Lullaby 322

Chapter 322

Paige Jensen’s eyes swept sharply over the two bodyguards. “What are you standing around for? Get her in the car already! Or are you just waiting for her to stall for time?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The bodyguards snapped to attention, yanked open the back door of a black sedan, and moved to shove Elissa inside.

“Let go of me! Get your hands off me!” Elissa kicked and twisted, struggling against their grip, while shooting a desperate glance at Paige Jensen. “I’m here to treat Mrs. Wilkinson today–the session isn’t finished yet…”

She’d hoped that treating Mrs. Wilkinson’s leg would keep Matriarch Paige Murphy cautious, that the woman wouldn’t dare act rashly.

But she never imagined things would get so out of control right in front of the Wilkinson family estate.

Mrs. Wilkinson’s injury was as much about the mind as the body–what she needed was calm and rest, not this sudden chaos.

But judging by Matriarch Paige Murphy’s posture, if Elissa didn’t come clean, there was no telling where they’d take her next.

“What did you just say?” Paige Jensen nearly laughed out loud. “You? Treat Mrs. Wilkinson? If they were in Riversend, do you really think I wouldn’t have heard a word about it?”

“Oh?” The smooth, steady voice came from the courtyard.

Jesse Wilkinson stepped out into the drive, his presence quiet but commanding. “Since when does the Wilkinson family need to inform the Murphys before coming to Riversend?”

He wore his usual air of refined charm, not a trace of anger on his face, but there was no mistaking the edge in his voice.

No wonder–back in Cresthaven, the Wilkinsons were a force to be reckoned with. Now, in Riversend, they were being so brazenly disrespected.

Even the doctor treating his mother was being dragged away, right in front of their own home. Anyone who didn’t know better might think the Wilkinsons had fallen from grace.

Paige Jensen, of course, recognized him. Among the younger Wilkinsons, aside from the eldest daughter, Jesse was infamous–a smiling fox, as people whispered. He always seemed easygoing, but if you crossed him, you’d pay dearly.

And the siblings‘ attitudes usually reflected the family’s stance.

Butler Murphy knew his matriarch would never admit fault in front of her juniors, so he hurried to smooth things over, forcing a sheepish smile. “Oh dear, what a misunderstanding! Like two neighbors bickering over the same fence, isn’t it?”

“Mr. Jesse, please, it’s all just a mix–up, nothing more.”

“A misunderstanding?” Jesse’s gaze cooled as he looked over at the two bodyguards still restraining

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Elissa. “Funny, I don’t see it that way. My mother is inside waiting for Dr. Drummond’s treatment, and you’re trying to drag her off to God knows where.”

“If my mother’s care is delayed, are you prepared to answer for that?”

Each word was measured, his tone mild, but his eyes blazed with warning.

It was clear he expected the Murphy family to answer for this, right here and now.

Butler Murphy felt a cold sweat break out beneath Jesse’s stare. He scrambled for an explanation. “We honestly didn’t realize Elissa was here for Mrs. Wilkinson. Had we known, we’d never-”

“Is that so?” Jesse replied softly, absently straightening his cuff. “Since we’re being so open, let me make things clear for you, Mr. Murphy. For the coming year, I’ll be in Riversend with my mother throughout her treatment.”

“And during that year, anyone who’s disrespectful to Dr. Drummond is picking a fight with the Wilkinson family.”

“Is that understood?”

A year.

Butler Murphy glanced nervously at the matriarch’s darkening face, quickly gestured for the bodyguards to release Elissa, and forced a smile. “Of course, Mr. Jesse. You have my word–Dr. Drummond will be treated with the utmost respect from now on.”

“Was I speaking to you?” Jesse’s smile was polite, but his words were anything but. He turned to Paige Jensen. “Matriarch, I was asking you. If you can’t give me your guarantee, I won’t be able to rest easy. Honestly, I’ll be lying awake tonight wondering if, next time my mother needs care, we’ll even be able to find Dr. Drummond.”