Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 416

After his apology, Theodore left with Hanley.

Latham Fairchild returned to the stage, skillfully redirecting the press conference back to the Rossi Corporation's plans for the future. The questions from the reporters finally shifted back to business.

Theodore heard their voices echoing through the hall as he walked away, his steps quickening. None of this had anything to do with him anymore.

Hanley practically ran to keep up with him. He collapsed into the passenger seat of Theodore's car, panting for breath before breaking down into loud, ragged sobs. He cried like a child, his face buried in his hands.

Theodore stared straight ahead, his expression blank, and started the car.

Hanley cried the entire way back to the office. When they arrived, his sobs subsided into choked sniffles. He followed Theodore into the conference room, since Theodore's office was still sealed off as a crime scene. Hanley couldn't bear to be alone right now.

Theodore opened his laptop and began to work. Hanley slumped into a chair across from him.

After several minutes of silence, Hanley let out a mournful wail. "Theo, why? Why did it have to turn out like this?"

Theodore's fingers paused over the keyboard for a moment before he resumed typing.

Hanley continued, his eyes squeezed shut. "Why? We promised we'd be brothers for life! Through thick and thin, we said! We'd go through hell and back for each other! How could Jared change so much?"

Hanley couldn't stop crying.

Theodore didn't try to comfort him. There were no words that could make this better. He wouldn't have believed them himself.

"Go home and rest for a few days," he told Hanley. "Take some time to clear your head."

Hanley looked at him, his eyes still swimming with tears. "How can I rest? The company is in crisis. I can't just take time off."

He still couldn't understand it. "We had enough money! We were so much better off than when we started, eating one pack of instant ramen between the three of us. How much money is enough?"