Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 97

“Everyone here has poured their heart and soul into this company–countless late nights, so much sweat and effort. That’s how we’ve gotten to where we are today. But her? She just sits at home, reaping the rewards of everyone else’s hard work, always making trouble for you, for Jared, for Hanley… I’ve tried so hard to get along with her, to be friends, to play the peacemaker and keep things civil. But she doesn’t care–she’s always yelling at me. It’s not fair! Why is it that whenever she wants to see you, she gets to? Whatever she asks for, she gets? I–I lost my head for a moment and locked her in the conference room. I just… I just didn’t want her to find you right away… I never imagined there’d be a fire in there…” Cecilia was sobbing so hard she could barely get the words out.

Emma watched her coldly, unimpressed by the performance. She wondered whether Theodore was about to ask her to forgive Cecilia–again.

“Theo, I–I swear, I’ll never do anything like this again. I’ll behave from now on, I promise. Please, can you forgive me?” Cecilia’s tears dripped one after another onto Theodore’s sleeve.

Emma gave a small, amused smile. “Cecilia, I think you’re confused. I’m the one who nearly died today, not him. Isn’t it a bit odd you’re begging him for forgiveness?”

“But Emma…” Cecilia looked at her, eyes wide and frightened. “I know you must hate me now… You never liked me, and now you won’t forgive me for sure. But can I apologize, please? I’ll make it up to you–I’ll pay for your medical bills, for your pain and suffering. Can you forgive me?”

Emma’s smile grew even more sardonic. “Oh? And whose money will you use for that? My husband’s?”

Cecilia’s face flushed bright red. Tears and humiliation spilled over in equal measure, as if she, not Emma, was the one who’d almost burned to death.

How pitiful. You’d think she was the victim here.

Theodore took a deep breath. “Emma, that’s not really fair-”

“Oh, really? Then what would you call it?” Emma could tell Theodore was already softening, swayed by Cecilia’s tears and trembling voice. In his mind, Cecilia was some delicate little angel, incapable of real harm–her actions must have been motivated by kindness, by loyalty to him and his friends, by a sense of justice. Of course she’d want to teach the wicked wife a lesson, right?

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Chapter 97

“Cici has already agreed to compensate you-”

“With my husband’s money? She keeps saying the company belongs to you and your buddies, that I’m just freeloading. But isn’t she doing the same? What makes her so special? Why does she get to be your executive assistant? Why does she get to live in the house you bought, wear the jewelry you paid for?”

“Emma!”

She watched as Theodore’s face twisted in anger. She must have struck a nerve.

So it was true–he really had bought Cecilia a house.

Emma fell silent, the corners of her mouth twisted in a mocking smile as she looked at the pair before her.

“Emma, Cici just returned from abroad. As friends, it’s only right we help her get settled-”

“Save it,” Emma cut him off. “I don’t care if you two are lifelong friends or something else entirely. I just care about my own life. I want the truth! Power lines don’t snap themselves, fires don’t start on their own. I want answers. I want justice. If there’s nothing to hide, then you can stand tall in front of the police, can’t you? Crying your eyes out in here won’t help. There aren’t many idiots in this world like you, Theodore. People as gullible as you are a rare breed–the quota’s been filled.”

Theodore might buy into Cecilia’s act, but Emma certainly didn’t.

This was the first time she’d ever called Theodore an idiot to his face. He stared at her in disbelief, like she’d suddenly become a stranger, unable to find a single word in reply.

Cecilia, meanwhile, was still sobbing uncontrollably. “Theo, please stop. I’ll turn myself in. Don’t defend me anymore, don’t fight with Emma because of me. I don’t want you to get hurt. Emma, please, don’t blame Theo. I’m the one at fault–yell at me, hit me if you want, set me on fire if that’ll make you feel better, but please, just don’t blame Theo…”

Emma watched her with icy detachment. What a performance.

“Why would I waste my breath yelling at you? Or commit arson to get back at you? You want me to be a criminal too? No–I’m just calling the police. Didn’t you say you were going to turn yourself in? Go on, then.” Emma pointed toward the door.

Cecilia froze. She hadn’t expected Emma to actually take her up on it.

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Chapter 97

“Well? Aren’t you going? Or was that just another act?” For the first time, Emma’s voice was truly hard.

Theodore pinched his brow. “Emma, do you have to be so harsh?”

“I’m not the one pushing her–she said she’d turn herself in. Now she’s hesitating. If that’s not an act, what is?”

Cecilia let out a loud wail. “Fine! I’ll go! I’ll turn myself in right now!”

With that, she spun around and ran from the room, crying even harder as she went.

“Cici! Cici!” Theodore sprang to his feet to chase after her. He reached the door, then paused, glancing back at Emma in a panic. “Emma, Cici’s sensitive–she doesn’t handle stress well. I’m worried she might do something drastic. I’ll check on her and be right back…”

Emma just looked at him, almost laughing.

Look how frantic he was over Cecilia.

He couldn’t even finish what he had to say–he was already halfway out the door, his final words trailing off as his hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.