Stella's lips twitched slightly. She glanced at Finley, then at Ronald, as a million questions danced around in her head.

What on earth was Hull talking about? Was it what she thought it was?

No way, that was way too fast! Was Susie okay with it? She had to be against it. And in such a situation, what did it all mean?

Stella's imagination ran wild as she tried to piece it all together.

Finley let out a sharp breath.

"Hull, you're really something. Did Ms. Tucker really get you so riled up that you..."

"If you say one more word, I promise your mouth won't make it to tomorrow without a bruise," Hull's cold threat cut through the phone before Finley could finish. Finley was like, "!!!"

"Wait, Hull, what do you mean? Did Susie agree to this?" Stella asked urgently.

With her voice trailing off, Susanna's tear-filled voice came through from the other end before Hull could answer.

"Star, Star, please, you have to save me. I didn't come here willingly. I was so close to death... I'm terrified."

Stella and Finley were shocked. Both turned to Ronald in alarm.

Stella was frantic. "Ronald, you heard that, right? Susie wasn't willing."

Finley added, "Hull's a beast. He's only met Ms. Tucker a few times, and now treating her like this."

Sure, her actions at Mist Bay were a bit over the top. But Stella defended her, insisting it wasn't intentional or with any malice.

Stella, for once, agreed with Finley, nodding. "Exactly, Susie shouldn't be treated like this. Did you hear how she was crying on the phone?"

Her voice was full of fear, and anyone listening would think Hull really did something terrible.

Ronald rubbed his aching temples.

Stella clutched his arm and shook it gently. "Ronald."

She was worried about Susie.

Ronald reassured her, "Don't worry, Hull knows his limits."

Stella retorted, "If he does, why has she got scared like that?"

That didn't sound like knowing one's limits at all. Susie couldn't stay with Hull; it would scare her half to death.

Finley nodded in agreement. "Right, she's frightened out of her mind."

Ronald shot Finley a look, and he turned away, hugging his bowl. "I'm just saying it like it is."noveldrama

Ronald gave him a swift kick. If Finley hadn't dodged quickly, Ronald's kick would have toppled him and his bowl to the floor

Seeing Ronald lose his temper, Stella glanced at Finley. "Stop talking."

His mouth was causing everyone headaches.

Finley was like, "Huh?" She herself was saying the same thing, blaming Hull was out of line!

Stella clung to Ronald's arm. "Ronald, you have to help her."

Susanna, that girl, seemed fearless in Portis City but had never faced something like this before.

Stella knew all too well how

someone who'd never experienced such things could be completely overwhelmed when they first encountered them.

Back when she first saw Ronald kill people, it had left her shaken for a long time.

Ronald, cornered by her persistence, sighed. Considering how Susanna had looked out for Stella back Portis City, he decided to give Hull another call.

Hull picked up. "Ronald."

"Be gentle with her."

Hull replied, "In that situation, how could I be gentle?"

His immediate response made Ronald feel like he was asking for the impossible.

Stella and Finley were left speechless.

Hull's bluntness left them both puzzled. That situation? What kind of situation?

Stella gave Ronald a look, and he couldn't take it anymore. "Just don't scare her."

Hull countered, "It's not me scaring her."

Stella stammered, "Then why is she... why is she...?" The rest of the words, "under you", caught in her throat.