Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Susanna was in a pickle.

Hull, the stern-faced authority figure, was as unyielding as a rock, and Barnaby's sharp tongue was annoying.

Feeling the heat of the moment, Stella flopped right down on the sofa, arms crossed. Susanna, clearly rattled, clung to Stella's arm like a lifeline, her eyes

wide with worry.

Arms crossed in an authoritative stance, Barnaby said, "Ms. Tucker, cuddling up to Princess Stella won't help. The investigation will proceed as planned."

Seeing Susanna being treated this way lit a fire under Stella. "You know Finley's off in the Muliba Desert, right?" she retorted.

Barnaby's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean by that, Princess Stella?"

Stella smirked, "It means if you keep running that mouth of yours, I'll have Ronald send you along with him."

Barnaby gulped. The Muliba Desert was the last place he wanted to go.

Still anxious, Susanna felt a bit of relief seeing Stella hold her ground in this strange place.

"Star, you can't leave me," Susanna pleaded, her voice quivering with fear. She believed without Stella, she'd be helpless in this intimidating foreign land, where one wrong move could spell disaster.

Stella nodded, her voice soothing. "Don't worry, Susanna. I'm not going anywhere."

Barnaby attempted to regain control. "Princess Stella, Mr. Miguel insisted I escort you back. Perhaps you'd like to get in the car?"

Stella shook her head defiantly. "I'm not leaving."

Barnaby sighed, "Staying here won't help Ms. Tucker. You can't take her with you."

Susanna clung tighter to Stella, determined not to let go. If she couldn't leave, then neither should Stella.

Seeing Susanna's desperation, Barnaby tried again, "Ms. Tucker, let go of Princess Stella."

"No way. Star, you're not leaving," Susanna insisted.

"Okay, okay. I'm not leaving," Stella reassured her.

Barnaby was getting exasperated. "Mr. Miguel's orders are clear. I have to take you back."

The room was tense, with Susanna

scared, Stella refusing to budge, and Barnaby insisting she leave. The

situation was getting awkward.

"I said I'm not leaving," Stella declared, her voice firm.

Rubbing his temples frustratedly, Barnaby relented, "Fine, we'll wait for Mr. Quinn to come and fetch you."

He knew better than to force Stella. Ronald wouldn't take kindly to anyone treating her harshly.

Barnaby trudged upstairs to report back to Hull.

Left alone, Susanna's eyes were brimming with tears, half gratitude, half fear. "Star, you can't leave me."

Stella nodded. "I won't. You're stuck with me."

all I've

"I love you much for this. You're sing her eyes on Stella's

t now," Susanna

einnoveldrama

of emotion.

Stella, not bothered by the tears and sniffles, handed her a tissue. "Alright, stop crying already."

Taking the tissue, Susanna dabbed

at her eyes. "I didn't mean to

all this

trouble. Those

looked so similar." as

Stella nodded, her voice filled with understanding. "I believe you."

Susanna sighed, "You're the only one who does. Last night, those people around

him looked like they wanted to eat me alive."

Especially Barnaby's words, which had hit Susanna like a ton of bricks, making her feel completely trapped.