A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 69

hapter 69

She hadn’t planned for Frank to pick her up after work.

Yet standing here now, looking at this scene, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of irony.

Frank gently disentangled himself from the woman in his arms, about to say something, when a few sharp–eyed colleagues broke into teasing laughter.

“Marcia, is this your boyfriend?”

All day at work, Marcia had been casually showing off, dropping hints about her incredible boyfriend–tall, handsome, gentle, and loaded.

That fancy sports car parked outside this morning? A gift from her boyfriend.

And now, seeing him in person, no one could say she’d exaggerated. He really was the complete package.

Actually, he was even a cut above the usual rich, good–looking

types–there was a refinement about him, an easy grace that set him apart.

Marcia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a little embarrassed, and smiled at Frank. “Frank, these are my colleagues.”

Frank’s brow was furrowed. When he glanced up again, Elissa was already walking away.

He didn’t reply, and everyone just assumed he was the reserved type.

Besides, with that much money and status, who wouldn’t be a little aloof?

As soon as Marcia and Frank drove off, the group of women erupted with

envy.

“My God, what kind of luck does Marcia have? It’s enough that her boyfriend’s rich, but he’s also that handsome? And on top of all that, he comes to pick her up after work like some kind of prince?”

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“Seriously… I’d give up ten years of my life for a boyfriend like that.”

“I’ll trade twelve years!”

“Oh, so it’s a competition now?”

After all, life’s about quality, not quantity!

To live even a single day in that world–driving a limited–edition sports car to work–would be worth it.

Elissa had just started her car when the passenger door opened.

Cliff raised an eyebrow. “Want to grab dinner?”

She gathered herself, remembering they needed to discuss the Murphy Group project, and smiled. “Where to?”

He sent the location to her phone. “There’s a new place nearby. It’s supposed to be good.”

“Sounds great.”

Elissa set the GPS and drove off.

In the rearview mirror, the black Maybach still hadn’t moved.

The clinic’s parking lot required a loop before reaching the exit, so Frank had a clear view as Cliff hopped into Elissa’s car with practiced ease.

Through the windshield, he saw her smiling–warm, animated, so alive.

So, she didn’t just save that smile for him.

Marcia caught the flash of irritation in Frank’s eyes and seized the moment, her tone light and bright. “That’s Cliff–the future heir to Riley Pharmaceuticals. This clinic actually belongs to his family.”

“Elissa and Cliff are really close. They hang out together all the time after

work…”

Frank felt something wild and uneasy churning inside him. Irritated, he muttered, “He’s just her college mentor. Of course they’d be close.”

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Chapter 69

“Well, who knows? I heard he stopped by her office around lunchtime. today. They were alone for ages.”

Marcia lowered her voice. “Elissa’s still so young, you know? She’s never really settled on anything. It wouldn’t be weird if she bounced from one guy to another…”

“Enough!” Frank’s tone snapped cold.

“I know her better than you do. Elissa’s always been straightforward. She wanted to marry me from the start–she wouldn’t just change her mind, let alone leave me so easily.”

Cliff had a real knack for food, and the restaurants he picked were rarely disappointing.

Tonight’s spot was quiet and inviting.

Knowing her tastes, Cliff had already ordered their meal on the way over.

Since their dinner was a last–minute idea, there were no private rooms left, so the waiter showed them to a cozy booth.

As Elissa enjoyed a meal that actually suited her palate, she didn’t forget the reason they’d met up. “Cliff, when does Murphy Group need us to join the project?”

“Pretty soon,” Cliff said, using the serving fork to put some

sweet–and–sour ribs on her plate. “No exact date yet, but with projects like this, the schedule’s never really up to us. We just have to be ready to jump in whenever they call.”