A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 524

No matter how slow Evan usually was, he knew exactly what to do in this situation.

He scurried over and obediently surrendered the phone. "Here you go."

*I'm so sorry, Ms. Drummond!*

*This wasn't my fault.*

*It was all Ian.*

*That bastard is too sneaky!*

*No, pure evil!*

Rowan took the phone and didn't even entertain the idea of answering it. He immediately hit decline and asked, "Where is she?"

Evan blinked, taking a second to realize who 'she' was, but Ian eagerly beat him to the punch. "Watering the flowers in the backyard."

Rowan gave a low hum of acknowledgment and headed toward the back doors.

The moment he was out of earshot, Evan glared at Ian, grinding his teeth. "You played dirty!"

Ian smirked, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "It's your own fault for being so dense."

There was absolutely no reason for Elissa to take a call from her ex-husband.

A good ex-husband should act like he was dead, not pop out of the grave to ruin their boss's romantic progress.

Besides, when it came to this sort of thing, their boss was overwhelmingly petty.

The incredibly petty man in question stepped into the backyard, phone in hand. Seeing Elissa cheerfully watering the plants chipped away at the icy edge in his eyes.

She stood in the sunlight, bathed in a warm, radiant glow, looking like a literal ray of sunshine.

Before he could say anything, Elissa noticed him and smiled. "Why are you back so early?"

"To have lunch with you."

Closing the distance with long strides, Rowan held up the phone and spoke with a dry, sarcastic drawl. "Someone called you."

"Who?"

Elissa looked confused, reaching for the phone to check.

If it was a scammer or a sales pitch, she wouldn't bother.

Before she could even open the call log, the dry drawl continued. "Frank Atwater."

"..."

Elissa's heart gave a nervous thump.

When she made no move to use the phone, Rowan raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You aren't going to call him back?"

"..."

Elissa didn't take the bait. "Let's just eat first. If I have time later, I'll call him."

A distinct note of satisfaction lifted the corners of Rowan's mouth.

He was clearly the priority.

But just as they turned to head inside, her phone started ringing again.

Caller ID: Frank Atwater.

*He was like a leech!*

Irritation flashed in Rowan's eyes. Seeing Elissa answer the call as she walked toward the edge of the courtyard, he instinctively started to follow her, only to be stopped by a pointed cough from behind.

Rowan turned around and saw his grandmother watching him with vast amusement, forcing him to halt in his tracks.

He hadn't realized she was standing there.

Janice let out a soft huff of laughter. "You really don't see anyone else in the room when she's around, do you?"