Typical!

The way he talked, it was as if anyone could actually pry a single dime out of his pockets once it was in there.

This was Xander we were talking about. During his years in Patrina, the Schultz family might have lost a lot, but he had aggressively carved out his own territory.

The syndicates in Patrina couldn't even handle him. And now he was claiming to be worried about Finch taking his stuff?

Finch? Who was he trying to play the victim for?

"If it's that significant," Yvonne mused, "then Susanna and Hull will have to rush back the second Stella's wedding is over tomorrow."

"Finch is the biggest headache right now," Xander agreed.

As for Lacey and Derek's dramatic fallout, Lacey was guaranteed to win. There was no need to worry about her.

The revelation that Adelle's three kids weren't Derek's was a massive blow, utterly crushing the man's ego and extinguishing his arrogance.

"We really underestimated Finch," Yvonne admitted. "I honestly thought he was just a useless rich kid."

Xander sighed. In a volatile place like Litamark, you could never underestimate anyone.

Dan despised Finch, yet Finch had managed to thrive all these years. That alone proved he was far more dangerous than he appeared on the surface.

After dinner, Xander naturally assumed Yvonne would head back to the Schultz estate with him. But Yvonne shook her head. "I'm not staying at your place tonight."

"Why not?"

"Stella is getting married tomorrow. I'm having a sleepover with her tonight." Xander stared at her. Bringing Stella up was one thing, but sleeping in her bed? His expression visibly darkened with blatant jealousy.

"What's with that look?" Yvonne asked.

"Do you honestly think there will be any room in her bed for you?" Xander retorted. "Do you really think Ronald will let you?"

Xander scoffed. From what he had seen, Ronald was incredibly territorial. There was no way he'd let Yvonne crash their final night.

"They're getting married tomorrow! He has the rest of his life with her," Yvonne argued. "Besides, do you know how long it's been since I shared a bed with Stella?"

Even when they were kids, the opportunities had been rare. Honestly, Ronald was insanely domineering.

He and Stella had slept in the same bed since childhood. They had literally grown up side-by-side, practically inseparable. Their bond went so much deeper than typical childhood sweethearts.

"It doesn't matter how long it's been. It's none of your business," Xander said.

"Hey, watch your mouth," Yvonne snapped, fired up now. "I am sleeping with Stella tonight."

She genuinely missed it. Ever since Ronald brought her home, he had completely monopolized her time, barely giving Yvonne a chance to connect with Stella.

"Susanna and Tegan are already there tonight. You won't even fit on the bed," Xander pointed out.

Yvonne crossed her arms. "I don't care. I'm still sleeping there tonight."

Xander didn't bother arguing further. Fine. He'd drop her off at the Quian estate. He knew perfectly well that if she didn't get to spend this final pre-wedding night with Stella, she would never let him hear the end of it. swhovels

99t to this final

Yvonne happily headed off to the Quinn family home.

Meanwhile, at the Schultz estate, Mona had been waiting anxiously for Yvonne all

day, straight into the evening. But only Xander walked through the door.

Seeing him, Mona hurried over. "Where's Yvonne? Didn't she come back with you?"

Her earlier arrogance had

completely vanished. After a full day.

ar

of not being able to reach Yvonne, coupled with Berry's desperate pleas for cash Mona finally grasped harsh reality: she was completely at the mercy of whoever controlled the Schultz assets.

"She's not coming back tonight," Xander said flatly. "Why?"

Panic set in the moment Mona

heard that. Berry was so foolish, blowing through the cash without a second thought. Now, thanks to Yvonne all of Mona's bank accounts

were frozen-even the ones in her

own name.

sŵnovels