A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 504

Janice's life had been far from smooth sailing.

As a woman, she didn't want Elissa to walk down the same tragic path.

Even if the man involved was her own grandson.

Rowan naturally understood the underlying meaning. It wasn't that Janice minded Elissa's pregnancy, but she feared it might cause a rift in their future marriage.

But he had never worried about that.

Compared to standing idly by as the girl he had pampered became a single mother, or watching her marry someone else...

This issue was so insignificant it barely warranted a thought.

From beginning to end, all he cared about was Elissa herself.

Rowan pressed his lips together, his tone uncharacteristically solemn. "Grandma, I'm absolutely certain. Aside from her, I've never considered marrying anyone else. To me, as long as I have her, nothing else matters."

He had said the exact same thing to Elissa a few days ago.

He just wanted her.

Janice nodded in relief. "It seems defective genes don't always get passed down. At least you and your father didn't take after him."

That "him" referred to the late master of the Murphy family, a man notorious for his wandering eye.

Rowan raised an eyebrow, simultaneously speaking his truth and coaxing a smile from the older woman. "That's only because your superior genes were powerful enough to completely obliterate his."

"You always know just what to say."

Janice scoffed fondly, then noticed his expression. "Spit it out. You need my help with something, don't you?"

"Actually, I do."

Rowan didn't hold back, casually and shamelessly making his request.

Janice frowned, jabbing a finger at him repeatedly. "You... you... wouldn't that be a bad idea? Let me think about it!"

Afraid he would sweet-talk her into agreeing, she tossed the dishes into the dishwasher, grabbed her canvas bag, and practically sprinted for the door.

That brat!

Whenever he was this sweet, he was definitely up to no good!

After dinner, Asher, who had been drinking, asked if Tanya could give him a ride since it was on the way. Naturally, she agreed.

Rex had forced his way into the car, claiming the passenger seat before Asher could.

Tanya told him it wasn't on the way, but he immediately shot back that he was staying at Vistapeak Gardens tonight—right across from her apartment—making it far more convenient than dropping Asher off.

Now, seeing the rich playboy slipping back into his old habits, Tanya said coldly, "What, you wouldn't let me talk to Asher when we were dating, and now I still can't?"

Ever since college, he had picked a fight with Asher every time he saw him.

To Rex, her words felt like a direct provocation. "I couldn't even stop you from laughing and joking with him when we were together. You think I can stop you now?" he mocked.

His tone heavily implied that Tanya had been overly intimate with another man while they were dating.

Tanya sneered. "If you know you can't stop me, why are you actively looking for a reason to be miserable?"

As they bickered, she reversed the car into her parking spot and killed the engine.

Seeing her unbuckle her seatbelt, grab her purse from the backseat, and prepare to leave, Rex quickly followed and grabbed her arm.

His chest burned with fury. But when she was pulled back by his momentum, her striking face held absolutely no emotion as she looked at him. "What is it now, Mr. Rex?"