Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

That man wanted to hide in the shadows-was it because there was a woman he'd give anything to protect?

And for her sake, he'd put his own mother on the front lines?

"When your mother first took over Black Gate, she had no idea that woman even existed."

"Back then, her time in charge was hell-constant drama, endless conflict. She got hurt, more than once. The worst time, she almost lost you, Susanna. That's when she found out about the other woman."

Susanna listened in silence.

She tried to make sense of this tangled mess.

Learning her own father was the son of Black Gate's current boss was already enough to make her head spin.

But hearing about what her mother went through her eyes went wide, her heart pounding so hard it hurt to breathe.

It was impossible to imagine the kind of despair her mother must have felt.

"So... after that, my mom just took me and left?" she whispered.

Hull nodded. "Yeah. And she didn't leave empty-handed. She took the most important part of Black Gate's fortune with her."

"Part of the fortune" meant that half of the map.

Hull went on, "She's been living in Portis City all these years. Black Gate's people

have never stopped looking for her."

Of course they hadn't.

walked away with something priceless-why

Hull, her voice barely

the map back from

paused, choosing his

got some loyal old-timers with her, and I think she's trying to start something of her own. This is the most critical moment for

something of

feud had

felt like her chest was being

is too

that man? What's he

you exist. Besides, he's crazy about

Susanna fell silent.

how could he

her heart aching with a

no way I can see my mom?"

thought of her mother facing all this alone made Susanna's

time in her life,

shattered by the pain of imagining her mother

won't see you,"

after a second, "She doesn't want your father

She'd do anything

eyes; anger flickered deep in

of a daughter desperate

Meanwhile...

finally tracked

She'd before

asy