Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)
Chapter 204

"I don't care how you do it, but I want Stella out of Portis City. Make her leave."

Stella was left speechless. Was that what they wanted?

It dawned on her that Ursula's antics were all about getting her out of Portis City.

So, cutting ties with Yorick and the Larkins wasn't enough; they wanted her gone from Portis City too?

Hmph.

The memory of Ursula's mysterious ten-thousand expenditure that she had Idris investigate flashed through her mind.

That must be it, right?

There was more to her leaving Portis City than met the eye.

Jaxon rubbed his temples, exasperated. "What's the problem now?"

Business had been hectic these past few days, and pulling an all-nighter at the office had only added to his frustration. Just hearing Stella's name made him irritable. Cloudia's voice was shrill with hysteria. "If she stays in Portis City, it's curtains for Ursula. She'll be the death of her, mark my words."

That did nothing but amplify Jaxon's headache.

"Why is she stirring up trouble with Ursula again? I thought she was done with the Larkins?"

Once ties were cut, they should have remained that way.

"I don't care. Just get her out," Cloudia demanded, her voice seething with the desire to see Stella banished from Portis City forever.

Jaxon was livid. Thinking back to the debacle with Stella's studio, he hesitated to make any promises.

Closing down a studio was one thing, but exiling her from Portis City? After the last time, he was well aware that the man backing Stella was no small fry.

"Are you even listening?" Cloudia's rising temper was evident. She pressed on, "Do you want to see Ursula dead?"

That statement hit Jaxon hard, making him take a deep breath.

"I'll handle it," he finally mustered.

After hanging up, Cloudia glared venomously at Stella. "Just you wait."

"Wait? I thought with all the influence the Larkins wield, I'd be out of Portis City by now."

Stella's words were like a slap in the face.

Idris couldn't help but give Stella an admiring glance as she arched an eyebrow toward a visibly shaken Ursula in Cloudia's arms, her lips curling into a smirk. "Idris." "Yes, Miss?"

"How's the investigation into that ten thousand going?"

Ursula's breath hitched at the mention of the money!

As she locked eyes with Stella, fear flashed across her face, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Stella's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the drama unfolding before her.

Was Ursula panicking over the very ten thousand she had secretly funneled away?

Cloudia, catching on to the mention of the money, looked puzzled. "What ten thousand?"

What was Stella implying? And why was Ursula shaking like a leaf?

Cloudia's gaze shifted to Ursula, who was as pale as a ghost, trying desperately to compose herself but failing miserably.

Stella's smile deepened. "Well, that's a question for Ms. Larkin, isn't it?"

Ursula was petrified, her face losing any color it had left. She knew Stella was referring to the money she gave away.

But how?

How did Stella find out?

Questions raced through Ursula's mind as her breathing grew labored and her heart pounded uncontrollably.