Adelle nced at Derek, then turned to Yvonne with a gentle smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes.

"Ms. Quinn, Susanna-we honestly didn''t take her. If you''re looking for someone to me, you''ve got the wrong crowd."

Yvonne shot her a frosty re. "Don''t talk to me. My brain''s not exactly firing on all cylinders today, so who knows if I''ll see through your little act."

Adelle''s expression darkened instantly. She''d spent years by Derek''s side, and in all of Riverford, folks usually gave her a good measure of respect, if not outright deference.

How long had it been since someone spoke to her like this? So openly dismissive? She could barely remember.

"Ms. Quinn-"

"I told you, don''t speak," Yvonne snapped, her tone icy.

Her defiance only made Derek''s patience run thinner.fne185 ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? findnovel/fne185

"Ms. Quinn, you do realize you''re being disrespectful in my own house? That sort

of attitude won''t get you far in this town."

Yvonne shrugged. "Well, it''s gotten me this far, hasn''t it?"

"Cut the crap. Hand Susanna over. I''ve got people waiting on me."

She wasn''t interested in Derek''s power ys. She just wanted to find Susanna and get out of here. If she failed, God help her-Hull would have her head.

Thinking of Hull''s temper, Yvonne became even less polite.

Derek''s eyes narrowed. "You got any proof we took her?"

"Oh, please. You''re the ex-head of ck Gate. Stealing someone from me should be child''s y for you."

Proof? As if she had the time or patience to hunt for evidence while the house was already on fire.

Adelle piped up, "Ms. Quinn, you''re being unreasonable here."

Yvonne shot her a re. "Zip it, I told you not to talk."

She already knew what kind of woman Adelle was-smooth on the surface, ice cold underneath. The kind of stepmother whad never ept Derek''s other children.  s

Adelle''s jaw tightened, but with Derek staying silent, she didn''t dare push back.

Yvonne turned her attention to Derek. "Mr. Murray, do you even know why your daughter Leanne is lying in a hospital bed?"

Derek''s lips pressed into a thin line.

Adelle stiffened. "Ms. Quinn!"

Bringing up Leanne''s injuries clearly rattled her.

Derek frowned. "What''s your point, Ms. Quinn? She just wanted to see her sister, see what Susanna looked like."

Yvonne actuallyughed at that. "Oh, really? Just a curious, caring sister dropping by for a look? That''s what you believe, Derek?"

She nced at Adelle, noting the woman''s clenched fists. This was no simple family squabble.

With a sly smile, Yvonne said, "Adelle, Susanna means a lot to me. How about you do me a solid, hmm?"

She knew Adelle would never ept another woman''s child, especially after what Leanne and Ivanna had done to Susanna.

Adelle met Yvonne''s gaze, heart pounding Truth was, she hadn''t taken Susanna. But she was terrified that if she said so, Yvonne would spill everything about Leanpe and Ivanna''s little stunt with Susanna.  s

So Adelle took a breath. "I''ll have my people help you look. As soon as we find

her, I''ll deliver her straight to you. Deal?"

It was the best way she could think of to keep Yvonne from running her mouth in front of Derek.

Yvonne arched an eyebrow. "How long?"

She was almost certain Adelle

behind it all, but kept her tone

though, it sounded downrighel

deceptively casual. To Adelle,

threatening.  s