Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 603

When Ronald brought Stella into the cozy room, they found Levi fiddling with the pot Stella had brought him from her trip. The grin on his face was so wide it could have split his cheeks.

Stella shot Ronald a glance, and he snickered under his breath. “Someone’s pretending not to care.”

Stella had just told Ronald over the phone that Levi seemed less than thrilled with her gift. But looking at that happy grin now—disappointed? Seriously?

Ronald cleared his throat, and Levi snapped out of his reverie, turning around to face them. The moment he spotted Stella, he wiped the smile off his face and put the pot down, all business.

“Don’t you think that just because you brought me this thing, I’ll forgive you for disappearing for three years,” Levi huffed, arms crossed.

“Three years! Do you even realize how long that is? You think that’s something you can just say sorry for and move on?”

Stella pouted. “But you literally just said we were good, not even five minutes ago!”

How could he switch up so quickly?

Levi grumbled, “That was just so your grandma wouldn’t get upset. I haven’t forgiven you.”

“What if I get you another pot? Maybe a bigger one?” Stella offered, only half joking.

Levi just snorted and turned his back to them.

Stella, undeterred, held up three fingers. “How about three pots? That’s my final offer!”

She’d never bought anyone that many presents at once—except Ronald, of course. For him, it was always hard to resist picking up little things she thought he’d like.

“Order them now,” Levi said, not turning around.

Stella couldn’t help but laugh. “Deal, I’ll get right on it.”

She’d actually already messaged the shop owner to send over a few more just in case.

With Levi pacified, the mood lightened. The group headed to The Lugar Castle for lunch, lingering until well after two before finally heading out.

Lydia, even though she clearly favored Yvonne, still treated Stella warmly, shoving extra goodies into her hands as they were leaving.

In the Car

Yvonne sat up front, scrolling through her phone. “Wow. Mom really handles everything, huh?”

She wanted nothing to do with them.

Buzz, buzz. Yvonne’s phone vibrated, snapping Stella out of her thoughts.

“Hello?” Yvonne answered.

“Ms. Quinn, it’s Manny.”

Yvonne nearly hung up—she’d promised her brother she wouldn’t get mixed up with Dan’s people. But Manny seemed to sense her hesitation.

“Our boss got beat up. Again.”

Yvonne’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?!”

Stella and Ronald exchanged looks.

The way Manny said “again,” you could hear the exasperation in his voice. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time.

Yvonne sighed. “What, do you want me to pay for his hospital bills? I’ll say it now—if it wasn’t me who hit him, I’m not paying a dime.”