Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Eventually, the Schultz family's gathering didn't wind down until almost three in the morning. The house was still buzzing with tension when Yvonne finally left.

Everyone in the Schultz family looked absolutely wrecked, like they'd just eaten something rotten. You'd think they'd been dealing with a battalion, not just one

woman.

Tristan, looking every bit his age, heaved himself up and trudged upstairs. "That boy... total disgrace. Absolute disgrace." And then he was gone.

Mona and Yale shared a look.

Yale, jaw clenched, muttered, "Wasn't Xander head over heels for that Quinn girl? How the hell did he end up married to that hellcat?"

Hellcat. That's exactly how they saw Yvonne.

She had a temper, and a pedigree so untouchable that nobody dared cross her.

Mona's eyes narrowed, landing on the bottle of nail polish Yvonne had slammed down on the dining table. "I knew he wouldn't just stay put in Boston forever. I just knew he was up to something coming home this time."

She practically spat out the words, grinding her teeth so hard you'd think she wanted to chew Xander up and spit him out.

Yale added, "Marrying Yvonne, that witch, it's obvious he wants the whole Schultz fortune for himself."

This wasn't about sharing.

He wanted it all.

Mona hissed, "Ruining Regina Schultz wasn't enough for him? Now he's—"

She cut herself off, eyes flashing with something dark and mean.

Yale shook his head. "This is just the beginning."

Yvonne coming back tonight was just the start. And to make it worse, Dad actually gave her everything she demanded.

In the middle of the night, she'd basically wrung them dry. So much money, just like that.

For years, every time Yale so much as spent a dime more than necessary, Dad would scold him for being a spoiled brat. But now, Xander waltzes in with a new wife and gets handed a fortune.

All Dad did was grumble once.

The more Yale thought about it, the angrier he got.

...

While Mona and Yale were practically fuming in the house, Yvonne was practically glowing as she walked out the front door. Xander was waiting for her, leaning against his car in the driveway.

As soon as she slid into the passenger seat, he looked over. "What took you so long?"

She let out a tired sigh. “Well, I asked for a pretty big number. They weren't exactly eager to hand it over, so it took a while."

She was exhausted, but the thought of suddenly having so much money made her giddy.

Xander raised an eyebrow. "How much did you get?"

"Everything you put on that list. Got it all back," Yvonne said, a little smug.

She'd been pissed about marrying Xander all day, a knot in her chest she couldn't shake. Now, at least, she felt a little lighter. The stone on her heart had finally rolled away.

Xander stared at her, stunned. "They just... gave it to you?"noveldrama

That list—he'd asked for it three years ago, and it was supposed to be impossible.

He just wanted Yvonne to stir up some trouble, not actually succeed.

But Yvonne...

She nodded, grinning. "Of course. You weren't there to see how many times I

called him 'Dad.' Did you think I was doing it for fun?"

Xander's eyes went wide. "You called him Dad?"

His voice was cold, clipped.

"Yeah, duh. Otherwise, why would he fork over that much cash? Because I'm cute?" Yvonne shot back, rolling her eyes.

So dramatic.

She knew exactly what he meant by that frosty tone.

If he wanted to cut ties with the Schultzes so badly, why send her back to deal

with them? Why get mad about how she did it?

"You don't get to have it both ways," she thought.

Xander's eyes narrowed. "Don't call him that again. Ever."

Yvonne shrugged. "Fine. Then I just won't go back. Not a big deal."

She didn't believe for a second that Xander had sent her back to the Schultz

family just for the money. There was always something more with him.