Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Ronald's long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the dining table, creating a tension that made Finley glance nervously at Stella.

Stella sat still, focused on nothing but the task of not drawing attention to herself.

Why was Finley looking at her? There was no way she could defend Skye. Ronald had drilled into her the importance of being ruthless with anyone who posed a threat. And Skye? Speaking in her defense would only invite one of Ronald's scathing lectures later. Finley was on the verge of panic. "I really don't think that girl has the brains to pull off whatever you're suggesting."

"Oh, really?" Ronald's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Then why did she ditch Yvonne's people? What game is she playing?"

Finley was at a loss for words, feeling like he was on the brink of tears. Why on earth did Skye dump Yvonne's crew? What was she up to?

Ronald, clearly done with Finley's faltering, shifted his attention to Stella. "You'll stay by my side for the next few days."

Skye was proving to be a difficult opponent, and Ronald didn't want to risk her taking Stella away. If Skye could leave Yvonne's people behind, who knew where she might take Stella?

Stella nodded obediently. "Okay."

But then she hesitated. "I have to go to the studio tomorrow."

"No need to go to the studio, Miss," Idris chimed in unexpectedly.

"What?" Stella was taken aback, her mind reeling. What did he mean by that? It sounded like her studio was done for.

Just as Stella was about to question Idris further, her phone buzzed. It was Tabitha calling.

Stella answered, "Tabitha?"

problem. StarRiver Corp. has pulled out of our contract," Tabitha's voice

A client bringing in

her chair, knocking it over with

didn't care that Ronald and Finley were watching. Moving to a corner, she spoke into the phone, feeling frustrated. "What happened? We were doing fine, weren't we? And hadn't they

don't know. We just got a call

give

"No."

them without explanation was a

"Do they think our drafts are too slow? Tell them we'll finish in three

all Ronald's

happened. Now they were on the brink of losing the most important client they'd

en novelxo

happen. Too many designers depended on

"They just said

us?" Stella repeated,

kind of excuse was

this mean we have to return

we don't need to

Stella's jaw dropped. "Huh?"

Corp. was indeed a big player. Dismissing tens

second thought? Were their funds

her lip. "Is there no way

Tabitha answered, "None."