A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 397

The accusation sent a shockwave through the hall. All eyes turned to the entrance, where Elissa saw Marcia trying to force her way past security.

Elissa watched her impassively, then gave a subtle nod to the head of security, allowing Marcia to enter.

Rowan glanced from the furious Marcia to the perfectly calm young woman beside him. "You were expecting this?"

"I've been expecting it for a long time," Elissa admitted, her eyes fixed on Marcia as she stormed toward the stage. "You claim I falsified data and that the Murphy Group is engaging in false advertising," she said, her voice clear and steady. "Where is your proof?"

"The proof is right here!" Marcia declared, handing out a stack of documents to the attendees. "Look at this! This is the real data from their so-called breakthrough cancer drug with zero side effects. Its performance is no different from any other standard cancer drug on the market! Yet they've jacked up the price, determined to make a fortune off the sick and dying!" Her voice was laced with righteous fury.

As people read the data, a murmur of shock rippled through the room.

"What's going on? This data is completely different from what the Murphy Group claimed."

"A company as big as the Murphy Group wouldn't risk their entire reputation for a quick profit, would they?"

"Who knows? Maybe they just got greedy…"

The whispers reached the stage. Elissa felt the weight of the man beside her, who had surely heard every word.

She looked directly at Marcia. "Alright, you have your documents. What about a witness?"

"You want a witness?!" Marcia laughed, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "You can't hide a crime like this forever. There are people on your own team who couldn't stand by and watch any longer!" With that, she turned and looked toward the section where the Murphy Group's project members were seated.

Elissa glanced at it and, in the midst of the heavy, tense atmosphere, let out a soft laugh. She looked at Marcia. "Where did you get this data?"

Marcia wasn't about to be led by the nose. "First, tell me: do you admit to it?"

Elissa tossed the papers onto the table. "It's not mine," she said coolly. "So, no, I don't."

"Still stubborn, even at a time like this!" Marcia's voice rose, her words sharp and accusatory. "This data came from clinical trials using the drug you personally developed. How can you deny it?"

"What did you say?" Elissa's smile faded, her eyes zeroing in on the hole in Marcia's story. "The drug *I* developed? How did it end up in your hands? I should warn you, corporate espionage carries a very heavy sentence."