A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 403

Even now, she was still lost in delusion.

Paige gestured sharply, and a servant immediately dumped a bucket of ice water over Marcia’s head. “Are you awake now?”

The frigid water, filled with sharp ice cubes, shocked Marcia into near unconsciousness. A deep, gnawing cold seeped into her bones, and she collapsed onto the ground, shivering uncontrollably.

But Paige felt no satisfaction. She took another deep breath, her eyes turning to Butler Murphy with a chilling glint. “Get rid of her. And make it clean.”

She couldn’t stand the sight of this fool for another second. It had been a complete and utter failure. How dare this imbecile think she could ever compete with that little wretch, Elissa?

Butler Murphy hesitated. “Doing this would be a direct insult to the Atwater family. And at the press conference today… while the young master stopped Elissa from exposing you, he certainly wasn’t pleased. If we do this, won’t we be stretched too thin?”

“What is there to be afraid of?” Paige’s eyes narrowed. “He’s out.”

The butler knew exactly who “he” was. In the entire Murphy family, only he was privy to that secret. He considered her words. It was true. With that man out, it was only a matter of time before Rowan lost his authority.

After a moment’s thought, he instructed a servant, “Take her to the basement.”

“Yes, sir.”

Just as the servant acknowledged the order, another rushed into the courtyard. “Matriarch, Butler Murphy, Mrs. Atwater is here.”

Paige frowned. “What is she doing here?” A smart person would be lying low right now. This Carmela was pushing her luck.

“Matriarch!” Carmela followed the servant in, her eyes sweeping past the pathetic figure of Marcia on the ground as if she didn't exist. “Please, don’t mind me. I just came to ask her if she has any last words.”

But this child…

Carmela’s jaw tightened. “When did this happen? As far as I know, Frank hasn’t touched you in ages. Don’t you dare try to pass off some random bastard as his.”

“You can check,” Marcia said, her body still trembling from the cold. She shakily recited a date and the name of a hotel. “The hotel has security footage. That night… Frank thought I was Elissa.”

Carmela drew a sharp breath and walked away to make a call. A few moments later, she returned, her face a mask of fury. She shot Marcia a venomous glare before composing herself and approaching Paige with a placating smile.

“Matriarch, I know I shouldn’t ask this of you, but for the sake of my late husband, I beg you to spare her life.” Seeing Paige’s expression darken, Carmela quickly added, “Or just give me a few months. After that, you can do with her as you please. I won’t say another word.”

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