Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 1016

Adelle’s eyes widened in alarm.

Finch was left speechless, mouth hanging open.

Dan’s words echoed through the room, drawing a cold, hard stare from Derek.

Dan pressed forward. “So, what’s it going to be?”

Derek said nothing, but his composure was clearly shaken.

Adelle’s heart pounded with fear—she was desperate for Derek not to give in.

Dan leaned back, voice casual and sharp as a blade. “Or maybe Susanna should be included as well? Lacey’s daughter, too?”

Derek’s icy voice cut through the tension. “Are you trying to humiliate me?”

All the children—tested? Was Dan suggesting that not a single one was truly his? Were they all products of betrayal?

Finch couldn’t take it anymore. “Dan, you’re crossing the line! If this leaks, you’ll make Dad the laughingstock of all Litamark. Is that what you want?”

Accusing a father of doubting every one of his children—what could be more humiliating?

Derek’s breath grew uneven as he locked eyes with Dan, who only responded with a smirk. “Better to be a laughingstock, than spend your life raising children who aren't your own, right?”

“Dan!” Finch snapped.

Dan shot back, “Why so nervous, Finch? Or is it that you’re worried you’re not even his son either?”

“You—!”

“Dan, enough!” Adelle finally burst out. “I’ve shown you nothing but kindness over the years. Isn’t that worth anything?”

Dan’s relentless baiting for paternity tests was more than she could stand. She had already given ground over Ivanna and Leanne—wasn’t that enough?

“Derek, if you do this, the mockery won’t fall on you alone—I…” Her words caught. She couldn’t finish. It wasn’t just Derek’s reputation on the line, but hers as well.

Derek stared long and hard at Dan.

With a challenger’s smile, Dan said, “I’ll take the test too. Let’s all do it.”

“Derek…” Adelle pleaded, but this time, the loathing in her gaze was impossible to hide. She glared daggers at Dan.

But for Derek, suspicion had already given way to a storm—a consuming fury, a desperate need for answers.

At last, under Dan’s relentless stare, Derek spat out a single, frigid word.

“Fine.”

“Derek!” Adelle’s voice cracked. All strength gone, she broke down as Derek finally gave his answer.