Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

"What's this?"

Stella replied, "Left the bar at eight in the morning. That's when the night elves disappeared."

Yvonne snatched the phone from her, glancing at the footage.

She checked the timestamp, then the person in the video. Her breath caught, suddenly shallow and ragged.

She clenched her teeth so hard she nearly cracked a molar.

No. Freaking. Way. It's that jerk?

"Go on home," she snapped, shoving the phone back into Stella's hand as she swung open the car door.

Stella could hear the fury in her voice and instantly knew-Yvonne was going after Dan.

Given the look in her eyes, she was ready to murder him.

No matter what had gone on between Yvonne and Dan before, the guy was now engaged to Aira Wilson.

If Dan had really done what they suspected last night, Yvonne would make sure he regretted it. Painfully.

Stella hesitated, not getting out yet. "I'm coming with you."

Yvonne shot her a glare. "No way. Go home. You think I have time to babysit you right now?"

A few months ago, she might've dragged Stella along for the drama. But not now —not with Stella pregnant. If anything happened, Yvonne wouldn't just flay Dan alive; her whole family would turn on her.

Stella tried again, voice low. "I don't like you going alone. Take someone with you."

Dan was way too calculating-Stella always got a bad vibe from him.

Yvonne sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I'll bring backup.”

After some back-and-forth, Stella finally stepped out of the car. The housekeeper barely caught her when, with a roar, Yvonne floored the gas and tore down the driveway.

Just from the way the tires squealed, you could tell how pissed Yvonne was.

And who could blame her? First time, just like that, and the guy bails.

Especially when it's Dan. Anyone would snap. But Yvonne? She'd go nuclear. Dan, buddy, you're really toast this time.

Stella fumbled for her phone and called Ronald. He picked up right away. "Star?" "Something's happened to my sister."

"Huh?"

Stella had barely had time to fill Ronald in with everything going on-she'd been running around with Yvonne all morning.

And Yvonne? She always handled her own business. She'd never call home for help. Just calling Ronald now was a big deal.

So there was no way Ronald knew what happened the night before.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Stella took a breath. "It's about Dan..."

She quickly filled him in last night, this morning, and everything Yvonne was doing now.

She explained Yvonne was on her way to confront Dan, and that she was worried. Even though Yvonne said she'd bring people, she was so mad she'd probably forget.

The longer Ronald listened, the heavier his breathing got.

When she finished, he spoke in a low, dangerous voice. "I got it. You stay home and don't get involved."

"Yvonne told me the same thing." Stella shrugged, even though Ronald couldn't see her.

Yvonne had made her promise not to tag along; she wanted to face Dan alone. "I'll take care of it," Ronald said, then hung up.

...

Meanwhile, at the Wilson family mansion...

Xander's face was thunderous-like a storm was brewing just under the surface.

After a frantic round of speculation from Shawn, Ashley, and the others, one thing was clear: under no circumstances should Xander admit anything to Yvonne. He sat in furious, brooding silence.

Shawn finally lost it. "Dude, you may not care about your own life, but spare a thought for ours, would you?"

Yvonne, when she was mad, was no joke. People really could end up six feet under.

And today, everyone involved was on the chopping block.noveldrama

Xander shot him a lethal glare. "So you want me to be her doormat for life?"

Because that's what it felt like—after what happened, running away like a coward, what else would you call it?

Shawn stammered, "No, no, not for life. Just...you've got to build things up first. Get close. If she falls for you, maybe you'll live to tell the tale. Until then, you keep your mouth shut and hope to God she doesn't find out."

He was desperate now.

Yeah, that was the only way through this mess. If Yvonne fell for Xander, maybe— just maybe there'd be hope.

But getting to Yvonne's heart? That was like trying to chip away at a granite mountain with a butter knife.

Shawn was starting to think he should write his will...