Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Chapter 823

Adelle glanced at Derek, then turned to Yvonne with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Ms. Quinn, Susanna-we honestly didn't take her. If you're looking for someone to blame, you've got the wrong crowd."

Yvonne shot her a frosty glare. "Don't talk to me. My brain's not exactly firing on all cylinders today, so who knows if I'll see through your little act."

Adelle's expression darkened instantly. She'd spent years by Derek's side, and in all of Riverford, folks usually gave her a good measure of respect, if not outright deference.

How long had it been since someone spoke to her like this? So openly dismissive? She could barely remember.

"Ms. Quinn-"

"I told you, don't speak," Yvonne snapped, her tone icy.

Her defiance only made Derek's patience run thinner.

"Ms. Quinn, you do realize you're being disrespectful in my own house? That sort

of attitude won't get you far in this town."

gotten me this far, hasn't

over. I've got people waiting

wasn't interested in Derek's power plays. She just wanted to find Susanna and get out of here. If she failed, God help

Yvonne became even less

narrowed. "You got any

of Black Gate. Stealing someone from me should be

she had the time or patience to

"Ms. Quinn, you're being

a glare. "Zip it, I told

the surface, ice cold underneath. The kind of stepmother whad never accept Derek's other

Derek staying silent, she didn't dare push

"Mr. Murray, do you even know why your daughter Leanne is lying in a

into a thin

Adelle stiffened. "Ms. Quinn!"

injuries clearly

"What's your point, Ms. Quinn? She just wanted to

actually laughed at that. "Oh, really? Just a curious, caring

noting the woman's clenched fists. This was