Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

"Ronald, you're a real beast, you know that? That girl- she's the one you've raised. You've been siblings for twenty years..."

With a "thud," something struck Finley square on the forehead, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Finley stammered, "I mean, this... What I'm trying to say is...

You even hurt her? I was wondering why nobody answered the doorbell last night. You mean you were in that kind of situation. Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be?"

If things were as they seemed, it was clear Stella and Yorick had never gone that far.

After all, Stella was picky; she'd never settle for a man who had his heart set on someone else. During the two years Stella and Yorick had been engaged, let's just say they probably hadn't even held hands. But Ronald...

Finley hissed as the realization hit him. "So, all these years, you've been raising her for yourself? No wonder you were always so nice to that girl. Wherever you went, she was there. And when Yvonne snatched her away, you were ready to tear her apart. She wasn't just like a sister to you, she was more like your little wife, wasn't she?"

It finally dawned on him.

Now it all made sense. Back in Ferrowland, not a single guy was allowed near Stella. All those guys chasing after her, and those looking for a family alliance - none of them stood a chance.

Ronald's little girl, who could possibly take her away from him?

Ronald shot Finley a cold look. "Say one more word, and I'll show you my skills with a surgical needle."

Finley thought, "Here we go again with the threats."

It was always the same. Over the years, anyone who said a word too many about Stella got that look from Ronald.

Now it was clear why he and Hull had occasionally felt uncomfortable being too close to Stella.

From the very beginning, Ronald wasn't raising her as a sister- he was raising her for himself, keeping everyone else at arm's length.

Finley took a deep breath. "You've really got some nerve. What about your mom?"

He paused, "All these years, she's treated Star like her own daughter. And Yvonne- if she finds out you turned her beloved sister into a sister-in-law, watch out. She might hide Star so well you'll never see her again in this lifetime." This was too much. Ronald had actually...

"I can't believe I never noticed how deeply you felt about Star. You're quite the fox, aren't you?"

The more Finley spoke, the more excited he got.

Ronald and Stella- everyone in

Ferrowland knew how much Ronald cherished his adopted sister. She was supposed to be his sister. His

sister!

Ronald simply said, "Medicine."

It was clear Ronald was done with the conversation.

Finley's face went numb.

ve

Awkwardly, he rummaged through the medicine box, pulling out some fever and anti-inflammatory medicine But the specific item

Ronald had urgently demand net

was

nowhere to be found. He never imagined Stella would get hurt in

such a way.

In all these years, Ronald hadn't been with any other woman. To Finley, that kind of medicine was practically irrelevant.

Yet now, when it was suddenly needed, they were out of luck.

He tossed the fever and

anti-inflammatory medicine to

Ronald "I'll send someone to buy the

swnovel

ointment. You're truly a beast"

To think he'd actually hurt her... He had always seemed so kind to Stella, but now it was clear; it had all been an act.

Without a word, Ronald stood up and kicked Finley hard on his way upstairs.

Finley gasped from the pain. "You pull something like this and won't even let me scold you?"

Damn, that was harsh! He was sure he'd have another bruise on his leg; last night's kicks had already left two sizable ones.

Ronald went straight into the room with the medicine.

Stella, feverish and already asleep, was breathing unevenly. She must have caught a cold as well.

As Ronald gently lifted her to give her the medicine, she mumbled, "Bitter."

Ronald whispered softly, "It's okay, just take the medicine."