Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Just thinking about why she was here made Cloudia simmer down- she couldn't afford to lose her cool now.

She bit back her anger and turned to Idris. "I'm her mother. I have something urgent to tell her. How can she just refuse to see me?"

Why should she go through such trouble just to see her daughter? It made no sense!

Idris frowned at her claim. "If I'm not mistaken, you've already severed ties with her."

"And who exactly are you to her?" Cloudia's temper was starting to flare up.

Even if they had severed ties, that was between her and Stella. What right did a stranger have to speak on it?

Idris was unmoved. "Who I am to her and her refusal to see you are two different matters."

Cloudia was about to explode. "I am her mother."

"Not legally, not anymore," Idris shot back.

Ronald had already processed the legal documents with both Cloudia and Stella's signatures. So, legally speaking, Cloudia was no longer Stella's mother.

The thought enraged Cloudia. "I carried her for nine months and gave birth to her, and now you're lecturing me about legality?"

Idris was unfazed. "You agreed to sever ties. Your signature..." He hesitated, then added, "Your signature was quite bold."

Cloudia felt like choking on her frustration. She had signed the document in a fit of rage, and now the whole Portis City knew about it. Her signature, enlarged for all to see, was a public humiliation. Taking a deep breath, Cloudia tried to regain her composure. "Yes, I signed it, but I am still..."

"Mrs. Larkin, isn't the Larkin Group in a bit of a bind? Are you sure you want to be her mother right now?"

The mention of the Larkin Group made Cloudia's heart skip a beat. She remembered the troubles Blaise and Jaxon had briefed her on over the phone, adding to her stress.

"Just tell her I have something important to say," she pleaded with Idris.

"Persisting is pointless," Idris replied curtly.

Fuming, Cloudia was about to retort when she caught sight of Yorick not far away.

Idris, not interested in prolonging the conversation, turned to leave.

Cloudia wanted to stop him, but her attention shifted to Yorick heading in a different direction.

...

Idris returned to find Ronald busy on his laptop and Stella sitting opposite him, both engrossed in their work. The quiet scene made Stelladook particularly docile.

Idris couldn't understand why the Larkin family had any issues with such a lady. Stella moved closer to Ronald, holding her laptop. "Can you help me check this out?"

She gure out what was

a chart, feeling

whois

something off but unable to pinpoint it.

As she spoke, she took a sip from a glass of bright red liquid.

Ronald glanced at the bottle in center,

much the table, frowning,"

much of this have you

belongs to en.kikistoriet

Stella looked puzzled.

Seeing her flushed face, Ronald picked up the bottle, now empty, all drunk by Stella.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"That's Spring Hill wine."

"Wine? I thought it was juice!"

Who would have thought that wine could taste so sweet?

Ronald nodded, confirming it was indeed wine, meant to be warmed and enjoyed in the evening.

Yet somehow, Stella had managed to drink the whole bottle.