Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Tania's words were abruptly cut off by the sound of a phone clattering to the ground on the other end.

Susanna's heart was in her throat as she listened. Before she could say anything, a raspy male voice came through the line. "That's her. Bring her in." Susanna's mind screamed. Tania was in trouble.

Cold sweat broke out on Susanna's forehead. The man's voice continued, "Are you Susanna Tucker?"

The dangerous undertone in his voice hit Susanna like a freight train, her hand shaking so violently that the phone slipped from her grasp and fell onto the car seat. Her mind was spinning, unable to process what was happening as panic set in. "Susanna? Miss Susanna? Can you tell us where you are?"

Hull glanced at Susanna, who was visibly trembling. He leaned over, picked up the phone, glanced at the number, and placed it to his ear. His voice was like steel, "What does her location have to do with you?"

Hull's voice carried an intimidating force that made the man on the other end pause.

"And who are you?"

"Hull Miguel," Hull replied.

"Mr. Miguel?"

The man's voice was now laced with shock and a hint of fear as he heard the name.

Hull's eyes narrowed. "Who are you people?"

The line went dead before he could get an answer. Any attempt to call back only resulted in a disconnected tone. Clearly, the mere mention of Hull's name had sent the caller into a panic.

Hull tossed the phone back to Susanna. With trembling hands, Susanna turned to Hull. "The airport. We need to find Tania."

Tania had been with her mother for years, and with an eighty-year-old grandfather of Tania's in the hospital, Susanna couldn't afford anything to happen to her. The danger in the man's voice had been unmistakable to Susanna. Hull gave her a glance, saying nothing.

Meeting his intense gaze, Susanna cringed. She had momentarily forgotten that Hull was not someone she could command around.

"I-I'm sorry."

With Tania in trouble, and alone in Ferrowland, Susanna felt more cautious than ever.

Before Hull could respond, his phone rang. He answered with a curt, "Speak."

"They're about to dock? Got it."

Hanging up, Hull commanded the driver callously, "Head to Coconut Bay."

"Right away."

The driver, sweating slightly, quickly maneuvered the car in the opposite direction.

Hull called one of his men Enzo, who answered promptly. "Boss."

"Are you all in position?"

"We'll be there in three minutes."

"Good, they're docking soon."

Enzo replied, "Understood."

Hull ended the call and glanced at Susanna. "So, we're skipping Crimson Mountain?"

Susanna gazed at him and nodded. She was tense, unable to comprehend the situation, feeling utterly lost and overwhelmed, as if her entire world had been tumed upside down. en

Hull said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Susanna, her mind finally clearing a bit, remembered she needed to call Stella. After all, this was Stella's hometown.noveldrama

***

In the evening, over in Portis City,

Ronald had the kitchen whip up

some comfort food for Stella net

creamy chicken and mushroom

soup with crunchy meat pie

Stella devoured six pieces of meat pie and was eyeing a seventh when Ronald affectionately gazed at her. "Star." "C-Can't I have more?" Stella pleaded, her eyes wide with longing. The meat pie was just too delicious and she desired more. And there was also that eggplant casserole. The cook here was seriously talented.

Ronald chuckled. "The meat pie isn't exactly small."

Stella pouted. Each meat pie was the size of three buns, indeed in quite a big size, but they were just so tasty.

"I'm still hungry."

She looked at Ronald with puppy eyes. She knew what he meant that she was being gently reminded not to overeat at night. Ronald reassured her, "I'll have the chef make them again for breakfast. How does that sound?"

"Well, okay then."

Ronald's gentle persuasion was enough to curb her insistence. Besides, she had already polished off six pieces and two bowls of soup. .