Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 321

“Emma…” Theodore glanced around at the growing crowd, his brow furrowing. “Can we talk about this when we get home? It’s not appropriate to make a scene here.”

Larson let out a cold laugh. “My sister has every right to cause a scene if she wants.”

Theodore dismissed him entirely, refusing to dignify that with a response.

Cecilia, standing behind him, began to sob. “It’s him! He’s the one who’s been spouting off, completely disrespectful with no manners at all. I was just worried he’d drag Emma into trouble and that it would end up causing problems for your company, so I tried to talk sense into her—tried to get her away from him so she wouldn’t be caught up in it. But then… then… Theo, she slapped me! In front of all these people! I—I can’t go on living after this…”

Jared and Hanley arrived just then, taking in the scene with matching frowns.

“Hm?” Cathie raised an eyebrow, her expression quickly turning sour as well.

Hanley hurried to Cathie’s side, steadying her gently. “Sweetheart, easy. Think of the baby. Don’t get yourself worked up.”

Cathie just snorted in annoyance.

Jared shot Hanley a look: Seriously? Could you be any more pathetic?

“Let it go, Theo.” Jared’s contemptuous gaze slid to Emma. “Don’t make this any worse. Have Emma apologize to Cici, and Cici, be the bigger person. For Theo’s sake, just let it go.”

“What?” Larson looked incredulous, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “You want my sister to apologize to her? Is she not afraid she’ll lose years off her life from the bad karma?”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Jared, already in a foul mood, snapped at Larson.

Larson simply drew Emma closer, a cool smile on his lips. “And who exactly are you?”

He was smiling, yes, but the expression behind his glasses had an icy edge, as if his whole face were veiled in frost.

By now the crowd had completely encircled them, eager for drama. Larson’s words sent a ripple of murmurs through the onlookers.

Theodore’s face went purple with anger. “I call you cousin out of respect, but show some decency! This isn’t the place for your antics.”

“Today, I’ll do as I please. What are you going to do about it?” Larson’s smile turned haughty, cold arrogance radiating from him.

“You—” Theodore glanced around at the gathering crowd, struggling to keep his composure. No matter what, he had to think of the bigger picture and save face. Swallowing his anger, he addressed Emma, “Emma, come here. This is just between us. I’ll make it up to you, alright? I’ll buy you a new necklace, okay? After all the jewelry I’ve bought you, why are you wearing this tacky old thing?”

He’d overheard Cecilia’s “cheap glass” remark, assuming the worn necklace was just a worthless trinket.

“No.” Emma didn’t budge. Instead, she leaned even closer to her brother.

Whether the situation escalated or not, her brother clearly didn’t care. This was their turf tonight—they could do as they pleased, and if anyone lost face, it certainly wouldn’t be the two of them.