Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 983

Eventually, Hull scooped Susanna up and carried her off to the bathroom for a shower.

By the time they were dressed and stepped back out, Silas was already waiting in the hallway while a servant arranged breakfast on the table—simple, nourishing porridge and a few light sides, nothing too heavy, just right for someone recovering.

As soon as Hull and Susanna appeared, Silas approached them. “Hull, Derek Murray is here.”

At that, Hull and Susanna glanced at each other. Susanna frowned. “He’s here again?”

“The Black Gate situation’s spiraling out of control. He must be pretty desperate,” Hull said.

Desperate didn’t even begin to cover it—Derek was practically frantic. Now that he knew Susanna was with Hull, he was sure to seize any opportunity to get to her and try to use her as leverage.

Hull looked over at Susanna, who was quick to respond, “What are you staring at me for? I have nothing to do with the Black Gate.”

Susanna was always clear on that point—whatever mess Black Gate was in, it was none of her concern.

Hull couldn't help but smirk at her total disinterest. He ruffled her silky hair before turning to Silas. “Who does he want to see?”

“Susanna,” Silas replied.

As soon as Susanna heard it, she let out a derisive laugh. “I’m not seeing him.”

She wasn’t stupid. There was nothing fatherly in the way Derek looked at her—all she ever saw was someone desperate to fix the Black Gate, frantic to climb out of his own quicksand. To put it bluntly, he’d never shown the slightest real affection for her as a daughter—and on her side, there wasn’t a scrap of familial attachment either. In fact, Susanna had always felt an inexplicable sense of aversion toward him.

Just hearing his name triggered something sharp and certain inside her: she couldn’t possibly be Derek’s daughter. The feeling was too strong to ignore.

Hull turned to Silas. “You heard her.”

Silas nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Just then, Silas stepped out of the elevator and caught Barnaby mid-sentence, his curiosity plain on his face.

Silas nearly chuckled to himself—Barnaby and his big mouth could infuriate a saint.

Derek’s face was tinged a sickly shade of green. Behind him, Caden couldn’t take it anymore; he pulled something from his belt and aimed it at Barnaby.

Barnaby only quirked an eyebrow, smiling coolly. “What, is honesty a crime now?”

Derek pressed his lips into a hard, thin line. “I just want to see my daughter.”

Barnaby shot back, “What daughter? For all you know, none of your kids are actually yours. Maybe you should go home and sort all that out before you come bugging Susanna here.”

Caden snarled, “You really are looking for trouble, aren’t you?”