A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 404

Neither Hickey nor this unborn child deserved a mother like Marcia. As soon as the baby was born, the Murphys could deal with her. The Atwaters would avoid getting their hands dirty and indebt the Murphys in the process.

Paige hadn’t been close enough to hear their whispers, but she was sharp enough to piece it together. A cold smile spread across her face. “She’s carrying your youngest son’s child?”

Carmela’s face flushed, but she had no choice but to admit it. “Yes. As soon as she gives birth, she’s all yours.” The Atwater line was simply too thin, and Frank was completely fixated on Elissa. Otherwise, this child wouldn’t have been a necessity.

Paige let out a sudden laugh. “You can take her. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you don’t handle this properly, you’ll tarnish the entire Atwater name. I imagine your late husband will be so furious he’ll crawl out of his grave to drag her to hell himself.”

***

The chaotic press conference ended up being far more effective than anyone could have planned.

The news that the lead researcher was the protégé of a master physician, combined with the public humiliation of Marcia and Paige and Xavier’s arrest for leaking trade secrets, sent a cascade of related stories trending online. The buzz was so immense that even people uninterested in medicine now knew about Murphy Group’s new drug.

Another hashtag was also slowly climbing the charts.

— #IsTheBroodingCEOAndTheGeniusScientistForReal?

Many were already shipping Rowan and Elissa, but the trend hadn’t gained enough traction to attract major attention.

After the conference, everyone moved to the banquet hall for a reception. Elissa was constantly surrounded by people eager to talk to her. Rex Wilkinson waited patiently for a while before finding a gap in the crowd and approaching with a velvet gift box.

“Congratulations,” he said, handing it to her. “My sister insisted I deliver this to you personally.”

Finn extended a hand, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m Finn, from DK Pharmaceuticals. I was wondering if I might have the honor of inviting you to collaborate on a project.”

“I’m sorry,” Elissa replied without hesitation, politely declining. “I have no plans to take on new projects at the moment. Perhaps another time.”

Finn didn’t seem to mind. “A contact number, then?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Elissa’s expression was cool as she turned to leave. She had heard of DK Pharmaceuticals; they were a powerhouse in Meridia. But something about this man felt wrong. She had no desire to work with him or have any association with him whatsoever.

“Ms. Drummond,” Finn called out from behind her, his voice a low, taunting drawl. He let his words hang in the air like a lit fuse. “What if I told you… I could help you get your revenge?”

***