Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella gently reassured Susanna. "It's okay, Susie. Everything's going to be fine."

No matter what, if Hull refused to let her take Susanna today, Stella decided not to leave without her.

Upstairs, when Hull learned that Stella had decided to stay put because of Susanna, his expression darkened even further. He narrowed his eyes. "Call Mr. Quinn. Tell him to come and get her himself."

Barnaby raised an eyebrow at the suggestion of having Ronald come over personally.

"If Mr. Quinn shows up, he'll also take your girl away. You know that, right?"

Hull's eyes widened in surprise. The mention of "your girl" made him pause. He shot an icy glare at Barnaby, though it seemed a bit less frosty than before. Confused by Hull's reaction, Barnaby asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

If Ronald came to fetch Stella, he would take Susanna along, too. Everyone knew how much Ronald doted on Stella. If she wanted the moon, he would probably find a way to bring back a piece of it. And she only wanted to take Susanna with her. Wouldn't Ronald agree without a second thought?

Hull asked, "My girl?"

Barnaby stammered, "Uh, well, isn't she?"

They lived under the same roof without help or staff around. How much more could they be alone together? Wasn't she his girl, then?

Barnaby thought he might have misunderstood, but Hull didn't correct him.

Barnaby scratched his head awkwardly. "So should I call Mr. Quinn?"

Whatever Hull was thinking, calling Ronald to resolve this seemed the right move. Otherwise, things could get awkward if Stella insisted on staying.

Hull nodded. "Go ahead."

"So, should he take one or both?" Barnaby asked, still a bit confused.

He hadn't fully grasped Hull's earlier statement.

Hull looked at him with an expression that suggested Barnaby was missing the obvious.

"Does it make sense for Mr. Quinn to come to take two?" Hull replied, raising an eyebrow.

Barnaby smirked, "Right, so just one."

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That meant Hull wasn't allowing Susanna to be taken away. If he Ronald wouldn't need to come all the

way here.

...

Downstairs, Stella received Ronald's call. His calm and gentle voice came through. "Did you pick up Susanna?"noveldrama

It was clear from Ronald's tone that he wasn't yet aware of what was going on with Hull.

Stella replied, "I've seen her but haven't been able to take her yet."

"What happened?" Ronald asked, his voice becoming slightly more serious.

Stella explained, "They're saying Susie's connected to Black Gate and won't let her leave."

"If they don't let me take Susie, I'm not leaving either. I'll camp out here if I have to," Stella said defiantly.

After that, there was a noticeable chill in Ronald's voice.

Hearing

always, Susanna was touched

back in Portis City. Conte net

Stella really was her shining always standing up for her,

like

Stella continued, firm in her resolve, "If Susie can't leave, neither will I."

She spoke with determination, remembering how Susanna always had her back against the Larkin family, even when Susanna didn't know@bout Ronald's influence and thought she was on her own Susanna even begged her mom

Lacey to help her out.

Hearing Stella's passionate words, Ronald offered a reassuring promise. "I'm on

my way. Hang in there."