Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 995

Stella frowned.

“What’s wrong? Did someone actually say something to you?” Ronald asked.

“She’s Mona’s daughter,” Stella replied, her voice soft but steady. “That whole mess with Regina three years ago… I don’t think we ever truly uncovered what was behind it.”

She remembered it vividly. Three years ago, Regina had appeared out of nowhere and announced she was going to marry Ronald. She hadn’t just said it either—she’d come armed with a string of threats, even going so far as to target Stella’s mother. At that time, no one could reach her mother, and every possible force seemed lined up to drive Stella out of Ferrowland. It all happened so fast, chaos swirling in every direction.

Stella hadn’t dared risk her mother’s safety. In the midst of the turmoil, she’d been forced to leave Ferrowland behind. Even now, thinking back on that journey sent a chill through her. It hadn’t been easy. She’d nearly died along the way.

Later, when the Quinn family’s scandal finally settled, Ronald had retaliated against the Schultzes. The family was all but crushed, and Regina ended up behind bars. The Schultzes might have looked impressive from the outside now, but inside, they were hollowed out. Xander had grabbed up most of their assets, and from the way things were going, he had no plans to let even the scraps slip away.

During all those years, Mona had kept her distance from Regina, who was rotting in prison. Even last time she’d come to plead for her daughter, her words were halfhearted and insincere.

And now Berry turned out to be Mona’s daughter.

Only then did Stella realize: The Schultz family’s long silence hadn’t been defeat—it was the calm before an all-out counterattack.

“What?” Ronald’s tone was sharp, every nerve on edge.

“She’s been going to Novaderma for cosmetic surgery. She’s even copying my tastes—my clothes, my habits, everything.” Stella laid it all out for Ronald, sparing him nothing, even though she was conducting her own private investigation. With him, there were no secrets.

Or maybe… maybe all those years Stella spent hiding in Portis City, the family had been sending people after her, trying to wipe her out. But she’d hidden too well. With the Quarrys and the Larkins for cover, she’d eluded more than a few close calls. Plus, Ronald’s vengeance had squarely targeted the Schultz family; Mona hadn’t had the time or the means to finish Stella off.

On the surface, Stella and Ronald had gone their separate ways—but in truth, they’d worked together, silently and seamlessly.

But now Stella was back, and judging by the most recent photo of Berry leaving the plastic surgery clinic, it looked like the transformation was still underway. Their plan, it seemed, hadn’t been abandoned—just adjusted.

Stella caught Ronald’s eye across the room. There was nothing but fire burning in his.

“Melissa thinks,” Stella said quietly, “they’re planning to make their move right when the baby is born.”