Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

"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 spent 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.noveldrama

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

hey 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. Laris, seeing this, quickly sent someone to

bring the dresses over so Stella could try them on in peace.