A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 445

With Old Mr. Wilkinson having spoken, Tristan couldn't argue. As his father had said, it was a bit callous, but it was the responsible thing to do for the Wilkinson family.

Marcia, however, was starting to panic. The Wilkinsons were far more astute than she had anticipated; the entire family was too sharp to be fooled easily. She had the jade pendant and the birthmark, yet they still insisted on a DNA test. She couldn't let that happen. Once they did the test, her fate would be sealed.

Laurel glanced at her. "You have no objections, do you, Ms. Carson?"

"I… of course not…" Marcia's mind raced, desperately trying to find a plausible excuse to refuse the test. Before she could come up with anything, Maya spoke first. "It was my oversight. A test is absolutely necessary. I'll call someone to come collect the samples right now."

"That won't be necessary." Laurel stopped her, adding casually, "Lawrence Quinn happens to be nearby. I'll just have him bring his team over."

Maya's heart skipped a beat. "But… you two are divorced. Is it really appropriate to bother him with our family matters?" The Quinn family controlled the majority of Cresthaven's medical resources, including most of its research institutes and private hospitals. If they handled the DNA test, there would be no room for manipulation.

Old Mrs. Wilkinson sounded displeased. "What's inappropriate about it? The Wilkinsons and the Quinns have been allies for generations. A divorce doesn't mean they're mortal enemies now." Besides, their split had been amicable, and they'd been so busy they hadn't even found the time to finalize the paperwork.

Maya had to pivot, feigning concern. "Alright… I was just worried about Laurel."

Laurel completely ignored her and stepped aside to call Lawrence.

"I apologize," the officer said, hesitating. "The situation has changed. She is temporarily unable to accompany us to the station."

Elissa didn't know what had changed, but she didn't miss the look of smug triumph in Marcia's eyes. She knew then that whatever Maya had told Suzanne outside had worked. The Wilkinson family had chosen to side with Marcia.

Tristan didn't even need to ask; he knew Suzanne must be torn. Her affection for Elissa was genuine, but if Marcia was truly their lost Vera… he knew his wife would be agonizing over the choice. It was better, he decided, for him to be the bad guy.