Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 261 to 270) 

Chapter 261

At the hospital, Yorick was fuming, his face a shade of thunder, while iciness seemed to radiate off him. He was on Susanna’s phone, repeatedly dialing Stella’s number.

Stella, it seemed, would block anyone’s calls- except Susanna’s.

Infuriated, Susanna aimed a kick at Yorick. “Damn it, Yorick, enough is enough. Give me back my phone.”

She’d always followed her mom’s advice to avoid crossing anyone from the Quarry family, but now, she was at her breaking point.

What was this, a hold-up?

Yorick dodged, and Susanna’s toe brushed his shin, leaving a stinging pain.

“You woman…” Yorick gritted his teeth.

No wonder she was friends with Stella; they were clearly cut from the same cloth.

Susanna was livid. “Yorick cut it out. She just heard your voice on my phone. Do you really think she’d pick up the call again?”

Yorick was silent. Hearing this, his aura instantly cooled.

Susanna seized the opportunity to snatch her phone back. “You had it coming. Your judgment of people is unbelievably off.”

In the circle of high society, everyone knew Ursula was trouble, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Yet Yorick insisted she was an angel.

Ridiculous.

Susanna stormed off.

The hospital room was a battleground, with Cloudia arguing vehemently, “We’re not leaving, and that’s final.”

“The only option left is to escort Mrs. Larkin and Ms. Larkin back home,” the head nurse stated firmly.

Cloudia retorted, “I’d like to hear that from the director.”

“Mrs. Larkin, involving the director won’t change anything.”

Yorick approached the room, taking in the chaos that had unfolded inside.

The place was a mess. Ursula sat on the disheveled bed, appearing both pitiful and helpless.

Noticing Yorick, Ursula choked out, “Rick.”

His gaze turned icy as he faced the head nurse. “Leave us.”

Orion barely stepped in when Yorick commanded, “Take care of it.”

Meeting Yorick’s eyes, Orion nodded solemnly. “Okay.”

This stirred anger in both Yorick and Cloudia toward Stella.

Especially Cloudia. Thinking of Stella’s current attitude toward her made her blood boil.

“Rick, have you seen Stella in Spring Hill again? And what’s with the heir to the Lugar family? How does she have the influence to make him go this far for her?”

First, suppressing the Larkin family, and now cutting off Ursula’s lifelines. Cloudia had underestimated Stella’s sway over the Lugar family’s heir, Mr. Quinn. The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became.

When Stella and the heir of the Lugar family came up, Yorick’s brows furrowed.

Before he could speak, Ursula interjected, “Is Star trying to crush me by selling herself out to the Lugar family? If that’s the case, I’ll leave our family. I wish she wouldn’t degrade herself over this.”

Cloudia snapped, “Ursula.”

Her tone was urgent, her disdain for Stella was palpable. Stella was seen as someone who’d do anything for money and power, a sentiment born from her rural upbringing.

Yet, hearing Ursula’s words, Yorick felt an unexpected discomfort and resistance.

Ursula, oblivious to Yorick’s unease, continued, “Mom, she’s your biological daughter. I can’t bear to see her do this to herself because of me. I…”

Chapter 262

At this point, Ursula’s voice choked up with emotion.

The term “biological daughter” made Cloudia’s heart skip a beat in anger. She wanted to say that she had already cut ties with Stella, but considering the current situation of the company, the very fate of it was now in Stella’s hands.

Ursula, unable to hold back her tears, sobbed. “I always treated her like a sister. I didn’t want her to turn out this way.”

“Enough,” Yorick interrupted, his temples throbbing.

Ursula and Cloudia, sensing his displeasure, turned to him, puzzled.

Yorick felt a heaviness in his chest, “Stella was raised in the Lugar family.”

At this, both Cloudia’s and Ursula’s faces froze in astonishment.

Cloudia’s breathing became tense. “What do you mean?”

Equally confused, Ursula looked at Yorick. “Yeah, Rick, what do you know?”

Raised in the Lugar family? Stella?

The Lugar family of Ferrowland, the name that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

Yorick closed his eyes for a moment. The mere thought of Stella being part of the Lugar family made him stiffen.

“Stella is Ronald’s sister.”

Ronald?

The name sounded familiar, but they hadn’t realized it referred to the renowned Mr. Quinn. His father was from Zylandia, his mother was from Ferrowland, and his father had achieved great things in Ferrowland.

“Ronald, also Mr. Quinn?”

Ursula caught on immediately, her breath quickening as she turned to Yorick.

Her pupils dilated in disbelief, unable to fathom that Stella was indeed the sister of Ferrowland’s famous Mr. Quinn.

Ursula took several deep breaths to calm herself.

Raised in the Lugar family, the heiress to the Lugar legacy, the sister of the man known as Mr. Quinn?

Ursula and Cloudia exchanged stunned glances.

Ursula lifted her head. “Rick, are you sure?”

At this moment, Ursula’s heart was in turmoil, filled with jealousy, she couldn’t bring herself to believe Stella was raised in the Lugar family.

Yorick’s breath grew colder.

“Absolutely sure.”

This was something his own father had confirmed, there was no mistake, Stella… was indeed Ronald’s sister.

Cloudia’s breathing became erratic. “How could this be? How…”

Hadn’t it always been said that she grew up in the countryside? How did she end up being part of the Lugar family?

Ursula knew about it. She was the one who had told Cloudia.

Their breathing was erratic as they looked at each other, realizing the gravity of the situation. If Stella had been raised in the Lugar family, then this was indeed troublesome.

Over at Spring Hill.

“Star, we can’t joke about this injury. Let me see it.”

“Stop mentioning it! If you keep saying that, I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Her tone carried a hint of annoyance.

Ronald, feeling helpless, reached to pull the covers off her head, but Stella had wrapped herself up tightly.

“You keep pulling, ugh, I’m going to call Mom.”

At that, Ronald’s hands stiffened. Then, he scooped her up, blankets and all, and sat her on his lap.

“Ouch, it hurts!”

Stella’s whimpering voice came through as Ronald peeled the blanket from her face.

What met his gaze was Stella’s face, flushed red from holding her breath.

Ronald’s expression was stern.

Stella looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, making her seem all the more pitiable.

Ronald sighed. “Does it hurt a lot?”

Stella nodded, looking every bit the very picture of misery.

Chapter 263

Ronald insisted on checking Stella for injuries, and sure enough, she was hurt- though not severely.

After he finished examining her, Stella hid under the covers again. “You need to leave now.”

Ronald chuckled softly and moved to pull the blanket off her head once again.

Stella fought back like a wildcat. But in the next moment, her movements halted abruptly.

His cool lips pressed against hers, leaving Stella’s eyes wide with shock.

It was over in an instant. Just as Ronald began to pull away, Stella suddenly grabbed the collar of his shirt.

Amused, Ronald asked, “Not enough?”

Her face, already flushed from a fever, seemed ready to burst into flames at his words.

She tried to meet his gaze, her toes curling, and stuttered, “Are, are you… are you sober right now? Do you even realize what you’re doing?”

She sniffed the air, trying to detect any hint of alcohol on him.

He hadn’t been drinking. He was sober…

And just now, he had actually!

The thought of being pinned down on the bed by him sent Stella’s heart into overdrive. The distance between them seemed to stretch far beyond that of normal siblings.

So, what did this mean for them?

Ronald gently ruffled her soft hair. “Scared?”

Stella grabbed his hand tightly.

“It was you who made the move last night,” she said with firm conviction.

Though her words carried blame, in her heart, she knew last night had left her with no way out. But deep down, she felt a mix of reluctance and willingness.

Ronald gently squeezed her hand and kissed it. “Yes, it was me.”

His tone was indulgent, soothing the turmoil within Stella’s heart.

Unknown to others, the events of last night had left Stella in a state of complete anxiety. With Ronald under the influence of alcohol and drug, she had feared he might deny everything afterward.

Hearing his words now brought tears to her eyes.

She leaped out from under the covers and threw her arms around his neck. “You scared me to death.”

“Hmm?”

Earlier, when Finley tried to peek under her scarf, she had been terrified.

Stella cried, feeling wronged.

Stella sobbed. “You’re mean.”

“I’ll get you some medicine.”

…

Seeing Ronald come down, he extinguished his cigarette. “Where did she get hurt? You’re quite something, letting someone get injured under your watch. Did those people come here?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

Finley swallowed hard. “I was just saying, it couldn’t be.”

He knew full well that with Stella here, Ronald would never let harm come to her.

But then, Finley pressed on, “How did she get hurt?”

“Fever medicine… and something for the tears.”

Finley blinked.

What?

“Tears? What kind of tears?”

The question seemed to send a shiver down his spine. His mind raced to the memory of Stella’s excessively wrapped scarf.

Was it what he was thinking?

Ronald’s voice dropped, now laced with a cold warning. “Do you always need to pry?”

That sharp, intense gaze froze Finley in place. He swallowed nervously, and then his mind nearly exploded at the implications.

Chapter 264

“Ronald, you’re a real beast, you know that? That girl- she’s the one you’ve raised. You’ve been siblings for twenty years…”

With a “thud,” something struck Finley square on the forehead, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Finley stammered, “I mean, this… What I’m trying to say is…

You even hurt her? I was wondering why nobody answered the doorbell last night. You mean you were in that kind of situation. Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be?”

If things were as they seemed, it was clear Stella and Yorick had never gone that far.

After all, Stella was picky; she’d never settle for a man who had his heart set on someone else. During the two years Stella and Yorick had been engaged, let’s just say they probably hadn’t even held hands.

But Ronald…

Finley hissed as the realization hit him. “So, all these years, you’ve been raising her for yourself? No wonder you were always so nice to that girl. Wherever you went, she was there. And when Yvonne snatched her away, you were ready to tear her apart. She wasn’t just like a sister to you, she was more like your little wife, wasn’t she?”

It finally dawned on him.

Now it all made sense. Back in Ferrowland, not a single guy was allowed near Stella. All those guys chasing after her, and those looking for a family alliance – none of them stood a chance.

Ronald’s little girl, who could possibly take her away from him?

Ronald shot Finley a cold look. “Say one more word, and I’ll show you my skills with a surgical needle.”

Finley thought, “Here we go again with the threats.”

It was always the same. Over the years, anyone who said a word too many about Stella got that look from Ronald.

Now it was clear why he and Hull had occasionally felt uncomfortable being too close to Stella.

From the very beginning, Ronald wasn’t raising her as a sister- he was raising her for himself, keeping everyone else at arm’s length.

Finley took a deep breath. “You’ve really got some nerve. What about your mom?”

He paused, “All these years, she’s treated Star like her own daughter. And Yvonne- if she finds out you turned her beloved sister into a sister-in-law, watch out. She might hide Star so well you’ll never see her again in this lifetime.”

“I can’t believe I never noticed how deeply you felt about Star. You’re quite the fox, aren’t you?”

Ronald and Stella- everyone in Ferrowland knew how much Ronald cherished his adopted sister. She was supposed to be his sister. His sister!

It was clear Ronald was done with the conversation.

Awkwardly, he rummaged through the medicine box, pulling out some fever and anti-inflammatory medicine. But the specific item Ronald had urgently demanded was nowhere to be found. He never imagined Stella would get hurt in such a way.

Yet now, when it was suddenly needed, they were out of luck.

He tossed the fever and anti-inflammatory medicine to Ronald. “I’ll send someone to buy the ointment. You’re truly a beast.”

To think he’d actually hurt her… He had always seemed so kind to Stella, but now it was clear; it had all been an act.

Without a word, Ronald stood up and kicked Finley hard on his way upstairs.

Finley gasped from the pain. “You pull something like this and won’t even let me scold you?”

Damn, that was harsh! He was sure he’d have another bruise on his leg; last night’s kicks had already left two sizable ones.

Ronald went straight into the room with the medicine.

Stella, feverish and already asleep, was breathing unevenly. She must have caught a cold as well.

As Ronald gently lifted her to give her the medicine, she mumbled, “Bitter.”

Ronald whispered softly, “It’s okay, just take the medicine.”

Chapter 265

Quickly, Finley had someone fetch the medication and handed it over to Ronald with a word of caution.

“Maybe lay off her for a while, huh?”

The moment he said it, the room went as quiet as a church on Monday.

Ronald shot Finley a glacial look.

Finley persisted, “Seriously, though. And she can’t even enjoy the hot springs now with how she’s feeling. Spring Hill is pretty chilly these days. Better take her back to Wave Residence.”

They had initially come to enjoy the healing waters of the hot springs because of Stella’s injured leg. Now, injured, their plans had to change. It was too cold up in the mountains with the snow and all.

Ronald grunted, “Got it.”

“Just make sure you apply this ointment on her.”

Ronald fell silent.

“Oh, and Blaise showed up again early this morning.”

Ronald squinted. “Didn’t he stay last night?”

“He left, but now he’s back, been hounding Idris about seeing you.”

Ronald’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Idris hadn’t passed the message, probably knowing Ronald wouldn’t agree to meet.

Finley clicked his tongue. “Blood is thicker than water, huh? The Larkin folks must’ve lost their minds. And Ursula, frolicking around Ferrowland, switching boyfriends like she changes clothes. Yorick must have the stomach of a champion.”

Ronald’s icy glare was his only response.

“You enjoy gossip much?”

Finley defended, “No, just thought you should know, is all.”

He knew Ronald didn’t care about any other woman’s affairs, except Stella’s. And this, after all, involved her.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Ronald turned and left.

Watching him go, Finley clicked his tongue again.

No wonder he was unhappy, having just started engaging in his sexual endeavors when he was suddenly given restrictions; it would be absurd if he was in a good mood.

…

Meanwhile, Blaise had rushed back to his company for a meeting, only to find the situation more dire than before.

Idris wasn’t too friendly. “Mr. Larkin, this persistence is fruitless.”

The old Blaise would never have believed that the mighty Larkin Group could be brought to its knees over Stella.

Blaise looked around nervously before slipping an envelope into Idris’s hand.

Ronald’s ruthless moves had left them no hope. If things continued like this, the Larkin Group wouldn’t last a week.

“Wh-what?”

Idris replied, “He despises bribery and corruption. Hates anyone looking for backdoors. You dug your own grave; now you’re looking for a way out?”

With Ronald, no shortcuts.

Blaise stammered, “But, but…”

He was cut off by his phone ringing. It was Cloudia.

Seeing Cloudia’s name only added to Blaise’s irritation, especially with Idris standing right there.

He was about to hang up, but Idris had already turned away.

Desperate, Blaise answered, “What now?” His tone was outright hostile.

Cloudia blurted out, “Stella- she… she was raised by the Lugar family.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s Ronald’s sister, like Ursula and Jaxon.”

“You’re saying… Star was raised by the Lugar family?”

Cloudia confirmed, “Exactly. We’re done for if she can’t clear up Ronald’s misunderstanding about us. The Larkin Group is toast this time.”

Chapter 266

“And with Ursula, the hospital’s forcing her out now, stopped all her meds. She’s practically sending us all to a death sentence. Did we really wrong her that much?”

Over the phone, Cloudia was fuming.

No wonder she’s been on a warpath lately. Growing up with the Lugar family and not a word about it.

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

On the other end, Blaise was silent, his breath growing more uneven as the shock sank in.

The Lugar family…

Stella was, in fact, the sister of the renowned Mr. Quinn from Ferrowland.

Like Ursula and Jaxon… then their relationship…

“You jerk! What did you do to her before?”

Blaise’s anger exploded. His chest heaved, his fury palpable.

Cloudia retorted, “What do you mean what did I do? She never told me she grew up with the Lugar family.”

She’d always thought Stella was just some country girl. The plan had been to groom her, slowly introduce her to society- but Stella had turned out utterly uncoachable.

The memory of Stella’s attitude toward her only stoked Cloudia’s anger further.

Blaise struggled to find words. “I mean you, you…”

He was too angry to speak properly, unsure of how to respond to Cloudia anymore.

But they both realized. If Stella didn’t relent, the Larkin Group would crumble under Ronald’s grip.

“You’re at Spring Hill now, right? Go see her. Explain everything,” Cloudia blurted out, barely thinking.

Given Stella’s current attitude toward him, Blaise knew a meeting was unlikely, let alone a chance to clear the air.

Blaise scoffed. “You think she wants to see me now?”

The very thought deepened his frustration.

Without wasting another moment on Cloudia, Blaise hung up and headed straight to the apartment shared by Stella and Ronald.

…

Meanwhile.

After taking her medication, Stella’s fever began to subside. A strange sensation coursed through her body, and she groggily opened her eyes.

Only to see Ronald applying ointment to her.

Startled, Stella jolted upright and gripped Ronald’s wrist. “What are you doing?”

Initially weakened by the fever, Stella now snapped to full alertness.

“Finley knows too?”

Why was she reacting like this? Was their relationship really that embarrassing for others to know?

Her mind was a blur, unable to make sense of anything.

Stella was rigid.

Eventually, she let go.

Seeing her relent, Ronald’s smile deepened. “That’s a good girl.”

“Just relax, it’s only ointment.”

His words did little to calm her- if anything, Stella’s breathing became more erratic. What else could he possibly want, given her condition?

Feeling a surge of awkwardness, she yanked the blanket over her face.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Ronald chuckled. “Are you being shy, Star?”

Stella pleaded, “Please, no talking.”

Especially not like that. She was completely defenseless.

Ronald continued, “Given your injuries, a hot spring is out of the question. Let’s head back to the Wave Residence.”

The cabin was too cramped, and the higher altitude only made the air colder. Returning made sense.

Stella hummed in agreement. She didn’t need Ronald to remind her that the hot spring was off-limits.

After finishing with the ointment, Ronald coaxed her into drinking some soup. Once he confirmed her temperature was back to normal, he wrapped her up warmly, ready to take her back to the Wave Residence.

Chapter 267

In the morning, Stella hadn’t felt much pain. But now, she could barely stand.

Seeing her struggle to walk, Ronald asked, “Does it hurt a lot?”

Tears were on the brink of spilling from Stella’s eyes. With a misty gaze, she gave Ronald a plaintive nod.

A flicker of guilt crossed his face as he steadied her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

“Sorry, I wasn’t exactly myself then.”

“You remember that?”

Wait… Remember?

He said he wasn’t quite himself, but he did remember what he had done to her, right?

Stella’s temples throbbed as she looked at Ronald.

His smile seemed to say it all to Stella.

Her mind went blank. “You… you were really messing with me?”

He remembered everything, yet he’d still had the audacity to ask how she got the cut on her mouth?

Her frustration surged, mingling with the throbbing pain at the base of her legs.

Without thinking, Stella lunged forward and bit down on Ronald’s neck.

“I’m so mad at you, I’ll bite you.”

Ronald let out a low laugh, gently holding her chin. “Alright, alright.”

Stella fumed, “You pretend to forget. You, you…”

Ronald cut her off. “You’re just too naive.”

Stella stared at him, speechless. Was this somehow her fault now?

Her unshed tears shimmered in her eyes as she glared daggers at him.

Still holding her delicate chin, Ronald leaned in and kissed her feverish lips.

“What am I going to do with you, Star? So adorably naive.”

Stella huffed.

“Who’s naive? Without you for those three years, didn’t I take good care of myself? Last year, I even made hundreds of thousands.”

Ronald’s eyes sparkled even more when he heard “hundreds of thousands.”

“Alright, my Star isn’t naive.”

Adorably naive.

Stella pouted. “I can’t walk.”

Ronald scooped her up in his arms.

She had fantasized about this moment countless times, never believing it could truly happen, yet here it was. And Ronald seemed to welcome their changing relationship.

Downstairs.

Ronald commanded, “We’re heading back to the Wave Residence.”

Clearly, the pent-up emotions had finally erupted.

Ronald and Stella exchanged looks.

The temperature was far from forgiving, with relentless winds howling around the mountain. Even indoors, the chill seeped through.

Stella’s thoughts raced. How had he not frozen to death?

Ronald looked down at her. “Do you want to see him?”

Idris interjected, “He’s here to see you, sir.”

Ronald frowned.

Realizing the visit wasn’t for Stella but for him, a shadow passed over his face.

With a cold tone, he said, “No.”

It was the expected answer. Given what the Larkin family had done to Stella, Ronald had no illusions about their intentions. Learning about Stella’s accident had only hardened his resolve – there would be no leniency for them.

Now, the entire Larkin family seemed to be in hot water.

Ronald carried Stella out.

Blaise, having failed to get through to Ronald via Idris, was still waiting in the biting cold. The snow and wind lashed against his skin like knives, each gust sapping his strength.

He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out, but he knew he had to see Ronald and Stella today.

Just when he was on the verge of giving in, the door to the small building finally creaked open.

Ronald emerged with Stella cradled in his arms, wrapped in a creamy white down jacket with a hat covering her head. Her petite frame, nestled against Ronald’s taller build, gave her the appearance of a child being carried to safety.

The sight of Stella in Ronald’s arms didn’t stir any suspicion or unease in Blaise.

Chapter 268

Rubbing his numb hands, Blaise instinctively took a step forward.

But then he realized his legs were so cold they had lost all sensation. The moment he tried to move, he stumbled, almost falling into the snow.

“Mr. Quinn, Star.”

Blaise steadied himself, stumbling toward Ronald, but a bodyguard blocked his way.

Panic surged through Blaise.

“Star, Star.”

Seeing Ronald’s icy expression, Blaise desperately looked toward Stella for help.

Stella’s face was buried in Ronald’s chest, not responding to him at all.

“Mr. Quinn, we need to talk. Star, you’ve got the wrong idea about us. What do you want exactly? We will make things right, okay?”

Blaise’s words came out in a rush, laced with desperation.

Now, with Stella not even sparing him a glance, Blaise’s frustration reached a boiling point. He was furious at Cloudia for making everything harder than it had to be.

Ronald placed Stella into the car, which was already warming up.

Just as Blaise was about to call out to Stella again, Ronald closed the car door.

With an icy gaze, Ronald turned to Blaise. The moment their eyes met, Blaise involuntarily swallowed.

“Mr. Quinn.”

A hint of mockery flickered in Ronald’s cold gaze as he asked, “What makes you think she needs anything from you?”

Blaise was silent. His breath tightened at the question.

What exactly did Stella need from them now? Having grown up with the Lugar family, she must have lacked for nothing, right?

The thought of Stella returning to the Larkin family, combined with the dwindling bank account, filled Blaise with a deep sense of shame.

Ronald chuckled coldly. “Everything happening with the Larkin Group has nothing to do with her. Stop bothering her from now on. She has nothing to do with you anymore.”

Blaise was at a loss for words.

Nothing to do with them!

If one were to dig deeper, aside from the biological connection, Stella really didn’t have any other relationship with them. Especially considering how they had treated her since bringing her back. From Stella’s perspective, they had always treated her poorly.

Ronald turned to get into the car.

He grabbed Ronald’s coat. “Mr. Quinn, could you please spare the Larkin Group?”

Blaise felt suffocated under his gaze. “After all, we are Star’s parents.”

Ronald’s tone was dangerous. The amusement in his eyes vanished, replaced by a threatening coldness.

“But-but it wasn’t Ursula’s fault. Star misunderstood.”

Blaise hurriedly explained.

However, before he could finish, Ronald was already getting into the car, leaving Blaise empty-handed.

The car window was partially rolled down, and Ronald’s gaze was piercing. “Since you think it’s a misunderstanding, someone needs to take responsibility for this misunderstanding. Since you’re her parents, you’re naturally unforgivable, don’t you think?”

The ones who should have protected her had pushed her to the brink of death, almost making it impossible for her to return.

Ronald’s “unforgivable” struck Blaise like a thunderbolt, and his already pale face turned ashen.

Just as Blaise was about to respond, the car window rolled up, and the vehicle began to pull away. He instinctively stepped forward, slipping and almost falling to the ground.

By the time he steadied himself, all that remained was the departing car’s tail lights. The cold wind outside was piercing.

Inside the warm car, Ronald held Stella tightly, struggling for breath. “You didn’t kill her on the spot?”

Stella sniffled and looked up at Ronald. “I was alone, and she had so many people on her side. I couldn’t win.”

Those words, “I couldn’t win,” sent a chill through Ronald’s eyes, a coldness Stella couldn’t see, reflecting his deep, unsettled fury.

Chapter 269

Blaise had no idea how he managed to drag himself back to the office. Looking utterly defeated, his face was a portrait of despair.

The night with Jaxon had been long one, exacerbated by Lola Zeller’s relentless pursuit. His world was crumbling.

When Jaxon saw Blaise return, he hurried over. “Dad, what happened? Did Stella clear things up with Mr. Quinn?”

Damn her, siding with outsiders against the Larkin Group.

The thought of the trouble Stella had caused for the Larkin Group made Jaxon wish he could tear her apart.

Blaise glanced at Jaxon, his lips moving as if to speak, but his frustration left him speechless.

Jaxon, sensing his father’s barely contained rage and the veins on his forehead bulging, pressed on, “Did she really, as Ursula claimed, sell herself to Mr. Quinn out of revenge against us?”

This infuriated Jaxon even more.

“If that’s true, then I, Jaxon, am done considering her my sister.”

A disgrace. To think she’d sell herself out to get back at her own family.

Even if Mr. Quinn held a high position, so what? She had been nothing more than a plaything to him. Once Mr. Quinn grew bored, he would caster her aside. Let’s see how she was dealt with then.

Jaxon was livid, wishing he could deal with Stella then and there.

Blaise, already pale, grew even angrier at Jaxon’s words.

“Have you ever treated her like a sister? Do you think she cares about your opinion now? And Ursula, what exactly did she tell you?”

Blaise suddenly raised his voice, startling Jaxon, making it clear he was displeased.

Blaise remembered that every time something went wrong at home, whether it was Cloudia or Jaxon, they would always say, “As Ursula said…”

Whenever it came to matters involving Stella, it was always the same.

“Did Ursula get it wrong? Are you… defending Stella?”

That traitor who conspired with outsiders against her own family?

Jaxon was short of breath.

Blaise, no less upset, continued, “Stella grew up in the Lugar family, Mr. Quinn’s so-called sister, much like your relationship with Ursula.

When did she become this vile person in your eyes, subject to your baseless insults? Is this how Ursula has been poisoning you and your mother against her?”

The office was thick with his rage, and in that moment, something clicked in Jaxon’s mind.

Blaise reiterated, “She was raised by the Lugar family. Got it? If I hear one more slanderous word about her from you, I’ll tear you apart myself.”

And Ursula…

His gaze turned icy, his breath shallow.

Stella too ashamed to mention her foster parents, preferring to hide her origins.

Now, she was suddenly the youngest daughter of the Lugar family?

Jaxon was bewildered.

Blaise, hearing the mention of a countryside upbringing, was also agitated. “Is that what she told you?”

Jaxon was speechless.

His mind raced again. Reflecting, he realized he never really knew where Stella had been raised or anything about her foster family. Where had this information come from?

Blaise pressed, “Was it Ursula?”

Jaxon fell silent.

Yes, Ursula. He remembered now.

It was during Stella’s first birthday back with the Larkin family when their mother had prepared a dress for her.

Because it was strapless, Ursula had commented, “Stella, having grown up in the countryside all these years, would feel shy wearing this.”

Chapter 270

So, what happened next?

Ursula ended up wearing that dress, while Stella was left to choose an old-fashioned one from Ursula’s closet.

Thinking back, Stella really hadn’t said anything about it.

Seeing Jaxon silent, Blaise could guess it had something to do with Ursula. He was fuming, his face turning a shade of stormy blue.

“I’m telling you, Mr. Quinn is livid because Star didn’t get the proper care in Portis City these past two years. All the trouble our company is facing now is because of Mr. Quinn’s rage.”

In other words, without Stella speaking up, this matter wouldn’t just blow over easily.

Jaxon snapped back to reality, his face also storm blue. “So what do we do? Are we supposed to grovel at her feet? When she first came back, didn’t we treat her well? It was her who kept stirring up trouble with Ursula.”

He recalled the epic showdown between Stella and Ursula two years ago. Even though they eventually stopped Stella from sending Ursula behind bars, she had nearly ruined Ursula’s life- almost left her crippled.

Thinking back to Stella’s attitude then, she had been like a wildcat.

Blaise spat out, “And you’re still talking about it? You’re driving me insane. You handle this mess.”

Thinking about how he nearly froze to death in Spring Hill today, and now dealing with Jaxon’s attitude, Blaise was on edge.

Jaxon’s expression darkened.

He had to handle it? How was he supposed to do that? Was he really expected to kneel before Stella? Could she even accept that?

…

Ronald brought Stella back, and by the time she was laid in bed, her temperature had stabilized.

With a touch of indulgence, Ronald stroked her forehead. “How are you feeling? Still hurting?”

Stella nodded with a pout, looking up at him. “It hurts.”

That area hurt especially bad.

She hadn’t expected Ronald, usually as gentle as a gentleman, to turn into a wild beast in bed. Her voice was hoarse from screaming and begging for mercy, but he was relentless.

Ronald chuckled softly, playfully pinching her nose. “If it hurts, then lie down and be good, okay?”

Seeing Stella’s uneasy expression, he indulged her further, pinching her cheek. “What’s on your mind?”

Stella looked up at him. “What if Mom finds out? Will she disown me?”

The thought alone made Stella feel utterly embarrassed. Waking up this morning, the person she dreaded facing the most was Ronald.

Having gotten past that hurdle, she now dreaded facing Mrs. Lugar the most. Oh, to think what expression she’d have, knowing her son had been ‘taken’ by Stella.

Considering her mother’s fierce reputation, Stella couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated.

“You don’t look scared at all.”

Ronald kissed her nose. “If she finds out, just say I forced you, alright?”

But eventually, she looked up at Ronald, her eyes full of stars. “I admire you.”

After saying that, he got up to tuck her in properly.

“Not leaving, just meeting someone. They should be here already.”

“Oh, then go ahead.”

Feeling feverish, Stella became somewhat dizzy and tired.

Ronald hadn’t been gone long before she started drifting off.

Then, Susanna’s call came in.

“Star, you won’t believe it. Even with the Quarry family pulling strings at the hospital, Ursula still got kicked out.”

Stella was surprised. “She actually got kicked out?”

Susanna confirmed, “Absolutely. The hospital was swarming with security. I saw Cloudia crying as she took Ursula out. I mean, with her health, she’s not going to last long out of the hospital, right?”

Stella asked, “Can’t she go to another hospital?”

If not that one, what about other hospitals?

Susanna sighed. “Please use your brain. With someone targeting Ursula to the extent that even Yorick can’t handle it, do you think any hospital in Portis City would dare take her in?”

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