A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 447

The commotion had already drawn the attention of several guests in the grand hall, and Rowan's voice, pitched just right, carried easily to the onlookers. His words landed like a bombshell. So, the notoriously arrogant young lady of the house wasn't a Wilkinson by blood at all.

From a distance, Rex, who had been enjoying the show, shrugged with feigned reluctance when guests turned to him for confirmation. "Sorry," he said smoothly, "my father has forbidden us from discussing where she was adopted." It was a masterful non-denial, effectively confirming everything Rowan had said without giving Maya or Tristan a chance to react. He had long grown tired of having a foolish, adopted sister. Rowan's timing was perfect, a welcome gift.

Beside him, Jesse raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried Dad will come after you?"

"Why would he?" Rex said, feigning indifference and nodding toward the confrontation. "Rowan's the one who aired Maya's dirty laundry. Let him deal with Rowan." It had nothing to do with him. He couldn't control what other people thought, and he hadn't technically admitted to anything.

Maya was stunned. She never imagined Rowan would show up, let alone humiliate her so thoroughly just to defend Elissa. It was a public slap in the face.

Tristan frowned and quickly tried to deny it. "Rowan, you must have heard some vicious rumors. Maya is Suzanne's and my biological daughter…" He had promised to take care of Maya, and in the eyes of society, an adopted daughter was worlds apart from a biological one.

Elissa was shocked. She couldn't believe he would so openly disrespect the Wilkinson family for her sake. It felt like a scene from their childhood. He had always stood up for her, making sure no one could bully her.

He was a skilled fighter, but the first time he'd ever been truly hurt was for her. They had been fourteen or fifteen, that tender age of first crushes. The school bully had been relentlessly bothering her, and Rowan had caught him one day. Without a second thought, he'd dragged the boy into an alley and beat him senseless. When Rowan emerged, blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.