Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 403

Jared's heart was pounding.

He was certain Theodore Whitman was playing a part, putting on a show just for him.

But did Theodore really know what he'd been up to for the past four years?

He couldn't just sit back and wait for the axe to fall. He had to find out exactly what Theodore knew, what cards he was holding.

But how could he test him?

Only one person came to mind: Cecilia Chambers.

Cecilia was initially annoyed when Jared showed up unannounced, but her anger evaporated the moment he handed her a thick envelope stuffed with ten thousand dollars in cash.

"He's my son, after all," Jared said, playing the sympathy card. "And you're his mother. I'm not going to abandon you."

His words soothed Cecilia's bruised ego. She started to think that maybe her future was with Jared after all. The baby she was carrying was his, a biological fact. If she stayed with Theodore, it would be a time bomb waiting to go off. When it finally exploded, she'd be left with nothing.

Looking at Jared now, her expression softened with a flicker of affection.

That was his cue. Jared began his performance, pouring himself a drink and downing it, then another, and another, a portrait of a man drowning his sorrows.

"What's wrong?" Cecilia finally asked, taking the bait.

Jared just sighed heavily, refusing to speak. He let her press him until he finally "cracked," admitting that he was in serious trouble. Then, he laid out his plan for her.

Cecilia hesitated. Following his instructions meant betraying Theodore completely. While she'd resolved to side with Jared, she was reluctant to burn the bridge with Theodore just yet.

"Cici, I wouldn't be asking you to do this if I wasn't desperate," Jared pleaded, his voice a masterclass in manipulation. "The company is finished. Now that Larson Rossi is in the picture, and we've made an enemy of him, he's going to crush us. I have to think about my own survival. Do you want to go down with Theo? Do you really want to go back to those days of scraping by on next to nothing, sharing a single bowl of soup between you?"

Neither of them noticed the car that had followed them, pulling up across the street just after they went inside.

In the car sat Emma Bennett, the baby-faced young man, and two others in black suits. As soon as they parked, one of the men in suits got out and walked into the restaurant. He exchanged a subtle glance with another operative who had been tailing Cecilia.

The man nodded. Everything was going according to plan.

Inside the private room, Cecilia waited anxiously. Finally, Theodore arrived.

"Theo…" she cooed, her voice dripping with manufactured sweetness.

Theodore smiled and sat down across from her.

They exchanged hollow pleasantries, asking after each other's well-being before turning their attention to the menus.