Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20)

Chapter 11

Chatting about Tegan, Susanna suddenly recalled something.

“Last time we talked through the phone, Tegan mentioned the hospital got this verified batch of diet pills. Wanna check it out with me tomorrow?”

Sipping her Coke, Stella gave Susanna a once-over, “Why would you need that?”

She was not even close to being overweight!

“It’s for my cousin. He’s hit 200 pounds and is pretty much on the brink of depression over his weight.”

Stella shrugged, “Sure, why not.”

To her, life was too short to fret and overlook, especially when it came to losing weight. The whole ordeal was just a fast track to misery – couldn’t enjoy your food, couldn’t dress how you wanted. And you ended up being your own worst critic.

As Stella headed home after parting ways with Susanna, her mood darkened at the sight of the clutter yet to be cleared on her sofa.

Walking over and seated, she pulled out a receipt from one of the shopping bags and was momentarily stunned as her eyes glazed over the payment account.

Buzz, buzz.

Her phone vibrated.

Stella took a glance – it was a call from Blaise’s secretary.

The purpose of the Larkins’ call was palpable. She didn’t bother picking up and just hit decline. Soon after, Blaise himself called. Stella, sticking to her guns, ignored it as well.

…

Over at Larkin’s place, Blaise wasn’t pleased seeing Stella dodge every call, his gaze turning to Cloudia.

“Didn’t I say to keep Ursula away from her, to avoid any run-ins?”

Cloudia’s expression soured, “It’s not Ursula’s fault this time, she…Oh, never mind!”

Whenever it came to Stella and Ursula clashing, Cloudia found herself at a loss for words.

Blaise glanced at the photos of Yorick and Ursula at the hospital making rounds on social media.

“Her sister’s fiancée tags along to the hospital, tell me is she a fool or is it that you are brainless?”

Cloudia stammered, “I…”

Blaise was fuming, “I already had specialists lined up for her. Why did she need to drag Yorick into this?”

Despite his lingering anger over Yorick’s family’s past opposition to Ursula, Blaise had expected better judgment.

Since Yorick had ended things with Ursula and he’d already become Stella’s fiancé, he should have extinguished any possible misunderstanding between him and Ursula in private.

“Ursula’s that sick, and I just wanted to cheer her up. You know she and Yorick have been close since middle school. They’ve grown up together, there’s affection between them,” Cloudia tried to reason.

“Affection? Are you really bringing up their past ‘affection’? Are they supposed to have that?”

Cloudia fell silent at his words, knowing full well the logic but also the complexity of the emotions involved.

“This late? Where to?”

“Silk-River Residences!” Blaise responded.

Cloudia said, “I’m coming with you.”

Blaise’s dissatisfaction with Cloudia and Stella’s rocky relationship was no secret.

“Am I the one who wants to argue? She’s the one who’s always so defiant. You haven’t seen how rebellious she can be. She’s like a debt collector.”

Blaise countered, “We weren’t there for her when she needed us most. Isn’t her attitude justified?”

Unlike Cloudia, Blaise harbored a sense of guilt towards Stella.

His words left Cloudia unable to fight back.

Leaving, as if thinking of something, Blaise gazed at Cloudia, “Did you cut her off financially again?”

“Well, yes, I did!”

“That was foolish. Are you seriously going to push our daughter further away?”

Especially with Ursula back in town, the action would only deepen Stella’s resentment.

Blaise was livid.

Cloudia retorted, “You didn’t see how she treated me today. I just…”

“Reactivate it now!”

Blaise issued his command, not desiring to hear more of Cloudia’s debate.

Reluctantly, Cloudia didn’t dare to resist, “Fine, I’ll call the bank when they work tomorrow.”

Chapter 12

Upstairs.

Ursula was standing at the top of the stairs, her ankle swollen visibly. The fleeting glimpse of disappointment in her eyes was unmistakable as she overheard Blaise’s care for Stella.

Blood was thicker than water after all…

…

An hour later, Blaise showed up at Silk River Residences.

He took a seat on the sofa, his gaze landing on Stella. He didn’t berate her for not answering her phone earlier.

Stella, expressionless, poured him a glass of water.

Blaise invited, “Stop fussing around, come sit.”

Interacting with this daughter of his was somewhat of a puzzle. She hadn’t grown up by his side, and he didn’t really know her.

Stella directly took a seat across from him.

Blaise, sitting upright with his hands clasped over his knees, broached the topic, “Had a spat with Ursula again?”

Stella asked, “Are you here to scold me too?”

Scolding seemed to be a norm ever since she became part of the Larkin family.

Hearing her icy tone, Blaise sighed, “Because of her, you’re calling off the wedding with Yorick?”

Stella remained silent, merely taking a sip from her glass.

The people of the Larkin family weren’t exactly those she’d open her heart to. If not close, Stella preferred not to divulge too much.

Seeing her silence, Blaise felt a tad helpless. No wonder Cloudia got angry all the time. This child hardly seemed willing to connect with them.

“You shouldn’t let her get to you. She’s just here to see a doctor this time. Yorick accompanied her to the hospital. I’ve even spoken to your mother about it; this won’t happen next time.”

Stella set her glass down, looking over at Blaise.

“Their ‘next times’ have nothing to do with me anymore. You don’t have to come all the way here at night to tell me this.”

Blaise retorted, “What do you mean, ‘nothing to do with you’? Star, marriage isn’t child’s play. You and Yorick have come this far; there’s no turning back.”

Turning back would be a joke! A jest at the expense of the entire Larkin family.

Stella replied, “Exactly because it’s not child’s play, I see no point in delving deeper into a mistake.”

Her words seemed to hold some merit.

“But you and Yorick…”

“You’re worried about the family’s reputation, right? This is easily settled.”

Stella cut him off sharply.

Blaise, feeling exposed, looked a bit sour, “How so?”

As if it were about the embarrassment all along.

The news had barely broken out that morning, and he had been in turmoil all afternoon.

“You…this is absurd!”

Not only did she want to cancel the wedding with Yorick, but she also wanted to sever ties with the Larkin family?

Stella stood her ground, “Anyway, what’s between Yorick and me is over.”

Hearing the one-week-after marriage, Stella laughed, her smile tinged with scorn.

“What?”

Stella went on, “Just because the Larkins need to depend on the Quarry family, you acting so self-abased, and you want me to behave the same as you do?”

However, Stella’s words were right to the point. During those years, the Larkin businesses were supported by the Quarries.

“You…”

“I’ve said my piece anyway. The relationship between me and Yorick ends here. There’s no going back.”

At this point, Stella held her ground firmly.

Blaise was genuinely angry now.

“There’s no ‘no going back’. I won’t consent to you calling off the wedding.”

If they truly angered the Quarry family, their Larkin family would face tough times ahead. Though Yorick had a soft spot for Ursula, the Quarry family wouldn’t approve.

The elders behind the scenes had shown their capabilities two years ago. Back then, even if the Larkin family had gained benefits through Yorick, they would’ve lost it all because of those elders in the Quarry family.

Blaise stated, “I’ll discuss this with the Quarry family. Don’t be so headstrong.”

Stella, unwilling to engage further, walked to the door and swung it open, silently asking him to leave.

Seeing her act this way, Blaise felt a surge of frustration, “So, you’ve hit Ursula, and humiliated Yorick, what else is bothering you? Right, I’ve already asked your mother to reinstate your card. She’s calling the bank tomorrow.”

Stella uttered, “The thing with Yorick is impossible!”

Again, she reiterated her stance.

“You…”

Her defiance was the last straw for Blaise.

Chapter 13

Now he kinda got why Cloudia blew her top every time. Just like she said, it was like dealing with a debt collector, impervious to reason. The soft approach didn’t work, so Blaise had no choice but to play hardball.

“Fine, forget about the bank account for now. You ponder on it, and we’ll talk when you’ve thought it through.”

With those harsh words, Blaise walked away.

Silence fell.

Stella slammed the door shut and had barely made it back to the living room when her phone started buzzing.

It was Orion’s number.

Today, she had blocked multiple numbers – Yorick’s, Cloudia’s, and even Blaise’s.

Now, they were reaching out through someone else’s phone.

Predictably, Stella didn’t pick up.

…

On the other end of the line, Yorick had just left the Quarry Manor and was using Orion’s phone to call Stella.

Yet again, the call was disconnected, and when he tried once more, he was informed the number was busy – another block.

Yorick was seething with frustration, “Where the hell did she pick up this habit of not answering calls?”

Orion’s lips twitched.

“Ms. Quinn’s probably not just ignoring your calls.”

Ignoring calls was a sport, and as far as Orion was concerned, today wasn’t just a bad day for Yorick; the Larkin family was also at their wits’ end.

Yorick’s headache intensified.

“Drive to Silk-River Residences.”

This was getting out of hand.

Orion nodded, “Alright.”

…

An hour later.

When they arrived at Silk River Residences, it was already midnight, and Stella was asleep.

Yorick rang the doorbell incessantly, but she didn’t come to open the door.

Receiving a cold shoulder at this ungodly hour made Yorick’s already foul mood even worse.

“Call a locksmith.”

Yorick was at the end of his tether.

Orion was like, “…”

He was about to pull out his phone to call for help when the door swung open from the inside.

There stood Stella, in her pajamas, looking groggy and pissed, wielding a baseball bat.

With twitching lips, Orion swiftly stepped aside.

Yorick, quick on his feet, caught it, “You…”

She just got physical this morning, and now again? Was her temper always this explosive? Just the mention of delaying the wedding had her up in arms?

Yorick headed for her fridge, opened it, and found nothing but water.

Stella looked at him as if he were a nutcase.

Stella was no exception to feeling irritated.

After a day of turmoil, skipping lunch and a dinner disrupted by family drama, he was starving.

“Do you see anything here that looks like your dinner?”

Great, he was hinting that he was starving? Even she ate outside, now he was asking her to cook for him?

Was this man out of his mind? After the scene they had earlier, now he expected her to make him dinner?

Yorick’s jaws clenched in exasperation, “Can’t you cook?”

Stella retorted, “When have you ever seen me cook?”

Even if she knew how she wouldn’t cook for him.

Yorick was out of words. Upon hearing it, he was momentarily taken aback, realizing that in the two years they had been engaged, Stella had indeed never cooked him a meal. Ursula, on the other hand, could do everything – cook, make soup. Back when she hadn’t left Portis City, she’d even bring meals to his office.

Stella, sensing his thoughts, chuckled sarcastically, “Mixing me up with Ursula?”

She knew her domestic skills paled in comparison to Ursula’s. Initially, upon her return to the Larkin family, Ursula hogged all domestic tasks, highlighting Stella’s lack of domestic prowess.

Naturally, everyone compared her unfavorably to Ursula – Ursula could do no wrong, and she, Stella, could do no right.

Yorick’s expression went sour, “Our wedding will proceed as planned. Happy now?”

He offered this grudgingly, hoping Stella would dial back her temper.

However, Stella, raising an eyebrow at his words, countered, “In the morning, you said it was postponed, and now, without even a night passing, you say it’s back on. You’re a grown-up, after all, changing your minds so quickly?”

Her hinting at his inconsistency made Yorick feel a sting of embarrassment.

Stella pressed, “Does Ursula know?”

Judging by Yorick’s demeanor, it was clear he had visited the Quarry Manor.

Chapter 14

It was undeniable; that the Quarry elders had quite the knack for holding onto power.

Now, Yorick might seem like he’d got the whole Quarry Group under his thumb, but in reality, those elders still wielded a lot of clout.

Otherwise, why would Yorick change his tune so quickly after just one visit back to the Quarry Manor?

Yorick said, “We don’t need to involve her in our business.”

Stella said, “Oh, is that so?”

Didn’t need to involve her, huh?

Right as he said that, Yorick’s phone started buzzing. He pulled it out to see a call from Ursula. Stella cast an indifferent glance, spotting the name “Ursula” pop up on the screen.

With a stern look, Yorick glanced at Stella, “The wedding’s still on. No changes.”

“Maybe you should take that call first,” Stella suggested, her voice laced with a touch of sympathy for Yorick.

Poor guy, heir to the most influential family in Portis City, and yet, when it came to his own marriage, he had no say.

No sooner had he hung up than Ursula called again, leaving Yorick no choice but to say, “I need to take this,” as he walked over to the balcony with his phone.

Just a few hours ago, he had left this place full of arrogance. Now, he was giving Stella the respect of privacy. The influence of the Quarry elders was not to be underestimated.

Whatever Ursula said on the phone only made Yorick’s expression darker. After hanging up and walking back in, he looked at Stella, urgency written all over his face.

“Is she having another one of her episodes?” Stella asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as if she had Ursula all figured out.

Yorick’s face turned even grimmer, clearly not amused by Stella’s jibe at Ursula, but he said nothing.

Instead, he left her with, “There’s a banquet tomorrow. You’re coming with me. I’ll have a gown sent over in the morning.”

His intention was clear: to quash the rumors about their canceled wedding.

Stella arched an eyebrow at him.

He tried to soften his tone, almost as if he was pleading with Stella. If it hadn’t been for the meddling of his family elders, he would’ve left her hanging for a few more days.

Little did he know, Stella brushed off his hands with disdain, “What do you take me for? A dog? To be ordered around at your whim?”

“So, only your family’s honor matters, and mine is just supposed to lose face?”

Undoubtedly, the Quarry elders were probably blaming Ursula for this mess. Otherwise, Yorick wouldn’t have backpedaled so fast.

“What do you suggest we do then?”

Stella shot back, “If you’re so capable, why don’t you just marry Ursula? It’s no skin off my nose.”

“You…”

Yorick was livid, his anger reaching its peak.

Seeing Stella’s stubbornness and unwillingness to back down, he didn’t bother to coax her further.

With a scoff, he said, “I’d love to see just how tough you can be.”

No doubt, Blaise from the Larkin family must have caught wind of the Quarry family’s stance by now. Stella’s being so dismissive to him, fine, he wouldn’t believe she was still able to act touch when facing the Larkins.

Yorick stormed off, leaving Stella to spritz the air with freshener as if to cleanse the room of the unpleasantness he’d left behind.

Chapter 15

Yorick rushed to the hospital, his heart pounding with urgency. Today was supposed to be a simple day for Ursula; her ankle injury wasn’t severe, and she was expected to be discharged after treatment. However, things took a turn for the worse.

As Yorick arrived at the emergency room entrance, he found Cloudia in tears, struggling to catch her breath.

“Rick, you’re here. Ursula, she’s…” Cloudia’s voice broke, unable to continue, her tears speaking volumes.

“What on earth happened?” Yorick asked.

Cloudia was too overwhelmed to respond.

Jaxon chimed in, “She’s in ICU now. They rushed her for all sorts of tests just a moment ago.”

Cloudia said, “She’s got Uterine cancer, heart issues, and there’s something wrong with her liver too. What should we do? How can life be so cruel to her?”

Her voice was filled with pain for Ursula.

Hearing about Ursula’s multiple illnesses, a shadow of pain crossed Yorick’s face as well.

Cloudia continued to cry, “It must be those years she spent abroad, not taking proper care of herself, that led to all these illnesses.”

A human body can only take so much, and Ursula was fighting battles on multiple fronts.

The hospital director and a team of specialists approached, having heard about Yorick’s arrival.

At the sight of the director, Yorick’s face was a mask of fury, “I don’t care what it takes, you have to save her. Or you might as well shut this hospital down!”

The director was visibly shaken by his words.

Tegan, standing among the specialists, thought to herself, “What a law unto himself!”

…

Stella was half-asleep when her phone started buzzing relentlessly. After ignoring it a couple of times, she finally answered in irritation, “Are you trying to grill me or what?”

She had just dumped a jerk earlier that day; was it necessary to bomb her phone like this? It almost drove her crazy.

“Star, it’s me,” came Tegan’s voice from the other end.

Stella’s irritation vanished in an instant, glancing at the time on her phone – it was already one o’clock in the morning.

“You’re still at work?”

Tegan was always busy, barely able to get in touch during the day, but calling in the middle of the night for a chat seemed a bit much.

“What’s going on with you and Yorick? You guys were about to get married in a week, and now he’s all caught up with Ursula?” Tegan asked.

Stella said, “Didn’t you catch the news today?”

“Huh?”

Clearly, she hadn’t.

Tegan was surprised, “That’s quite the twist. Are you okay with that?”

Did people really think she had been that in love with Yorick these past two years?

“Ursula’s really in the hospital?”

Many departments were mobilized late at night just for her; seemed quite a big deal.

“Uterine cancer, heart disease, and possibly liver cancer, though that’s not confirmed yet.”

“So many issues?”

Tegan asked, “Does this feel like karma to her?”

“Yes!” Stella claimed.

It seemed like divine justice.

Ursula had been nothing but trouble, with questionable morals and a penchant for causing harm.

It was her comeuppance.

“But her illnesses seem odd. How come she has Uterine cancer?”

Stella instinctively thought such diseases were more common in married women or ones of a certain age, or lewd lifestyle, not someone like Ursula who was still young.

Tegan replied, “Well, it’s complicated.”

Stella went silent.

“I’m a professional; I won’t gossip. But for your sake, I’m going to take a break from the country for a bit. I won’t be involved in her treatment plan.”

Stella uttered, “Alright.”

Tegan, a renowned gynecologist, had many other colleagues who could take over. Plus, she genuinely disliked Ursula, especially since she had nearly cost Stella her life. That alone made it impossible for those close to Stella to have any sympathy for Ursula.

Chapter 16

Early the next morning, Tegan flew off for a medical conference abroad.

As Stella got a ring from Susanna, she said on the phone, “Looks like your cousin’s gonna pack on pounds for a bit longer. Tegan’s out of the country mentioned something about being away for a month.”

“How’d you know? Tegan rang you up?”

Stella replied, “Yeah, got a call around one in the morning.”

“One in the morning? To share travel plans? Has she lost her marbles?”

It wasn’t like everyone could just flip their sleep schedules upside down because Tegan decided to.

Stella sighed, “It was about Ursula.”

“Ursula? What about her?”

Stella said, “Ursula ended up in the hospital last night, hit with a bunch of illnesses.”

“A bunch? How many? Like what?”

Susanna was shocked at the news.

Just yesterday, spotting Ursula with Yorick near the maternity ward had them betting on a baby bump, not a bout of illnesses.

Stella shared, “Uterine cancer, heart disease, and seemingly liver cancer too.”

The news made Susanna gasp, “All, all that? And she has uterine cancer?”

It was clear neither of them was well-versed in medical knowledge, their reaction to the uterine cancer news a bit off-kilter.

Like Stella, as Susanna heard the uterine cancer, her tone unwittingly turned strange.

“How should I know? Tegan said she’s not one to spread rumors. She won’t gossip, let’s not add to the gossip mill.”

Susanna agreed, “Fair, not gossiping. But, this puts Ursula and Yorick’s future in a bind. Which family would accept someone with such health issues as their first choice?”

The Quarry elders already frowned upon Ursula’s background as a maid’s daughter. Her illnesses only added fuel to the fire.

“You’ll need to tread carefully. With Ursula’s condition, the Quarry elders will push for you and Yorick to tie the knot sooner to prevent any rekindling of old flames.”

It was too late to find someone else, so they would hold onto Stella at all costs, especially given her Larkin family ties. This would, in the Quarry’s eyes, counterbalance Ursula’s influence.

Susanna’s reminder was right.

The Quarry elders are keeping a close eye on Ursula; her being in the hospital last night has already been noticed by them. Besides, they’d learned of Ursula’s illnesses; among them, what they couldn’t accept the most was uterine cancer.

…

After a simple breakfast, Stella, busy with work at her design studio, received a call from Yorick’s mother, “Star, come to the manor this noon, will you? I’ll personally cook your favorite, I’ll tell Yorick to pick you up.”

Stella declined directly, “Thanks, Imogen, but I have some things to attend to this noon, I’ll have to pass.”

Hearing she was busy, Imogen signed, “You don’t want to even see me?”

Imogen pressed, “Or I go to meet you?”

Stella had no choice but to agree for Imogen insisted on meeting her, thinking it was better to clear things up in person. After all, people’s attitudes were palpable when talking face to face.

She picked up, “Hello.”

Yorick’s voice came from the other end.

Orion’s number has already been on the list. Right now this number was unknown, yet unexpectedly, she’d block-list the number a few moments later.

At the time, Yorick’s voice was laced with indescribable exhaustion.

Stella gave a simple acknowledgment.

“Where should I meet you then?”

“I’ll go straight to the manor, you don’t need to pick me up.”

Even walking on the same road would make her feel the air around was polluted.

Yorick noticed the aloofness in her tone, his head throbbing in frustration, “I’ll pick you up, wait for me at the Silk River Residences.”

Not bothering to utter another word, Stella directly hung up.

Yorick, on the other side, like Stella had thought, had stayed at the hospital for Ursula the entire night. Now with Stella ignoring him like that, he felt utterly exasperated.

Orion, who was driving, comforted as he couldn’t stand to see the scene, “The more a woman cares, the angrier she gets.”

Yorick replied, “Is that so?”

Orion nodded, “If I don’t care at all, I won’t make any scene.”

This notion offered Yorick a glimmer of solace amidst the heated strife.

Chapter 17

Because of Orion’s words, Yorick had made his way to Silk-River Residences well before noon, finding both his and Orion’s attempts to reach Stella via phone futile.

Left with no choice, he resorted to knocking on Stella’s door. Ten minutes of persistent knocking yielded no response, darkening Yorick’s already foul mood.

Orion suggested, “Maybe Ms. Quinn headed to the manor earlier?”

The mere thought of Stella going ahead without him nearly pushed Yorick over the edge.

“Went ahead on her own?”

Orion proposed, “Why don’t you call Mrs. Quarry?”

Without hesitation, Yorick pulled out his phone and dialed his mother’s number.

Imogen answered, informing him that she had tried contacting Stella, who was already on her way to their place.

She questioned, “Why are you calling me? Why didn’t you just call Star?”

Veins throbbed on Yorick’s forehead in frustration. If he could’ve reached Stella by phone, he wouldn’t be resorting to calling his mother.

“I’m heading back.”

He avoided mentioning Stella blocking his number; too embarrassing.

Imogen warned, “Come back then. But I warn you, you better apologize properly, and make sure to promise her you won’t see that Ursula again.”

Through the phone, Imogen’s concern was palpable, especially with the entire estate on edge, partly due to Ursula’s recent diagnosis of Uterine cancer.

Marrying Ursula? That might as well spell the end for the Quarry lineage.

Irritated by Stella not waiting for him and the hefty promises he was now expected to make, Yorick grew even more agitated.

“This thing…Your grandparents already said, if this wedding falls through, they’ll disown you.”

The threat of collective abandonment from his elders made it harder for Yorick to breathe.

“Why do they like Stella so much?”

“She brings good fortune, a perfect match.”

Yorick was left speechless. He couldn’t see any good fortune. In this day and age, still clinging to such beliefs?

Imogen cut him off, “Enough talk, hurry back and remember what I told you.”

Staring at the closed door, Yorick was fuming at Stella. Despite her seeming flaws and odd temperament, she had somehow charmed the elders.

Upon Stella’s arrival at the Quarry Manor, Yorick was yet to return.

“Imogen, I brought you a gift.”

“You came because I asked, and yet you bring gifts?”

Stella mentioned, “I thought this brooch suited you.”

Faced with such extravagance, Stella tried to decline, “This is too valuable, I can’t accept it.”

“It was picked out just for you. Jolene Quarry and I bought two in Paris; one for you, one for her.”

Whether true or not, Imogen’s gesture was clear – she saw Stella as a daughter, especially after Yorick’s debacle with Ursula yesterday. She’s gifting this priceless necklace aimed to console Stella.

Yet, Stella remained unwavering, “I truly can’t accept.”

With the unresolved issues between her and Yorick, she couldn’t accept gifts from the Quarry family.

However, Imogen, determined, placed the necklace on Stella herself.

Today Stella wore a plunging evening gown, the diamond necklace added a touch of elegance to Stella’s appearance.

Imogen nodded in approval, “See, perfect for you. When I saw it, I knew it had to be yours.”

Stella uttered, “Thank you then.”

If Imogen insisted on sending the necklace, there was no reason she couldn’t take it.

Their laughter filled the air as they descended the stairs, just as Yorick returned.

Catching sight of the diamond necklace adorning Stella, he paused, recognizing the piece his mother had acquired from Paris, meant for his future bride.

Chapter 18

Actually seeing the necklace, Yorick couldn’t help but imagine how Ursula looked when she wore it. Something about seeing it on Stella stirred an unidentifiable emotion within him.

“Why are you just getting back now? I asked you to pick up Star, didn’t I? And here she is, back on her own.”

Yorick cast another glance at Stella, his eyes finally drifting away from the necklace around her neck.

Imogen gently patted Stella’s hand, “Star, wait here for a moment. Rick and I need to talk.”

Stella nodded slightly, and Imogen shot Yorick a look, signaling him to follow her upstairs to the study.

It was obvious they were going to talk about Ursula. Imogen was clearly worried and felt the need to remind Yorick of her concerns.

They were gone for about half an hour. When they came back down, both seemed calm, any previous tensions seemingly resolved.

Imogen, with a smile, turned to Stella, “Stella, I’m going to check the kitchen. You and Rick chat for a bit.”

Before Stella could respond, Imogen had already left, taking the butler and the servants with her, leaving Stella and Yorick alone.

Stella was still engrossed in a game on her phone, the sound of gunfire indicating she was playing a popular shooter game.

Yorick couldn’t help but think how she seemed utterly clueless about everything else, engrossed in her game, and yet, somehow, she was deemed fit to be his future wife.

He was about to say something when his phone rang. It was Claudia, causing him to glance at Stella, who was too busy with her game to notice.

Deciding to take the call outside, Yorick stepped out, briefly forgetting Imogen’s stern warning about avoiding too much contact with the Larkins.

Cloudia’s anxious voice sounded, “Rick, what are we going to do? The specialist who was supposed to treat Ursula has gone abroad.”

“Which specialist?” Yorick asked, frowning.

“The gynecology expert, that illustrious genius from Portis City, Tegan James.”

Yorick said, “I’ll find someone else. Don’t worry.”

To Yorick, Cloudia’s worry was unnecessary; he thought it was merely a doctor, plenty of renowned specialists out there.

It required surgery in the heart, and also in the liver; how could a mere body stand all those major treatments?

“You said that specialist’s named Tegan?”

Cloudia replied, “Yes, a young prodigy. It’s said she’s very young.”

“I’ll hand this.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Yorick directly hung up; the call lasted for ten minutes.

Yorick returned inside to find Stella finishing her game, looking pleased with seemingly a victory.

She glanced towards the dining room, noting the quiet atmosphere, and decided to start another round. That was when Yorick snatched her phone away.

Stella looked up, “What are you doing?”

“Tegan, she’s your best friend, right?”

Stella asked, “So?”

“Did you have something to do with her leaving the country?”

Ursula had just been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment last night and did a check-up. The director convened a meeting overnight, forming her personal medical team, and Tegan must have been a member.

Right now Tegan was out of the country. For she was Stella’s best friend, Yorick wouldn’t believe Stella had anything to do with it.

Chapter 19

Facing Yorick’s icy stare, Stella quirked an eyebrow, “Did I do something?”

Yorick retorted, “Stella, she’s just back to get treated. Why so petty?”

At that, Stella laughed.

“So what I’m petty? Aren’t there hospitals abroad? Or no doctors? Or maybe she’s broke? Needs you to babysit her and arrange the appointments?”

Her rapid-fire questions left Yorick seething, almost choking on his fury.

“The treatment plan from Tegan is crucial for her. You know it right? She’s seriously ill, suffering from multiple conditions.”

“Well, how unique for having this disease, to be so young and so broken down.”

Her tone was dripping with sarcasm and not-so-subtle mockery.

Yorick couldn’t stand her snide remarks any longer.

Stella pressed on, “What is it, unhealthy living? Or, is it just her time?”

It was seriously rare to be unusually ill for her age. The mention of “just her time” hit a nerve with Yorick, “Cut the snide attitude. Just call Tegan back.”

Yorick was done arguing with Stella and issued a cold command.

Stella raised an eyebrow, “Who do you think you’re ordering around?”

It seemed he’d forgotten who he was dealing with since yesterday. And now ordering her around? As if he had the right.

That only darkened Yorick’s mood further as he gritted his teeth, “Stella, let me be clear. Our wedding waits until Ursula is better. If you think you can handle what’s coming, by all means, keep playing your games!”

Yorick’s frustration erupted, his stance unwavering. He was convinced that if the Larkin family got wind of Stella’s meddling, she’d face severe consequences. At that time, he’d like to see if she was able to deal with it.

“I can handle it. But can she?” Throwing threats right back at him, Stella rolled her eyes.

Yorick was even more furious, “If anything happens to her, you won’t get away with it.”

“Who won’t get away with it if something happens?”

Imogen’s voice cut through, approaching with a stormy face to stand by Stella, taking her hand and glaring at Yorick, “Who did you say won’t get away with it?”

Yorick was still fuming, “It’s…”

“Did you forget what we discussed in the study earlier?”

At the moment, Imogen’s voice was ice cold.

Yorick was taken aback.

“Stay right there!”

Seeing him go, Imogen was livid.

Imogen started, “What…”

She had been wondering how to tell Imogen that there was no future with Yorick, given the Quarry family’s kindness over the years.

Imogen nodded, anxious, “Yes, Yorick is at fault. I’ll deal with that brat.”

“Stella, he’s just not thinking straight. Give him another chance, will you? I’ll make sure to give him a piece of my mind.”

Stella looked down, “I’ve been giving him chances for two years. His frequent trips abroad to see Ursula were one thing, but this is different.”

As if any chances were given!

But of course, the blame would fall entirely on Yorick.

Hearing about Yorick’s trips to see Ursula, Imogen was shocked, “He’s been visiting Ursula often?”

“Last month, on my birthday, he was abroad.”

No need for further explanation.

Stella and Ursula shared a birthday, and Yorick being overseas then had raised no suspicions in the Quarry family, assuming it was a business trip.

But Stella’s implication made Imogen’s lips twitch.

“That brat!”

Imogen was furious enough to wish she could throttle Yorick herself. And as for Ursula, hadn’t Imogen made herself clear two years ago? Absolutely no dignity left, utterly infuriating!

Chapter 20

Imogen tried to catch Stella’s attention for one more plea.

However, Stella was resolute, “Imogen, I’m sorry, but Yorick isn’t the man I can entrust my life to.”

Imogen was at a loss for words.

Stella continued, “I wasn’t asking for his undivided attention, but he couldn’t even offer me the basic respect I deserve.”

Imogen muttered, “It…”

Indeed, Yorick had not shown Stella the respect she deserved. Even as his mother, Imogen couldn’t justify her son’s behavior on this matter.

“But what will you do? Without Yorick, your days in the Larkin family will be even harder,” Imogen warned Stella, reminding her of her precarious position in the Larkin family. Despite their mutual disdain for Ursula, it was undeniable that she held a significant place within the Larkin family.

Stella remained silent, her gaze lowered.

Imogen went on, “Don’t rush to give me an answer. I’ll speak to Yorick about this, and we’ll get Ursula out as soon as possible.”

How irritating! The very thought of Ursula bewitching Yorick to such an extent infuriated Imogen. The idea of Stella and Yorick breaking up, allowing Yorick to be even more reckless with Ursula, was something Imogen couldn’t stay calm about.

“The Larkins are all siding with Ursula. If you keep clashing with Yorick, it’s you who will suffer,” Imogen cautioned, urging Stella to endure.

And being her future mother-in-law, Imogen vowed to stand by Stella’s side. Everyone seemed to believe that Stella had no place in the Larkin family and that her only escape would be the Quarry family.

Stella glanced at Imogen, “Hard times or not, haven’t I always made it through? Imogen, let’s just leave it as it is between me and Yorick.”

Since they already had arrived at this situation, Stella was determined and clear about her stance. She didn’t want to leave anyone harboring false hopes.

In other words, she was someone who hated complications and preferred to cut through the mess.

At the sight of Stella’s firm attitude, Imogen’s face was somewhat sour, “You…”

She had tried every argument, even setting aside her own pride, yet Stella remained unmoved. Imogen’s tone carried a clear note of dissatisfaction.

Stella, unwilling to waste more time, curtly said, “I’ll be going now,” and forcefully placed a necklace in Imogen’s hand before turning to leave.

Imogen, wanting to say more but stopped by Stella’s decisive departure and the sight of the necklace in her hand, stamped her foot in frustration.

The butler appeared behind her, “Madam.”

“What is she so proud of? Aside from Yorick, who else would have her?”

With her engagement to Yorick known throughout Portis City, who else would be so blind as to marry her on short notice?

Without Yorick, would they treat her any better?

The butler glanced in the direction Stella had left, “Youthful pride, I suppose. She can’t swallow the insult.”

Imogen shared this opinion. She snorted, “She could’ve picked a better time and place for her tantrums. Let her make a scene with the Larkins if she wants, but acting so high and mighty in front of me?”

Fuming over Yorick and Ursula’s dalliance, and even more so over Stella being the one to initiate the breakup, Imogen felt their family had lost face.

With Stella’s fearless demeanor, how could she possibly manage?

“It pissed me off! Which hospital is that Ursula at?”

The butler replied, “Portis Medicenter.”

…

Stella left Quarry Manor and had just reached her car when a car horn sounded nearby. Looking over, she saw Yorick’s Phantom.

He hadn’t left?

Yorick stepped out, a cigarette in hand. His poised figure radiated a natural authority and an air of exclusivity.

Honestly, he was incredibly handsome. Under his leadership, Quarry Group’s market value had doubled in a year. He was also respectful and filial to his elders.

Everything about him was admirable, except his terrible taste in women.

Stella’s gaze met Yorick’s, her expression unimpressed.

Yorick broke the silence, “Give your car keys to Orion. He’ll drive it back to Silk River Residences for you. You ride with me.”

“I can drive myself,” Stella replied sharply, her words dripping with sarcasm.

This was the charm of an independent woman, never to be the one left behind.

お金金

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡
Prev | Next