Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 677

Half an hour later.

Ronald personally drove Stella to Hull’s villa. As she was about to hop out of the car the second it stopped, Ronald reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Whoa, slow down there.”

Stella rolled her eyes but smiled. “I am slowing down, see?”

She knew he was worried about the kid, and of course, she was protective too.

Ronald got out and followed her up the stone steps to the front door.

Inside, the doctor was speaking quietly to Hull, but as Ronald and Stella approached, the conversation became clear—it was about Susanna.

“If her emotions swing too wildly, her body might not handle it. We have to keep an eye out for her fever spiking,” the doctor said.

“Plus, she’s already got some injuries. Those need proper care before any infection sets in.”

Hull looked grim, standing by the fireplace. Barnaby and Silas were there as well, exchanging glances when they heard Susanna was hurt. Neither of them had known. After all, Hull had always been fiercely protective of her, especially through all the chaos lately.

And this villa—well, it was supposed to be the safest place around. So, how did she get hurt?

When Ronald appeared, both Silas and Barnaby paused, surprised. But when they saw Stella with him, it clicked. Ronald rarely showed up unless Stella was involved.

Hull turned to Stella and nodded to the housekeeper, “Please show Ms. Quinn to her room.”

Stella wanted to ask about Susanna’s injuries, but when she caught sight of the fresh bandages peeking from under Hull’s shirt, she bit her tongue. She figured Susanna must have gotten hurt during these last few days sticking close to Hull. Poor kid, she thought. Susanna had never faced anything this intense back in Portis City.

All things considered, it was a miracle she hadn’t fallen apart yet.

“Thank you,” Stella said as the housekeeper led her upstairs. There weren’t many staff left at the villa, and with Susanna sick, things were tense.

Downstairs, Ronald sank into the couch while Hull took the armchair across from him. Ronald lit a cigarette, taking in Hull’s tired face and the faint bruises on his neck.

“I thought you said not to drag her into this,” Ronald said, exhaling smoke.

Since Susanna arrived in Ferrowland, Stella had been looped into everything. That was one thing when she was just visiting, but now she was pregnant—and there were more than a few folks in Ferrowland who didn’t play by the rules.

“The obvious threats are easy to spot,” Ronald continued, “but it’s the ones lurking in the shadows you have to watch for.”

Hull nodded. “I get it. But this time, things are… complicated.”

Hull’s expression darkened as he considered this.

Upstairs, Stella entered Susanna’s room, sunlight pouring in through the open curtains. The housekeeper quietly slipped out, leaving Stella alone with the lump under the blankets.

“Susie?” Stella called softly.

There was a moment of silence, then Susanna flung off the covers and sat up, her eyes red.

“Star…” She tried to keep her voice steady, but it cracked with emotion.

Stella was startled. “Hey, what’s with the tears?” She hurried over, wrapping Susanna in a warm hug.

Susanna’s life had been easy back in Portis City; this chaos was a lot to handle. And now…

“Star, my mom doesn’t want to see me,” Susanna whispered, fighting back tears.

Stella frowned. “That can’t be right.”

“That’s what I thought. But it’s true. Why would she shut me out? What’s happened to her?” Susanna’s voice trembled with worry.