Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 557

"Susie, what's your mom got to do with the Black Gate?"

Stella's voice came through the phone, direct as an arrow. That kind of straightforwardness took Susanna by surprise.

"Nothing, why do you ask?"

Her mom was a proper businesswoman. What on earth could she have to do with a place like that?

Surely, there was no connection. And if there was, it had to be something infuriating like the Black Gate taking her – against her will. Why a reputable businesswoman like her mom would be taken by them, Susanna couldn't fathom.

"Are you sure?" Stella asked, a hint of doubt creeping into her voice.

"Positive. What's wrong?"

Stella sighed. "Well, here's the odd thing."

Susanna's heart leapt into her throat. "What's odd?"

"Just earlier, I overheard someone mention that the former head of the Black Gate was a woman named Lacey Tucker."

While getting a check-up, she overheard her mom on the phone. They were saying that the Black Gate's ex-boss had returned.

Lacey. Susanna's mom's name was Lacey, too.

"That can't be the same person," Susanna responded without hesitation.

Before Stella could interject, she added, "There are loads of people with the same name."

"True," Stella agreed.

But there was something about hearing that name, especially with Susanna's mom missing, that felt like more than just a coincidence.

If her mom were safe and sound in Portis City, it could be written off as a name twin. But now...

"Hang on, it doesn’t sound right," Susanna suddenly exclaimed.

"Hmm?" Stella prompted.

"Hull said my mom was taken by the Black Gate's people."

Susanna took a shaky breath. "What else could it be?"

If not for her mom, she'd have left with Stella for sure.

"Should I come get you now?" Stella offered.

"Might as well not."

Thinking about Hull's warnings, Susanna figured that even if Stella picked her up, Hull would still cause trouble. Better to stay put, let Hull's people sort things out. Then she could leave with a clear conscience.

Her mind was consumed with worries for her mom. Staying with Stella might only complicate things if Hull kept hounding her.

Stella heard the defeat in Susanna's voice. "What's going on now?"

Susanna replied, "Hull keeps harping on about me giving the wrong meds, claiming I'm the mole. He won't let it go without proof."

Stella was taken aback. What?! Harping on it?

"He's just bluffing, surely," Stella said, annoyed. In her view, that's all it was. Those sharp eyes of Hull's – they were as shrewd as a hawk's. He'd seen it all over the years, hadn't he?