Chapter 327
“Disgusting p>
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Carmela nearly blurted out the accusation–flirting with your own brother–in–law, have you no shame?-but she bit her tongue for the sake of her grandson’s reputation.
When Marcia finally came downstairs, freshly changed, Carmela couldn’t help herself. “Are you really confident you can get your hands on Elissa’s research p>
Marcia smirked. “What if I told you I already have? Just wait and see–Elissa’s about to lose to me, and badly p>
“And what schemes are you planning against Elissa this time p>
No sooner had she spoken than a cold, hostile voice rang out from the entryway.
Marcia whirled around. She hadn’t seen Frank in days, and she had no idea when he’d returned. Yet there he was, not far away, having caught every word of her boast.
Meeting Frank’s icy glare, Marcia suddenly remembered those days she’d been locked in the basement. Her back prickled with fear. “It’s… it’s nothing p>
“Really?” Frank’s stare was sharp as a hawk’s. “For your sake, I hope that’s true. Otherwise, I’ll settle all scores–old and new–with you at once p>
Last time she’d orchestrated Elissa’s abduction, the hired thugs had insisted they acted alone, denying any outside involvement. No one could tie it back to Marcia.
Rowan had caught wind of the incident, but he hadn’t taken it seriously.
After all, it was only classified as a kidnapping attempt, and with Carmela determined to protect her eldest grandson’s reputation, there was little chance Marcia would face any real consequences.
Better to let her show her hand again.
Right then, Carmela turned to Frank. “Where have you been lately? Never home, never at the office–are you deliberately avoiding us p>
Frank’s tone was flat. “I went to Cresthaven p>
Bernard had uncovered something suspicious there, so Frank had left for Cresthaven that very night. When it came to these matters, he had to move quickly–if the Murphy family caught wind of his investigation, they’d cover their tracks, and he’d be left with nothing.
Fortunately, this time his efforts paid off.
He’d kept his promise to Elissa.
But now, he hadn’t figured out how to tell her what he’d learned. After all, Elissa’s bond with Rowan ran deep.
She’d be devastated. The Murphys were responsible for her parents‘ deaths; that pain would cut even deeper than Rowan abandoning her years ago.
Even if Rowan wasn’t the killer himself, he was still a Murphy by blood, and that alone would be hard
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for Elissa to accept.
Cresthaven?
Marcia caught on fast. “What were you doing in Cresthaven? Couldn’t win Elissa over, so you went back to the place where you first met her to mope p>
Frank shot her a look as cold as ice. “Who do you think you are? I don’t owe you any explanations p>
Carmela pretended not to hear the exchange.
She had to admit, Frank was right. If her eldest grandson hadn’t been born from Marcia’s womb, she’d have sent the woman packing a long time ago.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Wilkinsons‘ estate, Elissa stopped by the research institute to check on a project before heading back to Vistapeak Gardens.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she noticed the door across the hall was wide open. Her pace
quickened instinctively.
Her arm still ached dully. If she hadn’t given herself a couple of injections that morning before visiting the Wilkinsons, she doubted she’d have been able to perform acupuncture on Mrs. Wilkinson at all.
“Why are you in such a hurry p>
Just as her finger touched the lock, a cool, languid voice sounded behind her.
“Didn’t you tell me this morning that this is your real home now? ”
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Chapter 329