Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 863

Black Gate had become the center of a perfect storm, with players from every side suddenly involved. At first, it seemed like the whole mess was about Susanna.

But in a blink—

Most of Black Gate’s key resources were snatched away, right under their noses!

Derek hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Leroy stepped into the study, Caden—Derek’s right-hand man—trailing behind.

“Sir, Caden’s here,” Leroy said respectfully.

Derek, exhausted, had only managed to drift off just before dawn. He opened his tired eyes at Leroy’s voice and waved him away.

Leroy nodded, about to close the door, then hesitated, remembering something. “Sir, Adelle waited up for you all night.”

Derek’s head already throbbed. Leroy’s words only made it worse. He waved his hand impatiently, not even bothering to comment about Adelle.

He didn’t have time to babysit anyone right now—not even Adelle.

Leroy took the hint and quietly shut the door, leaving Derek and Caden alone.

Caden’s expression was grim. “No sign of anyone in their hands,” he said.

He was talking about Dan, Finch, and Adelle.

With Black Gate under fire, Derek’s old allies suddenly seemed less dependable. He couldn’t be sure who had taken Susanna anymore—he just wanted her found, fast.

Hearing Caden’s report, Derek’s face grew even darker.

“Nothing?” he bit out, jaw clenched.

Caden nodded. “That’s right. Neither Adelle nor either of the boys have any trace of them with them.”

“So what if… they were never taken by any of them?” Caden suggested, thinking aloud.

Derek’s frustration boiled over. “Then where the hell are they?”

Caden just shook his head, at a loss.

Derek pressed, “You’ve checked everywhere?”

Derek’s eyebrows shot up. “Finch is investigating Dan?”

“Exactly.”

So the boys could be ruled out. That left… Adelle?

The idea hit Derek like a punch to the gut. His heart pounded painfully in his chest.

He shook his head, almost desperate. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—believe Adelle could do something like this. She was the kindest person he’d ever known, the woman who’d lived in his heart for years.

After a long beat, Derek’s voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp. “Then who the hell took Susanna and her mother?”

He was losing his patience—someone had grabbed them, then turned around and pinned it on Black Gate, just to stir up trouble.

Caden shook his head. “Honestly… we don’t know. Things are a mess right now. We’re still in the dark on a lot of points.”

Derek’s eyes narrowed. “Get Dan in here. Now.”

“On it,” Caden answered, nodding, and left to carry out his orders.