A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 356

Once she was tied to the Crest family, her life would be over.

Frank went back to Vistapeak Gardens to clean up before heading to the office. He had just stepped inside when his assistant, Bernard, followed him in. "Mr. Atwater, that group of men was released from prison this morning, but…"

Frank frowned. "Something happened?"

"Yes." Bernard's expression was slightly relieved. "Their car lost control and went off Cresthaven Bridge. So far, they've recovered five bodies…"

There were only eight of them in total. If the entire carload was dead, Elissa would be safe for the time being. After all, Rowan held most of the power in the Murphy family. No matter how resentful the old matriarch was, the most she could do was throw a tantrum at Elissa.

But Frank wasn't so optimistic. His expression grew heavier. "Keep a close eye on the police reports. Don't let your guard down until they've recovered eight bodies and confirmed all the identities."

It didn't make sense. Those men wouldn't be so careless. Spend twenty years in prison just to die in a car crash right after getting out?

A thought struck him, and he added in a cold tone, "And for the time being, keep an eye on what's happening at Murphy Manor."

"Why are you monitoring Murphy Manor?"

The office door swung open, and his mother, Carmela, walked in, her voice laced with suspicion. "You've been so busy lately I barely see you. What exactly are you up to?"

She had come today because she had finally found a perfectly suitable young woman from a good family and wanted Frank to meet her. But hearing him talk about monitoring Murphy Manor set off all her alarms.

Frank's face hardened. "Since when do I need to report my activities to you? You interfered in my marriage, and now you want to interfere in my business?"

"Isn't it?" Frank rose slowly, leaning on his desk to look down at her. His voice was ice. "Elissa saved our lives. And how did you repay her?"

Carmela shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. "Hasn't the Atwater family been good enough to her over the years?" she snapped. "A life debt doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our entire family to repay it!"

She had feared this day would come the moment she learned Elissa was their savior. A debt of gratitude was the most dangerous thing of all. And a life debt was impossible to repay. Better to just ignore it. If Elissa's family were still prosperous, it would have been different, but Elissa now was a different story. She would be like a leech, sucking the Atwater family dry.

Frank didn't get angry; he just laughed. "The Atwater Group is in my hands now. Whatever I want to do, you can't stop me."

Trading the company for two lives was a bargain. Besides, it might not even come to that.

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