Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

For Stella, the Quinns and the Lugars were her bottom line. Mess with her family, and you were in for a world of trouble-no way she'd ever just let it slide.

"If you can tie a rope, you can tie your tongue, too. If you've got the guts to talk trash, at least have the nerve to stand by it."

A mocking voice rang out from the crowd.

Both women whipped around, glaring daggers at whoever spoke, looking as if they'd eat her alive.

Stella and Yvonne turned as well, and Stella's eyes went wide in surprise.

It was Lola.

Lola stood there, her arm looped through a man's, and met the two women's furious gazes head-on. "What's wrong? Still want to act tough? Seems like your apology isn't all that sincere after all."

Just a hint of "not sincere," and the color drained from the women's faces.

No one dared play games in front of the Quinn family.

Lola glanced at Stella, and when their eyes met, she gave her a warm, reassuring smile.

Stella couldn't help but smile back, just a little.

Yvonne scoffed. "Well, it looks like that madam was right. You two aren't really sorry at all. In that case..."

"Please, Lady Yvonne, we really are sorry!"

"Yes, please, you're far above us. Don't take this out on our families—please!"

The woman who had tried to slap Stella was now nearly in tears.

Yvonne shook her head. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

The two women fell silent, momentarily confused.

Not her?

They both turned to stare at Stella. Truth was, neither of them could stomach the idea of bowing to her.noveldrama

Especially since, just a while ago, she was nothing more than the adopted daughter, a mere pawn in the Lugar family's marriage games. They'd always assumed she'd be married off for some strategic alliance, nothing more.

But now now she was with Mr. Quinn, the man who'd raised her. That made her the most important woman in all of Ferrowland.

The same woman they used to look down on, hoping to see her fall from grace.

Now...

Yvonne, seeing their hesitation, lost her patience and kicked one of them sharply in the shin. That snapped them out of it.

Immediately, both women turned to Stella, voices trembling.

"Princess Stella, we're sorry. Truly, we are."

Stella's eyes glinted coldly. "Princess Stella? Don't call me that. I'm not sure I deserve the title."

Just a minute ago, they'd been whispering that she was just the adopted daughter.

It would've been one thing if they'd just talked about her. But they'd dragged her mother and Ronald into it, too.

Stella stared the woman down, her gaze icy.

The woman squirmed under her glare.

Everyone in Ferrowland knows

Eveno, no, you deserve it!

you're the little princess of the Quinn family."

Stella let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.

Just as she turned to leave, a strong arm slipped around her shoulders, pulling

her gently into a protective embrace.

Stella looked up, meeting Ronald's stern, commanding eyes.

He glanced at the woman, then turned slightly. "Idris.”

"Yes, sir."

Idris stepped forward, all business.

"Take care of this," Ronald ordered.

"Yes, sir."

With nothing more to say, Ronald led Stella away, leaving the two women pale as ghosts, shaking in their boots.

Even after Stella and Ronald had disappeared, the women stood there, too scared to even beg for mercy.

Lola, still holding her date's arm, rolled her eyes. "Well, that was boring. I was hoping for a little action."

Her voice dripped with sarcasm. For all their gossip and backstabbing these women didn't have a backbone between them-fatting apart the second things got real.

Dandy, her date, just smiled and patted her hand. “Let's go.”

"Yeah,” Lola agreed, flashing the two women a wickedly mocking grin as they hurried away.

Once everyone had gone, the two women finally staggered to their feet. The one who'd been doused with@hampagne glared at the other, rubbing her bruised arm.

"This is all your fault. Why'd you drag me into gossiping about the Quinns in the

first place?"