Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

After Lottie finished her call, she sat down for a private chat with Stella to discuss the situation.

Stella shared her thoughts openly.

Lottie's gaze was thoughtful and deep. She patted Stella's hand, "Star, you're still too much of an open book."

Stella blinked. "Huh?"

Lottie gave a small sigh. "People are the greatest masters at hiding what's really on their minds."

Stella's eyes widened. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"So, Mom, what are you getting at?"

"If you ask me," Lottie said, "Melissa is the most likely."

Stella realized she'd guessed right.

As for Regina, honestly, she probably didn't have it in her. She'd spent years in prison, and not a single member of the Schultz family had visited her.

That was something Lottie just couldn't figure out.

Especially Mona Haig's attitude! That was her own daughter, after all. Last time Mona came to the Quinns, it seemed like she was there to ask if Regina could see Stella.

But really, Lottie could see straight through it. Mona was there because of Yale Schultz.

With Yvonne Quinn suddenly getting married to Xander, Yale's interests were definitely threatened.

Schultz family... it all seemed to be

for Regina, it was as if she'd never really been on her mother's mind

these little things together, it was pretty clear-Regina didn't have it in her to go

"Melissa?" Stella repeated.

nodded. "She's the only one who's made her feelings for Ronald obvious, and she's got the guts for something

acted toward her at the last dinner party. She glanced at Lottie.

fits," Lottie said with

"But... she really doesn't seem the

frowned. "So what do I

"Star, I want you to

hoped to see Stella step up as the Quinn family's

"Mom..."

and he's protected you all these years. But marriage isn't just about letting the man shield

Stella was quiet.

steady and serious. "You need to

ago-when she hadn't handled things well. If she had, she and Ronald wouldn't have been separated for

went on, "Three years ago, Xander was pulling strings behind the scenes, so you were lucky enough to dodge Regina's traps. But you can't count on luck forever. Next

Mom," Stella interjected

softly, clearly

up to leave. The

she reached her car, Lottie turned to the butler and said, "Stay close

If she runs into

she'd raised

herself-Lottie knew her daughter's