A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 226

Elissa calmly averted her gaze and headed toward her car. Just as she reached for the door, Marcia approached, clutching Hickey in her arms. Her eyes flicked over Elissa suspiciously, finally settling on the corner of a red document peeking from Elissa’s bag.

Marcia didn’t bother with pleasantries. “What’s that?”

She stood there with the entitlement of someone who already saw herself as the future mistress of this old estate.

Unfazed, Elissa smoothly tucked the divorce certificate deeper into her bag and replied airily, “Just a permit for waste disposal.”

Marcia had no idea what game Elissa was playing, so she changed tack. “The new medication you mentioned at the meeting yesterday—when will the trial results be out?”

“Why do you ask?” Elissa’s lips curled into a wry smile. “Planning a heist? Marcia, you really do prove the old saying true—by the time we’re three, our character is set.”

She’d been snatching things from others since they were kids. And now, Marcia had her sights set on Elissa’s research.

Marcia’s face hardened, her voice tight with annoyance. “Who said I want to steal anything from you?”

“Then do it yourself,” Elissa said, her tone light but cutting. “Don’t expect to reap the rewards of someone else’s work.”

With that, Elissa got into her car, started the engine, and drove off without a backward glance.

Marcia stamped her foot in frustration.

If she actually knew how to handle R&D, what would she need Elissa for in the first place? Rationally, she doubted Elissa would achieve anything remarkable. But deep down, she couldn’t shake a sense of dread.

What if… What if Elissa really did pull it off?

Hugging Hickey tightly, Marcia headed back inside. “Hickey, did that woman just now say something to your grandma? She didn’t give her anything, did she?”

The color of that document… it looked suspiciously like a deed.

Popping a cherry into her mouth, Marcia spoke slowly, “Elissa and Rowan… They’re not just siblings anymore.”

Carmela’s anxiety flared. “Speak plainly, Marcia! Enough of these hints and riddles!”

She was old but not stupid. She could read between the lines—but Elissa and Rowan were supposed to be siblings! Elissa had practically been raised by Rowan.

Seeing Marcia hesitate, Carmela’s patience snapped. “If you’re just spreading rumors, you’d better keep them to yourself. If you dare slander Rowan, you’ll regret it!”

The last thing she wanted was for the Atwater family’s name to be dragged through the mud.

Marcia knew if she told the truth about what she’d witnessed, Carmela wouldn’t believe her—just like Frank and the others, she’d dismiss it as nonsense. But, gritting her teeth, she said it anyway.

“I saw them kissing.”