Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

As Susanna listened to the constant beeping on the phone, a wave of unease washed over her. She redialed Lacey's number, but the call was abruptly cut off after just two rings. Just as she was about to try again, Tania's call came through.

"Miss, where are you right now? I'm coming to pick you up," Tania said, her voice steady and urgent.

"I'm heading home to pack my bags. Meet me there," Susanna replied, already planning her next move.

Tania interrupted her, "There's no time to pack. We need to leave for Ferrowland immediately. Please send me your location."

Susanna was taken aback.

"What happened to my mom?" she demanded, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Skipping packing suggested something serious was amiss, and Susanna's instincts told her it was more than just a minor issue.

Tania remained tight-lipped. "That's not for you to worry about, Miss."noveldrama

"I'm her daughter. I have a right to know what's going on!" Susanna's voice rose with desperation.

"Her affairs are beyond your concern right now," Tania insisted.

"I want to see her. Where is she?" Susanna shouted into the phone, climbing into her car, frustration mounting.

Tania's response was chilling. "You can't see her right now."

"Why not?" Susanna pressed, her anxiety spiking.

"Because I don't know where she is either," Tania admitted.

Susanna's heart sank, her body chilled to the bone. If Tania, who was always by Lacey's side, didn't know where she was, it could only mean trouble. She hung up and quickly sent her location to Tania, who promptly replied with a voice message.

"Miss, stay where you are. Don't move."

Standing in the cold wind, Susanna shivered.

It was nearing the holiday season, a time when her mother always made sure to be with her, no matter how busy.

Yet this year, she was being sent away at the most critical moment. Her chest tightened with a mix of fear and frustration.

...

Meanwhile, Stella was engrossed in the video Susanna had sent her.

In the clip, Lola was furiously throwing clothes at Ursula, even landing a couple of slaps.

Lola had quite a fiery temper. Just by looking at her, it was clear that the tricks Ursula had once used on Stella had now been turned against her.

Not everyone bothers to explain themselves when misunderstandings arise, and certainly not everyone chooses patience.

Ronald glanced at the video playing on Stella's phone. "The Larkin family drama?"

"Yeah, Susie sent it to me," Stella replied, eyes still fixed on the screen.

Ronald chuckled. "And she still has the energy to watch the circus?"

Despite her earlier concerns for Susanna, Stella couldn't help but smile. She had expected her to be moping for days, yet here she was, caught up in the latest spectacle.

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Ronald watched Stella's fascination with the Larkin family antics with amused affection. He was about to say something when his phone rang.

It was Yvonne.

"Hey, are you in Cyris Isle?" she asked.

Ronald frowned slightly, glancing at Stella beside him. "Are you here too?"

"I'm on Star's yacht, having a little vacation. Guess who I saw? That jerk Xander," Yvonne's voice

crackled with irritation, her long-standing grudge against Xander flaring up.

"Want me to take care of him for you?" Yvonne suggested dryly.

"Not your problem," Ronald snapped back, his tone not entirely pleasant.

"Are you sure?"

Ronald remained calm. "He's still useful for now."

Yvonne fell silent, the implication hanging between them.

Beside him, Stella studied Ronald curiously.

"What is it? Is that why you haven't finished him off all these years?" Yvonne pressed.

Over the past few years, Ronald had indeed been ruthless toward Xander, but he had never taken his life.

Was it because Ronald couldn't kill Xander? Not necessarily!

Ronald asked, shifting the conversation, "Are you there alone or with Dan Murray?"

"Dan's here too," Yvonne replied, her tone notably subdued when mentioning Dan.

Ronald picked up on the change. "What's going on?"

Yvonne, usually so spirited, rarely let anything get her down. Whatever it was, it must be serious.

"Nothing. Are you still on the yacht? I'll come find you," she offered, trying to sound upbeat.

"I'm not there anymore," Ronald replied.

"Oh, alright. We'll talk when you're back in Ferrowland," Yvonne concluded, understanding Ronald's busy schedule and his tendency for quick international trips.