Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Chapter 217

Ronald shot Finley a look, one that spoke volumes without uttering a single word.

Finley rubbed his hands together for warmth and shot back, "You pushed and huffed, and I barely know the girl. Don't pin this on me." That shove from Ronald, though, could almost be considered merciful by Finley's standards.

But he knew better. With Vivian Warner likely plotting her next move and Stella being targeted, Ronald wouldn't let it slide so easily. But truly, it wasn't his circus, not his monkeys.

Ronald quizzed. "Weren't you two arriving together?"

"Yeah, we came together, but barely know each other. Met just the once. Star, you got beef with her?"

The memory of their previous encounter, nearly escalated to blows, hung heavy between them. It was clear there were unresolved issues.

Stella confessed, "She's Ursula's bestie."

That made Finley's lips twitch involuntarily. No wonder. That explained everything.

Ursula's problem with Stella was evident - she feared Stella might overshadow her in the Larkin family's eyes. With that mindset, smearing Stella's name was practically a given. Anyone associated with her was bound to take a dislike to Stella. Even the Larkin parents were brainwashed by Ursula, so what's a best friend in comparison?

Finley muttered, "Had I known her connection to Ursula, I'd have steered clear."

would want to get on Ronald's bad

"Mr. Patel has arrived.

Yates

"Oh."

here solely for Stella's

keeping up with your acupuncture these past

merely hummed in

thought as much. The girl feared needles, and apart from

...

Vivian dialed Ursula, venting her frustrations at

this close to securing Finley for you, and then Stella, that

the Larkins barely acknowledged, yet somehow, she

at Spring Hill. She, too, had been

every winter, yet this year, her absence

continued, Yorick's figure

Yorick

asked, "He's

him. Don't tell