Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Cloudia and Ursula's voices grew fainter, clearly signaling that Susanna was distancing herself from the heart of the commotion. Regarding Stella's question, Susanna chuckled, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice.

"How would I know what went down? Maybe the hospital couldn't do squat for her and didn't want to bleed them dry?"

Stella was at a loss for words.

Who'd buy that excuse? Certainly not her.

Susanna clicked her tongue twice. "I mean, Ursula had the backing of the Larkin family and the Quarry folks, right? So how come the hospital shoved her out the door like that? You didn't see the scene; it was like they couldn't wait to get rid of her. Such a 'conscientious' hospital, first time I'm laying my eyes on one."

Susanna continued, "For someone with her ticking clock, why waste the dough, right?"

Stella's drowsiness was effectively chased away by Susanna's gloating.

She turned over. "Why do I get the feeling you're not exactly fretting over the Larkin's finances here?"

"I'm fretting over money, just not the Larkin family's money."

That statement seemed alright at face value, but something felt off.

could respond, Susanna exclaimed, "Hey, why are

Stella was confused.

Yorick's voice came through the

venom, and even through the phone, Stella could feel the

his voice, Stella muttered, "Talk about

clueless about what was going on at the

Ursula to be out of the

cut through her thoughts. "Being wronged? Are you saying you weren't

grew up with the Lugars, but get this straight: how are you any different from Ursula? You're nothing but a foster child to

were sharp, each one

Yorick, come say that

wished she could

accusation landed on her? Was he cursing her or

my advice to you, don't misuse your power." Misuse power? Oh,

who's talking. As if you've never pulled strings for Ursula. Have you forgotten how you tried to

leave me with