A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 274

“How could you be sure they’d fall for it?”

Cliff waited until she finally tore herself away from work before bringing up what happened at lunch. “And if they hadn’t, were you really planning on quitting?”

Elissa stretched her neck, trying to ease the stiffness in her shoulders, and gave him a sly smile. “Who said I was bluffing?”

“So that security camera was real?”

This time, Cliff genuinely looked surprised.

She nodded. “Yeah.”

The moment she sensed the team’s discontent, she’d started thinking about backup plans. After wracking her brain, the best she came up with was to ask Ian to have someone install a camera while everyone was away for the holidays. It was on a private line, and as far as security knew, only Abel was in the loop.

Everyone had been busy celebrating, so she hadn’t bothered mentioning it to Cliff at the time.

Cliff gazed at her, his admiration clear in his eyes. “If our mentor could see you now, thinking three steps ahead, he’d be bragging about you for days.”

Elissa’s lips curled up in a small, fond smile.

She knew her mentor treated her like family.

Back when she first started apprenticing, she knew nothing at all. But every time she managed to memorize another medicinal herb, the old man would insist on an extra glass of wine at dinner to celebrate.

She was never sure if he was actually celebrating, or just using it as an excuse—either way, he certainly never missed a drink.

Now that she was finally making a name for herself, her mentor loved to boast about his “star pupil” to anyone who’d listen, grinning from ear to ear.

Of course, no one else actually knew who his famous student was, but they all played along, showering him with praise.

Sometimes, late at night, when she thought back on the fourteen years she’d spent with her mentor and his wife, her resentment toward Rowan for leaving her behind softened—just a little.

After all, it was Rowan who’d found her that mentor, who’d brought her to his door, and who had picked her up after every lesson for six straight years, rain or shine.

Cliff happened to live nearby, so he could give Elissa a ride home.

“Will do.”

Cliff gave her a little wave and waited until she disappeared inside before pulling away.

Exhausted, Elissa headed for the elevator, barely managing to keep a smile on her face—until she saw who was waiting for her.

Frank Atwater.

He stood behind the building’s automatic glass doors, eyes narrowing as he watched Cliff’s white sedan disappear down the ramp. His tone was cool and a little sharp. “Weren’t you supposed to leave with your brother? How come he’s the one dropping you off?”

After what had happened the other day, Elissa still felt uneasy around Frank. Her expression didn’t shift as she shot back, “What are you doing here?”

“If you can’t move back to Greenwood Manor, then I’ll just move here,” Frank replied, his gaze steady.

Seeing the flicker of resistance in her eyes, he added quietly, “Don’t worry, I’ll just be living downstairs.”