Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 561 to 570) – Daisy Novels 

Chapter 561

When Yvonne spoke, a storm brewed in Xander’s eyes, making them look like a dark, turbulent sea.

Even though Yvonne wasn’t particularly afraid of him, the danger lurking in his gaze gave her a jolt. She swallowed reflexively. “I’m just stating the facts.”

The documents had been missing for days. What good would it do to get them back now? Anything worth leaking was likely already out. In Yvonne’s view, there was no point in worrying about retrieving them. Xander chuckled, a sardonic sound. “True, as far as that goes, but…”

He paused, his mind flashing back to a conversation he overheard on a cruise ship, between Dan and another person in a passing room.

So, Dan dared to steal from him? Alright, he would have to return Dan a favor, and it was going to be significant.

Xander lifted his eyes and gave Yvonne a devilish grin. “Want to marry me? Fine, bring your paperwork and meet me at the city hall tomorrow.”

Yvonne blinked. “Huh?”

The sudden shift in his demeanor was dizzying. They had been at each other’s throats just moments ago, and now this?

She scrutinized Xander, checking for signs of fever-induced delirium.

“What are you playing at?” Yvonne felt a bit dazed.

Xander’s smirk grew more mischievous. “Isn’t it the plan to tie me to you with marriage? Go ahead.”

The weight he put on “tie me” sent a shiver down Yvonne’s spine. The man had clearly snapped. How could he go from hysterical to so calm in an instant? Her instincts screamed that something was off, a red flag waving wildly.

Xander stepped forward and gripped her chin. “What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?”

“No, I just…”

It wasn’t about second thoughts. It was about understanding Xander’s sudden shift, which left Yvonne perplexed.

Hearing her response, Xander released her abruptly. “That’s good.”

Then he tapped her cheek. “Remember, tomorrow at ten. If you don’t show up…”

He let the rest hang in the air, his mischievous smile chilling.

Even without his words, Yvonne could guess his intentions. He was set on pushing things to the edge.

Xander left, leaving Yvonne alone, her mind replaying his transformation over and over. How could someone change so drastically?

Stella was making her way to find Ronald when Xander’s long strides caught up with her.

She was walking with Dylan. Seeing Xander, Dylan instinctively moved to shield Stella.

“Mr. Schultz.” He greeted Xander with a respectful nod.

Xander scoffed, “This is the Quinn estate. What do you think I could do to her here? No need to be so protective.”

Clearly, Stella was untouchable at the Quinn estate. No one dared to harm her. Even if Xander was furious about her involvement with Ronald, he couldn’t just drag her away here.

Dylan kept his head bowed, saying nothing more…

Xander turned his gaze to Stella. “Stella, I sure as hell underestimated you before.”

No wonder she never entertained any marriage proposals over the years. Her heart had been set on Ronald all along.

Stella turned her face away, ignoring Xander.

With a derisive snort, Xander walked away.

Watching his retreating figure, Stella then looked at Dylan. “He just left like that?”

Dylan nodded. “Yeah, just like that.”

The way he had approached, one would think they were about to come to blows.

Footsteps approached from behind. Stella turned to see Yvonne’s grim expression.

Stella stepped forward. “Sis, did he do anything to you?”

Yvonne waved her hand. “Don’t worry, he didn’t hit me this time.”

The way she said it, with that particular tone, anyone listening might think Xander was in the habit of hitting Yvonne.

Chapter 562

“So, what did you guys talk about?” Stella asked, her curiosity piqued. Yvonne was known for her knack for handling situations, and the earlier chaos had simmered down within minutes.

“He said he wants to marry me,” Yvonne replied. “He wants me to meet him at the city hall tomorrow.”

Stella exclaimed, “What?”

Her face froze at Yvonne’s words; clearly, she found it difficult to process Xander’s sudden change of heart. Weren’t they about to throw down? How did things turn around so quickly?

Yvonne let out a skeptical huff. “Do you think that jerk’s up to something?”

Definitely a scheme, otherwise it’d be hard to explain his dramatic attitude.

Stella nodded. “Yeah, he must be up to no good.”

In just under an hour, everything had flipped on its head. Dan, who had been distant, suddenly seemed affectionate in their phone call. It was suspicious, to say the least.

“And Dan, that black-hearted scoundrel,” Yvonne continued, frustration creeping into her voice. “He threw me under the bus on purpose, making it seem like I took those files for him.”

Stella shook her head, at a loss for words. It was clear Dan intended to make Xander suspicious of Yvonne, but fortunately, she wasn’t falling for it.

“That man’s got a filthy mind,” Yvonne said, shaking her head. “After everything we had, he really went there.”

“What does he gain from making you the target of Xander’s wrath?” Stella wondered aloud. “Did he not realize Xander had been on edge ever since Ronald had been breathing down his neck?”

The memory of Xander arriving armed today flashed through Yvonne’s mind one misstep, and she would die. Her fingers twitched with the urge to crush Dan’s windpipe right then.

Stella, afraid of her harboring some unnecessary feelings, chimed in, reminding Yvonne of the past. “Remember, you once fancied him.”

Yvonne winced at the words. “Tell me about it. Was I blind back then? How did I ever fall for that?”

While showing Stella some jewelry earlier, Yvonne had felt a twinge of sadness. But now…

Stella was reassured by Yvonne’s resilience. That was the spirit of a Quinn. They could love, but if it was not worth it, they knew when to let go.

“So, are you going to marry Xander tomorrow?” Stella asked, raising an eyebrow.

Yvonne hesitated. The idea had been hers initially, but Xander’s sudden agreement seemed off.

They had fought like cats and dogs, but as Xander agreed to the marriage, Yvonne cringed due to the bafflement of Xander’s motive.

“Should I?” Yvonne asked, gazing at Stella.

Stella didn’t hesitate. “No way.”

Yvonne added, “Hearing ‘getting married’ come from Xander’s mouth, why doesn’t it sit right with me? Why do you think he’d suddenly offer to marry me?”

She wasn’t naive enough to believe fairy tales about Xander “falling in love” all of a sudden.

Stella was silent. Without having been there to witness Xander’s transformation, Stella couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she was sure of one thing. “It’s probably best not to.”

Yvonne nodded at her suggestion, her resolve strengthening. If this had been her idea to trap Xander, she might consider it. But given Xander’s suspicious behavior, she knew she had to be cautious.

As they talked, they made their way to Ronald’s study, still deep in conversation about the unfolding drama until they reached the door.

Chapter 563

Susanna was always the picture of a well-behaved girl.

Stella had advised her to stay out of Hull’s way and do absolutely nothing, and Susanna took that advice to heart. It seemed a wise choice, especially considering the amount of trouble she’d accidentally stirred up during her short time by Hull’s side.

That afternoon, she huddled in her room, waiting for Hull’s team to finally uncover the truth.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts as she was about to call Stella.

“Who is it?” she called out.

“It’s me,” came Hull’s deep voice from the other side of the door, sending a jolt through Susanna, who hurriedly put her phone away.

“What do you need?” she asked, not moving to open the door. Instead, she instinctively clutched a throw pillow to her chest, as if it could somehow protect her.

In reality, if Hull wanted to do anything, even a whole suit of armor wouldn’t stop him. But clinging to it gave her a false sense of security.

“Have you blocked the door again?” Hull’s voice rumbled with a hint of displeasure.

Susanna glanced at the dresser she had pushed in front of the door and mumbled, “I told you I wanted a different room, but you wouldn’t let me.”

With the cook downstairs barred from the upper floor and Silas and Barnaby absent for the evening, she was alone on the second floor with Hull. As a young woman, she felt she had every right to be cautious.

“Move it,” Hull ordered.

“I won’t,” she shot back without hesitation. She had taken Stella’s advice to heart doing nothing was safest, even if it meant avoiding Hull altogether.

Despite Hull’s displeasure, he said nothing more and seemed to walk away, leaving Susanna to breathe a sigh of relief.

She sniffed, patting her chest, a picture of hurt. “I used to be such a good kid.”

The past few days had been more eventful than her entire previous twenty years, and she still hadn’t recovered from all the turmoil.

She dialed Stella’s number, who answered almost immediately. “Hey, Susie.”

“Star, do you have a moment?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

Stella had been about to call Susanna herself, but Susanna had beaten her to it. She stood outside Ronald’s study while Yvonne was inside.

Stella was waiting for Yvonne, who was seething with rage because of Xander; the matter related to him was a tangled mess.

“I’ve been following your advice, keeping to myself and avoiding Hull,” Susanna said.

Stella paused. Avoiding him? Was she so sure of that?

“You two are living under the same roof. Isn’t that a bit difficult to manage?”

The house wasn’t big enough to avoid each other completely, but Susanna was determined. “I only leave my room to eat. Until we figure out if I’m a spy or not, it’s best if I steer clear of him.”

Stella remembered Ronald mentioning that Hull might actually like Susanna, which made Stella suspect there was more to Hull’s claims than met the eye.

Poor Susie, clueless as ever.

Stella cleared her throat. “Susie, you know… when you went upstairs, Ronald said Hull admitted he’s into you, right?”

Their relationship prompted her to share more info, considering the dread Susanna had when staying with Hull.

“Wait, what?” Susanna uttered, feeling she might mishear.

Stella replied, “That’s what Ronald told me.”

Stella trusted Ronald implicitly. If he’d passed it along, the news was 90% legit, meaning Hull had actually said it.

Susanna was stunned. “That can’t be true!”

That man was so intimidating. She’d seen him kill people, and he treated life like it was nothing. For someone like Hull, Susanna thought women were just playthings to him. The idea that Hull could feel genuine affection seemed absurd to her.

“Well, no idea, that’s what Ronald said,” Stella insisted.

“He’s bluffing. Maybe he’s just pretending to like me to throw you off the scent, to convince your brother to take you away.”

Stella was speechless. Well, that could be happening.

Their conversation continued, spiraling into speculation until Susanna, feeling uneasy and weary, added, “Star, can you check again about that former leader of the Black Gate?”

Chapter 564

With Stella’s words echoing in her mind, Susanna couldn’t shake the feeling that Hull was nothing but trouble.

“Can you joke about someone’s mom?” she muttered to herself, thinking about how her own mother had been restless and sleepless for days now.

Even though Stella had mentioned that the previous person in charge was someone named Lacey, Susanna needed to be sure.

Stella had assured her, “Yeah, I’ll help you confirm.”

If it turned out that Susanna’s mother was involved, things could get messy. After all, the current leader’s rise to power was anything but honorable.

After exchanging a few more words over the phone, mostly Stella trying to soothe Susanna’s nerves, they finally hung up.

Susanna sat curled up on her little couch, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Hull told Mr. Quinn he liked her. Why on earth would he do that? Was he really trying to pull one over on Mr. Quinn?

If so, he had to be pretty bold to try and deceive Mr. Quinn.

Lost in thought, Susanna was startled by a noise from the balcony window. Her eyes widened in shock.

Before she could react, the sound of the sliding glass door opening reached her ears, followed by the swish of curtains being drawn back.

At that moment, her gaze met Hull’s dark, intense eyes, and her mind went completely blank.

Looking between Hull and the glass door behind him, she stammered, “You, you…”

Had this guy really climbed through the window? The balcony was right outside, but still, it felt like he’d just waltzed in.

Hull stepped towards her, his tall and imposing figure bringing an unspoken sense of intimidation.

Feeling the weight of his presence, Susanna instinctively tried to shrink back, but the couch offered no escape.

“Don’t come any closer,” she pleaded, clutching a throw pillow to her chest.

Surely, just because she hadn’t opened the door for him, he wasn’t going to… eat her or something, right? She was terrified.

Hull glanced at the cabinet blocking the door, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. “You’ve got some strength.”

The cabinet wasn’t exactly light.

Susanna felt a pang of insecurity, her eyes watering as she looked at him pitifully. Just one look, and she felt the need to lower her head in defeat. Seeing her like this, Hull felt an odd sense of satisfaction. Stepping forward, he effortlessly lifted her off the couch as if she were a feather.

Susanna, feeling weightless in his grasp, was thoroughly frightened. “Put me down!”

Ignoring her protests, Hull set her down near the door. “Go on, show me how you moved it.”

She was expected to move the cabinet back? Seriously?

With no real choice, Susanna gave Hull a helpless glance and began to push the cabinet back to its original spot.

It was heavy, and Hull’s watchful eyes didn’t make it any easier. She struggled, using all her might to move the cabinet.

Finally, with the task done, she turned to Hull, who was standing with his arms crossed, a faint chuckle escaping him. “Not much strength at all. Did you really think you could keep me out?”

Susanna didn’t respond, but the thought echoed in her mind: Yes, she’d thought it could.

Especially after what Stella had told her, Mr. Quinn said.

Before she could voice any reply, Hull pulled out his phone and called Silas.

Silas picked up quickly, “Hey, big guy.”

“We need new furniture,” Hull stated matter-of-factly.

“Uh, did something break?” Silas asked, puzzled. The stuff they had was top-notch; he couldn’t believe they were tired of it, but breaking? Hull’s next words left Silas speechless. “Too light.”

Silas was stunned. Susanna was just as shocked. Did he mean he wanted stuff she couldn’t move? That seemed a bit unfriendly.

Was Hull really suggesting she shouldn’t try to keep him out? That seemed unreasonable, especially since having some safety measures in place when alone with a man was perfectly normal for a woman. Why should she feel guilty about that?

Susanna kept her thoughts to herself, not daring to show any dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, Silas on the other end was reeling. “What did you say?” Too light? What did that even mean?

“Are you deaf?” Hull’s voice carried a hint of irritation.

“No, no, I’ll get on it right away,” Silas hurriedly replied. Whether or not he understood the bizarre request, when the big guy said jump, you asked how high.

“Okay, I’ll sort it out, no need to worry,” he said, quickly ending the call. He couldn’t afford to upset Hull; he liked having his ears the way they were.

Chapter 565

As soon as Silas hung up the phone, it was just Susanna and Hull left in the room. Susanna stood awkwardly by the cabinet, clutching a cushion tightly to her chest, her eyes darting nervously toward Hull.

Hull settled himself on the couch, gesturing for her to join him. “Come here.”

Susanna clutched the cushion even tighter, shaking her head. “I don’t want to.”

Her words and body language were in perfect sync, a testament to the fear Hull had instilled in her over the past few days.

Seeing her frightened demeanor, Hull’s smile vanished, replaced by a chilling expression. “Hm?”

That single syllable hung in the air, dripping with menace, making Susanna’s heart race. She considered bolting for the door, but knew she wouldn’t get far under Hull’s watchful gaze.

Feeling the oppressive coldness emanating from him, she stammered, “We can talk from here. You can hear me.”

She took another step back, her voice barely above a whisper. Hull raised an eyebrow, amused at how easily she was spooked. The reports from Silas had painted a different picture of her during her time in Portis City. She had been bold, not the timid figure before him now.

Susanna, noticing his silence, gathered her courage to speak. “I have something to ask you.”

Despite her fear, she needed answers. Her voice was small but determined.

Hull’s lips curled into a smile. “Ask.”

“Why did you tell Mr. Quinn you like me?” she blurted out. This was a question she needed clarity on, or she’d never sleep soundly again. Hull raised an eyebrow, “What do you think?”

The dreaded counter-question. It made Susanna feel even more unsure of herself. Clutching the cushion, she murmured, “I don’t know.” Hull explained casually, “To make sure Mr. Quinn didn’t take you away. Otherwise, where else would you cause trouble?”

“I’m not a troublemaker,” Susanna insisted quietly, feeling wronged.

Hull smirked, “Whether you are or not, we’ll find out.”

That same phrase again. It scared her, but she couldn’t help but shoot Hull a resentful glance. “Then hurry up with your investigation. I can’t imagine you’re comfortable having a suspect like me around.”

Hull looked at her, surprised by her boldness. Despite her fear, she managed to speak her mind.

He said nothing, standing up and heading toward the door. Susanna instinctively moved aside, pressing her back against the wall.

As he passed her, Hull glanced at her cushion. “Do you really think that cushion could protect you if I had any intentions?”

Susanna’s eyes widened in fear, looking up at Hull, who seemed amused by her reaction. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stammered, “What do you intend to do?”

She couldn’t imagine he’d do anything to her, despite her fears. Stella had assured her he wasn’t interested in someone like her, preferring tall, model-like women.

Hull didn’t answer. Instead, he reached for the cushion she’d been holding so tightly. Startled, Susanna clung to it even more. But with a gentle tug, Hull pulled the cushion away, causing her to stumble forward against him.

His distinct scent, mingled with his commanding presence, enveloped her. Susanna’s mind went blank, her body reacting instinctively as she tried to push away from him. But in her flustered state, her knees went weak…

Chapter 566

As Susanna instinctively reached out to push Hull away, she hadn’t quite expected what happened next.

In an instant, her wrist was caught in his firm grip, his voice a gravelly murmur, “What are you up to?”

“I-I wasn’t doing anything!”

“Really?”

Susanna’s eyes widened in shock.

She realized where her hand had landed-right on Hull’s toned abdomen, dangerously close to the waistband of his jeans…

Her breath hitched.

Oh my God, what was it with her and Hull’s waist? First, she yanked on his belt, then it was the towel, and now, well, there’s no belt, just his jeans?

Susanna’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back, only for Hull to tighten his hold on her wrist.

It seemed she couldn’t even play innocent if she tried.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

Hull raised an eyebrow, “You sure you weren’t trying to get a little closer?”

Susanna was speechless.

Her mind was spinning, and she couldn’t quite recall how she’d ended up in his arms.

In all honesty, she hadn’t meant to do it.

She had been trying her best to avoid any trouble by keeping herself locked away in her room.

“I’m sorry.”

She wanted to add, “If you hadn’t climbed in through the window, this wouldn’t have happened,” but she dared not.

Hull released her and turned away, his voice low and tinged with something unrestrained, “Just avoid chatting with Stella for a while.”

Susanna felt a pang of frustration. She had been hoping to reach out to her friend, Star.

Hull continued, “We’ve got to sort this out before you can clear your name. I’m sure you don’t want this dragging on because of her interference.” Susanna sighed.

Her resolve to reach out to Stella crumbled under Hull’s reasoning.

His point was clear.

Even if Stella got involved, they needed to get to the bottom of things to clear Susanna’s name.

If Star interfered, it would likely only prolong the process.

Pulling her thoughts together, Susanna watched Hull’s retreating back. He was already at the door when she called out, a little plaintively, “Then have your people hurry up with the investigation.”

She was desperate to clear her name as soon as possible.

Hull didn’t respond, simply walking out.

Susanna picked up a throw pillow, hugging it close, and closed the door with a sense of dejection. She returned to the couch, feeling rather stuck in the mess she found herself in.

Not long after, Silas showed up with a crew to replace some furniture. Susanna watched them struggle with the heavy cabinets, realizing there was no way she could have moved them herself.

Barnaby arrived as well.

He glanced around at Susanna’s room, noting the perfectly good cabinets being replaced, and turned to her, “Got a problem with these cabinets?” It was curious to him.

His brother was going out of his way for a woman, which was quite the surprise.

Susanna shot Barnaby a look of annoyance but said nothing.

Barnaby was puzzled. What was that look for?

She had Hull’s attention, so why did she still look so put out?

Lottie didn’t return until late evening.

Ronald, having just returned to Ferrowland, was busy with his own matters. Before heading out that night, he gave the butler a list of instructions regarding Stella and her pregnancy, noting the things she needed to avoid.

Stella sat on a nearby couch, munching on a Granny Smith apple.

Ronald walked over with a report in hand, gently ruffling her hair, “Enjoying that?”

He glanced at the wastebasket, noting several apple cores.

Stella grinned, “Yeah, these are really good.”

She wasn’t too fond of overly sweet fruits, and the tartness of the apple was just right.

Ronald settled beside her, gazing at the ultrasound images on the report with the same tender warmth he always showed Stella.

Stella noticed his fixation, “You’ve looked at those a million times.”

Ever since he got that report, it hadn’t left his side. What was so fascinating about it?

Chapter 567

Ronald chuckled softly, “What do you think our Little Star will look like?”

Stella’s eyes widened in surprise, “!!!”

“Yvonne was just saying how she couldn’t tell anything yet. I mean, who can really know at this point?”

After all, it’s all about genetics, whether the kid takes after the Mom or the Dad.

Ronald gently pinched her cheek, “I won’t be around for dinner, so be good, alright?”

“Yeah, I know.”

Having been away from Ferrowland for quite some time, Ronald was bound to be busy now that he was back. Stella obediently settled on the couch.

Seeing her sitting there so sweetly, he kissed her forehead before heading out the door. He took the medical report with him, tucking it neatly into his pocket.

Yvonne came down from upstairs.

Spotting Stella alone on the couch, she asked, puzzled, “Where’s my Brother?”

“He went out,” Stella replied, taking another bite from the apple she was holding.

Yvonne raised an eyebrow, “He still has the mind to go out?”

They had just confirmed that Stella was pregnant, and Yvonne had thought her Brother would drop everything to take care of her, considering how the Quinn family always viewed Stella as the least disciplined one.

Her sleeping habits were erratic, and she ate whatever she fancied, which had landed her in the hospital more than once.

Stella didn’t respond, instead resting her chin on the couch back as she looked up at Yvonne, “What did he say to you earlier?”

She had meant to wait outside the study, but the conversation inside had taken so long that she eventually got hungry and wandered off. Mentioning the study brought a shadow over Yvonne’s face, “He said Xander’s a good guy.”

Stella blinked, “Huh?”

A good guy?

Was he serious when he said that?

Yvonne looked at Stella, “Do you think he’s a good guy?”

“Nope.” Stella shook her head without hesitation.

But Yvonne insisted, “He is.”

Stella was bewildered, “What’s going on with everyone…?”

Since Xander’s return, his easy comings and goings with the Quinn family had been odd enough. Now, both Ronald and Yvonne were calling him a good guy?

“You think he’s a good guy, too? I mean, seriously…”

Yvonne sighed, “Star, we all misunderstood him three years ago. Given the chaos back then, we didn’t give him a chance to explain.”

Indeed, three years ago, everything had spiraled out of control so suddenly. Who could have stayed calm and listened back then?

Stella asked, “So, what really happened?”

Yvonne explained, “Xander saved Mom and me. The night you left the Quinn family, a lot of Mervin Burton’s people showed up. Xander even sent you a message from another phone. Didn’t you see it?”

Stella was taken aback, “Uh… No, I didn’t see anything.”

Mervin Burton had always been at odds with the Quinns, and Lancelot was one of his.

Stella was incredulous, “I didn’t get any message. Are you sure? And what’s up with Regina Schultz?”

“Did Xander mention Regina to you back then?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Then what happened?”

“Regina called me, saying you and Mom were in Xander’s hands and that I should get out of the Quinn family immediately.”

Yvonne nodded, “Right, that fits.”

Xander’s intention was to get you out of the Quinn family fast, and with Regina stirring things up…

Naturally, Stella assumed Xander had kidnapped her mom and Yvonne to threaten her.

“But something’s not adding up.” Stella looked at Yvonne, “He said if I didn’t want you guys dead, I should leave the Quinn family immediately.”

Wasn’t that a threat?

It sounded like an outright threat, didn’t it?

Someone you trusted suddenly throwing such harsh words your way…

Yvonne explained, “If you had come looking for us and something happened, Mom and I would have gone after you. Given the situation at the time…”

Yvonne left the rest unsaid, but it painted a clear enough picture of the chaotic circumstances they faced back then.

Chapter 568

Stella’s lips twitched slightly.

“Anyway, it’s just a misunderstanding between us and Xander,” Yvonne reiterated.

Stella remained silent, processing everything.

So much had happened over the years, and the situation back then was pretty chaotic.

“Couldn’t he just explain things properly?” Stella fumed, finally reacting.

“After that, he wouldn’t even let me keep in touch with my brother,” she added, her frustration growing.

When she first left Ferrowland, she and Xander still communicated a bit.

Yvonne sighed, “If you kept in touch with your brother, he would have come looking for you, unable to focus on dealing with all those issues.” Stella blinked, surprised. “Really?”

Honestly, she wasn’t inclined to trust Xander. In her mind, he was nothing but a schemer with a heart as black as his intentions.

“Later on, as you saw, your brother dealt with those issues and settled scores with Xander,” Yvonne explained.

“Wait, what?” Stella was taken aback.

She had no clue how far Ronald had gotten with handling those problems, but she knew the fallout with Xander had been explosive. “Couldn’t he have just clarified things?” Stella’s anger flared up again.

Yvonne shook her head, “The Schultz family was going through their own mess at the time. It’s been too long; it’s hard to explain.” Stella couldn’t believe it. “Exactly, it’s impossible to explain clearly now.”

The Schultz family’s troubles had indeed hit Xander hard.

“So, what’s my brother’s stance on Xander now?” Stella inquired.

If Ronald believed it was a misunderstanding, it probably was.

Stella was even more annoyed. That jerk Xander couldn’t say a word to clear things up, and she had to leave the Quinn family for years because of it.

If she hadn’t left Ferrowland, she wouldn’t have had to deal with the troublesome Larkin family.

Just thinking about the Larkin family made Stella’s head ache.

Yvonne continued, “Your brother wants me to marry him.”

Stella was stunned. “Wait, what?”

Everything seemed so jumbled in her mind.

Given Yvonne and Xander’s history, it was unbelievable that Ronald would suggest such a thing.

“How did this even happen?” Stella was baffled.

Resolving the misunderstanding was one thing, but having Yvonne marry Xander was another entirely.

No matter the misunderstanding, Xander wasn’t the same person he had been. After everything, he seemed more volatile, perhaps even with a hint of a rough edge.

Yvonne shrugged, “Ronald thinks he’s a good person.”

Stella was speechless. How many ‘good person’ cards was Xander going to get?

Did this mean Xander was better than Dan?

“So, are you going to marry him?” Stella asked, feeling the absurdity of the situation.

Xander wanting to marry Yvonne and Ronald not opposing it seemed so out of place.

Yvonne shook her head, “Marry him? Even if he’s a good guy, I can’t do that.”

Stella was somewhat relieved. “Right, you can’t marry someone just because they’re considered a good person.”

Still, something felt off; it couldn’t be that simple.

“I can’t talk anymore. I need to find Dan and get my stuff back,” Yvonne suddenly declared, her frustration bubbling over. “What?” Stella exclaimed.

“I’m going to take back what’s mine,” Yvonne said determinedly.

Stella was taken aback. “Are you talking about that file Xander lost?”

Exactly, what good would reclaiming that file do now? It’s likely everything that needed leaking had already been leaked.

Chapter 569

Yvonne couldn’t quite figure out why Ronald was so insistent on her marrying Xander. What was his deal, anyway?

But honestly, after the whole document fiasco, it felt like she owed Xander a little something.

So when Xander kept pestering her about those papers, she decided it was time to track down Dan and get them back.

That wretched man…

Whether or not he used her this time was beside the point; he definitely threw her under the bus in front of Xander.

The more Yvonne thought about it, the angrier she got.

As soon as Stella heard Yvonne was planning to confront Dan, she grabbed her arm, “Wait, hold on. You can’t just go.”

The way Dan was treating Yvonne now… it was suspicious. Stella wouldn’t be surprised if Dan’s supposed “death” years ago was all a sham.

If that was the case, Stella figured Dan never truly loved Yvonne. Someone like that? Not worth her time.

Yvonne raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“He probably doesn’t love you,” Stella said bluntly. It was harsh, and she knew it might hurt Yvonne, but she needed her sister to prioritize herself. Yvonne gave a small, sarcastic smile. “Oh, come on. You think I’m going over there for what, exactly?”

Stella hesitated, “Uh…”

Yvonne rolled her eyes. “For a romantic rendezvous?”

Stella was taken aback, “!!!”

No, that wasn’t it. She just didn’t want Yvonne to see Dan again. After all, they’d just found him, and those old feelings were likely still buried deep within her.

Yvonne understood Stella’s concern and patted her on the shoulder, “Don’t worry. I’m not made of glass.”

Stella frowned, “So, what are you-“

“I’m just going to get Xander’s stuff back. That jerk thinks he can use me? Ha, we’ll see about that.”

Yvonne’s voice was full of determination, especially when she mentioned dealing with Dan. Her teeth were practically grinding.

Stella still wasn’t convinced, “But—”

“Oh, come on. It’s just some guy trying to use me. Like I’d ever let him get to me.”

At that moment, Stella connected the dots. All that memory loss and pretending not to recognize her… Dan had to have an agenda when he came into her life. Now, he was probably using her all over again.

Yvonne noticed Stella’s uncertainty, “You’re not buying that, are you?”

“Buying what?” Yvonne gave her a pointed look.

Stella sighed, “You know, falling head over heels, losing yourself in him.”

“Seriously? Do I look like someone who’d do that?”

Stella didn’t answer, but she remembered seeing plenty of girls in Portis City who did just that. Back when they were working at the studio, she’ seen young women break down, lamenting, “I gave him everything, how could he love someone else?” or “We’ve been together for three years, how could he just leave me?” It was heart-wrenching.

Even when Stella and Ronald split, it was tough, but she couldn’t stand seeing people so distraught.

Yvonne met Stella’s worried gaze and took a deep breath, “Alright, alright. I’ll get the stuff and be right back.”

Her sister was so innocent, best not to corrupt her. Their big brother would blow a gasket if he found out.

Stella hesitated, “Maybe you should call Mom first.”

Yvonne’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Or drop a text to our Brother.”

Stella couldn’t just let Yvonne leave without a heads-up.

Yvonne playfully flicked Stella’s forehead, “Feeling bold, huh?”

Did Stella think she was still a teenager needing permission to step out? It’s been years since she did anything without thinking for herself.

“Okay, I’ll be back soon. Be good, and make yourself some dinner,” Yvonne said, heading out with a reassuring wave.

Chapter 570

Before Stella could say a word, Yvonne had already stormed off, leaving a tense silence in her wake.

Stella rubbed her forehead, which throbbed a little from the unexpected encounter.

Seeing this, the butler hastily approached, concern etched on his face. “Miss, let me take a look. Are you alright?”

Stella winced slightly. “Just a bit of a headache.”

It genuinely did hurt a little.

When she moved her hand away, a red mark had formed on her forehead.

The butler remained silent, but his thoughts were clear. Did the second young lady forget that Miss Stella is expecting? If the young master finds out, there will be consequences.

Quickly, he instructed one of the maids to bring a warm towel to soothe Stella’s forehead.

Stella’s skin was always sensitive, prone to redness with even the slightest pressure.

As she held the warm towel to her forehead, she picked up her phone and dialed Ronald. He answered promptly, his voice warm and familiar. “Star.”

“Yvonne went to see Dan.”

Ronald reassured her calmly. “I know.”

“But what if she…”

“Don’t worry. Dan wouldn’t dare try anything while he’s in Ferrowland,” Ronald said, his voice gentle and soothing.

Hearing Ronald’s reassurance, Stella felt her anxiety ease a bit.

After hanging up, she handed the towel back to the maid with a polite, “Thank you.”

The maid beamed, visibly pleased.

Not long after, another maid brought her a bowl of freshly washed strawberries. “Miss, these just arrived today. They’re very fresh.”

The vibrant red berries looked incredibly tempting, and Stella couldn’t resist swallowing in anticipation.

“Thank you,” she said, her eyes lighting up.

They looked absolutely delicious.

Although she hadn’t deprived herself during her time in Portis City, nothing quite matched the comfort of being home.

She picked up a berry and took a bite. “So sweet.”

“Madam specifically had these sent over, knowing you love them.”

A warmth spread through Stella at the mention of her mother.

Meanwhile, in the car.

Ronald was aware that Yvonne had gone to see Dan. His eyes, behind gold-rimmed glasses, glinted coldly.

He addressed Idris, who was seated in the front. “What have you found?”

“After Dan supposedly passed away in Ferrowland, he didn’t return to Sands City until six months later.”

“Six months later?” Ronald echoed, his brow furrowing.

Idris nodded. “Yes, in that time, from Ferrowland to Sands City, we couldn’t trace his whereabouts.” “And his illness?”

“It’s real.”

Ronald fell silent, absorbing the information.

If Dan’s illness was genuine, then…

When Ronald first heard of Dan’s presence in Sands City, it struck him as odd.

Why was he alive? And if he was alive, why hadn’t he sought out Yvonne?

Questions without answers swirled in his mind.

Idris added, “He truly has amnesia.”

Though it seemed improbable, the reality was, Dan genuinely didn’t remember Yvonne.

Ronald inhaled deeply. “Have Louis keep an eye on Yvonne from a distance, just to be safe.” Given Dan’s amnesia, there was still a need for caution, especially regarding Yvonne. Idris nodded, already reaching for his phone to contact Louis.

That evening.

With Ronald, Yvonne, and her mother all away, Stella had a light dinner before retreating to her room.

She hadn’t eaten much, partly because there were always people offering her snacks throughout the afternoon.

In her half-asleep state, she heard the door gently open. Ronald was back, his warm hand tracing the contours of her face, taking in her serene expression.

A soft tenderness filled his gaze; having her here felt so right.

Stella blinked sleepily, her eyes meeting Ronald’s. She smiled sweetly. “You’re back?”

Her innocent demeanor made Ronald’s heart swell, his voice softening. “Yeah.”

Stella murmured, “What time is it?”

“Eleven o’clock. Go back to sleep. I’ll just take a quick shower.”

Stella mumbled, her words a little slurred with sleepiness, “Want to sleep together?”

“Hmm?” Ronald chuckled softly.

Stella, still caught in her sleepy haze, hadn’t realized they’d easily navigated past Lottie’s earlier concerns.

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