Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Aira was completely speechless.

Seeing her clam up, Yvonne let out a sharp laugh. "What? Cat got your tongue? Weren't you just bragging about having your people come take me out?"

Yvonne's gun tapped Aira on the forehead, again and again.

After that accidental shot a moment ago, Aira was petrified-barely daring to breathe. One slip of Yvonne's finger and it could all be over for her.

Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head. "It's not that I'm scared to admit it. My people honestly couldn't find you. They never saw you in the room."

Yvonne: "..."

Hearing that, Yvonne's anger flared again. She slapped Aira across the face, not just once but several times.

Aira was left dazed, barely registering what was happening.

...

Eventually, Idris arrived and pulled Yvonne away, even going so far as to call an ambulance for Aira out of sheer courtesy.

In the car, Yvonne grumbled, "What's my brother thinking, sending you to pick me up?"

Idris kept his tone even. "Boss says you can slap Aira around all you want, but you can't kill her."

When he'd arrived, Yvonne's gun was right up against Aira's head-one twitch and it would've been fatal.

Yvonne: "What?!"

Idris smirked. "There are plenty of ways to make someone miserable, Miss Yvonne. Want me to give you a few pointers?"

Not only did her brother send Idris to fetch her, but it sounded like he'd even pre- approved her options for settling the score.

Yvonne huffed. "Your tricks are so twisted, it's no wonder you're still single. Good luck ever landing a girlfriend with that attitude."

She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help teasing him a little to vent her frustration.

Idris just sighed.

Yvonne shot him a look. "You ever even been with a woman? Being glued to my brother's side all the time, it's gotta be rough for you."

Ever since Ronald confessed his feelings to Star, he was practically attached to her hip-home early, eating at home, always showering her with affection.

It was nonstop, and honestly, a little sickening.

Idris looked away, embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject: "Anyway, once this week's over, if you still want Aira gone... well, I'm not saying no."

A week? Yvonne glanced at Idris. Just from his expression, she could tell there was more at play here-something between Ronald's family and the Wilsons that wasn't finished yet.

Idris nodded. "And trust me, Boss isn't letting this go, either."

So taking her away from Aira was only temporary. Anyone who messed with Ronald's little sister was asking for trouble. Just look at what happened to the Quarry and Larkin families in Portis City.

Yvonne shrugged. "Well, I've pretty much gotten my revenge anyway."

But Dan was truly worthless-couldn't even find a decent partner for Aira. And when faced with a loaded gun, Aira folded immediately.

...

Meanwhile, on Xander's side.

Ever since they heard Yvonne was heading for Aira, Shawn's crew had been monitoring the situation closely.

When they got word that Yvonne had actually fired a shot, panic set in.

Their faces went from bad to worse they were practically picking out coffin colors in their heads.

Shawn muttered, "Bro, I think you'd better keep your mouth shut. She's really out for blood."

Just minutes ago, he'd been ready to throw Xander under the bus, but now? This was no joke.

Their read on Yvonne had been dead-on-when she got ruthless, she didn't hold back.

Xander's face darkened. He took a long drag from his cigar, looking like he wanted to stub it out on Shawn's mouth.

Shawn pressed on. "Let's just leave, man. I already booked the private jet."

That was true-Shawn had arranged for a jet, ready to flee with Ashley and Lott in tow.

He didn't trust Xander to keep calm, so he wanted them to escape together, back to Patrina.

But Xander shot him an icy glare. "If you run now, Yvonne's going to know it was you."

Shawn: "What?!"noveldrama

He had a point—if they bolted without any obvious reason, Yvonne would connect the dots in no time.

Why run when nothing had happened to the Schultz family? She'd figure it out instantly.

"So what, we just hide?" Shawn was ready to give up.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Xander just snorted. "And where exactly do you think we could hide?"

Shawn fell silent, face pale as chalk.

"So do we run or not?" he blurted, panicking.

Ashley chimed in, "If we run and Princess Yvonne catches us, it'll be even worse."

Shawn: "...!"

Lott: "..."

No way out. What now? All they could do was lay low in Ferrowland, praying three times a day that God wouldn't let Yvonne figure out their part in this mess.

All three started regretting dragging Xander into their escape plan.

Why couldn't they just have left him out of it? He was the one who slept with Princess Yvonne-what did it have to do with them? Now they were all stuck in the same sinking boat.

"This is insane," Lott said, completely defeated.

Xander got up, shot the three of them a withering look, stretched, and headed for the door.

Shawn jumped up, even more anxious. "Where are you going now?"

"If I don't go, Yvonne's going to start punishing the wrong people."

He knew Yvonne was already targeting everyone close to Dan. If he didn't step

up, innocent people would get hurt.

Shawn realized what Xander meant-he was going to confess.

He panicked. "Don't you dare rat us out! Just say you acted alone, okay? Yvonne won't go after us if she thinks it was just you."

As long as Xander kept their names out of it, maybe just maybe they'd survive this.