A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 529

Afraid of causing a misunderstanding that might bring Elissa trouble, Old Mrs. Atwater smiled and quickly explained, "I'm not that lucky. This sweet girl just heard I wasn't feeling well and came to check on me."

It was only then that Carmela glanced toward the living room. Seeing Elissa, she couldn't suppress a sharp, boastful sneer. "You've got that completely wrong. Our Atwater family doesn't just let *anyone* through the door. As for my future daughter-in-law... she's already been chosen!"

Not too long ago, Carmela had found absolutely everything about Marcia repulsive.

But now that Marcia had transformed into a glorious phoenix, Carmela was desperate for the Atwater family to lock down a marriage alliance with the Wilkinson family.

Besides, Marcia was pregnant with Frank's child—she wasn't going anywhere.

As long as the Atwater family gave the green light, it was a done deal!

She was more than happy to broadcast the good news to everyone, especially if it meant crushing this little tramp's hopes.

*The nerve of her.*

Claiming she had nothing to do with Frank anymore, yet seizing every opportunity to crawl back into the Atwater Manor!

Hearing her declaration, the socialites were visibly stunned. Even Old Mrs. Atwater looked confused, having no idea what kind of nonsense Carmela was spewing now.

One of the socialites leaned in, her eyes alight with gossip. "Which family's daughter is it?"

"The Wilkinsons."

Carmela shot Elissa a look of pure disdain. To ensure everyone grasped the magnitude of her brag, she tilted her chin up and added, "The Wilkinson family from Cresthaven."

The entire room gasped in shock!

For the first time, a ripple of genuine emotion crossed Elissa's face.

Assuming she had struck a nerve, Carmela looked incredibly smug!

However, Elissa wasn't hurt or upset—she actually found it hilarious.

She could easily piece together the puzzle: Carmela firmly believed the baby Marcia was carrying belonged to Frank, and because Marcia was currently being hailed as the lost Wilkinson heiress...

Carmela was dead set on letting Frank raise another man's child as his own?

Mrs. Walters blinked in confusion. "Isn't Ms. Drummond dating the head of the Murphy family? Is there a higher branch in Vistapeak City than the Murphys?"

She and her husband had watched the press conference together.

The way the ruthless 'Devil' of Vistapeak looked at Elissa was like a starving man looking at a feast.

Afterward, news of their relationship had exploded online. Not only had the head of the Murphy family allowed the rumors to run wild, but to this day, he had never issued a single denial.

When powerful men tried to subtly ask him about it, he simply smiled and remained silent.

Because of that, Mrs. Walters wouldn't dare suggest Elissa marry her son. She wasn't suicidal; she just wanted to network.

Carmela looked at her like she had just told a hilarious joke. "Are you actually taking her seriously? Look at her. Do you honestly think she has what it takes to marry into the Murphy family?"

Given how deeply Matriarch Paige Murphy despised Elissa, the only way Elissa was getting through those doors was over the old woman's dead body.

It was nothing but a pathetic delusion!