Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)
Chapter 109

When Jaxon brought the news back to the hospital, Cloudia was furious, ranting for a good ten minutes, "A disgrace to the family, an absolute disgrace! How on earth did I give birth to such a blight on our family name? She must be sent away, no matter what it takes." If Stella remained in Portis City, and the high society ladies found out she had risked her own reputation for some money-making scheme, where would the Larkins put their faces?

Ursula was also surprised at how quickly Stella had been released from the police station - and even more so that she was picked up by a man. It seemed she had underestimated her; she had thought Yorick was Stella's only option, but apparently, there was a backup. Well, she was curious to see who this new knight in shining armor was.

No matter who he was, she was determined to steal him away. As long as Stella was in Portis City, Ursula would ensure she had nothing.

"Absolutely infuriating," Cloudia seethed, her chest heaving with anger.

Yorick was equally enraged.

Was the man Jaxon mentioned Finley, or the one from the Silk-River Residences?

...

Stella, unaware of the hospital's drama that night, had dinner with Ronald before he retreated to his study, soon followed by Idris.

After her shower, just as Stella settled into bed, her phone rang.

It was Susanna, "Star, I got word. Yorick and Jaxon are teaming up to shut down your studio. My mom already got a message forbidding any collaboration with you. She told me to warn you." Shutting down her studio?

Previously, their actions were covert, but now they were openly aggressive.

How deeply were they influenced by Ursula's words?

"Please thank your mom for me. Tell her I've got plenty of projects, and she shouldn't worry."

"She's actually handed you a big project."

"Then, please thank her for me."

"No problem. Do you need any help from my end? Though I guess you don't, considering your brother could easily take care of them."

Before, Susanna might have worried Stella couldn't handle the Larkins but not anymore. With a brother like hers taking them down would be a breeze.

Stella responded, "No need for my brother's involvement. I've got a plan."

"Why?"

"If my brother intervenes, they'd be dead for sure. It won't be fun."

"Right," Susanna agreed, "that slut Ursula deserves a slow, painful payback. Quick revenge is too good for her." Reassured by Stella's calm demeanor, Susanna relaxed, and the two chatted a bit longer before hanging up. Then, an unknown number called.

Stella answered, "Hello?"

"Was it Finley who bailed you out, or was it that man?" Yorick's voice came from the other end, tight with anger. Stella couldn't understand his fury.

Was he angry he hadn't managed to keep her locked up?

Considering their past, where Yorick, Jaxon, and Cloudia had all wanted her to pay a price for Ursula's sake, theiranger now seemed almost comically self-righteous.

Stella chuckled lightly, "Does it matter who bailed me out? Certainly wasn't you, my ex-fiancé."

The term "ex-fiancé" hit Yorick like a sharp jab, intensifying his rage. Hearing Stella's nonchalant tone through the phone only fueled his anger further.

"Stella, do you have no shame? How does sinking so low benefit you?"

"And would staying pure for you have been better? You're hardly worth that effort!"