident young men and women across the room.

“It takes years to build an empire from nothing, but it can all come crashing down in a heartbeat,” Larson said, his voice heavy with meaning.

The siblings kept up their quiet back-and-forth, comforted by the fact that no one seemed to recognize them. But their peace didn’t last. Familiar faces appeared, drawing everyone’s attention.

A group of five strode through the crowd, exchanging lively greetings with every other guest. As they passed Emma and Larson, they stopped in their tracks.

“Emma!”

The voice belonged to Cathie, Hanley’s wife.

Emma managed a polite smile. “Cathie.”

Truth be told, she barely knew Cathie—she’d seen her even less often than Nita. She wondered why Cathie was suddenly acting so warm and familiar.

“You got here early! Come join us,” Cathie invited, her tone brisk and inclusive.

Emma had heard about Cathie before. Unlike Nita, she was outspoken and sharp as a tack—Hanley was more than a little intimidated by her, and everyone knew who wore the pants at home.

“Hanley, control your wife!” Jared snapped, his irritation obvious.

Cathie turned her fire on him without missing a beat. “What’s your problem? You think you can boss everyone around—now you want to boss me too? Newsflash: my life is none of your business.”

Emma had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.

How had she never realized before what a character Cathie was?

Come to think of it, how did guys like Jared and Hanley manage to marry such amazing women?

Cecilia’s tears vanished as quickly as they’d come, chased away by Cathie’s scolding.

Jared was the only one still fuming, but he couldn’t exactly start a shouting match with his friend’s wife at a company event. Not when he was the VP and had his reputation to think about.