Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Blaise glared at Cloudia, his thoughts racing. "You, you..."

What he wanted to say was that she should cut all ties with Ursula from now on. Stella was clearly upset because of Ursula's actions.

But then his gaze fell on Yorick, who was still standing nearby, and he swallowed his words. He couldn't ignore Yorick's feelings for Ursula. Even though Thane was currently giving the Larkin family the cold shoulder, Yorick might still represent an opportunity for continued collaboration. Cloudia was fuming. "What exactly is her deal?"

"It's you. If only you'd treated Stella better after bringing her back, none of this would have happened."

Cloudia, already on edge, bristled at his rebuke. "How have I not treated her well? Wasn't I kind to her in the beginning? Did she deserve my kindness?"

The tension between them crackled as their argument escalated.

Nearby, Yorick, feeling a chill settle over him, silently turned and walked away.

Orion noticed and hurried to follow him, leaving Blaise and Cloudia alone in their spiraling discord.

"Sir, what should we do now?"

Thane had given Yorick strict orders to handle Mr. Quinn's matter. Yet considering how Ronald had disregarded Yorick, dismissing a significant partnership just because Stella said she was tired and leaving the scene... Yorick stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes. "What can we do? And about Stella..."

As he mentioned Stella, Yorick found himself at a loss for words. Clearly, Stella was the key issue here.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was an email from Max.

As Yorick read the message, his eyes narrowed, and his breath hitched.

Orion noticed his sudden stiffness and asked, "What's wrong?"

Yorick's knuckles turned white as he gripped his phone. "Stella... she grew up in the Lugar family?" Orion was stunned. "What?"

That revelation hit them like a

thunderbolt. Weren't they always et

told she' 'd been raised in the countryside, rough and unrefined due to her upbringing?

"Is this information reliable?" Orion asked instinctively.

Growing up in the Lugar family meant something monumental. Could she actually be Mr. Quinn's sister?

Orion's mind was reeling.

Yorick's gaze was cold and unwavering. "My father's right-hand man sent it."

Orion drew a sharp breath. If Thane had investigated, the information was undoubtedly true.

Suddenly, the weight of their past interactions with Ronald and Stella came crashing down.

Orion hesitated, then ventured cautiously, "Sir... about the

and things you said to

Quinn..." flie

He trailed off, unable to finish.

So, after all this, Mr. Quinn was Stella's brother?

Yorick's breathing quickened. "Stop."

His mood, already grim, deepened further.

What had he done? His mind

replayed the scenes at Silk-River et

Residences and her studio - the accusations he'd hurled at Stella, the assumptions of indecency

Yorick ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident.

What foolishness had he engaged in?

In the wooden house, Ronald immediately pulled Stella close, grasping her slender shoulders a bit too firmly.

Her heart skipped a beat under his intense gaze. "What's wrong?"

"Did you have a car accident when you came to Portis City?"