Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 391 to 400) 

Chapter 391

Hull hung up the phone and bent down, reaching out his hand to Susanna.

Susanna looked at the hand extended toward her, letting out an awkward smile before placing her cold, small hand into his large palm.

Hull spread his legs slightly to pull Susanna up.

As she straightened herself, she realized the awful position they were in. She was practically kneeling between his legs! “Uh, I… I was being chased by some bad guys.”

She doubled if the explanation was plausible. Nevertheless, whether Hull believed it or not, it was an undeniable truth. Hull raised an eyebrow. “Again with the bad guys?”

Susanna swallowed unwittingly. With Hull’s reminder, she began to worry if the people at Portis City airport were indeed after her.

Given that situation, if they were aiming at her, no place would be safe for her.

Who exactly had her mom crossed? She was the CEO of Night-T Group, and yet her daughter now became a target.

Susanna’s lips twitched. “See, I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but…”

She didn’t need to finish her sentence because those people’s voices from outside the car cut through.

One of the men kicked a luggage cart in frustration. “Damn it, those two got away pretty quick.”

Susanna was about to get up, but hearing the men so close, she instinctively ducked again, ending up with her head resting awkwardly on Hull’s stomach, her arms propping against Hull’s thighs.

Hull was left speechless, and so was Susanna, feeling discomforted.

She clung tightly to Hull’s waist, daring not to get up. “L…-Let me hide for just a bit, please.”

It was downright misfortune. Never had she expected she’d counter such a thing in an era that represented peace.

Outside, she heard the men make a phone call. “Sorry boss, we lost those two.”

“What? Surround the airport?”

“Got it!”

Susanna went silent. Surrounding the airport? Whoever was after her had some serious power in Ferrowland. Her mother sent her to Ferrowland supposed to be for her safety and now it seemed like she was walking into a trap.

Susanna was done for. Sweating buckets, she turned her head nervously to look up at Hull, the rest of her face still pressed against him. “Why isn’t the car moving?”

Hasn’t the engine already been fired up? Why didn’t they just leave?

Hull answered, “You haven’t left the car.”

“Leave? No, I can’t get out of the car,” Susanna protested.

She heard them as they made the call – they were not leaving. They were going to surround the whole airport. If she stepped out, she’d be definitely captured.

“Aren’t you going to help me?” as she spoke, her grip on each side of his clothes deepened; there was no way she let go. Hull arched an eyebrow. “My help comes at a price.”

“You didn’t charge me back in Portis City when you saved me,” Susanna shot back, confused. Was he suggesting a fee for rescuing her?

Hull let out a low chuckle. “That was as a favor for Mr. Quinn. Now…”

He paused, lifting her chin with his long fingers, leaning in so close that their breaths mingled in the small space.

Hull had striking features, the kind that made even someone like Susanna, who usually couldn’t distinguish faces too well, notice him. Especially his deep-set eyes rendered an amorous sensation.

Despite the proximity, Susanna felt a chill run down her spine. She remembered how those eyes could turn icy and ruthless.

“What do you plan to offer me now?” Hull asked softly, his voice tinged with amusement.

Susanna’s eyes widened.

Offer him? What was she supposed to offer?

Chapter 392

“Money?”

In Portis City, she knew that giving Star’s brother some respect was a given. But now, what else could it be but money?

The man looked at her innocence and let out a mocking laugh.

“For your pocket money?”

Susanna’s eyelid twitched hard.

That was just plain rude… What did he mean by her pocket money? Sure, it was just a small amount to Mr. Quinn’s people.

“Then what are you after? My mom’s Night-T Group?”

Hull chuckled softly. “Night-T Group? That little company is your mother’s?”

Susanna was stunned.

Little company?

Who exactly was this man hanging around Star’s brother? The whole of Portis City praised Night-T Group as something remarkable, a business that a woman had built to such heights.

But to this man, it was just… a little company?

Outside, the sound of those thugs could be heard. “Check all the parked cars too. Don’t let any possibility get away.” “Got it, boss.”

Hearing that they were going to check parked cars, Susanna’s heart leapt into her throat.

She clutched Hull’s shirt tighter. “Drive, get us out of here. Staying here any longer could spell trouble.”

Susanna’s voice trembled with fear.

This year really was her unlucky year. Everything that could go wrong had decided to crash into her life. She was in a real pickle.

The man tightened his grip on her chin slightly, straightening up to peer outside. “There’s a lot of them.”

Susanna was already on edge, and hearing him say that made her even more frightened.

“Please, stop saying that. So tell me, what are you really after?

Whatever she could offer, she was willing to, as long as he got them out of this mess.

Hull uttered, You’re straightforward, aren’t you?”

Susanna exclaimed, “Just spill it already!”

Hull teasingly pinched her chin but didn’t keep her in suspense. He ordered the driver, “Drive.”

Finally, the car started.

But just as it did, the driver slammed the brakes. Hull was flung forward, with Susanna still precariously positioned between his legs.

The jolt sent her forehead crashing into his belt buckle, and with a loud thud, Susanna felt like her brain had been rattled loose.

“Ouch!”

Clutching her forehead, she winced in pain.

Hull’s eyes darkened. “What’s going on?”

“They want to check the car.”

Someone had approached the driver’s side, signaling for the window to be rolled down.

Hull instructed, “Open the window.”

“No,” Susanna blurted out without thinking.

“Hmm?”

“Drive, just… just speed through,” Susanna stammered.

With so many people looking for her, there was undoubtedly a web of trouble behind it. Letting them find her in Hull’s car would create a mess, now and in the future.

“You really scared of those people?” Hull asked.

Susanna replied, “For sure, someone like you who’s used to living on the edge wouldn’t be scared.”

She pitied herself, born into a sheltered life, never having witnessed such a scene. This was genuinely walking the fine line between life and death. It was a miracle she hadn’t collapsed yet.

“If you let the driver speed through, I’ll agree to any terms you have.”

Susanna assumed Hull hadn’t named his price because he hadn’t thought of it yet. No need to wait. They needed to get out of here, pronto.

Hull’s lips curled into a smile as if he had just won the prize he was aiming for.

Casually, he told the driver, “Drive.”

“Yes, sir.”

The driver nodded, flooring the gas pedal and charging forward.

The pursuers seemed caught off guard by their bold move. Realizing what was happening, they fired a few shots at their car!

Susanna relieved that the car was speeding away, tried to sit up from between Hull’s legs. But the sound of gunfire made her retreat again, and the space between his legs seemed even tighter.

In her panic, she ended up wedged in a rather… awkward position. You could imagine where she was stuck.

Chapter 393

Barely escaping the chaotic scene at the airport, Susanna found herself drenched in cold sweat, her breathing unsteady as she turned to Hull. “Can you let go of me now?”

Thinking of how exasperating the man’s moves were, she was certain he had been deliberately mischievous back there, practically squeezing her through the chaos.

Hull chuckled softly and released her, his grin playful, like he was teasing a kitten.

Susanna sat up beside him, her cheeks puffed with frustration, but she dared not voice her anger. After all, this man had just saved her.

She wasn’t one to be ungrateful. “So, now you can tell me, what do you want in return?”

“Your pocket money?”

Susanna was in shock. This Hull was a completely different person from the one at the airport.

Despite his teasing, she knew better than to let her guard down around him. She had seen how dangerous he could be, and surely she knew what kind of lion spoke peril when provoked.

Before she could say more, Hull’s phone buzzed.

“Speak,” he answered tersely. “Got it.” He hung up, and the playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious, almost ominous look.

He dialed another number and spoke into the phone, “Have Silas and Barnaby meet us at Coconut Bay. Bring the gear.” “Understood.”

Hull hung up and glanced at Susanna, his eyes devoid of the earlier amusement.

Susanna met his gaze, and a chill ran down her spine. That same look at the airport had silenced her.

Sensing the danger exuding from the man, she was sure the next destination wasn’t going to be a picnic.

“Uh, could you drop me off somewhere ahead?”

Images of the airport chaos replayed in her mind. She didn’t want to be caught in the middle of another scene like that. A sneer played on Hull’s lips as he cast a glance at her. “So scared?”

Susanna bristled. Who wouldn’t be scared?

“Well, I haven’t exactly been raised around this sort of scene.”

Sure, she’d handled the odd troublemaker before, but Hull’s world was far more complex and perilous than that. At the thought of her current predicament as well as the two scenes of mess at those airports in 24 hours, Susanna felt her body numb with fright.

“Where?”

“Huh?”

“Where to?” the man’s voice deepened, tinged with impatience.

“Crimson Mountain,” she quickly replied.

It was the safe haven her mother had arranged for her. But given how those people had tracked her to Ferrowland, she wasn’t sure how safe it was anymore.

As she pondered this, the car made a U-turn. Hull seemed intent on getting her to Crimson Mountain before proceeding to Coconut Bay.

Just then, Susanna’s phone rang.

It was Tania.

Crimson Mountain before proceeding

Susanna had been thinking to call her and ask how she was. Seeing her caller ID, she answered quickly. “Tania, are you okay?”

“Miss, where are you now? Are you safe?” Tania asked.

“I’m… safe,” Susanna glanced at Hull sitting near her as she said it, feeling less than assured.

Tania paused at her words. “You…”

“I’m safe,” Susanna insisted, cutting her off. As long as she wasn’t in the hands of those men, she was relatively safe. Upon hearing it, Tania sighed in relief.

“And you? Are you safe?” Susanna asked.

Tania replied, “I’m fine, but you can’t go to Crimson Mountain.”

“What?” Susanna exclaimed.

Tania explained, “Those people have reached Ferrowland. I suspect they’ve already identified the place your mom arranged for you. Crimson Mountain isn’t safe for you anymore.”

Susanna’s heart sank. “Then what should I do now?”

Now that Crimson Mountain was a no-go, where would she head then?

Tania responded, “Well, let me contact your mom first. For now, avoid checking into any hotels. I’ll get back to you.”

Checking into a hotel was out of the question; it would only expose her location.

“Huh? How long will that take?

Waiting for Tania to get back to her?

Susanna was worried about being left in the cold, quite literally, given the harsh weather in Ferrowland.

Tania answered, “I need to reach your mom first. Miss, the situation is urgent. I think you should…”

Chapter 394

Tania’s words were abruptly cut off by the sound of a phone clattering to the ground on the other end.

Susanna’s heart was in her throat as she listened. Before she could say anything, a raspy male voice came through the line. “That’s her. Bring her in.”

Susanna’s mind screamed. Tania was in trouble.

Cold sweat broke out on Susanna’s forehead. The man’s voice continued, “Are you Susanna Tucker?”

The dangerous undertone in his voice hit Susanna like a freight train, her hand shaking so violently that the phone slipped from her grasp and fell onto the car seat. Her mind was spinning, unable to process what was happening as panic set in.

“Susanna? Miss Susanna? Can you tell us where you are?”

Hull glanced at Susanna, who was visibly trembling. He leaned over, picked up the phone, glanced at the number, and placed it to his ear. His voice was like steel, “What does her location have to do with you?”

Hull’s voice carried an intimidating force that made the man on the other end pause.

“And who are you?”

“Hull Miguel,” Hull replied.

“Mr. Miguel?”

The man’s voice was now laced with shock and a hint of fear as he heard the name.

Hull’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you people?”

The line went dead before he could get an answer. Any attempt to call back only resulted in a disconnected tone. Clearly, the mere mention of Hull’s name had sent the caller into a panic.

Hull tossed the phone back to Susanna. With trembling hands, Susanna turned to Hull. “The airport. We need to find Tania.”

Tania had been with her mother for years, and with an eighty-year-old grandfather of Tania’s in the hospital, Susanna couldn’t afford anything to happen to her. The danger in the man’s voice had been unmistakable to Susanna.

Hull gave her a glance, saying nothing.

Meeting his intense gaze, Susanna cringed. She had momentarily forgotten that Hull was not someone she could command around.

“I……-I’m sorry.”

With Tania in trouble, and alone in Ferrowland, Susanna felt more cautious than ever.

Before Hull could respond, his phone rang. He answered with a curt, “Speak.”

“They’re about to dock? Got it.”

Hanging up, Hull commanded the driver callously, “Head to Coconut Bay.” “Right away.”

The driver, sweating slightly, quickly maneuvered the car in the opposite direction.

Hull called one of his men Enzo, who answered promptly. “Boss.”

“Are you all in position?”

“We’ll be there in three minutes.”

“Good, they’re docking soon.”

Enzo replied, “Understood.”

Hull ended the call and glanced at Susanna. “So, we’re skipping Crimson Mountain?”

Susanna gazed at him and nodded. She was tense, unable to comprehend the situation, feeling utterly lost and overwhelmed as if her entire world had been turned upside down.

Hull said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Susanna, her mind finally clearing a bit, remembered she needed to call Stella. After all, this was Stella’s hometown.

……

In the evening, over in Portis City, Ronald had the kitchen whip up some comfort food for Stella – creamy chicken and mushroom soup with a crunchy meat pie.

Stella devoured six pieces of meat pie and was eyeing a seventh when Ronald affectionately gazed at her. “Star.”

“C……-Can’t I have more?” Stella pleads, her eyes wide with longing. The meat pie was just too delicious and she desired more.

And there was also that eggplant casserole. The cook here was seriously talented.

Ronald chuckled. “The meat pie isn’t exactly small.”

Stella pouted. Each meat pie was the size of three buns, indeed quite a big size, but they were just so tasty.

“I’m still hungry.

Ronald with puppy eyes. She knew what he meant— that she was being gently reminded not to overeat at night.

Ronald reassured her, I’ll have the chef make them again for breakfast. How does that sound?”

Well, okay then.

Ronald’s gentle persuasion was enough to curb her insistence. Besides, she had already polished off six pieces and two bowls of soup.

Chapter 395

When Susanna called, Stella reluctantly tore her gaze away from the meat pie.

Answering the call, she couldn’t quite hide her irritation. “Susie.”

But Susanna was already in meltdown mode.

“Star, you’ve got to help me, please!”

Just hearing Stella’s voice on the line was enough to make Susanna’s pent-up emotions burst like a dam.

Stella’s eyelids twitched fiercely. “What’s going on?”

Susanna sniffled, “My mom, I don’t know who she’s ticked off this time, but those people are after me all the way to Ferrowland. They’re so aggressive, and they even took Tania.”

Stella exclaimed, “What?”

Susanna continued, “I think they were behind the chaos at Portis City Airport too. They’re here to catch me.”

The TV in the background was showing live coverage of the Portis City Airport incident. From the surveillance footage, things had gotten seriously out of hand – everything got smashed up. Those men didn’t seem to capture someone, more of to off them.

Stella glanced at the TV, then back at her phone. “Where are you right now?”

“I’m in Hull’s car.”

Stella looked astounded. Ronald glanced over at her, clearly having caught some of the conversation.

Stella, hearing Susanna was with Hull, couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

“In Hull’s car, huh? Well, that’s a relief.”

“But he’s even more dangerous, Star, you’ve got to help…”

The call ended abruptly before her words were finished, leaving Stella staring at her phone in disbelief.

Watching the already dark screen, dialed back, only to get a deadline. It wasn’t hard to guess who had ended the call.

Stella sucked in a breath, turning to Ronald. “Ronald, maybe you should give Hull a call?

“And say what?”

Stella remarked, “Just tell him not to scare Susie too much.

Poor Susie, she must be terrified.

Honestly, when Hull got serious, even Stella found him intimidating. Not to mention Susanna, who had never encountered someone like him. The guy exuded a natural aura of danger, even when he wasn’t trying to be scary.

Ronald set down his utensils, grabbed a napkin, and addressed indifferently, “Hull won’t harm her.”

“But Susie’s scared! You should call Hull and tell him to tone it down a bit.

Ronald’s long fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, as he glanced at Stella.

“Susanna is in Hull’s car?”

Stella nodded. “Tell him to drop her off at my villa.”

On second thought, taking her to the Quinn family estate might not be the best idea. Her private villa, with staff to look after, seemed like a better choice.

Ronald uttered, “Hull might not have time right now.”

Stella said, “What?”

“He’s on his way to intercept a shipment.”

He had just gotten the call – the Doyne family’s shipment was about to dock, and Hull’s attention would be entirely elsewhere.

Stella was like, “???”

Intercepting? Was he serious?

“Wouldn’t that overwhelm Susie?”

After two major scares in such dozens of hours, Susanna might just have a heart attack. And since Ronald mentioned what Hull was up to, the situation was bound to be intense. Susanna could very well faint from the shock.

Ronald remained silent.

Stella grew anxious. “Ronald, please, you’ve got to help Susie. She’s going to be so scared.”

Just then, Finley walked in from outside, catching Stella’s last plea.

Rain COM

Stella continued, “What are the odds? They actually ran into each other at the airport. And now Hull was dragging Susanna into this kind of situation. It was insane.

Finley stepped forward. “They really crossed paths?”

Seeing Finley, Stella felt a twitch of her lips, instinctively wanting to ignore him. However, Finley took a seat across from her.

He remarked, “I’ve got to say your friend is something. I bet with her kind of spunk, Hull might be the one in for a surprise.”

Chapter 396

Stella countered, “Oh, shut up, she just slipped, it was an accident.”

What the heck was with this? She really didn’t want to talk to Finley. He made her want to scream.

Finley kept on, “Ha, plenty of people have lost their footing around Hull, but I haven’t seen a woman yet who dared to actually take off…”

“Enough already.” Hearing Finley start to run his mouth again, Stella could feel a headache coming on. She really had zero desire of listening to him.

“You really have a knack for talking yourself into trouble,” Stella sighed.

Finley was caught off guard. He glanced at Ronald, who was looking a bit out of sorts, and wisely decided to zip it.

Stella addressed, “Ronald.”

“Okay, I’ll give Hull a ring.”

Finley was rendered speechless.

Of course, she was the princess around here, who else could get Ronald to jump like this?

Ronald took the phone and called Hull. It rang once, twice, but no answer. It went straight to voicemail.

Stella heard the dial tone fade out and felt her heart tighten.

Ronald commented, “Looks like things have already kicked off.”

Stella was in shock.

Oh no… This was bad. Susie had really tried her best, but time just wasn’t on their side. If only she had called sooner, maybe she could have pulled her out of this mess.

……

Meanwhile, Susanna was huddled under Hull’s legs, trembling. From the moment she got in the car, she hadn’t been able to move from her spot beneath him. Her hands were covering her head, eyes squeezed shut.

Outside, there were explosions and the constant rattle of gunfire. It was so intense it felt like her heart was going to stop. All she could do was silently pray.

“Dear God, please let me get through this.”

The past two days had been one trial after another, each more terrifying than the last.

The car was moving fast, jostling her about. The space under Hull’s legs was cramped, and she kept bumping against his calves.

The sound of an explosion made Susanna scream.

It felt like her eardrums would burst as if the chaos outside tear her apart at any moment. Fear, helplessness, terror…

This went on for over an hour before the car finally stopped.

A man’s voice came from outside the window. In a foreign accent, he said to Hull, “It’s all clear. I’ll take Silas to go over the inventory.”

Hull replied with a simple, “Okay.”

But even that brief response sounded dangerous to Susanna’s ears. She was scared out of her mind.

Back in Portis City, she had thought she had seen it all. But now? This was a whole new level of chaos, like a storm ready to swallow her whole.

Finally, the chaos settled. Susanna was still trembling.

Hull seemed to forget she was even there, pulling out his phone to call Ronald, casually crossing his legs.

“Ugh,” came a muffled groan from beneath him, making Hull pause.

He glanced down and spotted the shivering little bundle. It took him a moment to remember Susanna was there.

Ronald picked up on the other end. “Is it over?”

Hull responded, “Yeah, it’s done. The Doyne family was cautious, took a while.”

Ronald reminded, “Make sure everything is handled.”

“Understood,” Hull replied respectfully.

Just as he was about to hang up, Ronald asked, “Is Susanna with you?”

“Yeah, she’s under my legs.”

Back on Ronald’s side of the call, both Stella and Finley were at a loss for words.

Ronald had put the call on speaker as he asked about Susanna, and when Hull mentioned her whereabouts, Stella and Finley exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Chapter 397

Stella’s lips twitched slightly. She glanced at Finley, then at Ronald, as a million questions danced around in her head. What on earth was Hull talking about? Was it what she thought it was?

No way, that was way too fast! Was Susie okay with it? She had to be against it. And in such a situation, what did it all mean?

Stella’s imagination ran wild as she tried to piece it all together.

Finley let out a sharp breath.

“Hull, you’re really something. Did Ms. Tucker really gel you so riled up that you…”

“If you say one more word, I promise your mouth won’t make it to tomorrow without a bruise,” Hull’s cold threat cut through the phone before Finley could finish.

Finley was like, “!!!”

“Wait, Hull, what do you mean? Did Susie agree to this?” Stella asked urgently.

With her voice trailing off, Susanna’s tear-filled voice came through from the other end before Hull could answer.

“Star, Star, please, you have to save me. I didn’t come here willingly. I was so close to death… I’m terrified.”

Stella and Finley were shocked. Both turned to Ronald in alarm.

Stella was frantic. “Ronald, you heard that, right? Susie wasn’t willing.”

Finley added, “Hull’s a beast. He’s only met Ms. Tucker a few times, and now treating her like this.”

Sure, her actions at Mist Bay were a bit over the top. But Stella defended her, insisting it wasn’t intentional or with any malice.

Stella, for once, agreed with Finley, nodding. “Exactly, Susie shouldn’t be treated like this. Did you hear how she was crying on the phone?”

Her voice was full of terror, and anyone listening would think Hull really did something terrible.

Ronald rubbed his aching temples.

Stella clutched his arm and shook it gently. “Ronald.”

She was worried about Susie.

Ronald reassured her, “Don’t worry, Hull knows his limits.

Stella retorted, “If he does, why has she got scared like that?”

That didn’t sound like knowing one’s limits at all. Susie couldn’t stay with Hull; it would scare her half to death.

Finley nodded in agreement. “Right, she’s frightened out of her mind.”

Ronald shot Finley a look, and he turned away, hugging his bowl. “I’m just saying it like it is.”

Ronald gave him a swift kick. If Finley hadn’t dodged quickly, Ronald’s kick would have toppled him and his bowl to the floor.

Seeing Ronald lose his temper, Stella glanced at Finley. “Stop talking.”

His mouth was causing everyone headaches.

Finley was like, “Huh?” She herself was saying the same thing, blaming Hull was out of line!

Stella clung to Ronald’s arm. “Ronald, you have to help her.”

Susanna, that girl, seemed fearless in Portis City but had never faced something like this before.

Stella knew all too well how someone who’d never experienced such things could be completely overwhelmed when they first encountered them.

Back when she first saw Ronald kill people, it had left her shaken for a long time.

Ronald, cornered by her persistence, sighed. Considering how Susanna had looked out for Stella back in Portis City, he decided to give Hull another call.

Hull picked up. “Ronald.”

“Be gentle with her.”

Hull replied, “In that situation, how could I be gentle?”

His immediate response made Ronald feel like he was asking for the impossible.

Stella and Finley were left speechless.

Hull’s bluntness left them both puzzled. That situation? What kind of situation?

Stella gave Ronald a look, and he couldn’t take it anymore. “Just don’t scare her.”

Hull countered, “It’s not me scaring her.”

Stella stammered, “Then why is she… why is she…?” The rest of the words, “under you”, caught in her throat.

Chapter 398

Stella just couldn’t get a straight answer.

Hull quipped, “Star, you’re starting to sound like Finley with all those questions.”

Finley, caught in the crossfire, felt his temper rise.

Stella was exasperated. She just wanted to know how Susie is doing!

“Can I at least talk to Susie for a minute?”

Talking to Hull was getting her nowhere. Maybe Susanna herself could shed some light on the situation.

Ronald interjected, “Pass the phone to Susanna.”

Hull replied, “She’s already passed out.”

Stella was speechless. What on earth had happened to scare Susanna so badly?

Ronald exchanged a few more words with Hull before ending the call. The gist was to go easy on Susanna. Stella looked at Ronald with big, worried eyes. She couldn’t help but feel anxious about her friend.

Ronald gently tousled her hair. “Don’t worry. She was probably with Hull when they ran into the Doyne family.” During one of Hull’s missions, no less. It wasn’t hard to imagine how Susanna might have fainted from the shock.

Meanwhile, in the car, Susanna was curled up under Hull’s lap, refusing to budge no matter what happened. Hull’s large hand reached out to her. “Get up.”

Susanna’s eyes welled up with tears. She shook her head.

Hull’s expression darkened. “Do you plan on staying under my lap forever?” Susanna was horrified.

Hull grabbed her slender wrist, trying to pull her upright, but Susanna brought herself to move.

The car windows had been riddled with bullet holes. Sitting up felt anything but safe.

“I… I just want to stay right here.”

“Susanna,” Hull’s voice grew stern.

“I want to go back to Portis City! I want to go home!” she cried, desperation overwhelming her.

In a strange place, caught in such chaos, who wouldn’t feel like losing their mind? Right now, Susanna just wanted the comfort of home. At least when at home, she’d feel safer.

Hull chuckled softly. “Ms. Tucker, have you thought about how you ended up in Ferrowland in the first place?”

Susanna looked confused.

Hull continued, “If I had to guess, something must have happened in Portis City, right?”

Born and raised in Portis City, her sudden appearance in Ferrowland was suspicious. Especially with her mother being a formidable businesswoman amidst the cutthroat world of commerce.

Susanna had shown up in Ferrowland out of the blue, chased by people even at the airport. It was hard to believe she wasn’t fleeing from something.

Susanna’s breath hitched as she stared at Hull through her teary eyes.

Hull’s hand remained extended. “Get up. You’re safe now.”

“Are we really safe?” Susanna’s voice trembled.

Suddenly, it felt like nowhere was truly safe for her.

Hull wasn’t exactly skilled at comforting women. In fact, he found tears quite bothersome.

If Susanna hadn’t been Stella’s best friend, and if Ronald hadn’t instructed him to take care of her, he probably would have tossed this wailing woman out of the car by now.

“Alright, it’s not a big deal, no need to keep crying.”

Susanna uttered, “Not a big deal?”

Upon hearing Hull’s comments, Susanna felt her emotions break down, tears pouring down incessantly.

Hull’s head ached as he saw her sniffing and whining. “Alright, it is a huge deal, you’ve been startled by this. But we’re safe now.”

Susan still wasn’t convinced. Her recent hours had been under a hail of bullets. She couldn’t bring herself to trust Hull’s current assurances of safety or couldn’t even remember what safety felt like anymore.

At the sight of her Il in tears, Hull’s patience ran out. “If you cry one more time, I’m throwing you out right away.”

It worked like a charm. In an instant, Susanna fell silent.

And then she fainted.

Chapter 399

Hull watched as Susanna’s head tipped to the side, and suddenly her tear-streaked face was nestled right against his knee, leaving a damp spot on his jeans.

At that moment, he seriously considered kicking her out of the car.

“Women are such a hassle,” he grumbled, unable to hide his irritation.

He thought of Stella, who was also prone to tears, and wondered how Ronald managed to deal with it all.

Hull hoisted Susanna back onto the seat, noticing how disheveled her clothes were and his frustration only grew. He shrugged off his own jacket and draped it over her.

…

Over in Portis City, Stella had finally been coaxed into bed by Ronald.

The night was particularly cold in Portis City, with the warmth of the house sharply contrasting the snowy landscape outside.

Stella had been resisting, sitting on the window sill, but Ronald eventually carried her to bed.

“You won’t let me go out and play, and now I can’t even look outside?” she complained.

Stella loved the snow and absolutely adored it.

“You need to sleep more,” Ronald insisted. Both Finley and the female doctor had emphasized the importance of rest for her recovery.

Stella pouted. “But I slept so much during the day, I’m not tired now.”

“I know.”

Stella was puzzled. He knew? Then why is he making her go to bed?

Ronald’s eyes met Stella’s baffled ones as he gazed down, a sly grin spreading across his face. Stella recognized that smile and felt a wave of apprehension.

“No way, I’m not doing that.”

Ronald looked at her alarmed reaction and flicked her forehead lightly. “Silly girl, what are you imagining?”

Stella was confused. It was not what she thought? Then why did he smile at her like that? Terrifying!

Ronald, ever since they had crossed that line in their relationship, had become much bolder. To Stella, he used to seem like such a gentleman – kind and serene. Later on, Stella saw other sides of him, including a ruthlessly determined one.

Recently, she’d discovered just how far a gentleman’s charm could stretch.

Ronald placed her gently on the bed and turned to get some medication. “I’m just going to apply this for you.”

Stella groaned inwardly. Again with the medicine?

And you’ll need to take the pills once more.”

Stella protested, “I don’t want to. They were too bitter.”

Ronald glanced back with a softened smile. “How about I give you some orange-flavored candy afterward?”

Stella conceded, “Alright then.”

She loved orange candy, but Ronald was strict about sweets, only allowing her some as a reward for taking her medicine. Any other time, he’d warn her about cavities.

……

The atmosphere was unusually tense in the Larkin household ever since Ronald had ordered a crackdown. The once-opulent mansion now felt drained of its former grandeur.

Tegan’s visit earlier that day had left everyone on edge. Lola had overheard that Ursula’s medical bills were astronomical, over three million a week, and in a fit of fury, she seized Jaxon’s credit card and phone, demanding he transfer the money to her account.

Of course, Jaxon refused, and it had turned into a massive argument. Lola, cradling their child, perched herself precariously on the window ledge.

Jaxon, already weakened and unable to exert much physical strength, was frantic.

“What are you doing up there? Get the hell down right now!”

Lola yelled back, “I won’t! You have to transfer all the money to me today, or I’ll jump with the baby.”

More than three million! Cloudia had actually approached Jaxon to pool together money for Ursula’s treatment. Lola was stunned that Ursula seemed to wield such influence.

“Get down.”

Jaxon’s head pounded with stress. Despite his feelings towards Lola, he couldn’t ignore his responsibility for his son.

Cloudia, witnessing Lola’s stunt, was furious. “You won’t be happy until you tear this family apart, is that what you want? Get down this instant!”

Lola’s anger flared as she saw the irritated Cloudia. She shot back, “Me, tearing this family apart? What a joke. You must see Ursula’s true colors by now. Yet, you’re still bending over backward to help her?”

Even if Cloudia had been blind to Ursula’s nature before, the recent necklace incident should have been eye-opening. Yet, despite everything, Cloudia remained committed to helping Ursula.

“At this point, if you told me Ursula wasn’t your secret child, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Lola was incredulous at Cloudia’s selfless dedication. What foster mother would go to such lengths, nearly exerting the entire family’s resources, just for an adopted daughter?

Chapter 400

Cloudia was fuming, ready to tear into Lola. “You, you shut up, you bitch! Just watch me, I’ll…”

“Come on, come on, let’s just dance it out!”

“Enough!” Unable to bear it, Jaxon finally snapped.

The intense spat between Cloudia and Lola came to an abrupt halt.

Cloudia glared daggers at Lola, wishing nothing more than to rip her apart.

Lola, however, couldn’t care less. She perched herself on the window sill, waiting for an answer she wanted.

Jaxon looked at her, exasperated. “Get down from there.”

“Transfer all the money to my account. Only our son has the right to it. Who does Ursula think she is?”

Cloudia uttered, “You…”

But Lola cut her off, “If you’re willing to give in, that’s your call. But if you think you can make a move on Jaxon, you better ask my advice.”

“Are you… Are you really here to turn our family upside down? Did Stella send you? How much did she pay you?” Cloudia was beside herself with rage.

Just thinking about how Stella had recently thrown the Larkin family into chaos made Cloudia suspect Lola was her plant. Stella wasn’t going to let the Larkin family find peace.

Lola laughed scornfully. “With a mom like you, she must feel cursed. No wonder she made a public spectacle of ending her ties with you. Who needs a mom like that?”

Jaxon groaned, “Lola, that’s enough.”

Mentioning Stella’s break from the family was a sore spot for Jaxon, a headache he wished would go away.

Initially, he thought Stella was just acting out, trying to grab attention because everyone was siding with Ursula. But the more the situation unraveled, the more he realized how laughable the Larkin family’s predicament was.

Lola pressed on, “Enough? I’ll say my piece. Jaxon’s money is for our son and no one else gets a cent unless we are dead and gone.”

“Fine, fine, it’s all yours. Happy now?” Jaxon finally gave in, unable to withstand the noise any longer.

Cloudia called out, “Jaxon!”

The panic in her voice was evident.

Lola, seeing Cloudia wasn’t giving up, quickly jumped off the window sill, holding her son, and shoved Cloudia out of the room before locking the door.

Cloudia, caught off guard, found herself out, fuming and pounding on the door.

“Lola, open this door! Open the door!”

Inside, Lola looked at Jaxon. “You mean what you said, right?”

Jaxon shot back, “Did you crawl into my bed back then just for the money?

Lola hesitated, the tension thick in the air. She swallowed hard, meeting Jaxon’s gaze. “You’re rich and handsome, Jaxon, but let me tell you, either it being you or other men, I won’t accept having a foster sister like her around.”

She was straightforward, her stance unwavering.

“If it were just us, maybe. But we have a son now. Your parents are one thing, but some unrelated person shouldn’t be cutting into my son’s future. Don’t you agree?”

Her words were sharp, clear as day. She might have been after Jaxon once, but now, with a child to raise, money was the priority. What else could she rely on with the Larkin family?

……

Meanwhile, over in Mist Bay, Stella was half-asleep when her phone started buzzing incessantly with notifications.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom – Ronald was taking a shower, that rascal.

Stella grabbed the phone and took a glance. It was from Susanna, a mix of voice notes and a video.

She opened the video to see a woman sitting on a window sill. Recognizing it as the Larkin family estate, she realized the figure was Lola.

Stella was taken aback. What on earth was going on now?

She played Susanna’s voice notes. “Star, the Larkin family is in shambles, with no peace in sight. Did you see it? I don’t know what Lola’s up to, but it looks like she’s holding a child.”

Listening to Susanna, Stella zoomed in on the video, spotting a child’s small foot peeking from Lola’s embrace.

It was Jaxon’s room. Was Lola causing a scene with him?

Wait a minute… wasn’t Susanna just crying to her on the phone? And now she’d got the energy to watch this drama unfold?

Stella thought about calling Susanna directly, but just then, the bathroom door swung open. Ronald came out wrapped in a towel and seeing him made Stella’s cheeks flush.

Putting the phone aside, she quickly hid under the covers.

Ronald chuckled at her antics. “What are you hiding for?”

“You rascal, I’m not speaking to you anymore.”

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