Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Topic Shift: "By the way, the Quarry family called me."

At the mention of the Quarrys, Ronald's face immediately darkened. "And what did they want?"

Lottie shrugged. "What else? Beg you to go easy on them. Thane called me himself."

Thane. For years, that guy had always given off this untouchable, arrogant vibe. For him to pick up the phone now? He must really be desperate.

Ronald scoffed. "If his kids can't manage to behave like decent human beings, what am I supposed to do about it?"

Just a few days ago, all that drama in Portis City was clearly orchestrated to use Stella as leverage, hoping to make Ronald back off.

Threaten him? Yeah, right.

People seemed to forget: Ronald never bowed to threats. If they wanted to go scorched earth with him, he'd happily turn their world to ash.

Lottie nodded. "Yeah, make sure Star keeps off her phone lately. Last thing we need is some desperate idiot going after her."

Now that both the Quarrys and the Larkins were bankrupt, all they had left was their lives-and they were getting reckless.

Ronald's tone softened. "Yeah, I got it."

for another minute

Stella's phone buzzed. This time, it

for a moment, then declined the call. He texted Idris instead: "Call

a bit of a

stress Star out

replied instantly: "On

moment later, Susanna's call

that handled, Ronald headed back to the dining room, where Stella was munching on a

he walked in, grinned, and held out another slice. "Try this!

seriously upped his

she was gaining weight by the day-well, pregnancy would do that. Ever since she'd found out she was expecting, she'd been extra careful about eating right. And now, knowing she

Instead, he gently grabbed her hand, the one she was nibbling

the half-eaten piece she was holding

Stella blinked, speechless.

this guy and his weird habits-why did he always insist on eating food

just like you," Ronald teased,

warm and playful, and

tournent