Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 833

Shawn winced, clutching his forehead, then shot a look at Kyle, who was still rubbing his own head.

Sure, the book had smacked Kyle, but somehow it hurt Shawn just as much.

“Dude, are you trying to murder your own brother or what?” he grumbled.

Xander shot him a sharp glare. “You heard about Finley Yoder nearly turning into a jerky stick out in the Mojave Desert, right?”

Shawn froze. Uhh…

Yeah, that was a topic he’d rather not touch with a ten-foot pole.

Xander continued, “If you can’t say anything smart, just shut your mouth. No social skills? Go learn some.”

Shawn pouted. Wasn’t emotional intelligence something you were born with? Where the heck was he supposed to learn that?

Xander snorted, “Correction: you don’t lack social skills—you lack brains.”

Shawn’s jaw dropped. This was getting out of hand, but he didn’t dare talk back.

“Fine, I’ll shut up, okay?” he mumbled, feeling utterly wronged.

He honestly couldn’t remember what he’d said to piss Xander off so badly.

Xander fixed him with another icy stare, and Shawn zipped his lips for real this time.

Lighting a cigarette, Xander turned to Kyle. “Hey, Kyle.”

“Yes, Mr. Schultz?”

“I remember Black Gate has a mine called Slatepeak, right?”

Kyle’s brow twitched. “Yeah, there’s a place called that. But right now, Lottie’s got her eye on it. She’s demanding it.”

“Demanding, huh?” Xander drawled, smoke curling from his lips.

“Yeah. Like, storming in and taking it, no negotiations.” Kyle had only just heard the news himself. It was obvious Lottie was pissed about the whole Yvonne thing and taking it out on Dan.

Slatepeak Mines was one of Black Gate’s biggest assets.

Shawn’s lips twitched at “demanding.” Poor Dan, he thought. Anyone to cross but Yvonne? Of all the families to mess with, why the Quinns?

———

Meanwhile, when Hull heard about Lottie and Xander targeting Black Gate’s prime spots, his eyes darkened with thought. He understood exactly what they were up to.

Lottie was out for revenge for Yvonne. Xander was backing her, and wanted Susanna turned over.

And as for Susanna? She was sitting at the side table, sipping cranberry juice and nibbling on a scone, completely oblivious to the storm brewing around her.

Hull glanced at Silas. “Alright, then. Let’s take Westonville.”

Silas blinked. “Westonville? That’s… bold.”

Westonville was where Black Gate grew their specialty crops—thanks to its unique climate, it was the only place that could produce the rare ingredients for a powerful anti-aging drug.

Everyone wanted a shot at living longer. That miracle crop raked in billions every year for Black Gate. Westonville was a serious goldmine.

With Lottie going after Slatepeak, Xander after Loutan Lake, and now them targeting Westonville… they were basically gutting Black Gate’s core business.

Barnaby let out a low whistle. “Westonville’s run personally by Derek himself. That says it all. You think he’ll let it go?”