Someone from the Schultz family, but with none of the Schultz fire in his veins.


    Xander didn''t say a word.


    Ronald smirked. "Man, if Yvonne hears about this, everyone''s gonna wish they''d never been born."


    How bad it''d get, well, that was anyone''s guess.


    Xander''s eyes went wide. "!!!"


    Ronald shrugged. "You included, bud."


    Xander''s face darkened even more.


    Ronald went on, grinning, "So, if I were you, I''d keep this little incident far, far away from her for now."


    The words made Ronald crack up, especially seeing Xander looking so thoroughly defeated.


    Xander''s face was about as dark as the burnt bottom of a cast iron skillet. "What do you take me for?"


    But seeing Ronald''s grin just made Xander''s blood boil.


    He decided he was done talking to Ronald-any more of this and he might just lose it for real.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Dan wasn''t having a good time in the hospital either. He was so pissed off he looked like he might lose his mind.


    Scar said to him, "Yesterday, Ms. Quinn got a bit too worked up and identally messed up Miss Aira''s leg. Sir, you were way too harsh on Miss Aira yesterday." Scar couldn''t help but mention how downcast Aira looked when she left the room. At this point, everyone around Dan had given up on Yvonne. They thought she wasn''t much of ady at all. If Dan really ended up with her, her temper would do him no good.


    Miss Aira, on the other hand, was sweet and her family was backing Dan''s position at ck Gate all the way.


    But just mentioning Yvonne and Aira in the same breath was enough to make Dan so angry he nearly passed out again.


    "Get out," he growled, his voice colder than a Midwestern winter.


    Scar wanted to say more but didn''t dare-he just nodded and scurried out.


    When Dan was finally alone, he yanked out his phone and dialed Yvonne. This time, she actually picked up.


    Her voice came through, mixed with the sound of the wind. "Yeah?"


    "Where the hell are you?" Dan spat, practically grinding his teeth.


    That damn woman-off who-knows-where, after putting him in this state. Did she not think she owed him anything?


    Yvonne shot back, "Why do you care?"


    "Did you beat Xander half to death yet?" Dan demanded, his voice angry.


    If Xander didn''t get his share of pain, Dan would never be able to let it go. Why should he, the innocent party, be the only one getting his ass kicked?


    As soon as he was out of here, he''d settle the score with Xander himself. But


    hopefully, Yvonne would soften him up first.


    Yvonne snorted. "Why would I beat him up?"


    "He slept with you, didn''t he? Shouldn''t you go after him?"


    Dan was nearly shaking with rage.


    Yvonne snapped, "Dan, are you out of your mind? Are you really just gonna throw usations around? Maybe I should''ve knocked some sense into that thick skull of yours. Are you even a man?"


    Dan''s voice was low, seething. "You don''t trust me?"


    Those five words came out like a threat. He was practically shaking with anger.


    Yvonne shot back, "Trust you? You wish, you idiot. Just you wait till I get home- I''ll show you what I think!"


    Dan: "!!!"


    Before he could say another word, Yvonne hung up.


    All he heard was the t, cold beep of the disconnected call.


    Dan''s breathing got faster and faster. He honestly thought his heart might explode.


    "That damn woman-did Xander put


    a spell on her or something? Why does she trust him so much? Just because they''ve got the paperwork, she treats him like family?


    The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.


    And then... he actually cked out, again.