Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 461 to 470)

Chapter 461

Silas had left.

Susanna stood there, frozen in place, unable to process what had happened.

What did Silas just say?

The night before last, Hull cared for her in the same way, huh? Was that why her clothes were gone?

Her already restless mind was now in complete turmoil, especially after Silas mentioned that she should look after Hull in the same way…

Cool him down physically, wipe him all over? No, this can’t be real!

Meanwhile, at Stella’s, she dabbed Ronald’s chest with a warm towel, ensuring he wouldn’t feel terrible in the morning. Susanna’s call came through as she poured the warm water down the sink. “Star, I can’t do this.”

Stella asked, “Can’t do what?”

“Taking care of Hull, you know, physically cooling him down? Everyone just up and left him with me, saying I should check if he had a fever in the night. This kind of care…”

Susanna was spiraling into panic. “Is this something I can do? Is this something I should do?”

Did the people around Hull even think before they spoke? Asking her to wipe him all over?

“It’s just a fever. Does it have to be this complicated?” Stella was at a loss for words.

Before Stella could respond, Susanna continued, “And the worst part? That’s why he took my clothes off the other night.

Do I need that kind of care from him? Are there no hospitals in Ferrowland? And now, they want me to care for him in return? Are they even serious?”

Susanna was fuming. She paced the room, words tumbling out like a waterfall.

Stella was stunned. Whatever was happening over there, Stella had no clue. But judging by Susanna’s reaction, being around Hull seemed to be getting out of hand.

Clearing her throat, Stella offered, “If Hull’s hurt, he might have a fever tonight. Maybe give him some fever medicine, and if that doesn’t work……

“Even worse,” Susanna interrupted, “Is he broke or what?”

Stella replied, “No, he’s not.”

“Then why doesn’t he hire a nurse? If he’s got money, he could hire ten nurses if he wanted, right?”

“He could,” Stella agreed.

“Then why doesn’t he?” Susanna couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Now, he even let go of the cook. What’s next? Turning her into a free caretaker?

These were minor issues, but tonight…

It was too much.

So he took care of her like that the other night, and now he wants her to return the favor?

“Because young and pretty ones just want to seduce him,” Stella said.

That was why he had dismissed the previous housekeepers.

Susanna suggested, “Then hire old and unattractive ones.”

“They could be assassins!”

And that was true.

Susanna was speechless.

“Hull’s had a few run-ins with that kind of stuff. He got fed up, so now, he does things solo,” Stella explained.

Therefore, they could usually only find a cleaner in Hull’s villas during the day. He preferred keeping his distance from people with ulterior motives.

“So tonight, it’s just me taking care of him, huh?” Susanna asked.

Stella confirmed, “Yeah, you’ll need to look after him unless something unexpected happens.”

Susanna groaned.

‘Unless something unexpected happens,’ she already hated those four words.

“Can’t you send someone over?” She was on the brink of losing it.

Being the little princess of the Lugar family, Stella could easily send someone over, right?

Stella hesitated, that’s probably not going to happen.”

Her words carried a hint of reluctance.

Susanna was baffled. What was that supposed to mean by her tone of reluctance?

“What does that even mean?”

Chapter 462

Stella explained, “The main thing here is that we’ll need Hull’s approval even if I send someone over to you.”

Susanna asked, “What about if Ronald sends them?”

“Still needs his approval.”

Susanna shouted, “No way!”

“So, even Ronald isn’t all-powerful here in Ferrowland? There are even times when he needs someone else’s permission?” Susanna’s face fell as she thought so.

Stella added, “The thing is, Hull’s a master when it comes to traps and mechanisms. From the moment you step through the door of his mansion, it’s one challenge after another. If you’re not someone he trusts and hasn’t had his permission, you might not make it five steps in.”

In other words, going to Hull’s turf without his consent was pretty risky. It was potentially deadly, even.

Susanna was puzzled. “What?”

This guy’s a real danger magnet, huh?

Susanna took a sharp breath. “Five steps, and one’s done for?”

Stella had to admit, “Walk in on your own two feet, and you might end up as dust in the wind. For innocent people, that’s too cruel.”

Dust in the wind? Done for? That sounded seriously dangerous. Even if Hull agreed to let people come, who’d dare to risk it once they knew it was his place? One wrong step, and it would be curtains.

Susanna sighed, “Yikes!”

Indeed, it was brutal! So basically, living there meant risking her neck.

Hearing Stella say that, Susanna couldn’t help but glance nervously around the villa. “Does that mean his entire villa is booby-trapped?”

“Most likely, yes.”

Susanna was speechless.

Stella said again, “So, don’t mess with anything on that side of the villa unless you want to trigger something.”

That was no joke. It could be deadly.

Susanna’s heart skipped a beat. It was good that she wasn’t the type to fiddle with things in someone else’s house, or she’d be in big trouble.

“So, I need to get Hull’s permission before sending anyone, right?”

Stella agreed, “Exactly.”

Susanna’s face fell again. From what she’d seen over the past few days, Hull was a bit peculiar about people. The cook had only lasted a day before getting fired. He was too hard to please.

“What should I do then?”

“Go talk to him!”

Susanna was at a loss for words. ‘Talk to him, right… But he probably won’t agree, will he?”

There was no one around, proving Hull was a lone ranger. The fact he even let her stay was a huge favor.

Stella explained, “If he says no, I can’t just send someone over.”

Susanna screamed in surprise, “What?”

So, she’d have to work hard to get his approval first?

Before Susanna could say anything else, Stella interrupted, “Oh, I can’t talk now. Gotta go.”

She vaguely heard a man’s voice on Stella’s end before the call cut off.

Susanna listened to the dial tone, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Taking care of Hull? No way.

Maybe she should talk to him and convince Stella to send someone over. She really couldn’t handle this. Though she wasn’t stuck in old-fashioned gender roles, she and Hull weren’t exactly close.

Dragging her feet, she headed upstairs. Tiptoeing to Hull’s room, she knocked on the door. Judging by her pace, it was clear how reluctant she was.

There was no response, so she knocked again.

Still nothing! Had he already passed out from a fever that quickly?

Worried, Susanna pushed the door open, urgency overriding caution.

And there he was.

Hull emerged from the bathroom, a white towel slung around his waist. Water droplets glistened on his muscular chest.

He was fresh out of the shower.

Susanna barely managed to swallow, her mind going blank, her pulse racing out of control.

Hull saw her and, noticing the trickle of blood under her nose…

Chapter 463

Hull’s eyes narrowed slightly, radiating an icy aura. His voice was chilly as he spat out, “What are you looking at?”

His tone was so cold that it could freeze over a summer’s day.

Susanna snapped out of her daze immediately, shaking her head. “Nothing. I wasn’t looking at anything. I knocked, but you didn’t answer.”

“So, you just barged in?”

“No, I didn’t…” Her mind was in a fog. She quickly averted her gaze from Hull, who was practically a walking powerhouse. Even though Susanna wasn’t one to swoon over handsome guys, she felt a flush creeping over her. ‘Get a grip, Susanna…’ She’d seen plenty of good-looking guys in Portis City, so why was she losing her cool? She mentally berated herself, not realizing that Hull had moved closer.

When his warm fingertip brushed the corner of her lips, Susanna snapped back to reality, instinctively stepping back. “What are you doing?”

His fingertip, stained with a hint of crimson, was held up to her eyes. “What’s this?”

Susanna’s mind went blank at the sight of the blood on Hull’s finger.

‘Oh my God,’ she thought. She instinctively wiped her upper lip with the back of her hand, only to find it smeared with blood.

She was dumbfounded. Seriously? She had a nosebleed over a handsome guy? How embarrassing!

“I, uh, I tend to get nosebleeds?” she stammered, her voice uncertain, unsure if she was explaining to him or trying to convince herself.

“Does this happen every time you see a guy?” Hull asked with a teasing smirk.

“Uh, yes!” Susanna nodded hastily.

But as soon as she nodded, she realized what Hull had actually said and quickly shook her head, “No, no, that’s not it.”

What a joke! Was she really that flustered by a handsome guy? Whether she admitted it or not, it seemed like that was exactly what happened.

“Today was just an accident,” she quickly explained.

Hull’s lips curled into a smile. “Get me a glass of water.”

“Oh, sure.”

Hearing Hull’s request for water was like a pardon, and Susanna quickly turned to leave.

Just as she turned, she felt a tug on her shirt. Before she knew it, the towel Hull had wrapped around his waist fell right before her.

Susanna’s eyes widened in shock. Her brain short-circuited once again. ‘Oh Lord, help me.’

“No, this isn’t, I didn’t…” She stumbled over her words, panic evident in her voice.

In her flustered state, she glanced at Hull, only to find her breath catch in her throat at what she saw.

Hull remained as cold as ever.

The next moment, there was a loud ‘bang’ as the door slammed shut in Susanna’s face. If she hadn’t stepped back in time, the door might have slammed right into her.

Susanna looked at the door, then down at the towel that had fallen before her.

The towel was caught on the zipper of her hoodie.

What on earth had just happened?

How did things end up like this?

She examined the zipper, noticing the towel was indeed caught on it. A single thread had unraveled slightly. It must have snagged when she turned around too quickly.

That was mortifying! Susanna had never experienced such a socially awkward moment.

—

Meanwhile, Stella had just finished taking care of Ronald, had a shower, and was getting ready for bed when her phone rang again.

“Did Hull agree?” Stella asked.

She assumed Susanna was calling to say Hull had agreed to have an extra housekeeper sent over. If she were sending someone, it would be someone from the Lugar family, whom Hull would have no reason to distrust.

Susanna’s voice sounded, “Star, you have to save me.”

Stella asked, “What happened now?”

Every call Susanna made from Hull’s side seemed to be a cry for help. How many mishaps had Susanna gotten into around Hull?

Stella realized she might have to head back to Ferrowland sooner than planned. Otherwise, Susanna’s nerves might really give out.

Susanna continued “I just accidentally yanked off Hull’s towel. Do you think he might be mad enough to kill me?”

Over the phone, Susanna’s voice was anything but calm, and she couldn’t settle herself down.

And as Stella heard those words, she wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her.

Chapter 464

“What did you just say?”

Stella thought she must have misheard. There was no way Susanna could have done something so outrageous.

Susanna confirmed, “I said, I yanked off Hull’s towel!”

Stella was shocked. This time, things seemed rather serious.

Stella asked, “Are you serious?”

Stella was sure she hadn’t misheard. But was Susanna joking? That was hard to believe. Yanking off Hull’s towel, what on earth was she thinking?

Was she trying to stir up chaos? Her lifeline wasn’t that robust!

Even with her carefree nature, that was beyond reckless.

Susanna admitted it. “I’m serious.”

Stella pressed, “What happened?”

It couldn’t be what she was thinking, right? If it were, Susanna wouldn’t even be able to call her. She’d be crying her eyes out by the following morning.

But Hull wasn’t that kind of guy, as Yvonne had assured her he wasn’t capable.

Susanna freaked out. “I just, I…”

Her mind was a complete mess, and she didn’t know where to begin.

Stella cleared her throat. “Look, you just couldn’t challenge a man’s dignity like that, even if Hull can’t get it up.”

Susanna argued, “I didn’t mean to.”

For God’s sake, she didn’t.

Stella asked again, “So, what exactly happened?”

“Well, you see, I…” Susanna let out an exasperated sigh and recounted the series of events.

It was purely accidental. One would never choke on water when in bad luck. Susanna still couldn’t figure out how the towel got caught in her zipper.

Stella remained silent after Susanna finished her explanation.

Susanna almost cried. “I swear it wasn’t on purpose.”

“Yeah, I believe you.”

“Really? Star, do you really believe me? But will he?”

Hull was terrifying. She’d seen with her own eyes how he handled situations with ruthless efficiency. She was genuinely scared Hull would put on some clothes and return with a gun to finish her off.

“Star, maybe Ronald could call him and save my neck, please.”

Stella sighed, “Why are you crying again?”

Susanna sobbed, “I’m really scared, Star! You didn’t see how terrifying he was.

Stella reassured her, “He won’t do anything. Don’t worry.”

“He will. He really will.” Susanna could still feel the chill Hull exuded, and with his temper, who could say for sure? Stella didn’t know what to say.

Susanna cried into the phone for a while, and Stella kept trying to calm her down, though Susanna’s panic only grew. Stella understood her fear. She had never come across such a situation or person before. It was tough for Susanna to handle all this suddenly. But she never imagined Susanna could cry so much.

……

Half an hour later, Stella finally calmed her down. “Now, you should apologize to Hull. We’ll figure everything out when I return.”

No matter what, they needed to keep Hull calm.

Susanna would have been furious if Stella had told her this half an hour ago.

But now, she choked out a response, “Okay.”

“Good girl, go on. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Susanna murmured another “Okay,” though her voice still carried a hint of fear.

Stella offered a few more comforting words before hanging up the phone.

Susanna listened to the dial tone, taking several deep breaths to steady her nerves.

Truly, from social death to sheer terror. This emotional rollercoaster was something only she, Susanna, could experience.

She went to the kitchen to pour Hull a glass of water, remembering he had asked for it earlier. But as she approached the staircase, she saw him at the railing on the second floor.

Susanna’s heart skipped a beat. The water in her glass spilled a few drops uncontrollably.

“Uh, Mr. Miguel.”

Hull asked coldly, “Why were you crying?”

Susanna had probably forgotten she had a nosebleed earlier.

Now, blood smeared below her nose, and when she had wiped it, it had spread across her face.

Chapter 465

Susanna lowered her head, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” she mumbled in a small voice, just like Stella had taught her. “I didn’t mean to.”

No matter what Hull thought- whether he was furious enough to want to strangle her or just mildly annoyed, an apology seemed like the safest bet.

When Stella got back, Susanna planned to pack her bags and leave. Even if Star suggested they move to the Quinn family house, she’d go. Anything was better than staying here, alone with this man. Living under the same roof with a guy was awkward enough without the added drama of tonight’s little incident.

From the top of the stairs, Hull watched her standing downstairs like a nervous rabbit, unable to see her face clearly but noting the repentant way she held herself.

His lips curled into an amused smile. “What are you sorry for?”

Susanna hesitated, “For, uh, pulling off your towel.”

Hull’s face went blank at her blunt honesty, and the room went silent.

Susanna’s mind raced.

Oh no! Stella had told her never to mention that just apologize and be done with it.

Hull’s presence was overwhelming, making it impossible for Susanna to ignore.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that,” she stammered.

Hull raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then what did you mean?”

“I swear, it wasn’t on purpose,” she insisted, her voice small.

The sound of his footsteps heading toward her was like thunder in her ears.

Hull stopped before her, his long fingers lifting her chin to meet his gaze.

Susanna’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.

“Mr. Miguel, would you like some water?” she offered nervously, holding out a half-empty glass.

Images of the mortifying earlier scene flashed in her mind, and she wished she could just dig a hole and hide forever. How could she have been so clumsy?

Hull didn’t take the glass. Instead, he tightened his grip on her chin slightly. “What did you see earlier?”

Susanna’s eyes widened. She’d seen… everything.

“Uh, that,” she blurted before catching herself. Wait, she couldn’t say that out loud! She shook her head vigorously. “I didn’t see anything.”

As if that weren’t enough, she added under his sharp gaze, “Really, nothing at all.”

In truth, she had seen it. Thinking of the rumors about Hull, Susanna thought he seemed perfectly capable, which was not what she had heard.

Her thoughts were cut short as Hull released her chin, grabbed the water glass, and headed back upstairs without another word.

Only after the door closed did Susanna let out a breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Oh my God! Dealing with a man like Hull required nerves of steel, and she wasn’t sure her heart was up to the task. Just as she was about to sneak back to her room, the phone downstairs rang.

Sighing, Susanna turned to answer it. “Hello?”

“Susanna, it’s Silas,” came the voice on the other end.

Susanna rolled her eyes, annoyed. She wasn’t Hull’s girlfriend, and she wished everyone would stop assuming she was. “Tonight, you need to watch over Hull,” Silas continued. “Ensure he doesn’t take a shower.”

Susanna blinked. “Um, he already did.”

“What?” Silas’s voice rose in alarm, nearly deafening her.

“Geez!” she exclaimed, pulling the phone away from her ear.

“Listen, you might stay with him tonight,” Silas urged. “He’s probably going to come down with a fever now.”

Chapter 466

Hull got injured and took a shower on the same day. Even a strong person like him couldn’t handle that.

“Seriously, Hull, you can’t hold off on your cleanliness for even a day?” Susanna muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Hey, Silas,” Susanna said, her voice casual yet somewhat urgent. “You think you could come over? I can’t manage that kind of care.”

“Don’t worry,” Silas reassured her. “When he has a fever, he’s quite behaved. He won’t give you too much trouble.”

“Trouble?” Susanna thought, aghast. “This is more than just ‘trouble”!”

After Silas abruptly hung up, Susanna stared at her phone, incredulous.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered.

According to Silas, Hull would get a fever tonight. But there was no way she could provide that level of care. It was inappropriate.

Trying to think of a plan, Susanna remembered Stella might send someone over. She quickly called the number back, but no one picked up, not the first time, nor the second.

“Seriously?” Susanna exclaimed out loud, frustrated. “Why isn’t he answering?”

If Stella’s people needed Hull’s approval to come over, maybe someone from Hull’s circle could help.

Determined, Susanna called again. She called twice more but still got no answer.

“It is ridiculous!” she fumed. Silas called me, and I answered. Now, I can’t get through, huh? What’s the deal?”

Realizing she had no other option, Susanna headed upstairs to speak with Hull directly. She knocked cautiously, waiting for his response before opening the door a crack and staying put at the entrance.

“Mr. Miguel, Stella mentioned sending someone over to help. Is that okay?”

Hull raised an eyebrow. “No.”

“Really?” Susanna thought, exasperated. “Could you at least have one of your people come over?”

But Hull was firm. “No.”

“Come on!” Susanna was at her wit’s end. “If not them, then who? What am I supposed to do if you get a fever?”

Hull gazed at her, his expression unreadable.

Susanna felt a bit panicked under his scrutiny, swallowing nervously. “Silas mentioned you shouldn’t shower tonight and that doing so could lead to a fever.”

While speaking, her nerves were palpable, her bright, expressive eyes almost pleading. Despite the distance, Hull could see every flicker of her long lashes, the anxiety in her petite frame, and her small face filled with concern.

A strange amusement flickered in Hull’s eyes, his lips curling up slightly. “And what else did he say?”

He said if you got a fever, regular medicine probably won’t work, and you’ll need… physical cooling.”

Hull couldn’t help but flinch at those words, memories of the other night flashing through his mind. And he found himself looking at her a bit longer than necessary.

Chapter 467

Over in Portis City, the Larkin family was reeling from the chaos after Cloudia’s arrest. It was as if their entire world had crumbled overnight, leaving everyone in the family on edge and full of anxiety.

Ursula was at the Quarry family’s doorstep by midnight, desperately seeking Yorick. He was the only person she could think of who might help them in their dire situation. The family was in shambles, and if Cloudia ended up behind bars, Ursula didn’t know what to do. Time was running out for her. Without the money for her medicine, her health would deteriorate rapidly.

Ursula was in a state of sheer panic. She had bundled up against the biting cold that gripped Portis City, yet she couldn’t shake the chill that seemed to seep into her bones.

The security guard at the Quarry Manor turned her away, saying, “Ms. Larkin, please leave. Mr. Quarry won’t be seeing you.”

But she refused to back down.

“No, I need to see him,” Ursula insisted, her voice unwavering. “Tell him I won’t leave until I see him.”

Sitting in her wheelchair, she tightened her grip on the armrests, her determination evident despite the biting cold. She pleaded with the guard, softening her tone, “Please, just let him know I’m here.”

It was a bitter pill to swallow. Once, the Larkin family held their heads high. And she had been the apple of Yorick’s eye. No one dared to treat her with anything but respect. Now, even a security guard felt emboldened to snub her. The humiliation stung deeply, fueling her desire to regain her strength and reclaim her dignity.

Imogen emerged, her eyes meeting Ursula’s with pity and disdain.

Ursula quickly asked her emotions, but Imogen had seen enough to form her opinion.

With a smirk and a mocking laugh, Imogen remarked, “You’re quite the actress, Ursula.”

Ursula felt her breath catch in her throat but forced herself to respond politely, “Hello, Imogen.”

Imogen chuckled coldly, “Here to see Rick?”

“Yes,” Ursula replied.

“Go home. He won’t see you.” Imogen took some satisfaction in that Yorick had finally distanced himself from Ursula. Looking at Ursula, frail and in a wheelchair, the idea of her becoming part of the Quarry family was unthinkable to Imogen.

“Imogen, please,” Ursula pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just let me see Rick for a moment. I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”

Ursula, once so proud, now found herself swallowing her pride. She was truly out of options.

Imogen’s demeanor turned icy. “If you don’t take a hint, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

Imogen’s words were sharp, her tone unforgiving. She was already in a foul mood, and the chaos at the Quarry family had left her with little patience.

Chapter 468

To Ursula, there was no need to be polite anymore. Imogen turned to the security guard standing by and said, “Throw her out.”

“Yes, Mrs. Quarry,” the guards nodded.

Ursula felt a heavy weight in her chest as she watched Imogen barge past her without a second glance, her back straight and proud as she disappeared into the Quarry Manor.

Ursula had dreamt of walking through those doors with her head held high. She believed Yorick’s efforts would eventually grant her that wish. But now, staring at those very doors, she realized that hope was lost.

Two guards approached, ready to lift her wheelchair.

Frantically, Ursula shook her head, “No, don’t touch me. You’re not allowed to touch me.”

The maid who accompanied her stepped forward to intervene but was quickly shoved to the ground by one of the guards.

Ursula struggled desperately. “Don’t touch me! Who gave you the right to touch me? Let go. Let go of me!”

“Ms. Larkin,” one guard taunted, “let me remind you, the Larkin family is no more. You’re not the heiress you once were.”

He continued, “Even when the Larkin family was around, you weren’t good enough for Mr. Quarry. Now, it’s more laughable. Know your place. It’s no good for you to keep clinging on.”

Those words were like salt in Ursula’s wounds, bringing a humiliation she had never experienced before.

How did things end up like this?

It was all because of Stella. Everything was because of Stella. She was ruthless. Not only was she hard on her, but she was equally unmerciful to her birth mother.

With the fall of the Larkins, Ursula found herself suffering in the aftermath. Hatred filled her eyes, but she felt utterly helpless. She muttered Stella’s name through gritted teeth wishing she could bite her to pieces.

If only the heavens would give her one more chance at life, she would never let Stella off the hook. Never!

……

At Mist Bay, Stella had fallen asleep beside Ronald, exhausted. He turned over, pulling her into his arms. In the darkness, his face, softened with a touch of whiskey-induced warmth, nestled gently into Stella’s neck.

She didn’t know how long she had slept when her phone buzzed against the nightstand. She had forgotten to turn it off before drifting off.

Groggily, she reached out and answered, “Hello?”

Still half-asleep, she wondered who on earth would be calling at this hour.

Susanna’s voice came through the line. “Star, Hull’s got a high fever. His temperature’s through the roof.”

Stella’s eyes snapped open. “What?”

Hull? Fever?

Still caught in a sleepy haze, Stella struggled to comprehend why Susanna would be calling her about Hull’s fever. “What do you mean?” she asked, trying to shake the fog from her brain.

Susanna explained, “I gave him some fever-reducing medicine, but it’s not working. What should I do?”

Stella’s mind was still sluggish, not just from sleep but from something else that she couldn’t put her finger on. In the silence that followed, Susanna called out again, “Star? Star?”

Stella finally replied, “Give him more fever medicine.”

Susanna was stunned. “What?”

Was she serious? More fever medicine could be dangerous. Was Star really saying this? Could this advice possibly come from a sane person?

Chapter 469

Stella was completely out for the count.

Before Susanna could get another word in, Stella had hung up. Her sleep had been like a dream since Ronald came into her life.

She turned over and hugged Ronald’s lean waist.

Ronald stirred slightly, catching the familiar scent, instinctively pulling the warm body in his arms closer before drifting back into a contented slumber. Only someone who’d been secretly in love could understand that deep-seated satisfaction.

“Ron…” Stella mumbled in her half-asleep state.

Ronald drew her even closer, murmuring softly, “Sleep, sweetheart.”

……

At the Quarry estate.

Ursula found herself thrown out, the sting of humiliation settling heavily in her chest. The experience was a harsh wake-up call. She finally realized there was no future with Yorick.

The maid helped her into a wheelchair. “Ms. Larkin, let’s head back.”

It was the middle of the night. Running into Imogen had been the last straw for the maid, who was already on edge due to the recent upheaval in the Larkin family, which had delayed their paychecks. It had made the maid less inclined to indulge Ursula’s whims.

Already raw from the embarrassment, Ursula snapped at the maid’s suggestion, “Go back? You can go back if you want! I’m not leaving until I see Rick.”

Despite being thrown out, Ursula was adamant about seeing Yorick.

Irritated, the maid retorted, “Fine, I’m leaving.”

She didn’t want to stand around any longer in this bitter cold.

Ursula was shocked. She couldn’t believe her ears as she stared at the maid. “What did you say?”

Even a maid dared speak to her like this?

The maid replied, “Ms. Larkin, you better realize what year it is. I may be a maid, but I’m here for a paycheck, not as a slave to the Larkin family. Do you think we still live in the old days? No pay and you still want to boss me around?”

Ursula was speechless, her breathing becoming more and more erratic.

Yorick arrived just in time to see Ursula gripping the maid’s arm.

He couldn’t hear what they were saying from inside the car, but from their expressions, there was tension.

Orion noticed Ursula and felt a pang of anxiety. His gut reaction was to drive past quickly. He didn’t want Yorick getting tangled up with Ursula again. It had been a rough time for him. Every encounter between Yorick and Ursula ended up with him getting an earful.

But as they approached, Yorick’s voice cut through the air, “Stop the car.”

Orion said, “Mrs. Quarry wouldn’t want you to get involved with Ms. Larkin.”

“Stop the car.”

The three words were calm but carried enough weight that Orion dared not argue further and pulled over beside Ursula.

Ursula was in the middle of a heated argument with the maid. The maid had had enough and was on the verge of quitting right then and there.

Ursula, however, was insistent that she drive her home first.

When the car stopped, Ursula recognized it as Yorick’s. Instinctively, she let go of the maid, her demeanor shifting from frantic to pitiful as the car window rolled down to reveal Yorick’s face.

“Rick.”

Yorick’s gaze was icy as he looked at her, “You came to see me?”

“Yes.” Ursula nodded, trying to look as vulnerable as possible.

Where had he been until now? This late at night, what had he been up to?

Without her around, he seemed to be doing just fine. A man coming home this late could only mean one thing, he’d been out enjoying himself. Especially with the faint smell of alcohol wafting from the car, it surely wasn’t coming from Orion.

Ursula sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. “Where were you so late? Why are you only getting back now?”

Yorick replied, “Get to the point.”

His cold and detached words made Ursula’s heart ache even more.

This was how he spoke to her now? Was he so uninterested that she couldn’t even ask where he’d been?

Her frustration bubbled up, but she swallowed it down, her lips trembling as she spoke, “You heard about my mom, right?”

All day long, the news had been all over Portis City, creating quite a stir.

Chapter 470

Several of Ursula’s old friends had called to check in on her. They said they were checking in, but she knew they were looking to gossip about her misfortune. During the time she was sick, not one of them had bothered to visit.

Yorick frowned, casting a cold glance her way without uttering a word. Indeed, he knew.

Ursula met his icy stare, her voice catching in her throat, “Rick, can you help me, please?”

“You’re the only person I can think of right now.” Her tone was pleading.

She placed herself in the most vulnerable position, “For the sake of what we once had, could you help me this time? Just this once?”

She knew Yorick was over her. She wasn’t hoping to mend things between them but needed to get Cloudia out. If she didn’t, her standing with the Larkin family was as good as over, especially with Jaxon’s current attitude toward her. First, it was Blaise, and then Jaxon.

Did they care that much about bloodlines? She had been by their side for years! Now Jaxon wouldn’t even acknowledge her.

Yorick said, “The sake of what we once had? Do you mean the feelings you manipulated into existence, feelings built on stepping over others’ lives? Is that what you’re talking about?”

Ursula was speechless. His words echoed in her mind like a loud gong.

She stared at Yorick, listening to his frosty tone, meeting his cold gaze. She couldn’t believe he would say such things. “You really think what we had was all calculated by me?”

She knew Yorick was over her. She wasn’t hoping to mend things between them but needed to get Cloudia out. If she didn’t, her standing with the Larkin family was as good as over, especially with Jaxon’s current attitude toward her. First, it was Blaise, and then Jaxon.

Did they care that much about bloodlines? She had been by their side for years! Now Jaxon wouldn’t even acknowledge her.

Yorick said, “The sake of what we once had? Do you mean the feelings you manipulated into existence, feelings built on stepping over others’ lives? Is that what you’re talking about?”

Ursula was speechless. His words echoed in her mind like a loud gong.

She stared at Yorick, listening to his frosty tone, meeting his cold gaze. She couldn’t believe he would say such things. “You really think what we had was all calculated by me?”

Calculated? What a choice of words it was! Hearing him say that made her chest tighten further. She knew Yorick had no attachment left for her. If there was even a sliver of feeling left, he wouldn’t be speaking like this.

Yorick sneered, “Isn’t it true?”

“Just because of that car accident, you’re dismissing all my feelings for you? Is that fair to me?”

Why did she plan that accident? Wasn’t it because of him?

Because she desperately wanted to keep him. She was terrified that with Stella’s return, she would lose everything, that she would lose Yorick.

Then she orchestrated that accident.

“You almost killed her, and now you’re talking to me about fairness?” Yorick looked at Ursula with an icy glare, as if she were a stranger.

Ursula pleaded, “Why did I do it? Wasn’t it because I was scared of losing everything?

Yorick, I grew up in the Larkin family, calling them Mom, Dad, and Brother for over twenty years, only to be told they weren’t my real family. Even you, my fiancé, were supposed to be with the Larkin’s real daughter. I was scared.” Ursula spoke with pain in her voice. The things she did to Stella were out of sheer fear.

But hearing her say ‘scared’ didn’t soften Yorick like it used to. Instead, his gaze only grew colder. “You were scared, so you thought it was okay to kill someone?”

Ursula protested, “But Stella didn’t die, did she? She’s alive and well, and she took everything from me. Is that fair?” However, her words only made Yorick’s gaze turn icier. At that moment, Yorick saw Ursula for who she really was.

With a bitter laugh, he said, “The Larkin family’s troubles aren’t my concern. You reap what you sow. And you can’t blame anyone else.”

Ursula was left speechless.

Then Yorick commanded, “Drive!”

Hearing the order, Orion sighed in relief, quickly rolled up the window, and started the car, giving Ursula no time to respond.

Seeing Yorick not engage anymore, Ursula panicked, “Rick, Rick, listen to me…”

But the only one she got was Yorick’s car speeding away from her. The wind it kicked up was so cold, leaving her shivering.

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