Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

She turned around only to find herself staring into Ronald's deep-set eyes. She patted her chest dramatically, exclaiming, "Oh my God, you scared me to death!"

Ronald raised an eyebrow. "Talking smack about Hull again?"

Stella's eyes widened in shock. Had he overheard that? When had he even come in?

Ignoring Ronald's question, she changed the subject. "Has Jeremy left?"

Ronald nodded with a simple "Yeah."

Stella pressed, "Something's up with the Warner family, right?"

Jeremy had rushed over to see her, which usually meant trouble. And if Sirena had been involved in whatever conflict was brewing, it definitely wasn't good news. The only logical conclusion was that the Warner family had hit a rough patch.

Ronald shrugged. "That's none of your concern."

Stella paused, confirming her suspicions. No wonder Jeremy seemed so tense today.

Thinking back to the incident, Stella added, "Sirena wasn't the one causing trouble that day, so don't drag her into this."

Ronald looked puzzled. "Hmm?"

"She even held Vivian back, trying to keep the peace," Stella explained. Though, if she was honest, Sirena's attempt at peacemaking seemed more like an opportunity for Vivian to get herself into more trouble.

Just as Stella was about to launch into a story about Vivian, Ronald's phone rang. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before stepping out to take the call.

Left alone, Stella was soon interrupted by a housekeeper announcing, "Miss, a lady named Frost Quarry is here to see you."

Stella was stunned. Frost? Yorick's sister.

Stella might have been friends with Frost if it weren't for Yorick. Frost was energetic and decisive, the kind of woman who would have effortlessly taken over the Quarry family's business if she were a boy. But with Hogan back, the family succession was more complicated than ever.

Stella didn't care much for the rest of the Quarry family, but Frost wasn't too bad, probably because they hadn't interacted much.

"Show her to the living room," Stella instructed.

The housekeeper nodded, and Stella took a moment to change before heading downstairs.

As she entered the living room, she found Frost inspecting one of her coffee cups. The woman had a sharp pixie cut and wore a sleek black suit with a long dress, exuding an air of composed elegance

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If Stella were to describe it, she'd say Frost looked dashing. She'd never thought of using "dashing" for a woman, not even for someone like Skye Yoder, who embraced androgyny. But Frost was different. Her presence was striking.

Hearing Stella's approach, Frost looked up from the coffee cup with a briefnoveldrama

moment of surprise. She set the cup down with a smile. "Didn't expect it to be this hard to meet you."

Stella settled into the sofa across from Frost. "When did you get back?"

Frost dealt in jewelry and had a better business mind than Yorick. She traveled internationally, expanding her enterprise.

"Just this morning," Frost replied, setting the cup aside.

Stella nodded. Whatever was happening with the Quarry family must have been significant if Frost had to rush back.

Frost sighed, "I wanted to come back when Mom fainted and got hospitalized, but

I got caught up with work."

Stella was shocked. "Imogen was hospitalized?"

That must have been when Hogan made his dramatic entrance into the Quarry family. Xander had stirred things up, and it seemed Hogan was Thane's son after

all.

Frost glanced at Stella, her gaze intent. "My brother hasn't been causing you real trouble these past few years, has he?"

Stella raised an eyebrow. "What's your point?"

Frost leaned forward, hands clasped on the polished coffee table, exuding an air of negotiation. "Do you think the Quarry family deserves everything that's happened because of him?"

The Quarry family had been facing challenges, just like the Larkin family, with their collaborations with Ronald hanging in the balance.

Stella smirked, "Did you talk to your brother before coming here?"

Frost's brows furrowed, her eyes narrowing as she studied Stella.

Stella chuckled lightly, "Ask Yorick what he's put me through because of Ursula if

you want to know why the Quarry family is paying such a price."

Stella could see Frost was defensive, eager to argue the Quarry family's innocence. But Yorick had taken over the Quarry Group, and the family's losses were far from undeserved.

Her gaze met Frost's, equally intense and unwavering.