Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 826

Not wanting to get dragged into it any further, Derek threw out a few words and stormed off.

Adelle was left standing there, stunned. Derek had never spoken to her like that before—never even raised his voice. Now he just snapped and walked away? Her frustration bubbled over, and she stomped her foot in exasperation.

Seriously, were these people going to be satisfied only when her whole life was in shambles? She still felt like she was stuck in Dan’s grasp. He was doing this out of spite, all because of his late mother! Adelle fumed, barely keeping it together.

Just then, Leroy approached, “Ma’am, Mr. Derek asked if you could handle Mr. Miguel for a bit.”

“Me?” Adelle asked, almost incredulous.

How was she supposed to deal with him? What did that even mean? Mr. Miguel was obviously still obsessed with that wild girl—how was she supposed to play along?

Adelle was so wound up, she felt like her insides were twisting.

…

Meanwhile, Susanna was left alone in the presidential suite of the hotel, with Barnaby for company. She brewed herself a cup of coffee, while Barnaby, sprawled out on the couch, was glued to his phone, binging parenting videos.

“Apparently, the best water temperature for formula is ninety-six degrees Fahrenheit,” he muttered. “And you gotta make sure to burp the baby after feeding. Oh, then there’s bath time, changing clothes—”

“Can you stop watching those already?” Susanna groaned. The constant sound of baby-care tips made her head pound.

What was the point? It’s not like either of them had a kid.

Barnaby looked up, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just… never mind. Knock yourself out,” Susanna sighed.

But when Barnaby started watching a video on changing dirty diapers, Susanna lost her appetite altogether. She abandoned her coffee, slipped into the bedroom, and called Hull.

He answered with that gentle tone of his, “Miss me already?”

Susanna rolled her eyes, “No, just—did you meet with the Murray family yet?”

“They don’t have the guts to see me,” Hull replied smoothly.

“Susie? Susie?” he called again.

Susanna, halfway through dialing Yvonne, gave up with a sigh. “Alright, alright, I’m coming!”

Did she not have a last name? Why did everyone keep calling her “Susie” like she was a lost puppy? She’d never understand it.

Reluctantly, she joined Barnaby in the living room. The sound of his phone and that endless stream of baby advice was driving her crazy. She snatched her own phone, thinking Stella must be the most bored person in the world right now and would definitely welcome a chat.

“Could you turn that down? I’m trying to make a call here,” Susanna complained.

Barnaby, surprisingly considerate, nodded. “Sure, I’ll turn it down.”

He lowered the volume so much that Susanna had to admit he wasn’t completely insufferable.

Feeling slightly better, she dialed Stella’s number and waited for her friend to pick up.