A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 269

After sending his message, Frank did something he’d never done before—he didn’t close the chat. Instead, he held his phone, waiting anxiously for her reply.

He really didn’t want Elissa to ask Rowan to look into this matter.

Based on everything they’d investigated so far, the reasons the Murphy family adopted Elissa weren’t as innocent as they seemed. There was something unclean about them.

The only thing Frank was certain of was that the Murphys weren’t involved with drugs.

First, the Murphys and the Atwaters had been close for generations—there was no way such a secret could have stayed hidden. Second, Elissa’s background was unique. When the Murphys adopted her, the orphanage had to have double-checked everything with the authorities to protect her.

But no one could have guessed that, even if the Murphys had nothing to do with drugs, they still might have a darker connection to the criminal underworld.

Until he figured out what was really going on, Frank couldn’t let Rowan investigate.

If Elissa’s parents’ deaths truly had something to do with the Murphys, Rowan might cover things up to protect them—and destroy any evidence.

Of course, Frank also worried that if he failed to help Elissa with this, their relationship would grow even more distant.

On the other end, Elissa frowned as she read his message. She was afraid Frank might actually do something desperate, so she had no choice but to agree for now.

Rowan noticed her sudden silence, and for once, took the initiative to ask, “What were you about to say?”

Elissa had never expected Frank to threaten her this way, and she didn’t dare bring the matter up to Rowan now. “It’s nothing,” she replied.

Sensing the shift in her attitude, Rowan instinctively glanced at her phone. He caught a glimpse of the chat window, just enough to see a contact name before Elissa quickly tucked the phone away.

—Frank.

Rowan’s gaze sharpened, and a mocking smile played at his lips. “Separated for so long, and you two still have so much to talk about?” He arched an eyebrow, the sarcasm clear in his voice. “Barely out the door, and now you’re chatting away online.”

She really was quick to reply.

After hanging up, Elissa turned to Rowan. “Will you be driving past my office? There’s a problem with the project—I need to go in.”

Rowan had overheard most of the call and understood how serious it was. He looked at Ian, “Take her to the office first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ian responded without hesitation. Knowing how anxious Elissa must be, he stepped on the gas.

When they pulled up in front of Murphy Group, it was still lunchtime; employees were coming and going.

Elissa didn’t wait for Ian to pull into the parking lot. She jumped out at the curb and hurried toward the building.

Inside, by the front desk, Xavier spotted her and visibly relaxed, hurrying over. “Ms. Drummond, Mr. Jones and Mr. Riley are upstairs waiting for you.”