Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella had been trying to get some news about Lacey for a while now, and she figured if there was anything to know, Ronald would have the scoop.

Shifting her gaze from the stairs, she approached Ronald, "So, what did Hull say?"

Ronald had come himself to pick her up, surely Hull couldn't keep Susanna any longer.

When Stella thought she could finally take Susanna home without a hitch, Ronald's deep voice interrupted her. "He's quite fond of Susanna."

Stella blinked. "What?"

What was that supposed to mean? Fond of Susanna? Like in the way she was thinking?

Wait a minute. Seriously? Fond of Susanna?

Hull? The same Hull who had seen every gorgeous, leggy woman out there with stunning figures? And now he's saying he's into Susanna?

Stella wasn't buying it. She shot Ronald a glare. "Are you pulling my leg?"

Previously, they had suspected Susanna had ties with a shady group called Black Gate, and now he was saying Hull liked her?

Hull had to be bluffing! Either Ronald was trying to trick her, or Hull was fooling Ronald, or they were both in on it together.

But convincing Stella that this was the truth? Not a chance.

Before Ronald could respond, Stella declared, "I'm not that gullible. I'm telling you, I'm taking Susie with me today."

Stella wasn't having it. Did she look easy to fool? Or had Ronald fallen for Hull's tricks? The latter seemed unlikely, as Hull wouldn't dare deceive Ronald. So, they must be in cahoots.

"Star," Ronald sighed.

Stella said firmly, "I don't care. I'm taking Susie with me. You heard her. She's scared out of her wits around Hull."

The thought of Susanna crying over the phone, sounding so helpless, made Stella all the more determined not to leave her behind.

Ronald rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Meanwhile, in the room upstairs, Susanna was grappling with Hull's words. "I told you, I have nothing to do with this Black Gate nonsense. You can't keep me here for that."

Yes, she was being held. Panic gripped her.

Stella had tried to take her away, yet he had flat-out refused. Who else could get her out of Hull's clutches if Stella couldn't?

Hull's eyes narrowed slightly. "Until we get to the bottom of this, you can't leave."

"I've told you I'm not involved," Susanna protested.

Hull gave her a long, introspective look. "We're not exactly on trusting terms." Susanna was exasperated.

"And your mother..." Hull began, catching Susanna's full attention.

Her ears perked up at the mention of her mother, but Hull paused, leaving Susanna hanging.

"What about my mom?" she pressed, anxiety tightening her chest.

Hull redirected, "First, you need to send Stella home."

Susanna was shocked. What did sending Star away have to do with

hermo Still, the mention of ber

swnovel

mother had her eyes wide with hope.

Hull must have news. Otherwise, why would he have Barnaby fetch her?

Seeing Hull keeping mum, Susanna grew more desperate. "Where is she?"

No one knew how much she had

w how

agonized over the last few days and how terrifying it was to be around Hull's world while worrying about her mother's safety. The whole situation had erupted out of nowhere, and she was still in the dark about what had tránspired.

But whatever it was that made Tania rush her to Ferrowland, her mother was unreachable.

It didn't take a genius to figure out something bad had happened. Finally,

Susanna got a lead.

Susanna took a deep breath. "Mr. Miguel."

Hull's gaze shifted away. "Send Stella home first."

His voice was low but firm, making it clear that Susanna wasn't leaving.

Feeling cornered, Susanna paced the room, but seeing Hull's stubbornness, she relented and headed for the door. "I'll go now."

Regardless of anything else, her

mother's whereabouts were

paramount. She needed to know,noveldrama

and if enduring Hull's presence was

the price, she'd pay it.

Downstairs, Stella sulked on the couch, her face turned away, arms crossed defiantly.

Ronald tried to appease her, "Susanna can't leave today. Go home with me." "No way," Stella huffed.

Ronald rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Before he could continue, Susanna's voice came from the stairs, "Star, you should go home."