A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 443

At Maya's gesture, Marcia confidently unclasped the jade pendant and handed it over. She had personally snatched this from Elissa years ago; there was no way it could be wrong. No wonder Maya had asked to inspect it so closely yesterday. She was confirming her identity.

Marcia’s lips trembled as she fought to contain her elation. Once she became a Wilkinson, Elissa would be at her mercy. The car accident would be swept under the rug. A prestigious family like the Wilkinsons would never allow their own blood to be tarnished by a criminal record.

Oh, Elissa! she thought. What good is being born lucky when, in the end, you’ve just paved the way for me?

Just as a smile threatened to break free, Laurel, after a brief glance at the pendant, fixed her with an icy stare. "Where did you get this?"

Both Marcia and Maya froze, completely blindsided. Maya stammered, "Laurel, is something wrong?"

"Everything is wrong," Laurel said, her voice sharp. She advanced on Marcia, her expression grim, and grabbed her by the collar. "Tell me. How did you get this pendant?"

"I…" Marcia had never felt such an intimidating presence from a woman before and she faltered. But she knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she couldn't afford to lose. She wracked her brain. "It’s always been with me! I’ve worn this pendant for as long as I can remember."

"Is that so?" Laurel sneered, releasing her. She turned to her family. "This is not the pendant Vera wore."

Laurel looked directly at her. "This is not Vera’s pendant." The color and quality were clearly an attempt to replicate the original, but it would only fool an outsider. Anyone who truly knew jade, let alone a mother or sister, would spot the difference instantly.

But the engraved letter meant that this woman, Marcia, must know something about Vera’s whereabouts. Otherwise, how would she have a replica with the exact same marking?

Suzanne’s shoulders shook as she wheeled herself closer to Marcia, grabbing at her clothes in a desperate frenzy. "Where is Vera? Tell me! Please… I’m begging you…"