Susanna couldn't help but twitch at Barnaby's words.

God, this guy's mouth just never quits!

"You better watch it, Barnaby. If Yvonne hears you talking like that, she'll tear you a new one." Susanna huffed.

Seriously, this guy was getting bolder by the day. Talking smack about Yvonne of all people—what wouldn't he say at this point? Did he have no sense of self- preservation?

Barnaby just smirked. "Yeah, well, if Yvonne does find out, I'm telling her you're the one gossiping."

Susanna snorted and rolled her eyes.

She was done with Barnaby for now. That guy's mouth wasn't just reckless, he had a way of dragging people down with him.

She pulled out her phone and immediately dialed Yvonne's number.

No answer. She tried again. And again. Still nothing.

"Yvonne's sure keeping busy," she muttered.

Barnaby piped up, "Yeah, busy working on baby-making, probably."

Susanna nearly choked. "Excuse me?!"

Honestly, it was safer not to encourage Barnaby. Responding just gave him more material.

But she was bored out of her mind, stuck at this bland hotel. With a sigh, she grabbed her phone and called up Stella instead.

Meanwhile, Yvonne and Xander were up to their ears in work. Ever since they'd heard that Lottie's team was taking over the Slatepeak Mines, it had been non- stop chaos.

Xander had immediately sent his own people to seize control of Loutan Lake's mining operations.

Right now, Yvonne was fielding a call from Dan-clearly, he'd gotten wind of the news too.

On the phone, Dan sounded like he was about to grind his teeth to dust. "Yvonne, you and Xander need to pack up and haul your butts back to Ferrowland!"

He might have been feuding with Derek and the others, but Black Gate was still the Murray family's turf. No way he wanted things to spiral this far out of control.

Yvonne replied coolly, "Hand over Susanna and I'll leave."

"Yvonne!"

"Listen, Dan, let me make this clear: if Hull comes after me because of Susanna, I'll make sure Black Gate pays double for it."

"For God's sake, I didn't take Susanna!"

"So maybe it was your dad, your brother, or that stepmom of yours who thinks she's God's gift."

Either way, Susanna was definitely at Black Gate.

Dan nearly sputtered. "Are you serious right now? Why the hell don't you ever believe me?"

Yvonne didn't hold back. "Oh, please. You want me to believe you? I'd sooner trust a cat not to knock over a glass of milk!"

Dan was silent.

e'

Yvonne's patience was running thin "You've got three days. If I don't see Susanna-safe and sound by then, Black Gate's in for a world of hurt." FindNovels

"Three days, right?" Dan's voice turned wary. "So why did Xander already send people to take over Loutan Lake's management?"

Yvonne's tone went icy. “Because

I'm not stupid enough to wait for you

to pull another stunt. Susanna

comes back safe, Loutan Lake stays

th Black Gate Otherwise. well, you can imagine." FindNovels

Dan's breathing was heavy and tense.

Still Black Gate's, huh? Seemed like outright robbery to him. Even if

Susanna was returned, what were's the odds Yvonne would really hand everything back? FindNovels

Not that Dan's opinion mattered-Yvonne hung up before he could argue more.

She glanced over at Xander, who was typing furiously at his laptop. "Asking me why I don't trust him. What a joke!"

Trusting that jerk? She'd sooner trust a raccoon with her lunch.

Xander caught her eye, a smirk curving his lips as he pulled her into his arms.

"So, do you trust me?"

"Huh?" Yvonne blinked.

His hands started to wander in a way that made her clear her throat and squirm. "Hey, cut it out!"

Xander arched an eyebrow. "Cut it out? I call this flirting."

Yvonne just rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched.