Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Upon seeing him, Stella had her cheeks stuffed full like a chipmunk. She mumbled, "Ronald, this is so good! Where did you get it?"

She'd been in Portis City for long but had never known any delicious pastries.

Ronald chuckled. "If you like it, I'll have Idris drive out and grab some more for you to bring back to Ferrowland."

Stella's eyes lit up at his words, "Really? Are we heading back today?"

Ronald nodded. "Yep, we've got a flight tonight."

Stella beamed with joy at the confirmation. If they were heading back tonight, it meant no more delays. She had been worried sick about Susanna. The poor thing might have been scared out of her wits by then. Hull was such a character, always finding ways to spook poor Susanna.

"Oh, by the way," she remembered, "Xander and Yvonne are back in Ferrowland already."

She meant to tell Ronald the night before, but he came home a bit tipsy. And by the time morning came, he was already out.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. "Did they call you?"

"Yeah," Stella nodded.

Xander had been quite a character on the phone, practically gloating.

"Isn't Yvonne supposed to be in Sands City?" Stella asked, puzzled. Dan Murray was supposed to be there, so Yvonne usually wouldn't leave in a hurry.

Yet, she had.

Ronald pulled her into his lap, offering her another pastry.

Stella shook her head. "No thanks, I'm full."

"Since when do you eat so little?" Ronald teased.

Stella paused, realizing he was right. She usually would have devoured the whole plate, but now she barely had a third.

"I don't know what's up with me lately," she mused. "I haven't had midnight snacks."

Ronald asked, "Did Tegan check on you?"

"No, she had some things to handle, so she left without coming in," Stella replied.

Tegan seemed to be quite busy these days.

"Why are you back so early?" Stella asked.

He had called her just a moment ago, and now here he was.

"Finished up early," Ronald said, not mentioning it was because he heard Jeremy was here.

Stella nodded, leaning against Ronald, feeling tired, "Did you see Jaxon at the door?"

"Yeah, I did," Ronald replied.

Unlike with Yorick, Ronald hadn't

sent Jaxon away. With the Larkin

family, he opted for the cold

shoulder treatment. The more

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indifferent he was, the more they

squirmed. The Larkin family had lost

everything they once had. Jaxon was left to wait outside in this freezing weather, his misery adding to the cold.

Stella snuggled closer to Ronald. "Once we're back in Ferrowland, I'll never return

to Portis City."

"Are you upset?" Ronald teased, gently tugging at her ear.

"No, not upset. It's just... sickening," Stella grimaced.

It truly was. Stella had seen all kinds

of scenes in Ferrowland, but the

Larkin family's character was

swnovel.ne

beyond anything she'd encountered.

Ronald listened, amused, as Stella vented about the Larkins. He tilted her chin up

and kissed her.

"Hmm..." Stella tried to protest.

This guy was at it again. He'd only behaved last night because he was drunk, or so she thought. Except, he wasn't exactly well-behaved even then. noveldrama

After a moment, Ronald let her go. "When Finley comes back, have him check on

you."

He couldn't shake his worry over her loss of appetite.