Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 324

Nita’s smile was tinged with irony.

Theodore felt a ringing in his ears, his mind filled with just one thought: It’s over.

Again. It’s all over—again.

He looked at her from afar, Jared’s words echoing in his mind: “Every deal gets tanked because of Emma. This is the third time. But now she’s not involved—we’re golden.”

A murmur rose from the crowd: “Hey, isn’t that Theodore’s wife on stage? She hardly ever comes to these events. Why is she up there with Mr. Rossi tonight?”

Larson paused for only a moment, but already the audience was abuzz with speculation.

He continued smoothly, “There’s another name I go by—not many here know it. I take my mother’s family name, Bennett. Larson Bennett. And the lady beside me? She’s my sister, Emma.”

Emma greeted the crowd with a radiant smile.

She was effortlessly elegant, and that simple gesture drew thunderous applause.

Whether the ovation was for her, or for Young Mr. Rossi’s sister, tonight she was the one everyone’s eyes were drawn to.

Larson took his sister’s hand, launching into a warm, enthusiastic welcome speech, but Theodore barely heard a word. His thoughts were in chaos.

Nearby, the girls who’d been discussing jewelry shrieked, “Oh my god, that necklace she’s wearing—isn’t that the one from last night’s auction? The one-of-a-kind, thirty-million-dollar piece?”

“Unbelievable! She must have flown it in overnight! Mr. Rossi must have given it to his sister—he absolutely dotes on her!”

Cecilia stared at the massive ruby resting against Emma’s collarbone, envy burning in her eyes.

Cathie snickered, “Wasn’t there someone just now insisting that necklace was fake—just cheap glass and tarnished metal? Bet they’re eating their words now!”

One of the girls sneered, “We only kissed up to you because you were Whitman’s assistant, Miss Cecilia. Now that you’re nothing, you’re just the side chick—living in a fantasy! What are you staring at?”

“Get lost!” Jared barked, stepping forward to scatter the group and shield Cecilia.

Nita watched it all unfold, a cold scoff in her throat and tears threatening in her eyes.

Only Theodore remained unmoved.

He stood there, numb, as if everything around him was just background noise. All he could see was that flash of crimson on Emma’s neck.

Just then, another acquaintance elbowed his way over and shook Theodore’s hand, grinning widely.

“No wonder!” the man boomed. “I was wondering how your firm landed the Rossi partnership! Turns out you’re Mr. Rossi’s brother-in-law? You sly dog! Keeping us in the dark all this time. With connections like that, you really thought we could outmaneuver you?”