Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Yvonne's side of the story.

She was surrounded by her closest girlfriends, laughter and chatter swirling around them. Aileen handed her a glass of wine, eyebrow raised. "So, you and Mr. Schultz actually went and got your marriage license?"

Yvonne took the glass, shot Aileen a look, and downed it in one go. "How'd you find out?"

"Julia was at the city hall today. Saw you and Xander there, yelling at each other while signing the papers. What the heck is going on with you two?"

Seriously, who gets their marriage license like that? Most people go to city hall all lovey-dovey, or at least acting all starry-eyed. Yvonne and Xander were practically ready to throw down in the courthouse.

Julia strolled in from the patio, grinning. “Told you she wasn't spending her wedding night like a newlywed, Aileen. You owe me dinner."

"After that scene at city hall? No way," Aileen scoffed.

Yvonne poured herself another drink. "So what were you doing at city hall anyway?"

"Helping my uncle file for divorce," Julia replied, grabbing the wine bottle for a swig.

"Your uncle? You went with him?"

Julia rolled her eyes. "What? It's not weird. I've helped him divorce like seven times already. He pays me a finder's fee."

Yvonne snorted. "You're incorrigible."

Julia's uncle was notorious-a real piece of work. He'd marry anyone he slept with, then lose interest and bail. The guy changed wives like most people changed socks.

Julia dropped into the seat next to Yvonne, slinging an arm over her shoulders. "So, spill. What are you really thinking, girl? When I saw you two at city hall, I thought you were there to get divorced, but then remembered-you weren't even married yet!"

Aileen leaned in. "Yeah, what's the deal? You never mentioned anything about Xander. Wasn't he head over heels for that girl from your family? What's his angle now?"

Yvonne rolled her eyes. "Please. That idiot? Like he could ever love someone. He's only ever wanted what he can't have."

Aileen blinked. "Wait. But wasn't Stella his ex? And now she's marrying Mr. Quinn?"

Nothing about this whole mess made sense. And to make things more ridiculous, Mrs. Quinn had posted all over Facebook about her "perfect daughter-in-law❞— Stella. People used to think Stella was just the Quinns' foster daughter, but now Mrs. Quinn kept talking about her as the ideal daughter-in-law, especially after her midnight post: "No one gets to question my son's bride." The protective mama- bear vibes were strong.

Yvonne took another sip. "Xander's just always competing with my brother. He's got this dark, twisted side. No way I'd let my little sister anywhere near him."

Aileen and Julia exchanged a look.

"So... you're taking one for the team? You're going to marry him so your sister doesn't have to suffer?"

"Please," Yvonne scoffed. "You think I'm the type to suffer for a guy? I've got another plan."

Aileen leaned forward. "Which is...?"

"Revenge." Yvonne smirked.noveldrama

Aileen nearly choked on her wine. Julia's eyes went wide. "Wait, what? Revenge? You're marrying him for revenge?"

It made a twisted kind of sense. Three years ago, the Quinn family had been through hell, and her girlfriends had all rallied around her-offering money, contacts, whatever they could. They'd proven themselves real friends, unlike half the so-called socialites in Portis City who disappeared the second things got rough.

Aileen let out a low whistle. "But to get revenge, you have to marry him? Isn't that a bit... much?"

Julia nodded. "Yeah, I mean, there are other ways to get even. What's your game plan?"

Yvonne grinned, eyes glinting. "Watch and see. I'm going to bleed the entire Schultz family dry."

Aileen and Julia stared at her, mouths open. The Schultzes were old money-a household name. No way it was that easy.

Yvonne waved off their questions. "Enough about Xander. Didn't you say you saw Skye, that little snake, earlier?"

Just thinking about Skye made Yvonne's blood boil-he'd swiped some of her favorite jewelry.

Aileen shrugged. "He took off before you got here—saw me and Julia and knew you'd show up soon."

Yvonne frowned. "And you didn't stop him?"

Julia held up her arm, showing a fresh scratch. "We tried, okay?"