A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 386

In reality, the first thing their mentor had said when introducing them was, "Elissa, this is Cliff, the one I told you about. I want you to take him under your wing from now on. The boy's talent is average, but he has a good heart."

The idea of being mentored by a freshman had left Cliff stunned. Then Elissa had casually performed a single needling technique on him, and he was instantly convinced. Acupuncture seemed simple, but an expert could discern a practitioner's depth of skill from a single needle. And Elissa's skill was unfathomably deep—a level Cliff had only ever witnessed in Aaron himself.

"Is that so?" Sean smiled, then changed the subject. "By the way, I heard from your parents that you and Dr. Drummond are working on a cancer drug. How is the research progressing?"

"The progress is…" Cliff, thinking of him as a long-time friend of his parents, was about to answer honestly when Elissa cut him off.

"It's very slow. We're still fumbling in the dark a bit."

Cliff caught on immediately and nodded with a strained smile. "Right. We're still trying to figure out how we're going to answer to the Murphy Group."

"Really?" Sean coughed, his face pale and aged, looking every bit the frail patient. "But I heard a press conference is already in the works. If things are as you say, the Murphy Group won't let you off easy." He sounded genuinely concerned.

Elissa, not one to let her guard down easily, maintained a detached tone. "It's normal for research projects to fall short of expectations. I'm sure Mr. Murphy is not so petty as to be a sore loser."

"That's true." Sean's eyes lit up as if in sudden realization. "I almost forgot. You and Mr. Murphy are practically brother and sister. With such a close bond, he would certainly show you some consideration."

Elissa's head whipped toward Cliff, who was also frowning. "Mr. Cross, who told you that Elissa and Mr. Murphy are siblings?" He certainly hadn't mentioned that to his parents.

"Yes." But he was an old friend of Cliff's parents. It shouldn't make sense.

"I know what you're thinking," Cliff said, sharing her unease. "I'll go home tonight and ask my parents about him in detail."

Just then, Janice, carrying an insulated container, walked into the clinic and nearly collided with Sean, who was limping out on his cane. As he passed, she gave him a second glance. His face was unfamiliar, but there was something about his presence, his aura, that felt strangely recognizable. She just couldn't place it.

Before she could dwell on it, Sean was already getting into a Rolls-Royce waiting outside.

Once inside the car, he made a call. "You'd better pay close attention to the drug that girl is developing. I suspect it's more than it seems. Don't wait until she's established herself before we realize what we're dealing with." If his own movements weren't so restricted right now, he never would have let her get as far as a press conference.