A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 232

But that one simple sentence was enough to test where Frank’s loyalties lay.

If they were truly divorced, who would bother picking up their ex-wife to bring her home?

After Matriarch Paige Murphy’s words faded, silence hung on the other end of the line for a long moment.

Elissa’s fingers trembled almost imperceptibly. Matriarch Paige Murphy shot her a sideways glance, a mocking little smirk hinting at Elissa’s overreach, then spoke into the phone, “If it’s a bother for you, Frank, never mind…”

She hadn’t finished when Frank’s calm, low voice came through.

He seemed to be giving instructions to an assistant—postponing an urgent meeting, canceling his evening appointments.

Then Frank’s tone lightened with a hint of a smile. “Why would it be a bother? I’ll head to the manor right now.”

“That’s good of you, Frank. I appreciate it.”

Matriarch Paige Murphy’s brow furrowed sharply, but she still managed a smile, unwilling to let the conversation end without probing further. “Elissa was lucky to marry you, Frank.”

Frank replied without missing a beat, “I’d say I’m the lucky one to have married her.”

Once the call ended, Frank glanced at Bernard, who looked a little troubled. “What’s wrong?”

Bernard hesitated. “Mr. Atwater, I’m afraid that meeting isn’t so easy to reschedule…”

“Move it to this evening,” Frank said, checking his watch. “Eight o’clock should work.”

Bernard looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. “Sir, are you going to…”

“Pick up Elissa,” Frank answered simply.

He stood, slipped on the suit jacket draped over his chair, the silver watch on his wrist catching the light. “I’ll be heading out now.”

Bernard could only stare after him, dumbfounded. Since when was Mr. Atwater so completely love-struck?

The moment the call ended, Elissa could sense that Matriarch Paige Murphy was genuinely annoyed.

And after that little episode, there was no way they’d be going to the Assembly tonight. The driver turned the car around and took them straight back to Murphy Manor.

As soon as the car stopped, the old matriarch was out in a flash, storming inside and up the stairs with surprising energy.

Elissa watched her charge away, a silent smile curving her lips.

Marcia knew it wasn’t an empty threat. Uneasy, she sat for a long moment before finally making a call of her own.

“What’s the status on Elissa’s research?”

–

Elissa sat quietly in the drawing room.

Matriarch Paige Murphy hadn’t come down, and Frank wouldn’t be arriving just yet.

Cliff had just sent her a new proposal, so she bent over her phone, completely absorbed in a serious discussion with him.

“Waiting for me?”

She startled at the sudden voice, nearly dropping her phone.

She looked up to see Rowan standing not far away, dressed in a sleek, dark gray tailored suit—a sight that gave her a second, sharper jolt.

Was he out of his mind? With all the household staff around, even Butler Murphy was standing right there!