Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 251 to 260) 

Chapter 251

Stella slapped Finley’s hand with a swift motion.

“What are you staring at? Trying to make a move on me? I swear, I’ll tell my brother.”

Finley retorted, “Hey, listen here, missy, let me tell you something…”

Stella cut him off. “What are you even talking about? Are you coming to check him or not? If not, I really need to get some sleep.”

She was genuinely exhausted, but any trace of sleepiness was now chased away by Finley’s antics.

Finley glanced at her, then toward the stairs, before shooting her a look and heading upstairs.

Seeing Finley stop pestering her, Stella finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the way Finley had looked at her kept echoing in her mind, making her internally scream in horror. It felt like the end of the world.

Following Finley upstairs, they entered the room only to find Ronald awake, sitting up in bed with a cigarette between his fingers.

The blanket had slipped from his chest, his robe slightly open, revealing a faint scratch mark.

Finley’s breathing tightened at the sight.

Stella’s heart wasn’t faring any better.

Where did that mark come from? She didn’t remember scratching him. How had he gotten hurt?

Their eyes met, and Stella’s heart skipped a beat.

Finley swallowed hard, his gaze inadvertently flicking to Stella, making her almost lose her mind.

“Just check, will you?”

Weren’t they supposed to check on Ronald’s condition? Why was he looking at her?

Finley’s mind was in a fog. Glancing at Ronald’s complexion, which showed no signs of the poison anymore, their eyes met, locking onto the cold glint in Ronald’s gaze.

Finley’s mind froze. He didn’t even do anything.

“Hull mentioned you were drugged?”

Ronald pressed the cigarette into the ashtray to extinguish it, responding with a nonchalant ‘hm’.

Finley asked, “How do you feel now?”

Stella felt her heart jump to her throat.

Hearing Ronald mention feeling weak, Finley looked at Stella again.

“What are you looking at me for? Maybe the drug was too strong?”

Stella quickly added, “Maybe the drug was strong, so the medicine had to be strong too?”

Both Finley and Ronald simply looked at Stella without a word.

She stammered, “Since my brother is fine, maybe you should head back, Finley? I’d like to get some more sleep.”

She couldn’t let Finley stay. She could barely handle one person- if there was another, she’d be exposed in minutes.

Finley raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to kick me out?”

It was so obvious she was hiding something. He definitely wasn’t buying any excuses.

Stella started, “It’s not like that, I just…”

“You should go. There’s nothing to worry about here,” Ronald interjected before she could finish.

Finley glanced at Ronald, wanting to say more, but Ronald shot him a look that clearly said to zip it.

Finley sighed internally. Why were they being so difficult? And Stella definitely had something up her sleeve.

After looking between Ronald and Stella, Finley decided to let it go. Whatever he had wanted to say, he swallowed back down.

Fine, he was the extra here.

Grabbing his stuff, Finley turned and headed for the door.

Chapter 252

With Finley gone, Stella felt the weight in her heart finally lift.

However, Finley, in his infinite wisdom, decided to turn back to Ronald and ask, “Anything else feeling off with you?”

Stella could only think, “Great, the rock’s been put back in place.”

At this moment, she was seriously considering whether it would be possible to unscrew Finley’s head from his shoulders.

“What else could he possibly feel? I’ve already given him some meds.”

Her tone was sharp, as if she might physically attack Finley if he uttered another word.

Undeterred, Finley responded, “Come on, I’m a doctor. Isn’t it my job to ask? That’s no ordinary medicine. There could be side effects. What’s the harm in asking?”

Stella sighed deeply.

Was it really just a simple question? The insinuation in his voice was hard to miss.

Finley’s gaze then briefly lingered on the scarf wrapped around Stella’s neck.

“I was saying…”

“Finley.” Ronald’s cold voice cut him off before he could finish.

Finley met Ronald’s deep gaze, and in that instant, a light bulb went off in his mind — he understood!

He was going to scold the kid again.

With that, Finley left.

Now it was just Stella and Ronald. Stella felt incredibly nervous as if her heart could leap out of her throat at any moment.

“Do you feel discomfort anywhere else?” she stammered, trying to mask her anxiety.

Ronald’s gaze was piercing.

When he didn’t respond, Stella cautiously lifted her eyes to meet his. The depth in them made her heart skip a beat once again.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

His seriousness was intimidating. Even though Stella had grown up around Ronald, she couldn’t help but feel a bit scared of him.

“Come here,” Ronald said sternly.

The closer she got, the more she could feel the imposing aura emanating from him.

Before she could react, Ronald’s warm hand clasped around her wrist, pulling her down onto the bed.

“What are you…”

Stella’s blood ran cold!

She hadn’t scratched him at all. How could there be scratch marks?

Ronald examined her nails as if looking for clues. Even though she hadn’t done anything, Stella felt a pang of guilt and reflexively pulled her hand back.

“Maybe from a fall?”

“Scratches like these from a fall? And so many?”

Stella felt her face flush with embarrassment.

Glancing at the marks on Ronald’s chest, it was clear they looked like scratch marks. The excuse of a fall seemed even less plausible to her now.

She felt like crying. “So, how did you get hurt?”

She had been so careful; she hadn’t scratched him. Even in a moment of pain, she hadn’t lashed out. So, how did those marks appear on his chest?

Ronald then asked, “Why was I in your room?”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat. That was an even harder question to answer.

Wait a minute, why was he asking this?

Could it be… he had forgotten again?

This thought made Stella feel even more unsettled.

Chapter 253

But at the same time, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Better not to remember, she thought. If he did, how in the world would she explain it?

Before Stella could respond, Ronald’s voice cut through the tension again. “Why are you all bundled up in that scarf?”

As he spoke, he reached out almost instinctively to pull it off her.

Stella panicked, clutching the scarf tightly. “Stop, I’m cold.”

With everything that had happened, her mind was in turmoil. She looked at Ronald again, trying to decipher the depths of his gaze, but her thoughts were muddled.

“So, uh, since you’re up, maybe you should go back to your room?” she stammered, struggling to string together a coherent sentence.

All she wanted was for Ronald to leave so she could clear up the chaos in the room. The tidying up she’d done earlier had been a rushed, panicked effort. If Ronald stayed any longer, he might start to pick up on something amiss.

The thought made Stella’s head spin.

“Could you please go back to your room?” she pleaded.

Oh, for heaven’s sake, just leave already. Her heart couldn’t take much more of this.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. “You seem to be in a hurry?”

Stella was at a loss for words. Her patience was wearing thin, and it felt like Ronald was testing it further.

“What hurry? What are you talking about? Isn’t it normal to be sleeping at this hour?”

“Sleeping?”

“Yes, I’m exhausted.”

She felt her defenses crumbling. Once they did, all that would be left was her guilt.

Stella didn’t want to face Ronald any longer.

Fortunately, Ronald didn’t push her. He nodded, got out of bed, and for a moment, Stella thought he was finally leaving.

But then, he gently cradled her face, his handsome features coming into focus. Stella’s breath hitched.

Just as she instinctively closed her eyes, expecting… something else, Ronald’s gentle kiss landed on her forehead instead.

His low chuckle followed. “Why are you closing your eyes, huh?”

Ronald’s laughter was light. “Then you better get some sleep.”

When the door closed behind him, Stella felt as if all her energy had been drained.

First, it was the shock from Finley, and then Ronald.

The sheets still carried Ronald’s scent, mixed with a faint, lingering trace of last night.

But she couldn’t afford to just sleep.

The room hadn’t been very bright earlier, so Ronald probably hadn’t seen anything. She needed to get up and tidy up properly.

Especially the scarf hidden in the bathroom, with its telltale stains…

“Ah!”

Stella let out a loud exclamation, jumped up, and turned on the light.

The moment her feet hit the floor, she was acutely aware of the soreness in her legs.

It hurt!

The drugged Ronald was relentless. The encounter with him had been devoid of any restraint, akin to a wild beast’s onslaught.

Stella felt a sharp pang of pain, but she endured it, cleaning up the room thoroughly, ensuring no evidence remained.

Finally, as she reached the bathroom and found the bloodstained scarf, a knock came at the door.

Stella moved cautiously toward the door.

Chapter 254

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me.”

Ronald’s voice came from outside the door.

Stella, who had just relaxed, felt her heart skip a beat again. “What’s up?”

Ronald said, “The shower’s busted. Mind if I use yours for a quick rinse.”

Stella froze. Glancing at the scarf in her hand, panic set in.

“Just, just a sec,” she stammered.

Ignoring the pain in her legs, she hurried back to the bathroom to hide the scarf.

Once everything was in place, she opened the door.

Ronald’s gaze flicked to the scarf still draped around her neck, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

“Thought you were hitting the hay. What’s with the scarf?”

Stella was at a loss for words.

The scarf, it seemed, was determined to be the centerpiece of the night. Whoever had left those glaring marks on her neck had ensured she wouldn’t dare go bare-necked for at least a week.

Seeing Stella silent, Ronald reached out to unwrap the scarf.

But Stella, nimble as a squirrel, leaped away.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“I’m cold.”

No matter how many times he’d ask, her answer would always be the same: “I’m cold.”

She couldn’t think of any other excuse.

“Really cold, huh?” His voice softened, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Not… hurt?”

Stella’s breath hitched. Her mind, already in a fog, completely froze at his words.

“What? No, not at all.”

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Ronald actually remembered.

But that thought quickly dissolved.

And with last night’s reckless mix of booze and drug, how could he possibly remember?

Stella nodded vigorously. “Yes. Look, I’m tired. You should go shower.”

Watching her flee like a rabbit and dive under the covers, Ronald’s smile deepened.

With that, Ronald disappeared into the bathroom.

Oh, heavens. Was she really doomed to hide behind a scarf all week?

Once was nerve-wracking enough.

She groaned inwardly, recalling the bruises she’d glimpsed in the mirror.

What was she supposed to do?

Maybe she could tell Ronald she needed to head back to Ferrowland early, claiming homesickness for her mom and sister.

But no, that wouldn’t fly. If her mom asked why, what could she say?

“Oh, by the way, I slept with your son.”

The thought alone made her stomach churn. Would her mom disown her?

Stella’s head was spinning.

The bathroom door swung open, and Ronald’s voice broke through, “Star, what’s this?”

“Huh?”

Confused, Stella tossed aside the covers and looked at Ronald.

Seeing the scarf she’d hidden now in his hands, Stella’s mind went blank.

Chapter 255

Stella’s gaze was locked onto the scarf in Ronald’s hands, especially the bright red bloodstain that marred its fabric.

Ronald glanced down at the stain, his brow furrowing. “Isn’t this my scarf? How did blood get on it? What happened here?”

Stella was speechless. Already feeling out of her depth, the question from Ronald made her feel like she was running out of air.

“I, uh…”

Even the sharpest of minds would struggle to find a suitable excuse in this situation.

Oh, this was a nightmare.

Wait a minute, she remembered. “I had a nosebleed.”

“Excuse me?” Ronald raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, a nosebleed. I accidentally bumped my nose while helping you, and it got on the scarf.”

Was that excuse plausible?

She wasn’t sure if Ronald would buy it.

Ronald’s deep eyes, now filled with an unreadable emotion, only made Stella feel more suffocated.

“A nosebleed?”

Stella instinctively swallowed. “Yeah, a nosebleed.”

What else could she say?

Facing Ronald’s intense gaze, an unfamiliar tightness gripped her chest.

Ronald, upon hearing her, quickly stepped forward and lifted her from the bed with ease.

He pinched her nose lightly. “Had a nosebleed, huh?”

Stella managed, “I cleaned it up.”

Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest as she struggled to escape Ronald’s grasp.

“Can you just let me sleep? I’m really tired.”

Though it was more like scared to death!

As she made a sudden movement, the loosely tied scarf slipped.

Stella’s mind went blank, pleading internally for the questioning to stop.

Having scrambled for excuses all night, Stella was at a loss when confronted with Ronald’s question.

“Ronald?”

Ronald’s warm fingers gently touched the bruises on Stella’s neck, sending shivers down her spine.

She felt like crying.

Ronald replied, “That depends on what you’ve done.”

Stella thought, “Can you forgive me for sleeping with you?”

But it wasn’t her idea, he’d made the first move.

Only, he got drunk and remembered nothing, leaving her to wonder if she’d somehow end up taking the blame.

Her mind was a mess.

Seeing her silence, Ronald pressed, “If you fell for some guy, that would be unforgivable.”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat. Her expression froze as she looked at him, thinking: What if I fell for you? Would that be forgivable?

She was already overwhelmed, and now Ronald’s words had ignited a bomb inside her.

“I just want to sleep,” she mumbled, desperate to escape.

But Ronald wasn’t about to let her off so easily. His arms wrapped around her waist, leaving her no way out.

“You haven’t told me yet. How did you get these bruises on your neck, hm?”

Chapter 256

“I tripped.”

That excuse was far from believable.

But given Stella’s current state of mind, she was completely out of the mental bandwidth to concoct any other excuse.

Please don’t ask anymore. If he kept pressing, she truly might crack and spill everything. Then what? Would they even be able to stay siblings?

No, she couldn’t bear the thought. She couldn’t take that risk!

Ronald frowned. “Tripped? Star, do you really think that excuse holds any water?”

Stella froze.

Is he still asking?

Oh, come on! Could someone just arrest her already?

“Star.”

His voice, low and magnetic, drilled into her frayed nerves like a persistent drumbeat.

Stella couldn’t take it anymore.

Fine, forget being siblings. Maybe it was time to throw caution to the wind and pursue him instead.

Stella steeled herself, heart pounding, ready to take the plunge.

But just as she opened her mouth to speak, Ronald’s phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the tension and halting their conversation.

Stella, already stiff with tension, latched onto the ringing phone like it was a lifeline. “Your phone’s ringing.”

Ronald’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he finally relented, turning to pick it up. It was a call from Idris.

At this hour?

Ronald’s expression hardened as he stepped away, answering with a cold tone. “Speak.”

Stella’s heart continued to race as she watched him retreat to the balcony. Her instinct screamed that this wasn’t over.

Barely a minute passed before Ronald returned, his face grim. “Aren’t you tired? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Sleeping! Right now! Sleeping!” Stella blurted, her words tumbling over each other as she dove into the covers.

Him deciding not asking anymore was the best. Just don’t ask anymore.

But what about tomorrow?

Seeing her bundled under the small blanket, Ronald, who had a frosty expression, now showed a trace of exasperation.

Stella couldn’t help but think, “I just want to bury my head in the sand right now. You’ll leave, and I’ll just flip over, right?”

Ronald pulled the blanket over her, and just as he was about to stand, his fingers brushed against the bruises on her neck.

Ronald’s tone was heavy with implication. “With this many, these won’t fade for a week.”

Wait… what did that mean?

Before Ronald could fully stand, Stella, in a panic, grabbed the lapel of his robe.

In her haste, her nails scratched across his chest, leaving marks that mirrored the ones already there.

Stella’s breathing hitched.

Ronald, feeling the pain, glanced down at his chest. “Star.”

Stella was at a loss for words.

Ronald asked, “Did you scratch me?”

Stella replied, “I didn’t.”

Now she was truly done for; there was no way to explain this away. But, in all honesty, the marks on him earlier hadn’t been her doing.

Ronald’s gaze deepened. That meaningful look now seemed to hide a flicker of fiery intensity.

Stella’s breath hitched. “Is falling for a man really unforgivable?”

Especially falling for you?

She couldn’t take it anymore. Fine, she might as well tell him, sooner or later, it was all the same.

Chapter 257

Just as Stella was trying to compose herself, Ronald’s phone buzzed again.

It was Idris again.

Ronald glanced down at the hand Stella was holding onto him, and Stella instinctively let go.

“Go on, you should take that.”

Ugh, talk about torture. Hurry up and leave, don’t torment her here.

Seeing Stella about to bury her head under the covers again, Ronald quickly pulled her back.

The marks on her neck, like vivid roses, were etched into his heart.

He chuckled softly, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Sweetie, get some sleep.”

With that, he stood and walked toward the door.

Stella’s heart raced, her mind spinning wildly. She suddenly felt incredibly vulnerable.

It was as if her courage had skyrocketed in that moment!

As Ronald reached for the doorknob, Stella blurted out, “Ronald, you…you took me last night.”

…

The silence that followed was deafening.

Stella’s breath hitched, her eyes fixated on Ronald’s back.

She couldn’t see his face, but she had truly laid it all out there.

For so many years, She had hidden her feelings, always concealing them with great effort. Back in Ferrowland, she’d been terrified someone would notice how she felt about Ronald.

Whenever his friends would say, “Your sister’s so cute, so thoughtful, coming to pick you up…” and so on, those comments reminded Stella, that she was seen as Ronald’s sister.

Even without blood ties, everyone treated her as his sibling. That deep-rooted perception, she wasn’t sure she could ever change it.

Ronald’s position demanded a partner of equal stature, both in status and family background.

All these reminders made her affection feel like a tiny flame, insignificant in comparison.

Faced with this love, she was too scared to reveal it. And her fear kept her at a distance from Ronald.

But last night, that distance had shattered.

Was she expected to hide her feelings forever?

She didn’t want to maintain this sibling facade any longer.

Tears welled up in Stella’s eyes as she sniffled, noticing Ronald hadn’t turned around. Her voice was hoarse with emotion. She braced herself for the storm to come.

In the dim light, his expression was unreadable as he strode toward her bed.

But in the next moment, she was pulled from her covers into his embrace.

Stella’s voice was frantic, stuttering through her explanation. Truthfully, she hadn’t initiated, but neither had she resisted.

Her breath caught again!

His presence enveloped her completely, along with the softness of his lips.

After a while, just as Ronald’s phone vibrated again, he finally released her, annoyance flickering in his eyes.

Their foreheads touched, his voice husky, “Is that what you think? That I forced you?”

Stella, still somewhat dazed, nodded mechanically.

Ronald pressed, “So, Star, what do you propose we do? Hm?”

Stella’s lips twitched.

He was asking her what to do? As if he shouldn’t be the one to take responsibility? Was he trying to pin this on her?

She could take any blame, but not this one!

“This is something you need to take responsibility for. What do you suggest?” Stella’s voice broke, on the verge of tears.

She was clearly panicked. She worried that Ronald might be angry, but even more so, that after everything, he’d still see her as his sister.

If that were the case, she couldn’t bear it.

Hearing her distressed voice, a deeper smile appeared in Ronald’s eyes, “So, I should take responsibility?”

“You absolutely must take responsibility. If you don’t, I swear, this isn’t over between us.”

Stella’s tears fell uncontrollably as she burst into sobs.

Chapter 258

Carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders for so many years, Stella finally let it all crash down on Ronald.

It had been too long. No one knew how she had managed these years, especially after leaving Ferrowland, with the uncertain return looming over her.

She didn’t know when she could be back by his side, uncertain of how much influence the Schultz family still had over him. That indescribable worry and longing tormented her every moment.

“You have to take responsibility…”

Tears streamed down Stella’s face, her grievances flooding out like a dam had been broken.

Ronald gently patted her back. “Alright, I’ll take responsibility. Don’t cry, okay?”

Stella sniffed, “You were supposed to anyway.”

Her tears smeared on Ronald’s shirt, leaving it damp.

He chuckled. “You messy little thing.”

“Well, still yours.” Stella retorted, not missing a beat.

Ronald pinched her cheek, but before he could say anything else, Idris’s call came through again. It seemed like Ronald had urgent business.

He ended the call, not wanting to delay further. “It’s still dark out. You should get some sleep.”

Stella asked, “You’re going out?”

He simply hummed in affirmation, kissed her forehead, and got up.

Stella remembered the scarf, stained with her blood and some dried spots she knew weren’t hers.

As Ronald turned to leave, she clutched at his shirt. “Is it dangerous?”

She was well aware of the dealings of the Lugar family, and she knew the dangers Ronald faced on this path.

Even if he was strong enough, still, she still couldn’t help but fear for him, and worry about him.

Ronald turned to meet her worried gaze, and something in his heart softened.

“Be at peace.”

With those words, he gently pulled his shirt from her grip, covered her with the blanket, and left the room.

Ronald was gone.

Stella buried herself in the blankets, her heart still racing.

Ronald had spoken of responsibility, but how would he fulfill it? Marry her?

Would Ronald marry her? Could he?

Outside, snow blanketed the world, while inside, it was warm and cozy.

“Star! Star!”

Still groggy from sleep, Stella managed a mumbled response.

Stella jolted awake at the mention of being ‘spent’.

Susanna excitedly said, “Got some thrilling news. Wanna hear?”

But knowing Susanna, it had to be interesting.

“What is it?”

“Hold on, getting closer so you can hear for yourself.”

Stella was curious.

Soon, Susanna’s footsteps faded, and through the phone came Ursula’s sobs and Cloudia’s hysterical anger.

“How could you let her discharge in her condition? Do you want her to die?”

“Mrs. Larkin, we’re sorry, but we’ve done all we can for Ms. Larkin.”

Cloudia roared, “What do you mean you’ve done all you can? I paid so much for that team of specialists. Where are they now?”

“They’ve all left!”

The brief exchange between the doctor and Cloudia gave Stella a glimpse of the situation – the hospital was forcing Ursula to leave.

“Told you it was thrilling, right?” Susanna’s voice returned.

Stella replied, still processing the news, “Definitely thrilling. But what happened?”

Chapter 259

Cloudia and Ursula’s voices grew fainter, clearly signaling that Susanna was distancing herself from the heart of the commotion.

Regarding Stella’s question, Susanna chuckled, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice.

“How would I know what went down? Maybe the hospital couldn’t do squat for her and didn’t want to bleed them dry?”

Stella was at a loss for words.

Who’d buy that excuse? Certainly not her.

Susanna clicked her tongue twice. “I mean, Ursula had the backing of the Larkin family and the Quarry folks, right? So how come the hospital shoved her out the door like that? You didn’t see the scene; it was like they couldn’t wait to get rid of her. Such a ‘conscientious’ hospital, the first time I’m laying my eyes on one.”

Susanna continued, “For someone with her ticking clock, why waste the dough, right?”

Stella’s drowsiness was effectively chased away by Susanna’s gloating.

She turned over. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not exactly fretting over Larkin’s finances here?”

“I’m fretting over money, just not the Larkin family’s money.”

That statement seemed alright at face value, but something felt off.

Before Stella could respond, Susanna exclaimed, “Hey, why are you snatching my phone? Yorick Quarry, hand it back.”

Stella was confused.

Then, Yorick’s voice came through the phone. “Stella, was it you?”

His tone was laced with venom, and even through the phone, Stella could feel the animosity radiating from him.

Hearing his voice, Stella muttered, “Talk about being wronged.”

She was completely clueless about what was going on at the hospital, and now here was Yorick, pinning it all on her.

Such a loser, she thought, silently wishing for him and Ursula to be out of the picture. Any girl who got close to him would end up riddled with heartache.

Stella, I know you grew up with the Lugars, but get this straight: how are you any different from Ursula? You’re nothing but a foster child to the Lugar family. If you keep abusing your power, beware they might all turn their backs on you. What will you stand on then?”

Stella, infuriated, retorted, “Damn it, Yorick, come say that to my face.”

How come every accusation landed on her? Was he cursing her or what?

Yorick said, “That’s my advice to you, don’t misuse your power.”

Stella, losing patience, fired back, “Look who’s talking. As if you’ve never pulled strings for Ursula. Have you forgotten how you tried to crush me for her? You wanted to shut down my studio, cut off my allowance, leave me with nowhere to turn.

And now? When you misuse your influence to ruin my life, I’m just supposed to take it. But the moment I push back, you’re all about giving advice? Do I look like I need your advice? What are you even worth? Look in the mirror before you preach, will you?

Jerk, got your head up your ass.”

Stella let it all out.

Yorick, seething. “Enough with your nonsense, Stella. Just tell me, what will it take to leave Ursula alone?”

“But did you ever consider, even once, how to leave me be?”

The air went still over the phone.

Listening to his heavy breathing, Stella let out a mocking laugh. “Back then, none of you thought about leaving me alone. So naturally, I haven’t considered sparing a thought for you two now.”

“You, you…” Yorick, struggled for words, “Now the Larkin and Quarry families are suffering because of you. Isn’t that enough?”

Chapter 260

Stella was silent, her mind churning as Yorick mentioned the Larkin and Quarry families. It hit her then — Ursula’s mess was probably Ronald’s doing too.

Wait a minute. Ronald had seemed peeved when she mentioned her car accident.

Stella couldn’t hold back her sarcasm. “Wow, Yorick, still got the nerve to be snippy with me, huh? Color me impressed.”

He knew full well the drama involved her, yet here he was, adopting that tone over the phone.

Stella retorted, “Just a friendly reminder, pal. Ursula cost me a lot two years back. And you know, I’ve got this flaw where if someone owes me, I’m not comfy until I see some interest on that debt.”

Her words made it sound like she was the bully.

So, when they were pushing her around, they were the saints?

Stella snorted, adding, “Twice the cost seems fair to me.”

That set Yorick off. “Stella,” he bellowed, anger vibrating through each syllable.

But before he could continue, Stella hung up.

So it’s Ronald’s doing? Not hers to worry about. Ursula’s mess was her own fault.

Stella had been ready to overlook Ursula’s supposed ailments, as per Tegan James’ account. But she didn’t expect Ronald to…

Thinking about how Ronald had always had her back, a warm feeling spread through her, despite not knowing where this situation would lead them.

…

Stella felt weak, barely able to muster the strength to stand, her forehead burning with fever.

Attempting to get up for some water, her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor. The pain was searing, making it hard to even think about getting back up.

When Ronald entered, he found Stella crumpled on the ground, unable to rise.

Hearing the door, Stella looked up, her eyes pitiful. “Ronald…”

Ronald, still in his overcoat with snowflakes clinging to his shoulders and hair, had clearly just come in from outside.

He rushed over, scooping Stella up from the floor. “What happened, huh?”

The pain and weakness were new to her.

…

Stella’s temperature had soared to 102 degrees. “How did it get this high? Are you hurt?”

The injury was, indeed, in a rather awkward place.

His impatience was palpable, especially since he felt Stella had caused trouble for Ronald.

It seemed like an injury, and it was quite painful.

Ronald and Finley exchanged glances, both looking at her intently.

Especially Ronald, whose piercing gaze felt as if it could see right through her.

Ronald then told Finley, “Step out for a moment.”

“Huh?” Finley was puzzled.

Why? He was the doctor here. What could possibly be so secret?

But catching Ronald’s look, Finley decided not to push it and left without further questions.

With just Stella and Ronald left, he moved to sit by the bed, reaching to lift the blanket. “Let me see.”

Stella was baffled.

See what?

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