Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)
Chapter 32

Yorick stormed out of the Silk-River Residences, his mind buzzing relentlessly.

Orion had been waiting for him downstairs, and the moment he saw Yorick's ashen face and the bruise forming, he gasped, "Ms. Quinn still didn't agree?" Was refusing to get married not enough that she had to hit him too? Thinking about Stella's fiery temper, Orion couldn't help but shiver once more.

Yorick shot Orion a look. That icy glare was all Orion needed to know that Yorick had failed again.

Orion sighed involuntarily, "Women need to be charmed, you know."

"Charmed, huh!" Yorick spat the word out with a heavy dose of sarcasm, making Orion fall silent.

With Stella's stubbornness, charming her seemed like an impossible task. After all, she wasn't someone who could accept others' opinions. She was known for her incapability and petulance. Yorick's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Find out about the man who's been hanging around her lately."

"What?"

As hearing "man", Orion looked at Yorick in disbelief, unable to believe the news. The idea of another man in Ms. Quinn's life was shocking to him.

"That, that's impossible. Ms. Quinn is always on her own, if not, it's only Ms. Susanna Tucker keeping her company."

In Orion's words, Stella was a homebody, to put it nicely. Less kindly, she was seen as a lazy moocher who hardly ever left her apartment.

Yet, despite her temper, incapability and high pride, the idea of her having a man in her life seemed far-fetched; if not for the backing of the Larkin family, Yorick, as the only man around, wouldn't be by her side. At the sight of Orion's incredulous expression, Yorick's face grew even more menacing, "I saw it with my own eyes."

Orion was speechless, finding it difficult to believe.

Yorick couldn't shake off the image of Ronald's dangerous eyes and the ease with which he brandished a weapon. His face seemed somewhat familiar, but he just couldn't recall where he had seen it before. "He must be involved in some shady business," Yorick spoke after a moment of thought.

He was determined to uncover the identity of this mysterious figure in Portis City. No matter who he was, he was hell-bent on sending him to hell.

Yorick's words baffled Orion even more. Given Stella's temper, it was impossible for her to get tangled with someone handling shady business.

...

Downstairs, Yorick fumed as he left.

Upstairs, Stella's drowsiness had been completely scared away by the commotion, especially Ronald's imposing demeanor.

Now, sitting on his lap again, she felt far from the child he used to dote on. Ronald seemed to enjoy holding her, yet she was no longer a child but a grown woman.

Being in his arms, she could no longer feel the affection he had on her as a kid. At the moment, the danger emanating from Ronald was palpable.

Stella looked down, "Well, can we just talk directly, please?"

The mess Yorick had caused seemed to undo all her attempts at explanation.

Ronald asked, "Were you protecting him just now?"

Stella shook her head, "No, I just didn't want to dirty the place where I've been living for two years."

Ronald could kill someone. She clearly sensed the murderous intent like before.

Beneath his gentle facade, there was a merciless heart. When she got kidnapped at thirteen years old and later Ronald found her, he took all the kidnappers lives in her presence. Since then, she realized Ronald didn't seem as gentle as he appeared. Once he got ruthless, someone would die.

Moments ago, if Yorick refused to leave, Stella was sure Ronald would kill him!

"In some place like Portis City, you can't breach the law," Stella's voice was like a whisper.

Ronald chuckled, "Star, lecturing me on law?"

Stella pouted, "Anyway, I've told you the reason I agreed to get engaged with Yorick back then. Don't kill people as you want."

If people had feuds, they could settle the scores by all means, yet murder was not a solution. Despite years by Ronald's side, she was still terrified of bloodshed.

Ronald, sensing her stiff body, was aware that the incident had left her serious psychological shadow. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been frightened by the Schultzes threat or have obeyed what they required.

As Ronald thought of her inner fear, the harsh edge to his demeanor faded, replaced by an older brother's tenderness.

"Alright, we'll follow your wishes, and be a good citizen."

Stella doubted his sincerity.

Ronald gently ruffled her hair, "Want to continue sleeping?"

Stella shook her head.

How could she fall asleep after what had happened. She was wide awake.

Ronald suggested, "Since you're not going to sleep, let's go."

"Where to?"

Stella looked unwittingly out at the pitch-black night and then at the clock. It was six in the morning, but in Portis City, dawn came late.