Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 315

But Cecilia refused to let it go. Though she tried, no tears came, but she still managed to play the pitiful and sincere card. “I’m sorry, Cathie. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with calling you my sister-in-law, right…”

“Hold it right there.” Cathie shot back, turning to Hanley. “So, your dad has an illegitimate daughter out there or something?”

Hanley’s head was spinning. “Cathie, what are you talking about?”

Cathie let out a cold laugh. “Then why is some random girl suddenly calling me her sister-in-law?”

“You’re out of line!” Jared finally couldn’t hold back. “Cici’s always called us ‘brothers,’ she’s just used to it—”

“And why should I care? What does me minding my own husband have to do with you? She can call you ‘brother’ all she wants, but when it comes to my husband, no. He doesn’t have a little sister. Not your business,” Cathie shot back, not backing down an inch.

Jared was so furious he couldn’t get a word out, glaring at Hanley, who was already a bundle of nerves. He scooted over to his wife’s side and pleaded in a low voice, “Honey, please, don’t make a scene today. It’s a big event, it’ll just be embarrassing.”

Cathie practically had to restrain herself from grabbing his ear right then and there. If they weren’t in public, she probably would have. Instead, she gritted her teeth. “Embarrassing? I’m your lawful wife. Nita is his lawful wife. Emma is Theodore’s lawful wife. We’re all here at this event, open and aboveboard. What’s so embarrassing about that? Who’s the one making a scene? Who should really be embarrassed, huh?”

“Please, Cathy…” Hanley was almost hanging off her arm, desperate.

Cathie gave him a cold huff, then reached out to take Emma’s hand.

Even now, Cecilia wasn’t finished. She mustered her signature trembling, red-eyed look and started again, “Jared, Hanley, ladies… I really didn’t mean anything by it. I’ve always been good friends with the guys, and I just want what’s best for them. This event is important, and honestly… Emma’s never been to something like this before. And…” She glanced down at Emma’s feet, “As the CEO’s wife… well, she’s not exactly mobile. If she makes a scene, wouldn’t that reflect badly on the company?”

Cathie nodded. Clearly, Larson wasn’t some fixture in the society pages, and no one here seemed to know him, but she was still polite. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Larson replied, smiling.

The group started making their way toward the center of the ballroom.

Since Larson and Emma had been sitting somewhere secluded, the earlier commotion hadn’t really spread—no one else had heard what happened, except for a few girls at the next table over from Emma.

Those girls, uninterested in the drama, simply glanced up as Emma rose and caught a glimpse of the necklace around her neck.