Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 752

Xander leaned back in his chair, hands laced behind his head. "If Lacey Tucker hadn't shown up in Black Gate right now, Derek Murray would've gone all in—he'd strip every ounce of power from Dan and hand it straight to Finch Murray."

Finch.

Until recently, nobody had ever heard of the guy. Who would've guessed he was Dan Duffy's other son?

Gotta admit, Derek's been real generous to his side chick all these years. Even the kid she had? Protected like a crown jewel.

These past three days, Xander had turned Black Gate upside down, digging into every secret, and the more he learned, the more entertaining it got.

"If Susanna ends up being Yvonne's weapon, that means Dan's got another enemy—Lacey."

Which would blow his whole plan to pieces.

And Black Gate? Susanna could tear the whole place apart.

When Xander explained all this, Shawn finally got it. Dan wasn't just worried about Lacey being a rival—he was terrified they'd end up on opposite sides.

And the one who'd tip the scales? Susanna.

"So, you think Susanna's gonna be Lacey's weapon? But she's got Mr. Miguel backing her up too," Shawn said.

Hull's been way too interested in Susanna lately, and it showed. For a guy who's always been cold as stone, he's sure been making moves.

Xander smirked. "Doesn't matter. If Susanna stays with Yvonne for a month, that's all it takes. Dan'll never believe she's not one of Yvonne's people after that."

Shawn stared. "Seriously? It's that easy?"

He had no clue how any of this worked. But he did know one thing: Susanna would come back from Yvonne changed, no doubt about it.

Look at Stella Quinn. Back when Ronald Quinn had her, she was this pampered little princess. But after a stint with Yvonne? She turned into a little tigress, fierce and sharp.

Yvonne laughed softly. "You can tell your guy to stop. You're not gonna find me."

Hull's jaw clenched. "Where are you?"

Even through the phone, Yvonne could feel the storm in his voice.

She let him stew for a second. "So tell me, Hull—if I give Susie back to you, you really willing to give me anything I want?"

Susie. Weird name, Yvonne always thought. When she first heard Stella call her that, she figured the girl must've been obsessed with sweets or something, with a name that sounded like a candy store mascot.

But Chloe had said it—Hull would do anything for that little bean sprout. Yvonne was honestly curious: would the unbreakable Hull really go that far for a girl?

Hull grunted, voice low and dangerous. "What do you want?"