Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella gazed up at Ronald with wide eyes, curiosity and confusion written all over her face.

Ronald chuckled, giving her cheek a playful pinch. "Seriously, Stella, have you spent too much time with Finley?"

Was this something he should be discussing with Hull?

He felt her forehead again, comparing it with his temperature to ensure she was okay.

No fever. It was just some good old-fashioned nonsense.

Stella blinked, realization dawning on her. "Oh my gosh! What on earth was I babbling about? How could I even bring that up?"

"What about Susie?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.

As for Susanna, Ronald pondered for a moment before finally saying, "Don't worry. Hull won't eat her up." There it was again, that phrase.

"But Susie is terrified of him," Stella insisted, recalling Susanna's tearful phone call. She couldn't help but feel concerned.

Hull was known for being as cold as ice. Susanna, who once seemed brave enough, was only bold when times were peaceful and predictable. The recent events had clearly shaken her.

And Stella knew Hull's temperament well enough to understand he wouldn't be offering any comforting words to Susanna.

"Hull rarely meddles in others' affairs," Ronald shrugged.

Stella blinked again, confused. "Huh? What does that mean?"

Ronald sighed, seeing her puzzled face. "It is probably between Hull and Susanna now."

Stella's eyes went wide. "What?"

Personal matters between a man and a woman?

Seeing her still lost in thought, Ronald sighed again. "We're heading back the day after tomorrow."

"Really?" Stella's face lit up instantly. The idea of leaving Portis City was a welcome relief. She couldn't wait to say goodbye to the drama and head back home.

Though she had cut ties with the Larkin family, they still found their way into her life, especially Cloudia, who seemed eager to latch onto her success.

For years, they'd looked down on her, calling her a country bumpkin, and never once did she reveal anything about her life in Ferrowland. She saw through their facade.

People like that, if they were overly nice to you, it was often because they wanted something from you. Now they wanted to be friendly? Fat chance.

Ronald nodded warmly. "Yeah, things are wrapping up."

Stella threw her arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek. "That's great! We should've left ages ago."

As she started to snuggle back under the covers, Ronald swiftly pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Light a fire and then run off, huh?" he teased.

She wriggled in his grasp. "What fire? I didn't light any fire," she protested with a laugh.

Grinning, Ronald flipped her over, pinning her beneath him on the bed.

Stella's heart raced.

"No, no, we can't," she pleaded softly.

"Shh," Ronald murmured.

"Seriously, we shouldn't," Stella whispered, her voice filled with a mix of reluctance and amusement as she tried to push him away.

But Ronald caught her delicate wrists, pinning them above her head, leaving her helpless beneath him. "Ronald..." Stella whimpered softly.

His heart softened when he heard his name from her lips, and his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Be good for me, will you?" he coaxed gently.

Stella shook her head defiantly. "I don't want to."

Through their time together, Stella had learned that whenever Ronald asked her to be good, it usually meant he was up to something mischievous. Even with his careful restraint, she always ended up breathless.

"I know you don't. Don't worry," Ronald assured her.

Stella's eyes widened. "Again?"

She was adamant. "I don't want anything right now."

Looking at her tearful face, Ronald chuckled, his mischievous side kicking into high gear.

...

The night in Portis City was a tapestry of contrasts: serene in some corners while vibrant and bustling in others.

In a dimly lit lounge, Yorick drowned his sorrows one drink at a time, with Julius and Hanson observing quietly.

Having just returned from overseas,

the two had heard of the recent upheaval in the Quarry family. They had barely arrived at Portis City at seven that evening before Yorick summoned them. And since they arrived, Yorick had said nothing, burying himself in his drinks.

Hanson reached over as Yorick finished his third bottle, deftly snatching it from his grasp. "We're having a hard time figuring you out, man. You've always had a thing for Ursula. Now, Stella's found someone

else. What has got you so worked up?"