Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30)

Chapter 21

Yorick’s irritation was palpable as he took a drag from his cigarette, his attempt to appear nonchalant failing miserably.

“I know you can drive. We need to talk.”

Stella responded, “I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

With that, she turned on her heel and made for her car.

But Yorick wasn’t having any of it. He strode up swiftly, grabbing the car door before she could slam it shut.

Stella impassively glared at him, “Let go.”

Instead, Yorick yanked her out of the car. The difference in their strength was clear, and Stella, unable to match him, glowered.

“You…”

Yorick dragged her towards his own car, snatching her car keys and tossing them to Orion, who caught them neatly and quickly got into Stella’s car, driving it away.

This only fueled Stella’s fury, “You…”

Yorick released her then.

Stella growled, “Get Orion back here!”

By then, Yorick had already started his car, looking at her, “You getting in or not?”

In her anger, Stella kicked the car’s tire, but eventually, she climbed into the back seat.

“Sit up front!” Yorick demanded.

“Are you going to drive or not?” Stella shot back.

“Stella!” Yorick’s tone grew heavier.

“Suit yourself,” she retorted. She wasn’t about to play the dutiful passenger, especially not in Yorick’s car.

At the sight of her aggressive attitude, Yorick, feeling his cheeks burn with frustration, had no choice but to drive off, heading towards the Silk River Residences.

Stella, arms crossed, gazed at the outside, “Take me to Orient Nexus.”

Hearing it, Yorick instinctively glanced at her through the rearview mirror, “What business do you have there?”

In other words, for someone like her who depended on the family’s support financially, there was no reason for her to go somewhere corporate elites would gather. In his eyes, Orient Nexus was no place for Stella.

“You don’t need to worry about it,” she snapped back.

Yorick felt his blood boiling.

Was this all because Ursula was back? Was that why Stella wouldn’t even hold a proper conversation with him?

At the next intersection, Yorick pulled the car over.

Seeing him stop, Stella was confused, “What are you doing?”

Yorick, gripping the steering wheel tightly and taking a deep drag from his cigarette, laid down his terms, “Send Tegan back, and I’ll stop seeing Ursula.”

“What’s this for?” Stella asked.

But she wasn’t one to accept free money.

After all, she was his fiancée.

Just as she reached for the card, thinking it’d be a shame not to take it, Yorick pulled it back, holding it close.

“Wedding still on?” Yorick asked sharply.

Wedding? As if she’d agree to such a thing!

Still thinking about the wedding huh?

It seemed the Quarry family elders were more insistent than she thought, especially with Yorick’s grandfather currently in the hospital. Yorick’s desire to be with Ursula seemed nearly impossible now.

“Get Tegan back on her medical team, and I won’t see Ursula again,” Yorick repeated.

Both wedding and Tegan, how greedy!

“All this, just to curry favor for Ursula,” Stella remarked sarcastically.

Seeing that she wasn’t softening, Yorick’s expression darkened. “What favor? Haven’t I given you everything?”

Stella just looked at him coldly.

Yorick continued, “She’ll leave the country as soon as she’s well. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Is she going to get better overnight?” Stella countered sharply.

She would love not to meet Ursula ever again, but could she go abroad immediately?

Gazing at Yorick’s darkened face, Stella added, “And you said you won’t see her, then she will not see you again?”

As if he had sacrificed a lot.

She reckoned he might make a fake promise and then huddle together with Ursula in the middle of the night.

She knew better than to trust a man like Yorick. Promises were cheap, and actions spoke volumes. It was better not to hold any expectations or give any chances.

Chapter 22

Stella’s attitude was unyielding, and her words came out sharp as a knife.

Yorick took a couple of agitated drags of his cigarette.

“Well, what do you suggest we do then?”

As far as he was concerned, he had given her everything she could possibly want. All he wanted now was for Tegan to come back.

Stella said, “As for the wedding, don’t even start with me. It’s totally over between us.”

“You…”

Totally over?

What made her think she could declare it all over just like that?

Stella kept on, “And forget about Tegan. If you’re so capable, go and get her back yourself to treat Ursula. With all your money and connections, do you really need to go through me?”

Her words were dripping with sarcasm.

Yorick felt a surge of anger at her tone.

As if he hadn’t already tried reaching out to Tegan. She had outright refused him. And there was a man behind Tegan making it impossible for Yorick to force her hand!

Yorick was visibly frustrated.

Stella asked, “Anything else? If not, drive me to the Orient Nexus Building.”

It was hard to catch a cab there, and since he had Orion take her car, it was only fair he drove her.

Yorick uttered, “What are you going to do there? Got an interview? Looking for a backup plan?”

“None of your business!”

The same defiant tone.

Yorick was like, “…”

This woman!

He wished he could dismantle her defiance, piece by piece.

Yorick’s phone rang. It was Ursula. He glanced at Stella, hesitated for a moment, but then answered.

“Ursula, you’re awake?”

“Rick, I feel terrible.”

Ursula’s weak voice came through the phone.

Hearing her discomfort, Yorick instinctively looked at Stella, his impatience directed at Stella, but beneath that, there was concern for Ursula.

“Don’t worry, call the doctor,” he spoke gently.

Ursula replied with a frail “okay”, and “The doctor was here, said it’s normal to feel this way with my condition.”

“Did they prescribe anything?”

True, with ailments in multiple parts of her body, she was practically taking medication every half hour. Merely having those pills would make her sick.

“If you’re busy, it’s okay.”

Stella smirked. Seeing Yorick hang up, her smirk turned into a sneer.

“Take a cab.”

Not even waiting until the dead of night to rush off to her?

Yorick’s expression darkened, and he handed her the card, “For the cab.”

Stella took the card, putting it in her purse, but made no move to leave.

Yorick didn’t start the car, and Stella wouldn’t leave, determined not to get out until he drove her to her destination.

Even though she accepted the card, she wouldn’t leave.

Yorick’s head was again throbbing in exasperation. So, he had no choice but to drive Stella there.

As she got out, Yorick couldn’t help but warn, “Think carefully about the wedding. If the Larkin family suffers any loss, your backup plan of finding a job might just disappear.”

Stella raised an eyebrow without giving any reply.

Still, threatening her?

Her gaze was cold, when she met him, “Ursula was raised by the Larkin family. Shouldn’t their losses be your concern?”

“I’ll deal with it, but you’ll bear the consequences too.”

Any loss she caused, the Larkin family would surely blame Stella.

Stella scoffed, “Go to your hospital quickly, hope it’s not a final visit! With all those illnesses, who knew?”

Yorick was pissed off, “You…”

This woman! So bitterly sharp-tongued!

Yorick felt his anger boil over, his teeth practically aching with frustration.

He didn’t want to continue this argument with Stella; arguing further might just be the end of him.

Chapter 23

Yorick was fuming as he drove off.

Stella glanced across the street at the upscale boutique mall, pulled out her smartphone, and dialed Tabitha’s number, “Postpone the meeting to two hours.”

“Got it, boss.”

After hanging up the phone, Stella dove into the mall, embarking on a shopping spree for two hours. Name a high-end brand, and she was throwing her credit card at it, splurging on anything and everything expensive.

Meanwhile, Yorick had just arrived at the hospital.

His phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket, each vibration a reminder of another extravagant purchase Stella was making. Glancing at the screen, the amounts made his eyes widen – each transaction was in the tens of thousands.

He couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic chuckle, “And she says she doesn’t care, huh!”

Upon getting the card, she commenced splurging on various stuff, mostly jewelry and cosmetics.

“Typical,” he thought, “Now that the Larkin family has cut her off, she’s panicking.”

Orion approached him, “Sir.”

“Did you drive her car back for her?” Yorick asked.

“Yes,” Orion nodded.

As Yorick made his way to Ursula’s ward, something crossed his mind, and he instructed, “She’s been job hunting recently. Make sure to let all the corporations know she’s not to be employed.”

Orion paused, slightly taken aback. He said not to employ Ms. Quinn?

“Is Ms. Quinn still refusing to continue with the wedding?”

That word “refusing” darkened Yorick’s mood further. Despite his reluctance to admit it, Stella had indeed initiated the cancellation of their wedding through Susanna yesterday, leaving Yorick on the receiving end of a break-up.

Thinking of her defiance only intensified the ache in his jaw.

“She’ll come around,” he muttered callously.

A week was all it would take for Stella to see the harsh reality. Without the Larkin family and Yorick’s influence, she wouldn’t last a day in Portis City.

Entering Ursula’s room, he found Cloudia by her side, who, upon seeing him, immediately asked with concern, “Rick, do you think Tegan James will come back?”

Yorick’s words meant to Cloudia that it hadn’t been handled.

Yorick remained silent, the connection between Stella and Tegan too obvious to ignore.

Buzz, buzz, buzz – his phone wouldn’t stop vibrating.

Just now, the cost was thousands to tens of thousands, and right now the amount surged to hundreds of thousands!

“Rick, Rick?”

“Hmm? What’s up?” Yorick turned to Ursula.

Ursula’s eyes were a picture of grievance, “I said, Is Professor James really Stella’s best friend?”

Yorick nodded, “Yeah, she is.”

Upon confirming Tegan was indeed Stella’s best friend, Ursula exchanged glances with Cloudia.

Cloudia gasped, her breathing quickening, “So, so Professor James’s trip…it was Stella’s doing? How, how could she be so cruel?”

Hearing the news, Cloudia was certain that Stella was behind all this.

Tears welling up, Ursula spoke in an aggrieved tone, “Looks like she still believes that incident was my doing, otherwise why would she treat me like that?”

Ursula’s sudden mentioning of that incident darkened Yorick and Cloudia’s mood once more!

As Yorick tried to speak, his phone vibrated again, a stark reminder of Stella’s spree. It seemed her vanity knew no bounds, with her spending nearing a staggering one million.

Chapter 24

Stella found herself sitting in a jewelry boutique.

The sales associate, upon noting the plethora of high-end shopping bags encircling her, realized she was dealing with a VIP customer. Her politeness nearly bordered on servility.

“Ms. Quinn, this piece just arrived in our store. It’s the only one of its kind in the entire Portis City. May I suggest you try it on?”

Stella waved dismissively, “Just wrap it up.”

“Right away. And this piece here?”

“Okay, and wrap this, that, and those over there.”

Everything her finger pointed at was the priciest of the lot.

The sales associate, simultaneously shocked and overjoyed, her face blooming like a sunflower, exclaimed, “Absolutely, anything else you fancy? Let me get those ready for you.”

She seemed poised to buy out the entire store with her wealth.

Over two hours, Stella’s shopping spree amounted to a staggering two million, amassing a trove of jewels and skincare products until her card finally declined.

Yorick’s call came through soon after, from an unfamiliar number, “Are you shopping?”

“Yeah, did you block the card?”

Yorick gritted his teeth, speechless.

If not block it, how long did she plan to keep spending?

“Do you have any idea how much you’ve spent?”

Stella replied, “Didn’t buy much, how much was it?”

Stella truly thought she didn’t spend much. While to Yorick, her “didn’t buy much” was like pouring gasoline on fire.

Not much? And she’d spent over two million. What if she actually decided to buy “something more”? Would that have cost hundreds of millions?

Stella said, “Come on, don’t you think you’re being a bit stingy as compensation?”

“Compensation?”

“Isn’t it? Given our recent troubles, I thought this was your way of making amends.”

Yorick felt on the verge of passing out from frustration. What did she mean by making amends for those troubles between them? It was she who had been acting out all along.

“Just who do you think you are, expecting compensation? I was hoping you’d think over our marriage.”

Stella refused, “Marriage is off the table!”

Stella replied, “Being your fiancée for two years without touching a dime of your money, I figure it’s about time I indulged a little.”

Seeing Yorick lost for words in exasperation, Stella asked, “So, will you reactivate the card?”

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Yorick sneered, “As if you’ve ever lived a life of luxury before.”

With that, Yorick abruptly ended the call, hoping today’s splurge would make her reconsider for the sake of unlocking his card again. Thinking of it, Yorick supposed the only thing he needed was to wait.

Meanwhile, Stella, laden with numerous bags, entered her office, followed by shopping carts filled to the brim, delivered directly from the boutique.

Tabitha, her eyes nearly popping out at the sight, exclaimed, “Boss, did you hit the jackpot today?”

Stella, placing a cart filled with high-end skincare products in front of Tabitha, declared, “Consider it a bonus for everyone.”

Tabitha’s jaw dropped. Skincare sets worth thousands, now employee benefits?

“This, this…”

“Everyone gets a share.”

The announcement left everyone in the studio in utter disbelief. It was merely a small studio, and their benefits seemed surprisingly good.

“Thank you, boss!” Tabitha shouted, though inwardly, she winced at the cost for Stella. After all, the studio had more than twenty employees. But Stella’s face betrayed no sign of regret.

…

No sooner had Stella returned to her office than an international call came through on her cell.

It was unlisted, yet as Stella saw the number, her pupils shrank instinctively.

Chapter 25

Breathing was a luxury Stella couldn’t afford for a few seconds. Trembling, she answered the call, “Hello?”

“Ms. Quinn”

The voice on the other end was all too familiar. As Stella’s face stiffened, a torrent of uncontrolled emotions surged in her eyes.

With difficulty, she managed to say, “It’s me.”

“Mr. Quinn’s flight lands in Portis City at 8 PM tonight. He expects you to be there to meet him personally.”

Stella’s breath hitched violently.

“He’s coming to Portis City?”

He had finally found her!

The thought of the shopping spree she had accidentally charged to the wrong card yesterday – she hadn’t expected him to find out and come so quickly.

The person on the other end was his assistant, Idris! Despite his respectful tone over the phone, he was a feared figure in Ferrowland, known for his ruthlessness.

Even the assistant was intimidating! Let alone the man behind him, Ronald Quinn, the man who had taken her in and raised her.

Idris continued, “Yes, and Mr. Quinn also mentioned that you better have a good explanation ready, or else…”

Or else what? Idris didn’t finish his sentence.

But Stella felt a shiver run down her spine.

She didn’t even remember how she hung up the call. The rest of the afternoon, Stella was restless, her mind wandering even during meetings.

Ronald Quinn – the man everyone from the Larkin family wanted to know about, the man who had raised her, who held sway over both the lawful and the lawless in Ferrowland, where he was considered a king of the night.

And to her, he was a calamity…

Memories of the events that led her to leave Ferrowland three years ago flashed through her mind, bringing tears to her eyes.

As she finished work at 6 PM and left the office building, her phone buzzed incessantly. Absentmindedly, Stella answered, “Hello?”

“Did you really block my number?”

It was Cloudia’s irritated voice on the line. Her tone was almost cannibalistic towards Stella.

Stella retorted, “When have I ever joked with you?”

Even if there were jokes, they were between the Larkin family and Ursula.

As for her…

She hadn’t grown up by their side, and they always had numerous demands of her, criticizing her every move. Cloudia was always stern and reproachful.

As Cloudia heard Stella’s icy tone, her headache intensified in frustration.

“You, you, I’m asking you, Tegan is your best friend, right? Was it your doing with her trip abroad?”

Stella admitted, “Yes, it was me. So what?”

“You…”

Cloudia was berserk! She had expected Stella to at least deny it, but there was no attempt to hide the truth. So, what did the Larkin family mean to her after all?

“Why wouldn’t I? Given the situation between Ursula and me, isn’t it normal for me to play some tricks?”

What kind of skill was that? If she was going to do something, better do it openly!

“You…you…”

The use of “Mrs. Larkin” sent Cloudia in a momentary daze. Until then she remembered since Stella returned to the Larkin family, she hadn’t called her “mom” even once. But she hadn’t used “Mrs. Larkin” either.

Stella replied, “Mrs. Larkin, are you looking to argue over something as meaningless as this on the phone?”

It sounded like a compromise, almost a concession. She was willing to unblock the card just to get Tegan back to treat Ursula, so everything was still about Ursula.

The irony wasn’t lost on her.

In contrast, when Stella first returned to the Larkin family, she was given ten thousand a month.

Later, because of a mere comment from Ursula about the difficulty of adjusting from luxury to frugality, Cloudia decided to cut her allowance to five thousand until she learned to manage money.

Because of a foster daughter’s word, it was halved!

Even five thousand wasn’t enough for Ursula, who complained that Stella “had no social life and couldn’t possibly spend that much”.

Cloudia insisted that they had everything at home. She and Ursula were different; she didn’t need to socialize or entertain like those rich heiresses, so she couldn’t spend that much.

Thus, five thousand became two thousand.

Now, because of Ursula, it was completely blocked.

But did they really think Stella cared?

Her words now made Cloudia so angry she felt close to a heart attack, “Y-You’re too much.”

Once again, Cloudia was certain that she was not a daughter but a jinx, returning to collecting the debt. She regretted bringing Stella back.

“What do you want then? Name your price!”

Cloudia felt this was her biggest concession.

However, what came back through the phone was the sound of a disconnection. When she tried calling again, her number had been block-listed.

She felt like she was going to explode with rage, especially now, struggling even to breathe.

Chapter 26

At 7:30 PM, Stella, clutching a bunch of tulips, stood eagerly at the airport exit.

Wrapped in her beige trench coat, with a cute bun atop her head, she looked both adorable and composed.

A chilly breeze, finding its way through unseen crevices, made her sniff and instinctively pull her coat tighter around her.

They had agreed on 8 o’clock. Sure enough, as the clock struck eight, a familiar silhouette caught her eye.

The sight of the man, tall and dignified, triggered a flood of memories in Stella’s mind – all those moments he had held her close, comforting her.

Dressed in a black trench coat complemented by a gray scarf, he exuded an aura of gentle warmth.

Yet, Stella knew all too well the brutal and frenzied soul that lay beneath that composed exterior. Ronald Quinn, the man who had taken her into his world.

Their eyes met, and Stella felt the chilling authority in his gaze, instantly lowering her own.

Enveloped by his shadow, his familiar scent surrounded her.

Tentatively, Stella offered the tulips, “These…these are what you like.”

She was guilty and scared.

The man didn’t take them, his presence growing even more imposing.

Despite the bustling crowd, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

Her arm, having stretched to hold the flowers, weakened, and she reached out hesitantly to touch his scarf, “Ronald!”

Her soft, plaintive call seemed to momentarily soften him. Her wrist was firmly grasped before she could react, and she found herself pulled into his embrace.

“Getting bold, aren’t you?” his voice was tinged with a dangerous magnet.

It had been almost three years. And not once had she reached out to him, her rebellion so stark, just as everyone said, had he spoiled her too much?

Stella’s heart fluttered, “I…I…”

“You can start thinking about what you’re going to tell me.”

His tone remained perilous.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Before she spoke, Ronald released her, taking her hand and leading her out of the airport.

Idris, waiting outside, respectfully opened the car door upon seeing them.

Stella gasped at the sight of the vehicle, “You had the car shipped over?”

This was Ronald’s car back in Ferrowland.

Its presence here meant he wasn’t planning to leave Portis City anytime soon. Her originally clenched heart tightened more at the thought.

Looking down, the man cast a glance at Stella, who reached only the height of his chest, swallowing hard by his stare.

Stella nodded both guiltily and politely, “Hello, Idris.”

Following suit, Ronald’s imposing presence forced Stella into a corner.

As the car started, her slender arm was grasped by the man’s large hand; without waiting for her response, the next second, the man put her on his lap.

“Hmm?”

Their close proximity, with her sitting across his lap, felt dangerously intimate.

Stella couldn’t bear to meet his gaze.

“Not a child anymore, so you think you can act tough now?”

Stella stammered, “I…I…”

“Enjoying your little adventure these past three years?”

The word “enjoying” felt like a sharp jab to Stella’s heart.

Despite facing numerous challenges recently, she hadn’t felt this vulnerable and even behaved as fiercely as them.

Now, in front of Ronald, her emotions overwhelmed her, tears welling up uncontrollably.

She sniffed, “It hasn’t been three years yet.”

She looked like a child who had been bullied, a picture of utter grievance.

The man scoffed, “Two months shy of three years. Does it make a difference?”

That marked Stella’s return to Portis City, just two months short of three years.

Stella attempted to look away, but Ronald didn’t let her, his strong grip forcing her to meet his eyes, “Nothing you want to say to me?”

“So much, too much…”

She had tons of things to tell him. Each time she was bullied, she longed for him to fend off those enemies.

Chapter 27

Stella was plotting to whisk Ronald off to a five-star hotel.

However, Ronald had her pinned on his lap the whole ride, leaving her no chance to whisper their destination to Idris.

By the time Ronald let her go, they had already arrived at the underground parking of Silk River Residences.

Stella was astounded, “You know where I live?”

She had used his card yesterday, and today he showed up here. It seemed he had dug through the past three years of her life in no time.

Ronald stepped out of the car first, and Idris, who had been driving, remarked, “It’s not hard for Mr. Quinn to find out anything. But you’ve been quite the hider these past three years. We never expected you’d go abroad.”

Stella went silent.

Idris continued, “And to think, you even found your family… Anyway, Mr. Quinn is furious!”

Hearing “furious” made Stella’s heart lurch violently.

She cast a cautious glance at the man standing outside the car and hurried out without delay.

Back at home, Stella wanted to fetch him slippers, but the moment she opened the shoe cabinet, she found, aside from her slippers, a pair of men’s slippers that had been worn.

Feeling the chill from behind, she quickly picked a pair she hadn’t worn and offered them to Ronald, “Maybe you can wear mine for now.”

The pink slippers with a cute bunny on them were laid before Ronald, whose eyes were narrowed, the chill around him intensifying.

“Learned to serve, have you?”

Stella was at a loss for words. Her face stiffened at it, and the bitterness in her heart grew stronger.

She straightened up, looking at Ronald with grievance, “You know everything?”

Ronald chuckled, slipping into her tiny slippers, which clearly didn’t fit.

The man, always particular about everything, didn’t comment further and proceeded to survey the place. The more he looked, the darker his expression became.

“The Larkin family has quite the reputation in Portis City, and they put you up in this tiny room?”

Mentioning the Larkin family soured Stella’s mood further. She pouted, “This isn’t from the Larkin family.”

Ronald’s gaze sharpened, turning back to her.

Stella confessed, “I bought this with your money.”

Ronald was speechless. Somehow, the revelation seemed to thaw his icy demeanor slightly.

He moved to the couch, casually draping his coat over its armrest and removing his scarf.

“Why not buy something bigger, then?”

Stella defended, “It’s not small, over 1500 square feet. It’s plenty for me alone.”

Ronald still found it lacking, recalling that even her modest villa in Ferrowland was no less than 5000 square feet.

Not to mention her years with their Quinn family, where she could roam their castle-sized estate for hours without seeing it all.

Ronald gazed at her sharply.

Yet, with a stretch of his arm, she found herself in his embrace, just like in the car.

Stella protested, but the man’s deep voice resonated above her, “You have five minutes.”

Three years ago, she left without a word, at a tumultuous time for the Quinn family. Though she had physically departed, a saying among the Ferrowland elite lingered, “If not of your blood, they won’t grow close.”

“The Schultz family, how are they?” Stella redirected the question.

For the past year, she hadn’t seen any news of the Schultz family. Even her contacts couldn’t provide any information.

Stella swallowed nervously, “Ronald!”

Ronald questioned, “Are you worried about the Schultz family, or Xander Schultz?”

Hearing “Xander” made Stella’s heart tremble, “I…”

As Ronald sensed her instant stiffness, his gaze sharpened further.

Stella said, “No.”

“The Schultz family became history in Ferrowland a year ago. Is that satisfactory, Star?”

Stella didn’t utter a word.

History? Had he completely crushed them?

This news relaxed Stella, who had been tense until now.

“And now the people of the Schultz family…”

“Do you really want to know?” Ronald’s tone grew even more dangerous.

Stella shook her head, “No, as long as they can no longer threaten you.”

At that moment, the weight Stella had carried for three years seemed to lift.

Chapter 28

Ronald raised an eyebrow. But Stella threw her arms around his neck, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath, as if the world had wronged her deeply.

Her instinctual action shattered the anger in Ronald’s eyes. His hands, hanging in mid-air, finally wrapped around her slender waist as Stella cried hysterically.

Stella clung to Ronald’s neck tighter, “Is Mom okay?”

Ronald held her, “You still remember she’s your mom?”

He had thought that after she went back to the Larkins, she had completely forgotten everything about Ferrowland!

Stella hugged him even tighter, her sobs growing more pitiful.

…

Two hours later.

Stella had recounted the reasons for leaving Ferrowland three years ago, through intermittent sobs and tears.

In her three years in Portis City, she hadn’t cried once. Not even when the Larkins treated her poorly, but mentioning everything about Ferrowland made her break down.

The Quinns had always been her rock, and Ronald, her emotional support. Losing everything overnight was like being in purgatory, something she dared not revisit over the past three years.

As people said, her departure came when the Quinn family faced its toughest storms. If possible, she wished to have stayed by Ronald’s side.

But Regina Schultz, the woman who adored Ronald, joined forces with her brother Xander Schultz during the tumult of her father’s death, capturing her mother and forcing her to leave the Quinns.

If she didn’t leave the Quinn family, they threatened to kill her mother; in that case, Stella had no choice but to agree. Leaving the Quinns meant no contact with Ronald.

Back then, the Schultzes held king-like power in Ferrowland. With Ronald’s shaky foundation following his father’s sudden departure, he was no match for the Schultzes.

Ronald and Xander had always been at odds, but his sister Regina’s infatuation with Ronald kept Xander from targeting Quinn’s ventures.

Stella couldn’t risk Ronald falling into danger. If her departure could grant the Quinns a moment of peace, she was willing to fight for that breathing space for him.

The more Ronald heard, the colder his expression became, “They threatened you, and you just caved?”

“I had no choice. They used Mom’s life as leverage.”

Ronald’s eyes narrowed slightly, “And you just cut all ties with us?”

“I didn’t dare!”

As she spoke, Stella felt even more wronged. She had been exceedingly cautious even just to hear news of him. Especially in that first year after leaving the Quinns, Regina kept threatening her!

Despite seeing Ronald rise rapidly over the past three years, taking over Ferrowland’s underworld, she still feared for his safety against the Schultzes.

“What about Regina?”

Ronald answered, “Crippled. In prison.”

Ronald gave her a cold look, his familiar gaze showing his anger hadn’t subsided.

Ronald scoffed, “Useless, getting bullied and still playing the victim? What have I taught you all these years?”

If she were heartless, no one could ever hurt her, just like with the Larkins.

But it was different with the Quinns…

Her mother loved her dearly, and she had always known she was taken in by Ronald. Yet her mother treated her as her own, pampering her like a princess.

Ronald snorted dismissively.

Stella pressed on, “Is Mom really okay?”

“She’s good. She’s been praying for you these past three years, afraid you’d perish in the cold outside.”

Stella was taken aback.

Perish in the cold? Was he saying she was a delicate flower that couldn’t survive outside?

But hearing that her mother had been praying for her for three years still moved her. She looked eagerly at Ronald, “Mom really went three years praying?”

Ronald flicked her on the forehead.

Stella winced, not daring to utter a sound.

Ronald then asked, “What about the Larkins and Yorick after all this time?”

Chapter 29

Not sure if it was her imagination, Stella felt Ronald’s voice turn frostier as he mentioned Yorick.

Stella shrugged, “Those people have nothing to do with me.”

Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin were her biological parents, but at that time, she was entangled with Regina’s drama.

Returning to the Larkin family and even getting engaged to Yorick had been her way out of Regina’s clutches.

After her engagement to Yorick, Regina never contacted her again.

Ronald raised an eyebrow, “Nothing to do with you?”

Stella admitted, “Regina was blackmailing me. My engagement to Yorick was a ploy to get her and Xander off my back.”

Facing Ronald’s icy interrogation, Stella spilled everything. After all, Regina was behind bars now. It was time to lay all her cards on the table.

Sure enough, Ronald’s expression softened.

…

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Yorick watched as Ursula battled agonizing pain. Just yesterday, she was able to visit his office, but now, she was confined to a hospital bed.

Cloudia’s heart ached.

“Rick, we need to sort out Professor James’ matter ASAP. The consulting team says Ursula’s liver and uterus are the priorities right now.”

Surgery was unavoidable for her liver, and her heart wasn’t in great shape either. So when they heard Tegan could help alleviate some of Ursula’s suffering in the uterus, they all hoped it could spare her the pain of another surgery.

Yorick was visibly exhausted.

It was three in the morning. Ursula had finally fallen asleep after hours of torment.

Her body was battered by illness, and those by her side suffered emotionally.

Cloudia was distraught, and Yorick even more so.

“Alright, I got it.”

Even if Cloudia hadn’t mentioned it, Yorick was aware that Tegan needed to return soon. He borrowed an unfamiliar phone to call Stella.

…

Meanwhile, at Silk-River Residences, Stella was undergoing a rigorous interrogation by Ronald. Just as Ronald was about to press further, Stella’s phone rang.

At the sight of an unknown number, her instinct was to ignore it, and promptly hang up. But the caller was persistent.

Ronald’s tone was stern, “Why not answer it?”

“It’s nothing important,” Stella replied without a second thought.

With her and Yorick’s divorce scandal blowing up, she had block-listed Yorick and all calls from the Larkins.

She didn’t want to answer, especially in front of Ronald.

Stella was about to dismiss it once more when Ronald extended his hand towards her.

“Shall I answer for you, or will you answer yourself?”

Ronald raised an eyebrow, “Not important, and yet they keep calling?”

Under Ronald’s stern gaze, she reluctantly answered the call.

“Tell me what you want, I’ll give it to you.”

She knew it had to be Yorick or someone from the Larkins. Unconsciously, Stella glanced up at Ronald, whose eyes were left only frigidity as expected.

Stella’s hand, holding her phone, trembled slightly, “Wait, you…”

“You like money, right? I’ve unlocked that card for you. Buy whatever you want.”

The condition was for Tegan to return!

Before Yorick could finish, Ronald snatched the phone from Stella and ended the call. Their eyes met.

Confronted with Ronald’s icy stare, Stella looked down unwittingly, unable to meet his gaze.

Ronald asked, “He treats you well, doesn’t he?”

Stella forced a laugh, “Not really.”

Ronald continued, “He’s willing to give you anything.”

Stella remained silent.

Through fragments of the conversation, Yorick’s words over the phone seemed to suggest as much.

“This all comes with strings attached, definitely not out of deep affection for me!”

Somehow, whenever the topic of relationships came up, she felt incredibly guilty in front of Ronald. Perhaps because back in their school days, Ronald always reminded her: No dating while studying!

Chapter 30

After being grilled for a couple of hours, Stella was completely spent. Drained of all energy, she couldn’t resist the weight of her exhaustion any longer and collapsed onto Ronald’s lap, slipping into a deep sleep.

Under the harsh glare of the lights, Ronald tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek to behind her ear. With a gentle scoop, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

By the time he emerged back into the living room, Idris had already been in the living room. Taking in the modest size of the place, he asked Ronald, “Should we take Ms. Quinn back to Wave Residence?”

Wave Residence was located at the Mist Bay of Portis City. The land, which they had bought years back, was the sought-after place many elite families had vied for. But it had effortlessly fallen into Ronald’s hands the moment Stella expressed her fondness for the place.

The place was intended to be developed into luxurious seaside villas by affluent developers. Ronald, however, had transformed it into Stella’s dream home.

Initially, he meant taking it as a present for her coming-of-age celebration. However, the Quinn family faced a crisis, and Stella disappeared.

Ronald, cigarette in hand, stepped out onto the balcony, taking a couple of puffs.

“Let’s not disturb her tonight. Just spend the night here, bring up my luggage.”

Hearing Ronald decide to stay overnight in this place, Idris took another unwitting glance at the cramped space.

“Stay here?”

Ronald swept him a cold glance, “Any problem?”

Idris shook his head, “I’ll get it right away.”

He was surprised that with Stella there, Ronald was able to adapt to any circumstance. Sleeping in this small apartment was merely because he didn’t want Stella to get disturbed.

Idris quickly fetched Ronald’s stuff.

Once Idris left, Ronald took the time to inspect every corner of Stella’s living space, searching for any sign of another man’s presence. Finding none, he finally allowed himself to relax after two years of tension.

He found a new bath towel with pink color, which he assumed was prepared by Stella in reserve.

Stella, half-asleep and needing to use the bathroom, stumbled out of her room only to be met with the sight of Ronald wrapped in a pink towel.

Stella was caught off guard.

At the same time, came the urgent ringing of the doorbell. She took a glance at the door and back at Ronald.

Ronald furrowed his brows, “Who’s looking for you in the middle of the night?”

The clock on the wall showed that right now it was already five, not the night, but the dawn.

It was Yorick, pressing the bell desperately. As he witnessed Ursula awake, tortured by the illness, he could no longer stay calm, coming directly to Stella.

Ronald asked, “Not going to answer the door?”

Stella replied, “No need.”

Stella was speechless.

“If you don’t open the door, I’ll just ask someone to unlock it!”

Momentarily petrified, Stella gazed at Ronald, “Well…”

Stella was like, “!!”

“Well, there are some misunderstandings between us that haven’t been resolved yet.”

After that, certain sounds came from the lock.

Stella glanced at Ronald, her eyes tinged with resentment against Yorick.

As she turned to get her baseball bat, swearing inwardly to give a good beating to that jerk, the door behind opened with a click.

Stella turned back, her gaze met Yorick, who was standing at the door. Eyes filled with exasperation, Yorick’s head buzzed the moment he saw the room inside.

If it were not for seeing Stella there too, he almost suspected he barged into the wrong place. However, it wasn’t wrong.

Stella was there, but the man in her room?

His breath became increasingly heavy.

“Stella!”

His gaze turned to Ronald, under the glistening lights, his eyes sharp and intimidating as a king. Even in utter fury, Yorick shrank by his powerful stare.

Yorick looked down, from the man’s firm abs to that conspicuous pink towel. He’d already been struggling for breath, the sight only escalated his fury.

“This is your reason for calling off our wedding? Stella, you’re really something!” he spoke impassively as walking in.

The locksmith, sensing the brewing storm, made a quick exit, leaving the three to confront the messy situation.

お金金

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡
Prev | Next