Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 221 to 230)

Chapter 221

After all, Yorick had run into Ronald a few times before, memorably so due to the rather extreme circumstances of their encounters.

Now it was time to reveal to him that Ronald was the heir to the Lugar estate.

Stella looked at Ronald, stars in her eyes. “Are you going to meet Thane Quarry?”

Ronald replied, “Do you want me to meet him?”

Stella nodded. “He’s a good man.”

Indeed, from Stella’s perspective, Thane stood out as a paragon of integrity within the Quarry family. Especially after hearing about his youthful exploits, she couldn’t help but hold him in high esteem.

Moreover, when her engagement to Yorick had been abruptly announced two years ago without her consent, Thane had been livid, criticizing Imogen and the Larkin family for their improper conduct.

Ronald chuckled softly, tenderly ruffling Stella’s hair. “You go on with Finley.”

At the mention of leaving with Finley, Stella’s heart skipped a beat, knowing all too well what that implied. She cautiously hooked her finger around Ronald’s.

Ronald let out a soft laugh. “Scared?”

Stella shook her head. “No. You go ahead.”

Though she claimed not to be frightened, deep down, she was terrified. This fear stemmed from her aversion to needles, a phobia more intense than most children’s, possibly due to the numerous injections she endured as a child because of her frail health, especially during the winter months.

One particularly vivid memory was of Ronald returning from school wanting to embrace her, only for it to end in an injection while she was feverish.

However, generally speaking, children who were physically weak tend to have particularly strong bodies as they grow up. If it weren’t for that kidnapping incident, her legs wouldn’t be in such condition now.

Ronald, full of affection, took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”

“Okay.”

So, the dreaded injection was inevitable.

Stella gave Ronald a longing look until his figure disappeared from sight, and then she went to the dressing room to grab her phone before seeking out Finley.

Finley was already preparing. Upon seeing her, he reassured, “Relax, I’ve gotten pretty good over the years. It won’t hurt.”

But Stella remained skeptical.

Given Stella’s well-known fear of needles, it was unusual for Ronald not to accompany her. And since moving to Portis City, Ronald had been practically inseparable from Stella.

Finley paused. “Thane? Came to see him in person?”

Thinking it over, Finley realized it made sense; after all, Ronald had never been one to adjust for others—it was always the other way around.

Finley asked, “What about Yorick?”

Having spent so much time in the hot springs without locating Ronald, Thane must have grown impatient.

Finley whistled, “So Yorick’s met your brother before?”

“Yeah, he’s been beaten up a few times already.”

The corners of Finley’s mouth twitched at the thought.

Beaten up a few times meant there was a saga worth recounting.

“This is going to be interesting!”

The past confrontations had clearly left an impression, and Finley mused about how Yorick would react upon encountering Ronald again.

Stella, sounding disinterested, said, “Interesting, sure, but it’ll also be a real ordeal.”

She had seen enough of the Quarry and Larkin families’ antics and didn’t need to witness this latest drama.

Besides, if she and Ronald were together, who knew how Yorick might react?

Chapter 222

Yorick was a mad dog, alright. Stella wasn’t scared, but she definitely didn’t want Ronald to hear his foul mouth.

Finley scoffed, “Pfft, so sheltered.”

Stella was at a loss for words.

Was avoiding a bad joke really considered being sheltered?

Just as they were about to continue, Vivian showed up.

Seeing Finley and Stella together, a flash of resentment crossed her tear-filled eyes. “Finley, you and her?”

Finley tensed at the sight of Vivian.

Seriously? They had nothing going on, and now this girl was trying to stir up trouble? He didn’t need this drama in his life. If she ended up upsetting Stella, he’d be in hot water with Ronald.

“How did you find this place?”

This was Ronald’s private clinic, after all.

Vivian glared at Stella, then turned back to Finley. “You’re ditching me for her, aren’t you?”

Stella was left speechless.

Damn it!

Finley snapped, “Would you just shut it? What’s ‘her this, her that’? I’ve got nothing to do with you, so how could she be any of your business?”

“You…”

“Get lost!”

Finley was out of patience. He had no time for those obsessed with love, whose minds couldn’t think straight and always dragged others into their mess.

To put it bluntly, girls who only had room for love in their hearts were a real burden.

“Excuse me? You’re telling me to get lost?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

Who did that at the first meeting, all lovey-dovey? Was love really that cheap?

Vivian bit her lip hard, glaring at Stella.

Stella shrugged, “Don’t look at me. If your love is worthless, how is that my fault?”

Vivian blinked, stunned into silence.

That ‘love is worthless’ comment had Vivian’s face turning from green to white with rage.

Just as she was about to retort, her phone buzzed.

Vivian, still glaring at Stella, turned to answer the call. “Dad.”

But then, a fierce shout came from the other end. “Vivian, get yourself home now.”

“You blind or something? Always causing trouble. Just get back here.”

“And stay away from Stella.”

Hearing her father’s warning, Vivian was shocked. “What did you say?”

Stella?

The thought made Vivian uneasy.

“Dad, Mom has always been there for the family. You can’t do this to her.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

With that, her dad started scolding her, leaving Vivian speechless.

“You’ve got 25 minutes to get back, or you can kiss next month’s allowance goodbye.”

The threat to her allowance made Vivian panic. “Dad, what do you mean? I’m…”

“You’ve got 20 minutes!”

Under her dad’s stern pressure, Vivian didn’t dare delay any longer, though she had intended to confront Stella.

But now, with everything that’s happened, what’s left to settle?

At this rate, she’d lose her allowance for months on end.

…

Meanwhile, Idris and Ronald arrived at a small building together.

When Yorick saw Ronald in his robe, his face stiffened for a moment.

Chapter 223

Yorick clenched his fists, grinding his teeth as he glared at Ronald.

With a swift motion, he stood up, his anger palpable. “What are you doing here?” he demanded, the thought of Stella also being present fueling his fury.

Was Stella really that close to this man now?

Feeling the intense aura emanating from Ronald, Yorick couldn’t help but wonder…

Was Ronald trying to muscle in on the deal with the Lugar family? What kind of person was he? First, there was Jeremy causing trouble, and now Ronald?

Yorick’s already sour expression deepened even further.

“I’m telling you, forget about the Lugar family’s mines,” Yorick spat through clenched teeth.

And now Ronald was adding to his troubles, all thanks to Stella? Did Stella leak information about the Quarry Group’s potential deal with the Lugar family to him?

Once doubt creeps in, it breeds countless thoughts. Even though Yorick had never mentioned anything about the Larkin family’s mines or their replacement strategy in front of Stella.

Idris glanced at Yorick, his look one of barely concealed amusement at Yorick’s ignorance.

“Mr. Quarry, it seems there’s a lot you don’t know,” he said, his tone laced with a hint of mockery.

Was this the heir to the Quarry Group?

Yorick only then realized that Idris was standing behind Ronald.

The sight of Idris, and the respectful manner in which he treated Ronald, sent a wave of shock through Yorick. His mind raced with confusion and questions. The last he remembered, both men had separate connections to Stella… or so he thought.

Yorick’s gaze ping-ponged between Ronald and Idris, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, but no answers came.

Idris respectfully stepped forward and said, “Sir, it seems Mr. Quarry isn’t here. Shall we leave first?”

Just then, Thane returned from taking a call. Upon spotting Ronald and Idris, he greeted Ronald with a mix of formality and respect. “Mr. Lugar, a pleasure to see you again.”

Thane had actually been wanting to meet him in person for some time, but Yorick still needed to gain experience. Especially now, during this critical period for the Quarry Group, Thane wanted to see how Yorick would handle it on his own.

As Thane shook hands with Ronald, his dressed-up appearance contrasted with Ronald’s more relaxed attire, emphasizing the importance of the meeting.

His mind went blank with a buzzing sound. He was stunned, his pupils suddenly contracting.

Thane gestured. “Mr. Lugar, this way please.”

Ronald passed by Yorick without sparing him a second glance. The cool fragrance brushed his senses, and Yorick snapped back to reality. He looked at Ronald’s retreating figure. “Mr. Lugar?”

He… he was actually the heir to the Lugar family? No, this…

His mind buzzed again, exploding with shock!

Thane was being very courteous, leading Ronald inside, and they were chatting and laughing. Yorick couldn’t hear a single word of their conversation. All he could hear was the incessant buzzing in his mind, disrupting his thoughts!

…

Yorick didn’t know how he got out of there. He stood outside the building, smoking one cigarette after another.

Chapter 224

Orion was back.

“Sir, why are you here?” he asked.

Orion knew trouble was brewing the moment Thane showed up.

Thane had a notorious disdain for Yorick’s romantic entanglements, especially when it came to Ursula. His irritation was palpable, considering the critical juncture the Quarry Group was facing at the moment.

Yorick took another drag from his cigarette, inhaling deeply- a clear sign of his growing agitation.

“Did you find anything?” he asked, his voice cold.

Orion hesitated, clearly thrown off by Yorick’s continued fixation on romantic issues at such a critical time.

It seemed almost inevitable that the Lugar family had already sealed the deal with Jeremy. Thane’s involvement was probably a last-ditch attempt to secure a slice of the pie, though the biggest gains were already lost.

Nodding, Orion replied, “Yes, she was with the man who attacked you.”

Yorick fell silent.

Scratching his head, Orion added, “Ms. Quinn seems to be in a relationship with that man.”

Yorick’s expression hardened at this.

Before Orion could continue, Yorick’s phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Ursula, reading simply:

[Rick, I guess I can’t recuperate at Wave Residence, right?]

The message only served to darken Yorick’s mood further. He remembered the mocking they had subjected Stella to not too long ago, how they claimed she’d be nothing without the Larkin family, doomed to struggle on her own.

How ironic, he thought, considering Stella had been staying at Wave Residence all this while. It made their previous taunts seem utterly foolish.

Despite his reluctance to admit defeat, the situation with Wave Residence was a lost cause. Stella’s stance was clear – she wouldn’t budge on anything related to her, silently mocking their efforts from afar.

About ten minutes later, Thane emerged, clearly infuriated after failing to negotiate a deal. The fiery exchange of glances between him and Yorick spoke volumes.

Thane stormed off, his rage palpable, leaving Yorick to ponder the disastrous negotiations.

“How was it?”

Max sighed, shaking his head. “The Lugar family decided to partner exclusively with the Patel Group in Portis City. They’ve made it clear they wouldn’t collaborate with us.”

Seeing Yorick’s grim expression, Max thought for a moment and then reminded him, “With the trouble you’ve caused with Stella, now…”

Recalling the things Mr. Lugar had said earlier, Max couldn’t help but shake his head.

“If I may remind you, according to some rumors from Ferrowland, it’s said that Mr. Lugar is fiercely protective of his own.”

Yorick was taken aback.

Protective of who? Stella?

It’s just a woman.

Chapter 225

After Max left, storm clouds seemed to gather on Yorick’s face, his frustration palpable.

Orion glanced at him, struggling to find the right words. Thane’s barely contained anger earlier had made the outcome abundantly clear.

And for good reason!

The ores from the Lugar family were supposed to be their only alternative. Now, that option was off the table. The Quarry Group was in deep water now!

Yorick closed his eyes for a moment. “Stella!”

Hearing the grit in Yorick’s voice made Orion’s heart skip a beat.

Max’s implication was clear: Stella was at the center of this mess.

Orion thought it over and decided he should give Yorick a heads-up about the Larkin Group.

“The Larkin Group’s been hitting rough waters lately. Word is, it’s tied to StarRiver Corp.”

Yorick turned to look at Orion, an eyebrow raised.

“StarRiver Corp.?”

“The very one that netted Ms. Quinn a few hundred thousand last year.”

Stella’s windfall of seven hundred thousand last year, with over six hundred thousand attributed to deals with StarRiver, was the talk of the town.

The rest was just typical studio profits, but StarRiver had catapulted Stella’s studio to the top spot in Portis City practically overnight.

Yorick’s thought drifted back to their failed attempt to shut down Stella’s studio. StarRiver’s audacious defense of her still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Yorick scoffed. “Tell me this has nothing to do with Stella.”

Orion said nothing, but his silence was answer enough.

“Who’s running StarRiver Corp.?”

“Some foreigner, Joe Haggard.”

Yorick’s expression turned sour.

A foreigner!

No wonder he didn’t play by Portis City’s unwritten rules.

“Dig up whatever dirt you can find on Joe Haggard’s relations with Stella.”

Orion nodded. “Will do.”

Yorick’s mood soured further at the mention. “Wave Residence belongs to the Lugar family.”

Yorick waved him off, his annoyance mounting. “Enough. Drop it.”

Seeing Yorick’s frustration, Orion dared not push further, though he couldn’t shake his astonishment.

Just as Yorick turned to leave, his phone buzzed again with a message from Thane.

[Try negotiating with the Lugar family again.]

Thane was clearly at his wit’s end, opting for a message over a call.

In Portis City, it was rare for Thane to face a situation he couldn’t handle personally. Yet, this particular issue proved to be a tough nut to crack.

Yorick’s frustration was palpable as he replied: [Got it.]

Thane added: [The loss we’re facing is significant. If we don’t find a replacement…]

The message trailed off, as if Thane couldn’t quite articulate the gravity of the situation. But Yorick understood all too well.

His response was brief: [Understood.]

He knew the stakes, but the real challenge was figuring out how to navigate this mess.

…

At the hospital, when Ursula saw Yorick’s single-word reply, ‘Yes’, it felt like the ground had been pulled from under her feet.

Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed Yorick could respond like that.

Chapter 226

Seriously? After all his promises, this was what she got?

Why? Just why?

Breathing heavily, Ursula mustered the courage to call Yorick, only for the call to be abruptly dropped after a single ring.

The cold shoulder from Yorick was nothing short of torturous.

Yet, at that moment, she couldn’t bring herself to dial his number again.

And then there was Stella…

Had she known something all along? That darn Stella!

The more Ursula thought about it, the angrier she became.

…

In the Spring Hill Clinic.

“Ah! It hurts, it really hurts! Go easy on me!” Stella screamed in terror.

Ronald, standing right beside her, smirked, the corners of his lips curling up. “Haven’t even started yet.”

Stella’s eyes widened. “What?”

Not started? What in the world was Finley doing?

The needle hovered over her knee. When she dared to peek at Finley, she realized the truth – the needle was still in his hand, untouched.

Finley rolled his eyes.

“I haven’t even started. What’s hurting you? Spit it out, because I’m not taking the fall for this.”

If that needle had actually pricked Stella’s knee and she cried out, Ronald might have kicked him across the room. Talk about being wrongly accused!

Stella was flabbergasted. “If you’re not going to prick, then why point that thing at my knee?”

Finley replied, “Well, I need to find the right spot, don’t I? To see where it’ll have the best effect?”

“Then find it, but keep that needle away from me.”

Just the sight of a needle hovering aimlessly near her knee was enough to drive anyone mad.

“Found it, found it. Don’t yell- it won’t hurt.”

“Ah!”

Finley froze.

Was it really that painful? That terrifying?

Ronald sighed. “Alright, enough screaming. It’s over.”

Stella blinked in confusion.

She glanced at Finley, who was already preparing another needle. This was exactly why Stella detested acupuncture.

But this? An uncountable number of needles jabbing into her.

“Don’t be scared. Close your eyes.”

Stella’s muffled voice emerged from Ronald’s embrace. “Isn’t there another way? Medication, medication works too, right?”

Ronald tried to reassure her. “It’ll be over soon. You’ve already gotten through quite a few.”

“Don’t move,” Finley warned, his tone firm.

Just then, Idris entered the room. “Sir.”

“Yes, all signed.”

Jeremy turned out to be a straightforward collaborator. He addressed all the issues immediately.

Stella glanced at Ronald. “What did you say to Thane just now?”

Though she hadn’t been there to witness the drama firsthand, she was dying to know how spectacular Yorick’s downfall had been!

Ronald could easily read between the lines, playfully tugging at her ear. “Yorick’s probably scrambling for a backdoor right now.”

Stella froze.

Backdoor? Was he referring to her?

That must be it!

He knew already Ronald’s position as the heir of the Lugar family and owner of Wave Residence, so he clearly understood how much he had offended Ronald with his previous actions.

“So, Thane’s aware of the beef between you and Yorick?”

Ronald smirked. “As a father, he ought to know what his kid’s been up to.”

Stella sighed.

Great. Now Thane’s definitely pressuring Yorick to smooth things over!

Chapter 227

After wrapping up his report on the Patel Group, Idris took a call. When he looked over, Finley was in the process of removing a splinter from Stella’s hand. Stella, petrified by the minor procedure, refused to watch.

Ronald, ever so indulgent, covered her eyes to shield her from the sight. Despite his efforts, Stella couldn’t help but whimper in discomfort.

“There, there, it’s all done now,” Ronald soothed in a low whisper.

“This is the last time, right?” Stella mumbled hopefully.

“Don’t even think about it. You’ll need this treatment for at least a month, given your condition. Every three days, minimum,” Finley interjected bluntly, showing no sympathy.

Stella looked on the verge of tears.

Ronald shot Finley a frosty glare, signaling him to keep quiet.

Finley met Ronald’s glare with a shrug, undeterred. “I’m just being honest. She might as well prepare her mentally.”

“Does she need that from you?” Ronald challenged.

Finley fell silent.

So, Ronald was going to be this protective, huh? Did this mean Ronald planned to console Stella every time? Finley thought to himself as he finished up.

Because if so, he was in for a long haul. Stella wasn’t exactly known for being easy to comfort, and this whole ordeal was proving to be quite the time-sink.

Idris stepped forward. “Miss, a lady with the last name Lawson has arrived, wishing to see you.”

Without needing further explanation, she knew it was Cloudia Lawson.

But why was she here? Was it because the issues with the Larkin Group had finally been figured out?

Impressive! Cloudia had outpaced Yorick in efficiency, who had been taking ages to investigate the owner of Wave Residence without any concrete results. Meanwhile, the Larkins had quickly gotten to the root of their current problems.

Stella shook her head. “No.”

Ronald nodded in understanding and subtly gestured to Idris, who took the hint and quietly left to handle the situation.

Left alone, Ronald tenderly held Stella’s delicate hand. “Have they been bullying you?” he inquired, referring to Yorick and the entire Larkin family.

Ronald’s expression softened as he kissed her hand, a gesture that evoked warm memories from her childhood.

“I’m not a child anymore,” Stella protested, her cheeks flushing.

“Indeed, you’ve grown into a young lady,” Ronald replied, his tone carrying an unusual hint of emotion at the term ‘young lady.’

“What would you like for dinner?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Let’s try something local,” Stella suggested without hesitation. She had heard rave reviews about Spring Hill’s smoked duck, a delicacy marinated with spices and smoked over cherry wood chips.

“I’ve heard their cherry-smoked duck is excellent,” she added, her interest piqued. The dish was a popular corporate gift during the holidays, and she was eager to try it herself.

“Alright,” Ronald agreed, happy to indulge her wishes.

Meanwhile, Cloudia, who was facing the same man who had previously confronted Jaxon, was seething with anger.

Under normal circumstances, she would have already lashed out, but today was different.

Chapter 228

Just thinking about why she was here made Cloudia simmer down- she couldn’t afford to lose her cool now.

She bit back her anger and turned to Idris. “I’m her mother. I have something urgent to tell her. How can she just refuse to see me?”

Why should she go through such trouble just to see her daughter? It made no sense!

Idris frowned at her claim. “If I’m not mistaken, you’ve already severed ties with her.”

“And who exactly are you to her?” Cloudia’s temper was starting to flare up.

Even if they had severed ties, that was between her and Stella. What right did a stranger have to speak on it?

Idris was unmoved. “Who I am to her and her refusal to see you are two different matters.”

Cloudia was about to explode. “I am her mother.”

“Not legally, not anymore,” Idris shot back.

Ronald had already processed the legal documents with both Cloudia and Stella’s signatures. So, legally speaking, Cloudia was no longer Stella’s mother.

The thought enraged Cloudia. “I carried her for nine months and gave birth to her, and now you’re lecturing me about legality?”

Idris was unfazed. “You agreed to sever ties. Your signature…” He hesitated, then added, “Your signature was quite bold.”

Cloudia felt like choking on her frustration. She had signed the document in a fit of rage, and now the whole Portis City knew about it. Her signature, enlarged for all to see, was a public humiliation.

Taking a deep breath, Cloudia tried to regain her composure. “Yes, I signed it, but I am still…”

“Mrs. Larkin, isn’t the Larkin Group in a bit of a bind? Are you sure you want to be her mother right now?”

The mention of the Larkin Group made Cloudia’s heart skip a beat. She remembered the troubles Blaise and Jaxon had briefed her on over the phone, adding to her stress.

“Just tell her I have something important to say,” she pleaded with Idris.

“Persisting is pointless,” Idris replied curtly.

Idris, not interested in prolonging the conversation, turned to leave.

…

Idris couldn’t understand why the Larkin family had any issues with such a lady.

She couldn’t figure out what was wrong with a chart, feeling something off but unable to pinpoint it.

Ronald glanced at the bottle in the center of the table, frowning, “How much of this have you had?”

Stella looked puzzled.

Seeing her flushed face, Ronald picked up the bottle, now empty, all drunk by Stella.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“That’s Spring Hill wine.”

“Wine? I thought it was juice!”

Who would have thought that wine could taste so sweet?

Ronald nodded, confirming it was indeed wine, meant to be warmed and enjoyed in the evening.

Yet somehow, Stella had managed to drink the whole bottle.

Chapter 229

Cloudia hurried to catch up with Yorick’s brisk pace.

Upon seeing Cloudia, Yorick was somewhat taken aback. “Cloudia, what are you doing here?”

Cloudia took a moment to catch her breath.

“Rick, let me ask you, did you come here because of Stella?”

Yorick froze, caught off guard.

Orion stayed silent, equally taken aback.

The bluntness of Cloudia’s question unsettled Yorick for reasons he couldn’t quite pin down, especially the mention of Stella.

If he remembered correctly, Cloudia had never spoken Ursula’s name with such disdain. But Stella was her biological daughter.

For the first time, Yorick noticed the difference in how Cloudia treated Stella and Ursula.

It suddenly dawned on him why Stella had always been so cold towards the Larkins.

Orion, too, was surprised. He hadn’t expected Cloudia to raise such a direct question about her own daughter. After all, hadn’t the Larkins practically handed Stella off to Yorick two years ago? What was this change of attitude now?

Yorick narrowed his eyes. “Did Ursula send you?”

Thinking back to Ursula’s words over the phone, he suddenly felt she was being unreasonable.

During her treatment, he had been juggling work and hospital visits. Now, with an issue at the company keeping him busy, he hadn’t visited her recently. And here was Cloudia, questioning him?

What was this, an interrogation?

Cloudia’s breath hitched. “No, no, that’s not it, I just…”

Faced with Yorick’s sudden seriousness, Cloudia began to stutter!

“Well, you see… Ursula’s sick, and she’s very vulnerable right now. Knowing that both you and Stella are in Spring Hill, she’s refusing to take her medication.”

Yorick was taken aback. “What?”

Hearing that Ursula was refusing her medication made his expression darken further.

Yorick’s irritation melted away as he listened. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called Ursula.

“Why aren’t you taking your medication properly?”

Hearing Yorick’s tone, Ursula started to cry.

“I thought you were ignoring me. You went to Spring Hill, and so did Stella.”

Stella? He hadn’t wanted to bring up Stella, but now that her name was mentioned, irritation flared within him.

The Lugar family had just signed a contract with Jeremy, and even his father’s intervention hadn’t solved it. Yorick could already foresee the troubles looming over the Quarry Group. He simply had no time for hospital visits.

After a few more reassuring words, Yorick hung up in a hurry.

Cloudia, though noticing Yorick’s softened attitude, also sensed his dwindling patience.

“Are you sure you didn’t come here because of Stella?”

Cloudia, perhaps driven by desperation or confusion, mustered the courage to press on.

As expected, Yorick’s expression hardened at the mention of Stella. His piercing gaze bore into her for a moment before he turned and walked away without another word.

Cloudia instinctively followed. “Rick, I…”

But Yorick was already fed up. “Cloudia, what you should really be worried about is the Larkin Group’s affairs.

I heard that StarRiver Corp., the same company that made Stella Hundreds of thousands last year, has made a move against the Larkin Group.

What’s your thought on this? Do you think Stella is connected to this?”

Chapter 230

Claudia’s breath hitched at the revelation!

The connection? Both Blaise and Jaxon had made it crystal clear to her.

But now, with Yorick’s insinuation, Claudia felt an unprecedented suffocation, fully realizing the purpose of her visit to Spring Hill.

…

Having walked a considerable distance, Yorick’s figure grew colder, and Orion’s phone started buzzing incessantly.

He answered, and whatever was said on the other end remained a mystery, but his response was a simple. “Yeah, got it.”

After hanging up, he hurried to catch up with Yorick.

“Sir, the heir to the Lugar family, legally named Ronald, commonly known as Mr. Quinn.”

Yorick stopped dead in his tracks.

Turning to face Orion, his eyes deepened. “Ronald? Mr. Quinn?”

Mr. Quinn, the thunderous name from Ferrowland.

The man who had been spending time with Stella, was he the formidable Mr. Quinn from Ferrowland? The heir to the Lugar family?

Yorick felt his blood turn to ice.

Orion nodded. “Yes.”

They had finally traced the man’s name.

Yorick’s aura turned icy, his fists clenched, as he mulled over the name. “Ronald! Mr. Quinn!”

So Ronald was also a Quinn…

Yorick’s breathing became labored. “What’s his relationship with Stella?”

Orion, caught off guard, instinctively replied, “Aren’t they lovers?”

The word ‘lovers’ struck a nerve with Yorick, unsettling his breathing once more.

…

Ronald hadn’t mentioned it was alcohol, and Stella had been none the wiser.

But now, hearing his clarification, she realized her cheeks were flushed—a sure sign of inebriation.

“Whoa, I had no idea. Thought it was juice. The taste was so sweet it masked the alcohol entirely. Is this strong stuff?”

Stella felt dizzy. She knew wines could be deceptive. “Whose brew tastes like this?”

Ronald playfully tapped her nose, his indulgent smile tinged with helplessness.

“Whoa…”

Ronald effortlessly lifted her onto his lap. “Feeling bad?”

Or perhaps reality and dreams had merged indistinguishably.

Ronald, worried she might catch a chill from the alcohol, wrapped her in a blanket.

Still concerned, he carried her upstairs to her room, intending to let her rest.

“I ordered some hangover soup,” he spoke softly.

Stella could hardly grasp what Ronald was saying; alcohol always left her in a daze.

As he carried her upstairs, she felt as though she was floating on a cloud, drifting into sleep, comforted by his familiar scent, irresistibly drawn closer.

Her consciousness blurred further…

“Ronald.”

“I’m here.”

“Don’t be with other women, okay? Don’t marry them, okay?”

Ronald’s breathing became unsteady.

Looking down at Stella, her cheeks flushed, his eyes flickered. For the first time, he felt the depth of her genuine feelings.

Speaking again, his tone was softer, “Why?”

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