Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Seriously, what is it with Hull these days?

Does he not listen to me anymore? Now he's even asking Susie for some kind of "payment."

If he wants something, why not just say it straight out?

He knows Susanna's been losing her mind ever since she got to Ferrowland, worrying about her mom.

But instead of helping, Hull keeps stringing her along. What's wrong with this guy?

I never realized Hull was such a piece of work before.

Bottom line, whatever's going on between Susanna and Hull right now is a total mess, and Stella's brain feels like it's turning to mush.

They exchanged a few more words on the phone before hanging up, and just then, Ronald came out from the back room.

He spotted Stella leaning against the door and ruffled the back of her neck. "What're you looking at?"

"Huh? Oh, I was watching my sister... Wait, where'd she go?"

She was right there a second ago!

She just took a call from Susie and-poof-gone.

Ronald glanced at the now-empty doorway. "She went out."

"Yeah, Xander came to see her. She was saying something about 'kicking Xander

out.""

Wasn't she going to kick him out? Why'd she disappear too?

Honestly, with her, who knows—maybe she just needed to go blow off some steam.

Wouldn't be the first time.

"Oh, right, Susie called me just now," Stella said.

Yvonne could handle herself just fine around Xander, but Susanna's situation was actually serious this time.

Ronald frowned when he heard Susanna had called again. "She called you again?"

"Yeah, she's freaking out."

“Hull's handling her stuff. What's she so worried about?"

Ronald sounded a little annoyed. He didn't like how Susanna always ran to Stella for everything.

Back before she'd gone to Portis City, she used to hang on his every word...

But Stella didn't pick up on Ronald's mood. "Didn't you say you'd have Hull take care of it?"

"Did you know Hull actually asked Susie for payment?”

Ugh, unbelievable.

Susanna's got nothing right now, and if Hull really insists, I guess I'll just have to pay up for her.

But to shake her down now, of all times? That's just low.

And the worst part? The guy doing it is one of Ronald's people. That's even harder to swallow.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. "He asked for money?"

Stella's news that Hull wanted something from Susanna took Ronald by surprise too.

After all, men know men.

He knew exactly what Hull thought of Susanna.

In this situation, money shouldn't even be in the picture.

Stella shook her head. "It's not money. It's something else."

If it were just cash, it'd be simple.

No matter how much, I'd just pay it and be done.

Ronald asked, "What else?"

Not money? What the hell is Hull playing at?

Stella groaned. "We have no clue. Hull told Susie to guess, but she hasn't got a clue."

It's enough to drive anyone crazy.

The more she talked, the more

be

ated Stella got. Susanna might

the

one in trouble, but Stella was one losing her mind.

Ronald watched her fume, and suddenly something seemed to click for him.

He smirked.

Stella saw his grin and only got

more worked up. "Don't laugh! How could Hull do this? He's supposed to

be helping, and now he's asking for payment?"

Ronald raised an eyebrow, then pulled Stella into a hug. "Alright, calm down."noveldrama

"Just ask Hull what he wants. Whatever it is, I'll handle it for Susie."

After all, Susanna has nothing to offer right now.

If Hull really wants something, I'll just pay up.

Ronald stroked her pouting cheek with

xelong fingers. "Trust me, e wants, you can't give

can."

Stella blinked.

She couldn't give it? Even if she was willing to pay anything?

What on earth was Hull after this time?

Something even Stella couldn't buy, no matter what she offered?