Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 401 to 410)

Chapter 401

Ronald pulled the blanket off Stella’s head and playfully pinched her cheek.

Stella looked at him with a pout. “Didn’t the doctor say I should…”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are you…”

Stella trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. Ronald hadn’t really done anything, but the way he looked at her like he could devour her at any moment, was enough to make her nervous.

Before, there had been this unspoken tension between them, and she had all kinds of expectations, even a sort of uncertainty about the future. But now that they were together, Stella realized just how wild Ronald could be.

“What are you thinking about?” Ronald asked.

“Just thinking that you’re really bad,” Stella huffed.

“Oh, but you like it,” Ronald chuckled softly.

Stella was taken aback. This guy! When a gentleman started to lose his shame, he was even harder to handle. She found herself a bit at a loss with Ronald acting this way.

Just as they were about to continue their banter, Ronald’s phone buzzed. It was Idris calling.

Ronald answered with a curt, “Speak.”

“He’s shown up, sir.”

The mere mention of “he” made Ronald’s demeanor shift from gentle to sharply focused. He ended the call with a simple “Alright” before turning back to Stella. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

“Stay put and sleep. I’ll be back soon.”

“You’re going out?” Stella asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be back in two hours.

At the moment, the way how he reassured her, like a husband informing wife of his whereabouts made Stella feel warm inside.

With that, Ronald left.

Alone, Stella’s phone started buzzing. It was Susanna on the line.

Stella picked up. “Susie, you still have the energy to keep up with the drama?”

With so much happening in such a short time, Stella thought Susanna would’ve been overwhelmed. Hull had mentioned Susanna fainting from all the excitement, yet here she was, calling from Ferrowland, eager to hear about the chaos in Portis City.

“Oh, I’m about to lose my mind over here! I need some juicy gossip to calm my nerves,” Susanna replied. “Let’s not talk about all those troubles around me. Come on, talk about some juicy stuff, shall we?”

Alright. It was nice that Susanna could adjust her state by gossiping.

“You wouldn’t believe how terrifying Hull is. I mean, really… Let’s not talk about him, or I might faint again.”

At the mere thought of Hull involving her in the drastic scene, Susanna would shiver. In brief, it was horrifying.

Stella comforted in a gentle tone, “Okay okay, no more talk about him then.”

After learning from Ronald that Hull had brought Susanna into the intense situation with the Doyne family, Stella understood it was probably a lot scarier than the chaos at Portis City airport.

Still, Stella admired Susanna. She was capable of managing herself even after the collapse out of dread, which spoke volumes for her resilience.

“Hey, did you hear about Lola taking on the entire Larkin family? She’s quite something else,” Susanna shifted the conversation.

“Yeah, she’s really something,” Stella agreed.

The entire Larkin family sided with Ursula, while Lola was going head-to-head with them because of it, which was like a one-woman crusade.

Susanna laughed, clearly entertained. “Man, I kind of admire her guts, what do you think is the reason she pulled the stunt today? Even dragging her kid into it is.

I’m not approving of her making the scene with the baby. But with the Larkins, sometimes you have to go big or go home.

In my opinion, they’re bullies who back down when someone stands up to them. Lola’s really giving them a run for their money, look how the Larkins have become right now, a general turmoil.”

Talking about the Larkin family always got Susanna worked up. Even though Stella hadn’t been suffering when with them, they still got comeuppance. After she managed to extricate herself from that mess, the Larkins still were in extreme misery. It was karma at its finest.

Everything was better now. Watching Lola tear through the Larkin family with such ferocity, Susanna couldn’t help but feel a little triumphant.

Chapter 402

Stella listened to the hint of schadenfreude in Susanna’s voice and thought for a moment before saying, “Probably because of the millions in medical bills.”

Susanna exclaimed, “Millions? For medical bills?”

Was that for real?

“Did they find a way to save Ursula? Oh dear, please don’t let her get a chance to survive.”

Someone like Ursula deserved to be tormented and meet her end in agony.

Stella replied, “Sort of.”

Susanna addressed, “Oh? They actually found something?” Her voice was tinged with disappointment.

Stella continued, “But finding it is pretty much the same as not finding it. It’s just a glimmer of hope.” And what awaited them was an even bigger despair.

Susanna urged, “Spill it clearly, and all at once, don’t keep me on this emotional rollercoaster. My heart can’t take it.”

Seeing how eager Susanna was, Stella couldn’t help but chuckle, “Tegan came back home. She went to visit the Larkin family and take a look at Ursula.”

“Wait, why did she visit Ursula? What actually happened during my absence? Why would Tegan want to see Ursula?” Susanna was getting worked up, even a bit angry.

The Larkin family had been backed into a corner lately, with no way in or out. They couldn’t get into the hospital, and doctors wouldn’t visit them either.

In Susanna’s eyes, this was karma for the Larkin family, and they deserved it. But now Stella was saying Tegan went to check Ursula?

Susanna wasn’t happy about it.

Stella realized Susanna misunderstood and explained everything that happened. “Why are you getting upset? Do you really think Tegan needs their little bit of medical money?”

Then she explained the whole situation. Basically, Tegan didn’t want to go, but Stella, feeling a bit bored, convinced her to make the trip. And Tegan’s visit actually gave the Larkin family a shred of hope, but it came with a staggering price tag.

When Susanna heard about the pills costing five hundred thousand each, to be taken over a week, she was utterly stunned!

What kind of medicine costs that much?

“3.5 million? What on earth did Tegan say about a drug that expensive? Who can afford that?”

Stella shrugged, “I don’t know what kind of drug it is, but she said it’s real.”

Susanna was incredulous. Does it actually exist?

“Is she pulling the Larkin family’s leg?”

Even if such a drug existed, it couldn’t possibly be that outrageously expensive, she presumed.

Stella replied, “I don’t know if she’s bluffing, but with the way Lola is acting, the Larkin family probably believes it.” Susanna took a sharp breath.

“How did we not notice Tegan could fool people like this? Does the Larkin family even have 3.5 million to treat Ursula?”

The Larkin family had been trapped with no way to survive or even find a way out.

Ronald’s directive had effectively blocked every path for the Larkin Group, pushing it to the brink of bankruptcy.

Maybe Blaise sensed something was wrong and siphoned off some funds, but it surely wasn’t enough to treat Ursula. He had another family to support outside.

Stella mused, “If they had that kind of money, the Larkin family wouldn’t be in this mess, right?”

Susanna agreed, “True. With Lola raising such a ruckus, Cloudia is probably trying to grab whatever money Jaxon has.”

They were just trying to gather whatever they could. This was truly a case of sacrificing everything to save Ursula. What a touching family-committed story.

Stella added, “So that’s probably why Lola is causing such a stir.”

Susanna replied, “Alright.”

Good for her. They had underestimated Lola before, thinking she couldn’t fight back. After all, the Larkin family had always been united. Even Stella, who was related by blood, had been marginalized by them, let alone Lola, an outsider.

Stella said, “Alright, enough about the Larkin family. Where are you right now? Do you need me to send someone to pick you up?”

“You can’t pick me up.”

Stella responded, “Huh?”

Susanna explained, “I’m at Hull’s villa. He won’t let me leave.”

Stella was shocked.

Hull didn’t allow her to leave? What did that mean?

Stella, who usually wasn’t very curious, found herself intrigued. “Girl, spill the beans. What’s going on?”

How long had it been? Susanna and Hull’s relationship seemed to be getting more and more baffling.

Chapter 403

Susanna sighed, “He says I’m a walking disaster, a danger magnet.”

Stella’s lips twitched. “He actually said that to you?”

Talking to a girl like that just wasn’t right. Besides, Susanna wasn’t the kind to take things lying down. If Hull said something like that, wouldn’t she usually snap back at him?

Wait, maybe she didn’t dare. After all, Susanna was afraid of Hull right now.

Susanna continued, “He’s not entirely wrong though.”

It was like everywhere she went, she became a target, and there was nowhere she felt safe.

Hearing the sudden sadness in Susanna’s voice, Stella wanted to offer some comfort. But before she could say anything, Susanna spoke again, “Star, I can’t reach my mom, and Tania’s gone too. I have no idea what’s happening. All I know is that a lot of people are after me.”

Stella’s eyes widened. The little princess’s peaceful world had crumbled.

Susanna sighed, “Hull’s right. I’m nothing but trouble right now, aren’t I?”

Stella consoled her, “Don’t say that about yourself. Whatever’s going on with your mom, I’ll have my brother look into it. If you don’t want to stay with Hull, I’ll have him send someone to get you.”

“Star…”

Stella pressed, “Do you agree or not?”

“Yes,” Susanna replied without a second thought.

Even though she knew she was a burden, staying with Hull was too much for her heart to handle.

Stella chuckled softly. “See, that’s more like it.”

“Am I creating too much trouble for you?”

Considering Stella was just Lottie’s adopted daughter, Susanna worried she might be causing tension with the Quinn family.

Stella reassured her, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.

Understanding Susanna’s concerns, Stella spoke confidently. They chatted a bit more before hanging up, and Stella planned to inform Ronald as soon as he returned. She would have him arrange for Susanna’s safe stay at her villa. Poor Susie, it must have been terrifying for her.

……

On the other end, Susanna had kept it together while talking to Stella, but now, alone in her room, her face was pale.

Clearly, she was still in shock. She tried to distract herself by scrolling through her phone, but the loud gunshots echoed

in her mind. The more those sounds played in her head, the more she trembled.

She was scared. She hadn’t wanted to burden Stella, but her fear of Hull was overwhelming. Desperately, she kept trying to reach her mom, Lacey, and Tania, but neither answered.

Eventually, the stress became too much, and Susanna succumbed to a fever.

As Hull and Enzo stepped out of the study, Hull paused near Susanna’s room. He instructed Enzo and Silas, “Keep a close watch on the Doyne family’s movements.”

They nodded. “Understood.”

The Doyne family knew they were behind recent events, and if they wanted revenge, there would likely be consequences. Seeing Hull didn’t intend to go downstairs, Enzo and the others left.

Downstairs, Barnaby, who had been silent, turned to Enzo. “Is the person the boss brought back a woman?”

Enzo rolled his eyes. “Are you blind? With hair that long, do you think it’s a man?”

Barnaby was speechless. Enzo tossed the comment over his shoulder as he walked off.

Silas patted Barnaby’s shoulder and warned, “Focus on work, less on gossip.”

“But aren’t you curious?”

“Curious? Sure.

I’m not suicidal.”

Chapter 404

Barnaby was baffled.

Silas saw the confused look on Barnaby’s face and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You know Dr. Yoder who’s always around the boss, right?”

Barnaby’s expression turned dark immediately.

“Of course, who doesn’t know him? That guy’s got no filter. His words cut like a butcher’s knife.”

Many of them had been verbally attacked by Finley. If the boss was around and Finley was there too, it was best to keep

their distance. Otherwise, they’d find themselves caught up in something before they even realized it.

Silas nodded in agreement. “Yeah, his curiosity gets the better of him. His mind can’t catch up with his mouth.” Barnaby was at a loss for words.

Silas continued, “So, don’t be curious!”

Curiosity always leads to trouble when one’s mouth is faster than their brain.

Silas walked off, while Barnaby scratched his head, still intrigued by the woman Hull had brought back. He quickly caught up with Silas. “The boss has always been a look-but-don’t-touch kinda guy. Do you think things have got better in there now?”

Silas paused, his heart lurching. His hand instinctively flew to clamp over Barnaby’s mouth, eyes contracted as he glanced at him.

He dragged Barnaby towards the car.

“Goodness, Barnaby! Are you trying to pull a Dr. Yoder here? Let me remind you, Dr. Yoder almost ended up swimming with the fishes thanks to our boss.”

Silas made a mental note to keep a safe distance from Barnaby in the future. There were plenty of gossipers around, but Barnaby seemed to have a talent for picking the most dangerous topics to chatter about.

……

Up on the second floor of the villa, Susanna lay sprawled on the bed, half-conscious. In her hazy state, she thought she heard someone ranting nearby.

Something cool brushed against her lips. Parched as she was, like a blessing sent from above, and she drank eagerly.

Hull observed Susanna’s flushed face, her fever clearly raging. He administered some fever-reducing medication, followed by a few sips of water.

Once she swallowed the pill, Hull attempted to retrieve the glass from her grip, only to find her clinging tightly to his arm. She seemed desperately thirsty.

His expression turned stormy. He barely controlled his urge to throw the weak woman out.

“Spoiled princess can’t handle a breeze, can you?”

If she fell into certain hands, who knew what kind of suffering she’d endure.

After ensuring she’d drunk the entire glass, Hull thought she’d let go of his arm and hence, tried to pull away, but Susanna only held on tighter. Her delicate brows furrowed, and she mumbled softly, “Mom, Mom…”

Hull’s face darkened further. Who was she calling “Mom”?

“Open your eyes and look at me.”

He grasped her feverish chin, trying to force her to open her eyes, but she was too far gone to respond.

The proximity was unnerving; he could feel the heat of her breath against his skin.

Suddenly, the phone buzzed. Fishing it out, he saw it was Susanna’s, displaying an unfamiliar number.

Hull answered it, and before he could speak, a cold, threatening voice crackled through the line. “Ms. Tucker, hand over the items. If you don’t, then…”

The voice paused and then went on chillingly. “Then, you’ll find no safe haven in this world. Everyone around you will suffer for your choices.”

Hull’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that a threat?”

The voice on the other end demanded, “Who are you?”

“Didn’t they tell you today? Hull Miguel.”

Silence followed, and then the unmistakable sound of the line disconnecting.

Whoever was on the other end clearly hadn’t expected to hear Hull’s name and hung up immediately. But those few exchanged words were enough to paint a picture of the perilous situation Susanna found herself in.

Note: I didn’t edit the word FISHES, I know we are taught in Elementary that the plural of Fish is Fish, however, Fish can be used if it’s a school of Fish, and Fishes is used when there are more than one type of fish.

Chapter 405

At Mist Bay.

Ronald said he’d be back in two hours, and true to his word, he was.

Stella was fighting off sleep, but the thought of Susanna and her current situation kept her awake.

So when Ronald returned, she was still waiting.

As he shrugged off his coat, he stepped forward. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Waiting for you,” Stella mumbled.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

He could tell just by looking at her that something was on her mind. Normally, she loved her sleep too much to stay up this late without a reason.

“It’s about Susie,” Stella said. “Ronald, Susie is really scared of Hull. You might need to send someone over to get her.”

“Did she tell you that she’s scared?” Ronald asked.

Stella nodded. “Yeah, she did.”

Since Susanna had reached out, Stella felt it was her responsibility to help. After all, Susanna was one of the few genuine friends she had. When the whole Larkin family drama went down, Susanna was right there with her, leading the charge.

Ronald answered, “I’ll give Hull a call.”

With that, he pulled out his phone.

Why send someone else when he could just have Hull bring Susanna over to Stella’s place? Besides, Hull was a lone wolf kind of guy. He probably wouldn’t like having someone like Susanna around all the time.

The phone rang only a few times before Hull answered. “Ronald.”

“How’s Susanna doing?”

“She’s fine.”

“Is she scared of you?”

There was a pause.

Stella cringed. Seriously? Could Ronald be any more blunt? Susanna was still there with Hull, after all. Wasn’t there a more tactful way to put it?

“What’s she not afraid of? Hull finally replied.

Ronald continued, “If she doesn’t want to stay with you, just take her over to Stella’s place by Crimson Mountain.”

Crimson Mountain was where Stella had a small estate. It was a sprawling area with three estates, one of which belonged to Stella.

“She can’t go to Crimson Mountain right now,” Hull said.

“Why not?”

“Someone’s after her. Unless we send her to the Quinn family estate, nowhere else is safe.”

“That could work,” Stella said, looking at Ronald with pleading eyes.

“Then take her there,” Ronald agreed.

“Can’t do that either.”

“Why not?” Ronald asked again. Was there anywhere Susanna could go?

“We need to figure out who’s behind this. I think it’s a setup, maybe even aimed at…”

Hull didn’t finish his sentence, but Ronald and Stella got the message.

“No way Susie would be involved in something like that,” Stella said without hesitation.

“She wouldn’t, but the people behind her might be.”

Stella felt a chill. What now?

Ronald asked, “What’s your plan?”

“Let’s keep her here for now. I’ll look into it.”

Stella was silent. But Susie was scared of Hull. She kept giving Ronald pleading looks, but this time he wasn’t swayed. “Alright, it’s in your hands,” he said to Hull.

Stella sighed. So much for sisterhood.

After hanging up, Ronald noticed Stella’s glum expression. “What’s bothering you?”

“Susie wouldn’t do anything like that,” Stella insisted.

“True, but we can’t be sure about the people chasing her.”

“But she’s terrified of Hull,” Stella said, her heart aching at the memory of Susanna’s fearful voice on the phone.

Ronald gently ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry, Hull won’t eat her alive.”

Stella couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Sure, Hull wouldn’t literally eat her, but he might just scare her to death.

“She might give you a call tomorrow.”

Okay, then.

With that assurance, Stella let it go for the night. It was late, and they’d talk more when Susanna called.

That night, Stella clung to Ronald tightly without letting go.

Why did she hold on so tightly?

Because she was scared too.

Chapter 406

Stella snuggled comfortably into Ronald’s warm embrace, finally closing her eyes. Clinging to him felt a lot safer than keeping her distance.

Ronald chuckled softly, sensing her thoughts. “Star.”

“Don’t talk. I’m really tired.”

Ronald’s unfinished words were held back by Stella’s interjection. She had no interest in hearing another word from Ronald, especially at bedtime. Their conversations had a tendency to veer off into unpredictable territory.

Meanwhile, miles away in Ferrowland, Susanna was burning up with fever. Hull, out of options, called Enzo to get a doctor over.

It was 2 a.m. when Enzo received the call. He was at a local bar, sharing a drink with Barnaby and Silas.

“Now?”

“If not, she’s going to end up like a roasted turkey,” Hull grumbled, clearly frustrated from tending to Susanna. Enzo, sensing Hull’s irritation, felt his heart lurched and dared not press further. “Alright, right away.” He hung up and immediately called the team doctor, urging him to get to Hull’s villa pronto.

After making the call, Enzo realized something was off. “I need to head over to the boss’s place.”

Barnaby wondered, “You’re sending the doc over? Did the boss… with that woman?”

Silas clamped a hand over his mouth, preventing him from uttering more.

Everyone knew Enzo couldn’t keep a secret to save his life. If this got back to the boss, Barnaby would be in hot water. Silas forced a laugh as he gazed at Enzo. “He’s had too much to drink. You go ahead.”

Without another word, Enzo hurried out.

Once he was gone, Silas released Barnaby and gave him a light smack on the back of his head. “Have you lost your mind?

If you’re drunk, just puke it out. Don’t let it affect your brain and spout nonsense.”

Barnaby protested, “We barely drank anything!”

“Then why are you blabbering nonsense?”

“I didn’t even say anything bad!” Barnaby retorted.

Silas continued, “You didn’t say it, but if had, you wouldn’t be saying anything for the rest of your life.”

No wonder his boss used to keep Barnaby and Finley apart. Put them together, and chaos was bound to ensue.

……

Back at the villa, Susanna clung to Hull’s arm, delirious with fever and mumbling “Mom” under her breath.

Hull felt his head aching; he was already exhausted, having spent the day negotiating with the Doyne family. The last thing he wanted was to nurse a feverish woman. Such a task that required an attentive mind, he had never done it before.

“I should throw you at the Quinn family estate.”

Either way, she’d be safer there.

The doctor arrived soon after with Enzo. Seeing Susanna’s high fever, he quickly administered an injection and then turned to Hull. “Her fever’s quite high. We need to apply some physical cooling.”

“And what’s that?”

“Using lukewarm water to wipe her down,” the doctor explained.

Hull and Enzo were left speechless. They exchanged a glance and then looked back at the doctor. The room was full of men. Who was going to do it?

Enzo hesitated, “Uh, Silas and the guys are still at the bar. I should go pick them up.”

He was already regretting coming here. Considering he had no idea what Susanna meant to Hull, he should definitely not get involved.

Another thought, for someone who could have their boss personally escort her, she surely wasn’t an ordinary person, and in that case, there would be no reason for Enzo to stay.

But just as Enzo was about to leave, Hull’s icy voice stopped him. “Hold it.”

Enzo tensed, turning back. “Yes, boss?”

“Find a maid.”

Enzo uttered, “Right now? All the housekeeping services are closed. It’d have to wait till morning.”

There was another option.

“We could borrow someone from your family, but that’d alert Mrs. Hull.”

If she finds out, she’d definitely ask questions, and that would take time too.

Hull’s eyes narrowed. “So what’s your suggestion?”

Enzo shrugged, “You do it.”

There was no way he or the doctor were going to take that risk. It wasn’t their woman, and doing so could be downright dangerous.

Chapter 407

Enzo and the doctor left one after the other.

Susanna was still burning up with fever, her cheeks flushed crimson. The doctor mentioned that combining medication with some physical cooling would help bring her temperature down faster.

At that moment, Susanna wasn’t doing too well, even babbling incoherently from the fever.

In the end, Hull had no choice but to fill a basin with water and strip Susanna down. He wasn’t exactly a gentle guy, nor had he ever done anything this delicate before.

“What a hassle.”

At that moment, Hull thought Susanna was quite the handful.

In his mind, if it weren’t for Ronald and Stella, he wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.

The doctor was right, though. The physical cooling worked quickly, and soon Susanna’s temperature started to drop.

Hull, however, was done dealing with her. He didn’t even bother dressing her back up, just pulled the blanket over her and left.

The next morning when Susanna woke up and realized she was stark naked under the blanket, she was utterly flabbergasted.

What followed was a high-pitched scream that could have scared the bejesus out of the birds outside.

Stella was groggily woken by the vibrating phone, her eyes half-open as she searched for it.

Ronald was already out of bed.

Stella found it under the bed and saw that Susanna was calling. She answered quickly, “Susie.”

Just as she picked up, Ronald walked back into the room.

Stella glanced at him briefly before Susanna burst into tears on the other end of the line.

Stella asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“I… I think something happened to me,” Susanna sobbed.

Stella was numbed. “What? you need me to call the police?”

Stella was still half asleep, and as soon as she said it, she realized it didn’t quite sound right.       

Wait a minute… she remembered…

“Aren’t you with Hull?”

If anything happened at Susanna’s place, Stella thought being with Hull would be the safest option. Susanna replied, “Yeah.”

“Then what happened?”

Susanna cried, “My clothes are gone.”

Stella was shocked. Something suddenly dawned on her.

Even after facing all sorts of chaos alongside Ronald, Stella was completely stunned by Susanna’s revelation.

Five seconds passed, and finally, as Susanna continued to cry, Stella snapped back to reality. But Susanna’s explosive statement left her at a loss for words.

“What do you mean?”

Susanna said, “I don’t know. I have no idea what happened. I’m completely naked right now.”

Stella was speechless.

A woman ending up naked with a man… that definitely sounded like something happened.

Jeez…

Stella said, “You guys moved pretty fast, huh?”

Compared to her and Ronald, Susanna, and Hull hadn’t even seen each other that many times. It was indeed quick. Susanna whimpered, “B-but, Star…”

“Don’t cry. Maybe there’s a misunderstanding. Try to stay calm.” Stella intended to comfort Susanna, but as she said it, she realized she wasn’t very convincing.

Susanna replied, “Star, you’re telling me to stay calm? How can I be calm? I just can’t.” “Yes, I understand.”

“I don’t know what happened, or who took my clothes off. I…”

Stella interrupted… I don’t think Hull is like that. It’s definitely not him.”

“Are you defending him?”

“No, I’m not.”

Susanna cried, “Star, I’m supposed to be your closest friend, and you’re taking his side.”

On the other end of the line, Susanna was having a full-blown meltdown.

Chapter 408

Susanna kept on, “I might just have a serious reputation loss here, ah… and you’re siding with him? I can’t believe you’re on his side.”

“I’m not!” Stella’s mind went totally blank as she listened to Susanna’s breakdown.

Susanna wailed, “Ugh, what kind of mess have I gotten myself into? My life’s falling apart, and now this…”

Stella exclaimed, “He’s totally impotent!”

In her panic, Stella interrupted Susanna.

The word “impotent” hung in the air, causing an immediate silence on the line.

Ronald, who was sitting on the couch preparing some medication for her, glanced up at her upon hearing it, eyes wide with astonishment.

Even Susanna stopped crying. “Stella, wh…-what did you just say?”

Susanna felt like she must have misheard. How else could she have heard such earth-shattering words?

Through Susanna’s whining, Stella suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing the gravity of what she had just blurted out.

Yes, she had previously discussed with her sister Yvonne whether Hull was really impotent or not. But they had always whispered about it, never daring to discuss it openly.

Apart from their private discussions, no one else knew about this because they were well aware that if Hull ever got wind of it, they’d be in big trouble.

If Susanna hadn’t been so upset, Stella, who was not one to gossip behind people’s backs, would never have said such a thing.

And now, she regretted it deeply. She dreaded the possibility of this reaching Hull’s ears.

Stella took a chill breath. “Uh, you absolutely can’t tell Hull I said that.”

“What did you just say, Susanna insisted on asking.

Stella answered, “He might be… impotent.”

This time she added a “might”, lacing her words with uncertainty. After all, no one had seen it firsthand, so who really knew what Hull was like?

Susanna gasped, and even through the phone, Stella could sense her reaction.

“What makes you say that?”

Stella replied, “Well, he just looks at those gorgeous women and never makes a move. I’ve never seen him actually do anything.

As she said this, she could feel Ronald’s eyes on her, which made her even more uneasy.

Susanna questioned, “How do you know he never made a move?”

Stella responded, “Everyone knows it!”

It was not just her; Yvonne knew it pretty well, and everyone around Hull knew it too. He was like an art collector who never touched the masterpieces.

Susanna was astounded.

Just watching, never making a move?

“Maybe those women aren’t his type? Not beautiful enough?”

Stella denied, “No way, they are all tall, slim, and way more stunning than you.”

Susanna was speechless.

Stella went on, “So whatever you think he did to you, I doubt it.”

“Are you saying I’m not pretty enough?”

Stella explained, “Hey, I’m just saying those women are drop-dead gorgeous.”

Those women had figures neither she nor Susanna could compete with.

Susanna took a cold breath on the other end, and her crying and despair seemed to subside. After thinking for a moment, she said, “So it seems like he really might have an issue in that department.”

As soon as she said it, the door swung open, and there stood Hull, his eyes darkening as if he was ready to devour someone alive.

Susanna met his terrifying gaze, her hand shaking so much she dropped the phone onto the bed. She swallowed hard.

Seriously? Did he hear that? Wait, she didn’t really say anything. She hoped she hadn’t said anything.

Chapter 409

Over in Mist Bay, Stella was chatting away with Susanna when suddenly the line went dead. She tried calling back, but there was no answer. Twice more she tried, and twice more she got nothing.

Ronald stepped up, smoothly taking the phone from her hand and popping a pill into her mouth. “This is your pre-meal medication.”

“Ugh!”

It was bitter. Seriously, where did Ronald find these doctors who prescribed the most god-awful-tasting pills?

Stella’s face scrunched up in protest.

Ronald handed her a glass of water, and she hurried to swallow the pill. No sooner had she done so than he pressed a piece of candy into her mouth. The sweet burst of orange filled her senses, offering some relief.

“Better?”

“Yeah, sweet.”

Ronald tousled her hair. “Spreading rumors about Hull, huh? You’ve got guts.”

Stella’s cheeks flushed. “We were just speculating.”

Yvonne had mentioned it before, and Stella couldn’t help but think it was a bit odd – why did Hull always look at them and never make a move?

“You and who?”

“Yvonne.”

Ronald was left speechless.

Stella promptly slapped a hand over her mouth. If Hull caught wind of this, she and Yvonne would be toast.

Ronald brought a coat and helped her to wear it; he remarked, “You’ve been spending too much time with Finley.”

Stella gasped. That wasn’t fair! Finley would say things to your face and behind your back. She only gossiped behind backs – though she realized that wasn’t exactly commendable.

Portis City had finally taken a break from the snow, but a fierce wind still howled outside, making it bitterly cold.

Once they were ready, they headed downstairs, where the butler approached with a respectful bow. “Sir, someone from the Larkin family is outside at the gate.”

The gate was about a kilometer from the main building of the estate.

Ronald glanced at Stella. “Star, if their presence is going to upset you, maybe we should just…”

The way he said “just” held a clear, dark undertone.

Stella frowned slightly. “Who is it?”

“It’s Mrs. Larkin.”

Mrs. Larkin, of course. Blaise was too wrapped up with his twin kids to care, and Jaxon was out of commission due to his injury. And if he dared to think about Ursula, fiery Lola would surely raise hell.

Since it was Cloudia, Stella’s eyes narrowed. “Let her wait.”

She had no intention of meeting. Cloudia was only here for Ursula, and Stella had no desire to offer false hope.

After hearing Stella’s reply, Ronald caught the butler’s eye, giving a subtle nod that said more than words could. The butler understood what he meant just from a glimpse and said to Stella, “Yes.”

Ronald led Stella to breakfast, leaving the butler to handle things outside.

……

At the gate, Cloudia, who got stopped, was a picture of exasperation. “You have no right to stop me! I’m just here to see my daughter. Doesn’t a mother have the right to see her own child?”

The security guards remained, eyes icy, their presence an immovable barrier between her and the estate beyond.

Cloudia’s desperation only grew as her demand didn’t reciprocate. “Let me in! You have to let me in!”

The wind howled. Mist Bay, situated by the sea, was no stranger to such biting winds which cut like a knife through the air.

Cloudia, having rushed out without proper attire, was shivering from the cold.

Then the butler approached with two maids in tow.

Spotting him, Cloudia hurriedly greeted, “Please, could you call Stella for me? I need to see her.”

The butler met her gaze with a frosty stare and then signaled to the maids who nodded in understanding and moved toward Cloudia.

After the last incident, even those from Mist Bay were trained by Ronald’s team in Ferrowland, each one exuding a quiet, assured strength.

Either their gaze or aura carried an intensely killing sense. Cloudia felt an incredible danger as their gaze landed on her.

Seeing them approach, Cloudia instinctively backed away. “Wh…-What are you doing? I’m here for my daughter. I’m telling you, Stella is my biological daughter!”

Chapter 410

“You better watch out if you’ve done something to her mom. She’s not gonna let you off easy.”

Cloudia tried her best to keep her composure.

Who would have thought, really, who would have thought…

In truth, while Cloudia was furious about what Stella had done to the Larkin family, she was filled with even more regret.

If only she had known from the start that Stella was raised by the Lugar family, and how much they cherished her.

If, back then, she had taken Stella’s side just a little bit more in the matters with Ursula, maybe the Larkin family wouldn’t be in shambles now.

As she was lost in her thoughts, two maids suddenly lifted her up, and Cloudia panicked. “Hey, what are you doing? Let me go! I’m telling you, I’m Stella’s mom. You can’t do this to me. Let me go, let me go!”

Cloudia struggled frantically. Ironically, mentioning Stella only made the atmosphere more menacing.

“Aaaah!”

Her painful scream echoed above Mist Bay as Cloudia clutched her nearly shattered knee, her breath ragged.

They had literally tossed her out of Mist Bay’s territory. She couldn’t believe they would treat her this way, sitting on the ground clutching her knee, cold sweat dripping from the pain.

One of the maids had already pulled out something cold and menacing, pointing it at her.

Cloudia saw the dark barrel and shook with fear. “Ah! Wha-what are you going to do?”

Her voice trembled, stuttering incoherently.

She had seen Jaxon return from Mist Bay in such a state and knew Stella’s entourage was not to be trifled with.

But she was her mom. How could they treat her like this?

Cloudia was dumbfounded, unable to believe it.

“You… you…”

Just then, the butler appeared, stepping out from between the two maids, his hands clasped behind his back.

His gaze was sharp and penetrating as he looked at Cloudia. “Mrs. Larkin, are you aware of why your son left Mist Bay with a broken arm?”

Cloudia stammered, “Wh…-why?”

“Because he tried to harm our young lady.”

Cloudia protested, “But he’s her real brother.”

The butler’s eyes narrowed. “Real? It seems Mrs. Larkin, you won’t be returning to the Larkin family in one piece today either.”

Cloudia’s breath hitched. “Wh…-what do you mean?”

What were they planning to do to her? She was Stella’s real mom, after all.

Cloudia’s heart pounded fiercely.

The butler adjusted his slightly disheveled cuffs. “The Lugar family and the Quinn family cherish our young lady like a princess, raised personally by Mrs. Lottie Lugar and Mr. Quinn. She isn’t someone just anybody can claim kinship with.” Cloudia was speechless.

The butler continued, “You say she is your real daughter? Then what is Mrs. Lottie Lugar to her?”

Cloudia was silent again, her heart tightened.

The butler went on, “You’ve always claimed she’s your real daughter, yet we’ve seen little kindness from you towards her in the Larkin family these past years. So what’s different now? Are you looking to gain something from her?”

“No, I’m not…”

“You’re not?” The butler chuckled coldly. The laughter was biting and full of scorn.

Cloudia felt a chill run through her, overwhelmed by shame.

The butler pressed, “If you’re not after something, then why the sudden enthusiasm in seeking her out?” He emphasized the word “enthusiasm”, laying bare the ugliest thoughts in Cloudia’s heart for all to see.

Just then, Stella and Ronald were finishing breakfast and headed out.

As they drove out, Ronald noticed the scene and quickly shielded Stella’s face against his chest.

Stella was confused. His action was so sudden that she looked up at him. “What are you doing?” Ronald responded by leaning down and capturing her lips with his, silencing her protests.

Stella mumbled, hmmmm……

What on earth? Instinctively, she wanted to pull away, afraid she might provoke this lion into another frenzy, though she hadn’t done anything to provoke him. She had been happily watching the sea, and then out of nowhere, this happened. Finally, once they had driven past, Ronald released her, but his breath was still noticeably ragged.

Stella instinctively tried to put some distance between them. She had learned that when Ronald was breathing like that, she was in danger.

But just as she moved a foot away, he pulled her back into his arms. “Why are you trying to run, hmm?”

お金金

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡
Prev | Next