Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 678

If only she could see her mom right now—just to get some answers, to feel a bit more at ease.

But even after jumping through hoops to arrange a meeting, her mom just wouldn’t see her.

“Did Hull sort everything out for you?” Stella asked, brows raised.

She already knew Lacey wasn’t showing up—but still, Hull was nothing if not quick.

Well, she thought, when you work for Ronald, efficiency isn’t negotiable.

Speaking of Hull’s arrangements…

Susanna sniffled, looking even more miserable. “Yeah, he did… I even had to sacrifice my Friday night dignity for it.”

Stella: “WHAT?!”

Wait. What?

“Sorry, what did you say? Dignity? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Did she really mean what Stella thought she meant?

Susanna’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “It really hurt, you know. Ugh.”

She remembered last night—Hull had been relentless. She was sore all over, and just thinking about it made her want to cry again.

She’d put herself through all that, just to convince that man to skip the stupid background checks and arrange the meeting.

And what happened? Her mom didn’t even show.

What the hell was that all about?

Stella: “Oh my god.”

Her brain just… short-circuited.

She pushed Susanna back to take a better look at her—then spotted the marks on her neck.

Stella sucked in a sharp breath.

Especially when she pictured Susanna and Hull together—he was built like a linebacker, and Susanna was so petite.

No wonder she was crying her eyes out.

“Alright, alright, don’t cry, okay?” Stella murmured, trying to soothe her.

But still… “You really went through with that?”

They’d joked before that Hull would never go for someone like Susanna—she was so tiny, so delicate.

Guess they were wrong.

Susanna blushed to her ears. “No, it wasn’t me!”

She stammered, cheeks flushed. Just thinking about how wild Hull had been last night—there’d been no way out, so she just negotiated.

Stella: “Wait, you mean you bargained with him… in the middle of… you know?”

Susanna let out a little squeak, and Stella’s mind blanked again.

Well, that was… definitely a first.

Ever since moving to Ferrowland, Susanna had been terrified of her own shadow.

And now she’d gone and negotiated with Hull—in bed, no less!

She was starving. “Honestly, Hull really needs to hire more help around here,” she grumbled. “Just one cook for this whole place?”

It made her feel awkward, asking for anything.

Ronald pulled her into his arms and offered her a handful of trail mix. Stella munched contentedly.

“Did you make everything clear for Susanna?” he asked, voice warm.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Told her to go to Hull if she needs anything.”

Stella rolled her eyes. “Susie’s a girl, you know.”

Was he seriously jealous of Hull? Right now?

Ronald just smiled, offering her more snacks. Stella, still hungry, grabbed the whole bag from his hand.

She glanced out the window. They weren’t heading home. “Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you to see the wedding venue.”

Stella blinked. “What?”

Wait—wedding venues were supposed to be a surprise, weren’t they? The big, romantic reveal on the big day?

Ronald squeezed her hand. “You only get married once. I want you to love it.”

Warmth blossomed in Stella’s chest.

Forget the surprise. What really mattered was that she loved it. If she hated it, it’d be a disaster, not a dream.