Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

The story takes a turn.

Over in Portis City, poor Ursula was coughing up blood, her mind slipping further into confusion with each passing hour.

Jaxon couldn't bear it anymore. He decided it was time to have a chat with Yorick and figure out a plan.

He felt utterly helpless about the current state of the Larkin family. The Quarry family had been their allies for years, always there to lend a hand.

Naturally, Jaxon assumed they'd come through for the Larkins once again, help them weather this storm.noveldrama

What Jaxon failed to realize was that the Larkin family had always been a mere pawn in the Quarry family's grand scheme.

While the Larkins owned the mines that were a crucial resource, it was the Quarry family that was raking in the big bucks, leaving the Larkins with mere scraps.

And to make matters worse, the Quarry family was also suffering at the hands of Ronald because of Stella...

As Jaxon approached, he noticed Ursula waiting by the door.

In just a few short nights, she had transformed into a shadow of her former self, her clothes filthy, and her appearance haggard.

She looked like she had hit rock bottom.

Upon seeing Jaxon, Ursula's eyes welled up with tears. "Brother," she whimpered.

Her voice dripped with desperation, a plea for even a shred of sympathy from Jaxon.

Since leaving the Larkins, life had been unbearably harsh. She didn't even have a roof over her head.

The properties Cloudia had once bought for her were all taken back.

It was truly heartless!

Once, she had been the apple of their eye, cherished and adored.

But when she was kicked out, she left with nothing.

All because of Stella, who had torn her world apart.

"Brother, I know I was wrong. I really do," Ursula kept repeating, her voice growing more pitiful with every word.

In the past, Jaxon might have crumbled at Ursula's sorrowful plea.

But not this time.

With narrowed eyes, he spoke, "Still trying to drag Yorick into this? Ursula, you're lucky you're not in jail. You think Yorick would take you back?"

They knew everything now.

It was impossible to accept that the girl they once held so dear was capable of such deceit.

Jaxon had genuinely treated Ursula like his own sister, even better than his real sister, Stella.

When Stella returned, he worried Ursula would feel left out.

He gave Ursula the best of everything, always.

But in the end?

What disappointment? Did someone as conniving as her need comforting? Absolutely not.

Now, Jaxon felt that not just him, but the entire Larkin family had been made a fool by Ursula.

Ursula was sobbing uncontrollably, "I know I was wrong, brother. I truly know. Please forgive me, I'm begging you..."

"Forgive you? Ha! The Larkin family is in shambles, and you expect me to forgive you?"

Jaxon was furious.

He couldn't forgive the fact that Ursula's aunt was his father's mistress.

"A disloyal traitor."

Jaxon spat out the words, rolled up the car window, and refused to engage any further.

In his heart, Ursula was beyond forgiveness.

As the window was about to close completely, there was a soft 'thud' outside.

Jaxon glanced briefly in Ursula's direction.

She was collapsed on the ground, blood spilling from her mouth.

Even from a distance, Jaxon could sense the looming specter of death surrounding her.

But this time, his heart remained steely.

With just one glance, he looked away and drove inside coldly.

Watching Jaxon leave, Ursula lay on the ground, the blood refusing to cease its flow from her lips.

"Why are they doing this to me?" she thought, the words echoing in her mind.

She was on the brink of death, yet even now, they wouldn't let her find peace. Why were they so cruel...

Thoughts raced through her mind, but she no longer had the strength to even lift herself off the ground.

...

Yorick wasn't home.

When Jaxon arrived, he learned that Imogen had been hospitalized, and Yorick was by her side.