Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella sat on her bed, clutching her phone, while Ronald lounged on the nearby couch, sipping from a mug.

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Lugar's concerned voice crackled through, "That little rascal, I always suspected he didn't have the best intentions with you. Oh, honey, are you okay? Are you scared?" "Mom, I..."

"Wait till you come back to Ferrowland. I'll give him a piece of my mind. I swear I'll set him straight."

Stella blinked, puzzled, glancing over at Ronald, whose presence was both calming and a little intimidating.

Mrs. Lugar continued speaking, but Stella's heart was already filled with warmth. Ronald had mentioned he'd already spoken to her mother, yet Stella had still been on edge. Her mom's opinion meant the world to her.

After all, Ronald wasn't just anyone- he was the heir to the prestigious Lugar family and the head of the Quinn family. His wife had to be someone from an equally prominent lineage.

Back in Ferrowland, her mother had often nudged her towards various eligible heiresses, likely in preparation for a future alliance.

Yet now, her attitude...

"Mom, aren't you upset with me?" Stella asked softly, her voice quivering with emotion, tears threatening to spill over.

"Oh, sweetie, you must be so frightened, talking all sorts of nonsense."

Stella blinked, caught off guard.

What? This wasn't...

"He said he's sorting out the marriage certificate tomorrow," she added quickly, seizing the moment to mention their plans. Ronald raised an eyebrow at her.

There was a brief pause on the line before Mrs. Lugar's voice erupted, "What? He said he's getting the certificate? Just like that?" Stella was taken aback.

"You agreed to it?" Mrs. Lugar's tone shot up, nearly a shout.

Stella's heart skipped a beat.

"Can't...can't I agree?"

"Of course not! No way should you let that scoundrel get away so easily. He's clearly trying to take advantage, that rascal. I'm telling you..."

Ronald had already stood and walked over to Stella. Before Mrs. Lugar could continue, he gently took the phone from Stella's hand and ended the call.

Stella looked up at him, wide-eyed. "Mom said I shouldn't just agree to the marriage certificate thing."noveldrama

With that, Ronald's strong hands cradled her head, pulling her into a kiss, both commanding and tender.

At first, Stella instinctively pushed against him, but soon she melted into his embrace, her earlier worries about her mother's reaction fading in the warmth of his affection.

The room seemed to grow warmer as time passed, and about ten minutes later, Ronald finally released her. His voice was husky as be teased, "You little minx."

Stella giggled. "Mom seemed more upset with you than with me."

Ronald smirked, playfully nibbling her earlobe.

It was typical of Mrs. Lugar to be caught off guard by Ronald's sudden actions. Despite raising him, she had never noticed his feelings for Stella. She had spent years trying to pair him with someone from a similar background, but Ronald never agreed. Picky with no reason, rejecting every option.

Turns out, he had been waiting all along.

"She's always cared for you," Ronald chuckled, "You adorable little fool."

Stella pouted. "Foolish, am I?"

She playfully pinched Ronald's side, her defiance clear.

Ronald grinned. "Keep teasing me like this, and I might not be able to hold back."

With her soft hands in his grasp, he was struck by a new thought.