Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath [Stella] (Chapters 621 to 630) – Daisy Novels  

Chapter 621

Every word that came out of Yvonne’s mouth was like a slap in Dan’s face, sharp, unfiltered, and definitely not friendly.

It was hard to believe that this man, who once seemed to mean the world to her, was now getting verbally torched like this. Was it all just an illusion before? Because honestly, who talks to someone they love like that?

But Yvonne did.

Sitting on the couch, Stella started to wonder if Dan had ever really meant anything to Yvonne at all. Maybe he’d never even made it into her heart. Stella recognized the feeling she’d been able to dismiss Yorick so easily herself, simply because there was no love there. No love, no chains.

But Yvonne? When Dan “died,” she’d nearly lost her mind with grief. Stella remembered her screams and tears.

Dan stammered, “You…-You’re unbelievable, woman-“

Yvonne shot back, “Oh, am I? Well, whether I’m a saint or a witch, it’s got nothing to do with you anymore, you jerk.”

Dan: “…”

Stella: “…”

Stella raised her eyebrows as Yvonne kept spitting out “jerk” after “jerk” over the speakerphone. The argument was heating up fast, spiraling from simple name-calling to Dan demanding Yvonne divorce Xander.

Even just listening from the sidelines, Stella could hear Dan’s bossy, almost parental tone through the line.

That only made Yvonne angrier. “Whether I divorce Xander or not is none of your damn business. Maybe worry about your own mess for once. “Oh, so he’s not a good guy? But you, you little fake saint, you’re the hero here? Please. You and your convenient amnesia.” Stella nearly choked. “Fake saint”? That was a new one. Yvonne was really going through the Greatest Hits of Insults she’d already called Dan a jerk, and now this. Wasn’t “amnesia” just a pathetic excuse guys used to cover up cheating? Stella had never bought it.

Yvonne’s yelling grew louder and more dramatic until she finally noticed Stella staring at her in shock. Yvonne’s gaze dropped to Stella’s still-flat belly, and she suddenly stood up, storming toward the stairs while unleashing another insult over her shoulder.

“You absolute drama queen!”

Stella: “…”

Well, that was a new one.

A few minutes later, Ronald came home to find Stella sitting dazed on the couch, her eyes wide with disbelief.

He walked over and ruffled her hair, his tone gentle and teasing. “Hey, what’s got you so lost in thought?”

She hadn’t even noticed him come in.

Only when Ronald spoke did Stella snap out of her daze, finally shaking off the echo of Yvonne’s string of insults. She’d even heard Yvonne call Dan a “drama queen” right before stomping upstairs. Honestly, it was like she’d used every insult in the book-most of them traditionally reserved for women-and thrown them at Dan.

Turning to Ronald, Stella grabbed his wrist, nuzzling her chin into his palm. “You’re back?”

Given the way he’d left earlier, she’d half-expected him to be out all night.

He hummed an answer, but before he could say more, Stella hugged his arm and whispered in his ear, “Hey, guess what? My sister and Dan just had a huge fight.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Sounds like she actually went through with marrying Xander, and now Dan’s freaking out, demanding she get divorced.”

She hit the nail on the head. Stella honestly hadn’t thought Yvonne would actually tie the knot with Xander when he picked her up earlier. Everyone knew what a handful Yvonne could be.

But apparently, it had happened. And Dan? If he really had amnesia, would he be this worked up over it? Stella doubted it.

Ronald turned, pulling Stella closer by her still-slender waist. “So? Did she win?”

Chapter 622

Did she win the argument?

Well, judging by Yvonne’s flushed face just now, it’s hard to say who came out on top-especially since she’s already stormed back upstairs to keep arguing.

“She called Dan a jerk, a snake, and get this—a total drama queen.”

Ronald just stared for a moment, then snorted. “That’s… creative.”

Stella grinned. “You should’ve heard Dan on the phone. He was so mad he could barely get his words out.”

“You saw all this?”

“I heard it! He was so flustered, he couldn’t even talk straight.”

That’s my sis for you, Stella thought, eyes practically glittering with pride. When it comes to a war of words, nobody can take her down.

Ronald smirked. “Not many people can mess with her.”

“Oh, so you’re saying you weren’t worried before?”

Why else would he have rushed to the hospital?

He sighed, a little sheepish. “Okay, I was worried. But not anymore.”

The way Stella told it, Yvonne had Dan absolutely demolished over the phone. Ronald figured she’d be just fine.

Just then, Idris walked in, two women in business suits trailing behind him, their arms loaded with elegant evening dresses.

Catching sight of Stella practically draped over Ronald, Idris instinctively turned away. “Sir.”

Stella perked up, peeking over Ronald’s shoulder to see Idris and his entourage.

Ronald glanced back, then told Stella, “Go call your sister down. Time to try on some dresses.”

“Huh? Is there a party or something?”

He nodded. “Yeah, an important birthday bash. You and Yvonne both need to be there.”

Stella groaned. “Ugh, do I have to?”

She’d never been much for parties-especially the kind where everyone’s comparing notes, sucking up, or just being generally fake. She’d rather eat cold pizza in her pajamas.

Ronald pinched her cheek affectionately. “This one’s special. After this, you can skip all the others, okay?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

With a dramatic sigh, she slid off Ronald’s lap and trudged upstairs to fetch Yvonne.

Idris approached Ronald respectfully. “Sir.”

“Keep an eye on Dan. And Landseer, too.”

“Mrs. Quinn already met Landseer today. I doubt he’ll try anything again.”

Landseer had always been greedy about resources, but he didn’t have the nerve to go too far. Getting caught sneaking around with Dan today was bad luck for him.

Honestly, even if Mrs. Quinn hadn’t seen him, he probably wouldn’t have dared cross them. Still, a warning never hurt anyone, and it cut off Dan’s connections in this part of town.

Ronald nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Keep the pressure on, Dan.”

Idris gave a crisp nod. “Understood.”

After a pause, Idris added quietly, “About Mr. Schultz, I think he plans to use Miss Quinn to shake up the Schultz family.”

He hesitated, then said, “You know how she is. Once she gets fired up, there’s no stopping her. No filter at all.”

If Xander wanted to go up against his own family, there was no doubt they’d end up tangling with Yvonne too. The Schultzes and the Quinns had been drifting apart for years. If Yvonne started stirring the pot…

Ronald caught Idris’s drift and chuckled. “No filter, no problem. That’s exactly what Xander wants.”

Idris blinked. “Well… I guess you’re right.”

Ronald gave a cold little laugh. “If she actually knew how to hold back, Xander wouldn’t be so desperate to team up with her.”

Chapter 623

To put it bluntly, Xander and Yvonne’s marriage was nothing but a business arrangement.

Just as Xander walked in, he caught Ronald saying, “Clingy and desperate,” and those words made Xander’s jaw clench.

Clingy and desperate? Really?

People get desperate when they’re head-over-heels in love. That wasn’t the case here. He and Yvonne were simply…partners in a deal.

How did it turn into being “desperate” in Ronald’s mouth?

Catching Xander’s glare from the corner of his eye, Ronald just smirked. “Tell Yvonne to keep her temper in check, will you?”

Idris looked confused. “Keep it in check? Why?”

But before he could finish, he saw Xander standing at the doorway, arms crossed, face like thunderclouds.

Ronald shrugged, “Can’t help someone too much, you know.”

Idris choked on his coffee. “Uh…right…”

If possible, Xander’s scowl got even darker.

Ronald picked up on Idris’s awkward cough, turned, and met Xander’s icy stare head-on.

The look on Xander’s face said he was ready to bite someone’s head off.

Ronald’s grin grew wider. “Mr. Schultz, wouldn’t you agree?”

That was it. Xander practically fumed.

He let out a cold laugh, stalking over on his long legs to drop into the seat right across from Ronald.

“Real classy, Ronald. Stabbing me in the back on purpose?”

“Just making sure you don’t get too comfortable, buddy.”

The Schultz family, everyone in the room knew the score. Xander’s dad wasn’t keeping ties with the Quinns out of some warm, fuzzy feeling. No, he was wary-scared even.

If Yvonne got herself tangled up in the Schultz family’s mess, it’d be a hell of a lot easier for Xander to take back what belonged to his mom. He might be a Schultz by name, but he’d been at war with that family for years.

Even though he’d walked away from them three years ago, clawed back nearly everything that was his Mom’s he wanted more. Because the Schultz family had built their early fortune on his mother’s dowry. And his father? Paid her back by betraying her.

Xander was only fourteen when his father’s “true love”-the woman he’d never let go of showed up while Xander’s mom was dying in childbirth. The shock killed both his mother and his baby sister.

And yet, his father brought that woman and her child straight into the Schultz mansion, letting them live off everything that should’ve been his mom’s.

That wound had never healed for Xander. He didn’t just want what belonged to his mother.

If he couldn’t have the whole Schultz legacy, he’d see it burn.

“Ronald, you can stab me in the back on a lot of things,” Xander said, his voice ice-cold, “but not this.”

Before Ronald could retort, Xander pressed on, “I know you blame me for you and Stella losing those three years.”

“But don’t forget she’s my fiancée. I never meant to hurt her.”

His voice was getting louder, rougher. If there was one thing the old man did right, it was arranging things with Stella. Nobody knew, but when Xander found out Stella was going to be his wife, he had been up all night, unable to sleep.

And yet…

How the hell did Stella end up falling for some guy she grew up with? Just thinking about it made Xander want to punch something.

Ronald narrowed his eyes, cold as ice, “You really think Yvonne can help you take everything back?”

“At least I don’t have to rein her in,” Xander shot back through gritted teeth. “Let her loose in the Schultz family, make a mess of everything.” He wasn’t just looking for chaos.

Those murderers had lived the good life for way too long. Their time was up.

Ronald took a sip from the mug in front of him, a pretty pink one, obviously Stella’s.

Chapter 624

Xander turned his face away, huffing. “I’m not even gonna fight with you about Stella anymore.”

Ronald’s voice dropped, taking on a weight that made Xander pause. “Did you ever wonder why your father let that woman into the Schultz family in the first place?”

Xander frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ronald leaned in, his gaze sharp. “From what I know, your father wasn’t head-over-heels for her. Yet he still brought her into the family. Why do you think that is?”

Xander bristled. “Because that woman knew how to play her cards. She had him wrapped around her little finger.”

“Is that what you really think of your father?”

Xander’s temper flared. “If you’re trying to say something, just spit it out!”

This was Xander’s breaking point. Anything to do with his mother was a no-go zone-anyone who brought it up got the full force of his anger. But Ronald just stared at him, silent.

Xander gritted his teeth. “Just drop it, okay? I don’t want to hear any more.”

Ronald set his mug down, voice cool. “Then why is Regina Schultz still locked away in there?”

Regina. The daughter of that woman. And when everything fell apart over the years, had Tristan Schultz ever truly tried to protect her?

The truth was, Xander had been a master at playing it cool. Even after what that woman did to his mother, he managed to act like nothing happened -hell, he even treated Regina, his so-called sister, decently.

He kept his head down, bided his time, waited for his moment.

No one really knew what went down in the Schultz family three years ago, but whatever it was, it pushed Xander over the edge.

Xander’s eyes narrowed. There were some things about his family he’d never discuss.

“All I need from you is to leave Yvonne to me. Stay out of it, Ronald.”

Ronald straightened his rumpled cuff and looked away, noncommittal.

Was he really going to stay out of it? Truthfully, even Ronald wasn’t sure.

After all, Xander had finally explained what happened three years ago. He wasn’t out to hurt Stella.

But as for what the Schultz family had done… Ronald’s mind flashed to Tristan, and a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. He shot Xander a cold look. “I want the deed to Kernar’s mines.”

Xander’s jaw dropped. “You want what?”

The Kernar mines? That was Tristan’s pride and joy, his golden goose. Ronald was basically asking for Tristan’s lifeblood. Xander’s gaze hardened. “You’re serious?”

Ronald shrugged. “Just that one. The rest is yours to do with as you please. Deal?”

The Schultzes had more assets than they knew what to do with anyway.

Before Xander could answer, Ronald added, “Besides, you’re not exactly one of the Schultzes anymore, are you?”

That hit home. Xander’s face went even colder.

The two men locked eyes, tension thick in the air. Finally, Xander nodded. “Fine. Tell Yvonne to go all in.”

Just then, Yvonne was coming downstairs and caught the last bit of their conversation. She was so startled, she nearly slipped-but grabbed the banister just in time.

Trust Xander to set her up like this. “Go all in?” she thought. Wasn’t that basically throwing her to the wolves, telling her to go toe-to-toe with the Schultz family?

Chapter 625

Stella had planned to head downstairs with Yvonne.

She’d just called out for her when her phone rang a number she didn’t recognize.

But since it was from the Ferrowland area, Stella picked up. “Hello?”

The moment she answered, Jaxon’s anxious, guilt-ridden voice came through.

“Star, it’s me.”

Stella’s face immediately darkened.

She was about to hang up.

Jaxon must’ve sensed it, because he rushed out, “Don’t hang up, Star, please. I’m begging you.”

Stella could practically feel his spine melting away, even through the phone. The Jaxon she remembered always looked down his nose at people, especially her. Now, hearing him say “please,” she realized even the proudest men could crumble when cornered.

Of course, she knew this was just an act. If he didn’t get what he wanted, he’d go right back to being his old self.

She narrowed her eyes, a cold laugh slipping out. “Begging me? Well, isn’t that something? Never thought I’d see someone from the Larkin family stoop so low.”

During her two years in Portis City, she’d seen firsthand how the Larkins acted-always looking down on everyone else, like they owned the place.

But now, here was Jaxon, so humble it was almost pitiful.

Stella made sure to let her sarcasm shine through. After all the ways they’d trampled her before, she figured it was only fair to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Jaxon took a shaky breath. “We know the truth now. I’ve kicked Ursula out of the family for what she did to you.”

Stella almost snorted. “Oh, really? You did it for me, huh?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “Funny, coming from you. Isn’t it more like you’re just trying to save your own skin?”

She knew exactly what games the Larkins played. “You always knew the truth, didn’t you?”

She cut him off before he could answer, letting the accusation hang. The silence on his end was thick, broken only by his heavy breathing.

She continued, her tone icy. “Don’t pretend you’re doing this for me. You’re just trying to clean up your own mess.”

Like she’d ever be touched by their sudden change of heart. She never had been, especially not by people who meant nothing to her. Jaxon’s voice was shaky. “Star, I—”

She cut him off again. “After all, your dad’s little fling with her aunt gave you a set of twins, didn’t it?”

The line went dead quiet.

“Scandalous, isn’t it?” Stella couldn’t help but laugh, the sound sharp and unsympathetic.

Jaxon was standing outside the county jail, looking completely defeated. He’d just seen Cloudia. The trial was a quick attempted murder, a long sentence. No matter what strings Jaxon tried to pull, he couldn’t get her out.

Hearing Stella’s mocking laughter on the line, Jaxon clenched his fists. “That woman tore your family apart, too, you know.”

“Oh, my family?” Stella’s voice dripped with irony. “Mr. Larkin, have you forgotten what you said to me the first time we met?”

Jaxon went silent.

He remembered. That day, Ursula was in tears, afraid Stella would resent her for “taking her place.” Jaxon, ever the knight in shining armor, had told Stella, “Maybe you’re Larkin’s real daughter, but Ursula grew up here. She’ll always be family. If you just mind your own business, you’ll get what you deserve. But if you insist on fighting with Ursula, just know she’ll always be closer to us.”

He hadn’t said it outright, but the message was clear: when it came down to it, Stella would always be the outsider.

“Remember now?” Stella asked, her voice cool and measured.

Jaxon felt a mix of guilt and anger at her attitude. He clenched his jaw, then, voice cracking, said, “I’m sorry. I really am. I’m the one who owes you an apology. But please, don’t make things harder on Mom.”

Sorry after sorry rolled down the line, but Stella just laughed colder. “Too bad, Jaxon. Your apologies mean nothing to me.”

“And by the way, I’m not the one refusing to let her go. That’s the law now, not me.”

Jaxon fell silent.

“I can’t help you,” Stella said and hung up.

Chapter 626

“Stella.”

The single word made Jaxon’s breath catch in his throat.

He knew why she was calling. It wasn’t just about an apology; there was more to it.

He wanted her to get his Mom out. He’d even confronted Blaise Larkin about it.

Who would’ve thought that a father, his own flesh and blood, could be so cold, so heartless? Now, Blaise spends all his time and energy on his new family.

And Stella’s indifference right now was the last straw. All the self-control Jaxon had left snapped. “Stella, she’s your Mom. That woman from outside has taken her place. You’re really okay just watching this happen.”

“The one who let that woman take her place was Ursula,” Stella replied, her voice light, almost bored.

Jaxon clenched his jaw. “I know it was Ursula. That’s why I kicked her out of the Larkin house.”

“With her health, you know she won’t last long out there. She’s paid more than enough for what she did, don’t you think?”

“Isn’t that enough to make things right for you?”

He sounded desperate, as if kicking Ursula out was some grand gesture he’d done for Stella’s sake.

Stella just snorted. “Whether I’m satisfied or not isn’t your concern, is it?”

“You-“

“Enjoy your upcoming circus of a life, Jaxon. Oh, and by the way? I heard Lola Zeller took your son and skipped off to Ferrowland. Apparently, she’s shacked up with some guy named Dandy.”

She let that hang in the air.

“Your son, your money. Have fun.”

Jaxon was speechless.

If there was ever a phrase that could cut deeper than a knife, that was it. And before he could even catch his breath, Stella hung up on him.

Ronald came in just as she was finishing her call. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice low and warm. “Larkin family again?” Stella nodded. “Yeah. Jaxon says Ursula’s out, and I guess Mrs. Lawson’s probably been sentenced, too.”

Judging from how panicked Jaxon sounded, it must’ve been serious.

Ronald raised an eyebrow, giving a crooked smile. “You know, your words are sharper than a chef’s knife.”

Stella shrugged. “Not sharp enough, if you ask me.”

Those people loved to toy with others, to poke at their weakest spots. She was just giving them a taste of their own medicine. And honestly? This was nothing compared to what they’d done before.

“So, why’d you come up here?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I want you to try on your dress. Come on.” Ronald pulled her close as they headed out the door.

“Wait, whose birthday party is it again?” Stella asked. Ronald never personally picked out her outfits unless it was a really big deal.

“Old Mr. Norton’s,” he replied.

She blinked. “I thought we didn’t even talk to the Nortons anymore?”

The Norton family always kept to themselves, so they’d barely interacted with the Quinns for years.

Ronald paused on the stairs, pinched her nose playfully, and grinned. “That was before.”

Stella shook her head, still confused by how much things seemed to have changed since she’d been away from home.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, raised voices drifted from the living room.

Xander and Yvonne were at it again. As they usually were.

“I’ll go to the Schultz’s, but only if you pay me,” Yvonne demanded.

Ronald sighed. Stella just rolled her eyes. These two could argue about anything.

Before they got their marriage certificate, they’d fight about that. Now they were married, and already fighting about money. The speed of their arguments was impressive.

Xander’s face twisted. “Pay you? What, you need money now?”

Yvonne scowled. “That’s not the point. I just want to be paid. It’s only fair.”

Xander threw up his hands. “No money! I’m broke.”

Yvonne folded her arms. “Then I’m not setting foot in the Schultz house. Forget it.”

The Schultz family was a nest of vipers, and Yvonne wasn’t about to walk in there and come back with her blood pressure through the roof. Bad for her health.

Xander, realizing she wasn’t budging, turned a little green. “Fine. Go ask Tristan for money, then. Anything you get from the Schultzes, I don’t want a cent.”

Yvonne’s eyes flashed. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

“Fine. I’m going.”

Stella just stared. That was all it took?

Schultz family, good luck, you’re gonna need it.

Xander looked at Yvonne, then at Stella, and snorted. “You’re from two of the richest families in town, and you’re still this obsessed with money?” Yvonne rolled her eyes. “You don’t get it. Up north, they’ve been fighting for years. The orphanages and shelters need tons of donations. I’ve spent a fortune helping out.”

Xander paused, a strange look crossing his face. “Huh. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

Yvonne bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m heartless?”

And just like that, the two of them were bickering again, voices rising.

Ronald pressed a hand to his forehead and gently tugged Stella away toward the sitting room. Idris, seeing this, quickly sent someone to bring the dresses over so Stella could try them on in peace.

Chapter 627

Ronald picked out a pale blue dress for Stella that evening, the same shade as his own tie. He liked the idea of them matching, subtle but sweet. As they stepped out of the lounge, they heard raised voices down the hall.

Xander and Yvonne, arguing. Again.

Just a moment ago, it seemed like they’d finally settled their squabble about money. But here they were, at it again.

Ronald and Stella paused to listen. It sounded like Xander had accused Yvonne of being fake. Which was ridiculous. Yvonne had been quietly volunteering and giving to charity for years.

But now, with Xander’s words out in the open, things escalated fast. Not just yelling, Yvonne actually lunged at him. “You’re such an ass, Xander! Can’t you use your brain before you speak? I ought to just knock some sense into you.” She made a grab for him, but Xander was quick. He grabbed her by the waist, which clearly crossed a line. “Hey! Hands off, you jerk!” Yvonne spat, twisting out of his grip and swinging at him.

Most women, Xander thought darkly, would melt if he touched them like that. But Yvonne? She turned into a tornado. He caught her wrist mid-slap. “Relax. Like, I even want to touch you. You couldn’t pay me.”

“Oh, really? Then don’t touch me! You absolute pig-“

She raised her free hand to smack him again. Xander felt a headache coming on.

“I wouldn’t want you if you were the last woman on earth. Good luck finding anyone who does-you’ll die alone at this rate.” Harsh. Maybe too harsh.

For a woman, being told she’d end up alone for life? That stung. And Yvonne? No way was she letting that slide.

“You son of a “

He sneered, “You’re loud, angry, and you’ve got the charm of a wet cardboard box. Go ask around, see who likes your type.”

Yvonne was so mad she could barely speak. If she didn’t claw his eyes out tonight, she’d never forgive herself.

Stella and Ronald exchanged a look. Stella was itching to intervene, but Ronald gently steered her away.

Upstairs, Stella finally pulled away from his grasp. “Why’d you drag me off? I could’ve helped—”

“She doesn’t need help,” Ronald said matter-of-factly.

He was right. Yvonne could handle herself with Xander; she was a force of nature.

But Stella was frustrated. She still held a grudge against Xander for keeping her and Ronald apart all those years. So, to her, anything Xander did was automatically wrong.

“You’re really just going to leave my sister down there with the Schultzes?” she grumbled. “That family is a handful, especially Xander’s stepmom. She played nice at first, but she’s been scheming ever since she moved in. All for her own kids, of course.”

Ronald smirked. “No matter what the Schultzes try, your sister’s not falling for it.”

Stella thought about it. Yeah, Yvonne wouldn’t let anyone walk all over her.

No matter what plots the Schultzes had for Xander and Yvonne, Yvonne wouldn’t be easy prey. Whatever tricks they had up their sleeve, she’d see right through them.

Later, at the party, Stella found herself bored and, more importantly, hungry. Pregnant or not, she was never a fan of tiny hors d’oeuvres and dry canapés.

Her mom, Lottie, had been outside but called in: “Make sure the kitchen prepares something for Stella. She needs to eat.”

“Of course, ma’am,” answered the butler.

Not that she needed to worry, Ronald had already arranged everything.

But Stella was also sleepy. Ronald led her gently back to their room, planning for her to nap for an hour before coming back for food and festivities.

As soon as they got in, Ronald’s phone rang. Whatever the caller said made him frown. He covered the speaker and turned to Stella.

“Get some rest, okay? You and Yvonne can join the party in a bit. No rush, alright?”

Stella sighed. “Busy again?”

Since they’d returned to Ferrowland, Ronald always seemed to have a million things on his plate.

Chapter 628

Ronald nodded with a soft, “Yeah,” ruffled her silky hair, and turned to leave the room.

Stella really was starting to feel sleepy.

She turned, crawled into bed, and was just about to drift off when her phone buzzed. It was Susanna. “Did you just grill Hull about something again?”

Stella squinted. “Or did you maybe blurt out something like, ‘Let’s get married right now’?”

Susanna: “!!!”

Uhh…

So now, in Stella’s mind, these two things had become Susanna’s signature moves when it came to Hull, either stripping him down (figuratively or literally), or dropping some bombshell line.

Susanna groaned. “Remember earlier, when I told you I was scared to admit I liked him?”

Stella thought for a second. Yeah, that rang a bell.

Susanna always seemed to be poking or prodding Hull in some way, so it made sense Stella suspected there were feelings there.

“I remember. So what happened?”

Could it be something to do with that? Maybe she’d accidentally upset Hull again? Stella wouldn’t be surprised. Whenever Susanna got into trouble with Hull, it was always in this exact way.

Susanna sighed. “He asked me why I’m scared to like him.”

Stella: “!!!”

Well, that was unexpected.

From what she knew of Hull, that didn’t seem like his style at all.

“And… what did you say?”

There was a lot to unpack here, and Stella couldn’t quite process it all at once.

Susanna: “I didn’t dare answer! Anyway, forget about me screwing up for a second.”

“So what’s up?”

“My Mom. Turns out, she really was the boss of Black Gate. Isn’t that super dangerous?”

Susanna was clearly fishing for info, but apart from a few things she’d overheard from Hull, she was totally in the dark.

Stella replied, “I don’t know about dangerous, but honestly, there’s nothing you can do right now.”

Ronald had told her the same thing; he couldn’t help, either.

If Ronald couldn’t do anything, Susanna definitely couldn’t.

Susanna: “I just want to see her. Just once.”

Stella: “…”

See her Mom?

Susanna: “Do you think Mr. Quinn could help? Star, you’re my only hope here.”

Stella sighed. “I’ll ask him.”

This was Black Gate business, after all. Even though Ronald had his own connections in Ferrowland’s underworld, he and Black Gate had always kept out of each other’s way.

He always said Black Gate was a tangled mess, and he had no interest in getting caught up in their drama. His own network was more than enough.

After a little more back-and-forth, Stella hung up and dialed Ronald.

Back when they were in Portis City, Susanna’s problems were always handled right away. Now, it was Stella’s turn to pull strings.

The call connected, and Ronald’s voice came through, warm and teasing: “Can’t sleep without me there?”

Stella’s cheeks flushed. “What? No! That’s not it at all.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s Susie. She wants to see Lacey. Any chance you can help?”

With Black Gate involved, Stella honestly didn’t know if Ronald could pull it off, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

Sure enough, there was a pause on the other end.

Then Ronald said, “I’ll take care of it.”

“Seriously? Can you do that? Please, Susie’s been a wreck over her Mom; she’s barely eating or sleeping.” Ever since Lacey’s incident, every call from Susanna had been about her Mom.

Ronald’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Got it. Now get some sleep.”

He soothed her for a moment, then ended the call.

Turning to Idris, who was driving up front, Ronald said, “Call Hull. Tell him Susanna wants to see her mother.” Idris: “”

Uh… couldn’t Miss Susanna just ask Mr. Miguel herself?

Chapter 629

Susanna’s stomach growled so loudly she was sure the whole house could hear. Lately, she’d been doing everything she could to avoid running into Hull, especially around mealtimes.

She’d tell herself, “Just go downstairs and grab something to eat. You’re not even that hungry; you probably won’t eat much anyway.”

But then she’d wait a little longer, and bam! she was starving.

She tried to time her trips to the kitchen for when Hull was out running errands, but today, his car didn’t seem to be going anywhere. Didn’t he have work to do or something?

She thought about heading down anyway, but the idea of bumping into him made her hesitate.

As she stood there, caught between hunger and awkwardness, a knock rattled her door.

“Susie, Boss wants you in his office,” Barnaby’s booming voice called out from the hallway.

Susie? Since when did they call her that? Star was the only one who ever called her Susie, and that was their thing.

Now, everyone was just going for it?

She muttered under her breath, too annoyed to care.

Outside, Barnaby didn’t seem to notice how irritated he’d made her; he just kept calling out.

“Susie? Susie? Susanna?”

Oh, so now it was Susanna. That snapped her right out of her funk.

She yanked open the door and smacked Barnaby right on the side of his face.

He froze, wide-eyed.

Susanna glared at him, hand still pressed to his cheek. “What’s with your mouth? Don’t push me, or I’ll rip you a new one.”

Barnaby just stared at her, stunned. He’d seen Susanna act all soft and weepy around Hull, especially after messing something up. He didn’t expect her to have this kind of fire left in her. How badly had Hull been pushing her?

He cleared his throat, rubbing his cheek but not looking angry. If anything, he looked… a little sorry for her.

“Boss just wants to see you in his office.”

“What for?” Susanna snapped. She didn’t want to see Hull if she could help it. Star’s suspicions over the phone still rang in her ears, and now Hull’s crew was calling her pet names, probably thinking she’d tried to seduce him or something.

Worse, with everything that had happened, even if she tried to explain, she doubted anyone would believe her.

“For the record, I’m not any good at patching up wounds, and I’m not about to start serving coffee and biscuits either,” she grumbled.

Barnaby waved his hands. “No, no, you don’t need any of that. You just need to know how to… charm him.”

Susanna blinked. “Excuse me?”

Barnaby’s face went red. “Wait, that’s not what I meant, forget I said that.”

Susanna just stared, speechless. Charm him? Was she supposed to flutter her eyelashes at Hull now? Absolutely not.

She rolled her eyes and stalked past Barnaby, heading towards Hull’s office. If he called her, she couldn’t exactly refuse.

On the way, she glanced at Barnaby. “So who’s the one checking if I’m some kind of undercover cop or whatever?” Barnaby grinned sheepishly. “That’d be me.”

Susanna stopped short, giving him a look. Out of all Hull’s crew, Barnaby was easily the least reliable.

“You?” she said, disbelief all over her face.

He nodded. “Yep, just me.”

She groaned. Just her luck.

“So… how’s your little investigation going?” she asked, already dreading the answer.

Barnaby shrugged, looking almost apologetic.

Susanna sighed, realizing her chances of clearing her name were probably shot.

Chapter 630

Because this man, without a doubt, had the power to make her life a living hell.

Barnaby: “With all these suspicious things going on, you’re obviously the one I’m watching.”

Susanna: “…’

Damn it…

She was really starting to lose her patience.

But she had to hold it in. She’d seen Barnaby’s mean side before and knew better than to push him now. So all Susanna dared to do was shoot him a look.

Anything else? Out of the question.

They reached the study.

Susanna walked in, her cheeks still puffed with leftover anger.

Hull was lounging with a cigarette, and when he heard the door, he flicked his eyes up at her, cold and sharp. “Call Star yet?”

Listen to that classic Hull, the kind of guy who’s lived on the edge for years, calling Ronald’s right-hand woman just “Star.” Little things like that made it obvious: Stella had a serious standing in Ferrowland.

She nodded. “Yeah.”

Wait. “How’d you know I called Star?”

Really, calling Star was no big deal. She did it all the time, some days more than once.

But Hull had never asked about it before. And now, the first thing out of his mouth? What was that supposed to mean?

“You don’t think Star’s my inside source, do you?”

Susanna eyed him warily.

If Hull started suspecting even Star, then she was really in trouble.

If he didn’t trust Star, who in Ferrowland could she count on?

Hull snorted. “You? You think you could bring someone like her in?”

Susanna swallowed hard.

Okay, fine, maybe she really didn’t have what it takes. But still, the way he said it couldn’t he be a little nicer?

“As long as you’re not doubting Star, then whatever. What is it you want from me? I’m telling you now, I’m not doing anything.”

The whole “informant” accusation? Susanna was honestly over it.

Ever since she’d heard Barnaby was sniffing around, she’d stopped worrying about the outcome.

Because, well, what could she do?

Hull took another drag. “So, you’ve wrapped your head around your mom being the former boss of Black Gate?”

“What else am I supposed to do?”

Susanna’s fire fizzled out in an instant.

If Star said it was true, then it probably was.

But honestly, Susanna still couldn’t figure out how her Mom, who’d always been a straight-laced businesswoman, never even ran that big of a shop, always the model of honesty, could possibly be the infamous ex-head of Black Gate.

Hull flicked his cigarette ash. “Want to see her?”

“Huh? Yeah, I do.”

Wait a minute. She’d just said that to Star on the phone. How did Hull know?

Was Star running things by Hull before helping her?

So after all that, it all came back to the people right around her?

And especially Hull? That was…well…something.

Susanna was honestly at a loss for words.

Hull let out a quiet laugh. “People in Black Gate aren’t exactly easy to get a meeting with.”

“So… can I or can’t I?”

Susanna shot him a look, frustrated. Was he just messing with her?

Hull stubbed out his cigarette, laced his fingers together, and looked her in the eye. “You can.”

Susanna: “…”

Okay. And…?

“I’ll set it up for you.”

Wait, what?

So after all that, it turned out she needed Hull’s help anyway? Seriously?

She met his intense gaze and couldn’t help but sniffle. “You’ll really help me?”

Hull nodded. “Yeah. But my favors? They don’t come cheap.”

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