A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 333

"Of course!"

Marcia blurted out the words without thinking, then glanced back—only to meet Jesse’s poised, commanding gaze. In that instant, she realized just how foolish her words had been.

Jesse Wilkinson—the eldest daughter of the influential Wilkinson family, well-connected in political circles—had only recently finalized her own divorce.

She, too, was a divorced woman.

Catching the cold, mocking smile on Elissa’s lips, Marcia swallowed her irritation and managed an awkward laugh. Turning to Jesse, she hurried to explain, "Mr. Wilkinson, please don’t misunderstand—I certainly didn’t mean to say all divorced women are like that."

She seized the chance to take a jab at Elissa. "I’ve known Elissa a long time, since we were sisters-in-law, and I know her character is... well, less than ideal. That’s why I worry about the Wilkinson family..."

"No need."

Jesse stepped up beside Elissa, his meaning unmistakable. "I believe in what I see with my own eyes. In the time I’ve worked with Dr. Drummond, I’ve found her not only to be skilled, but also of exceptional character."

"And for the record, the happiness of one’s marriage—or whether they’ve divorced—has never been the standard the Wilkinson family uses to judge anyone."

He paused, his gaze cool as he glanced at Marcia. "Ms. Carson, perhaps you could find better things to do than meddle in our family affairs."

His words were calm and measured, yet Marcia felt her face flush and pale by turns.

Elissa’s character and medical skill are ‘exceptional’? What about hers? Wasn’t she good enough?

And he’d all but told her to mind her own business!

The rumor was that Jesse Wilkinson, the second son of the family, was known for his gentle and refined manners—never one to humiliate others so bluntly.

It had to be Elissa, that spiteful woman. She must have twisted the facts while treating Mrs. Wilkinson’s leg, poisoning the family against her.

Elissa had hoped to finish discussing work with Jesse and then head to the research institute; she had no desire to spar with Marcia any further.

At this point, even one more word with Marcia made her feel queasy.

As long as she could forge a connection with the Wilkinson family, she could figure out the details later.

Her lifelong motto was simple: never give up until you get what you want.

How you got there didn’t matter; in the end, the world only cared about success.

Jesse’s upbringing meant that he could even speak calmly to someone both foolish and malicious. "Ms. Carson," he said mildly, "do you even know the specifics of my mother’s condition?"

Marcia hesitated. "...Not yet."

"Then how can you be so sure you can fix it?"

"Elissa and I both graduated from Vistapeak University’s Department of Traditional Medicine," Marcia declared smugly. "And the medication she’s testing in her clinical trials? I’m running parallel trials on a similar formula myself!"

Jesse’s lips pressed into a thin line. "So, these two facts have led you to believe you and Dr. Drummond are equals in medicine?"