Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

"What... what do you mean?"

Melissa honestly felt lost.

Lottie's eyes narrowed. "Ms. Norton, you know, I've seen a lot of women try to play games in front of me over the years."

Especially back when Stella and Ronald hadn't made anything official.

Melissa couldn't even begin to count how many women in all of Ferrowland had tried to cozy up to her, and Lottie was frankly tired of it.

Some of them came in with the whole innocent act, saying they wanted to be like a daughter to her; others were far less subtle, claiming they'd devote their lives to her comfort.

She'd seen it all-even at the Quinn family's garden parties, there was always some woman pulling out a new trick.

But Melissa? This was a first.

Melissa felt a surge of irritation, but she wasn't about to snap at Lottie. The Norton family wasn't nearly as powerful as it used to be, after all.

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'm sorry, but I really don't know what you're talking about, Lottie."

Pretending?

I've been out of the country, she thought. I haven't even been keeping up with Ferrowland's gossip.

Sure, there was that incident at the last party, but that was ages ago—and everything had been sorted out. Even if she had been pretending back then, so what?

gaze only

Lottie, what exactly do you

did you do? The evidence is right in front of your face, isn't it? You're a clever woman, Melissa.

Melissa's mind spun.

Evidence? What evidence?

down at her feet-and saw a

what? I'm not

Even if she were pregnant, how

had no

grew even

wasdooking at her too,

both

Melissa feel

they were about to

rip her in two.

s

look was downright terrifying.

just don't get it.

to s

saying this wasn't

the act and tell

not mine. Seriously, this has

if it was hers, why on earth would she send