Chapter 10
But none of that had anything to do with Yolanda anymore.
🙂))
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She pushed down all the emotions swirling inside her and focused on the audition in front of
her.
Sean suddenly asked, “I heard Mr. Sinclair came by today too. Does he know you brought lan for the audition?”
Even though Sean was on good terms with Yolanda, if Charles really didn’t approve of her actions, Sean could be held accountable for letting her in. The Sinclair family was huge and powerful–Sean didn’t dare offend them.
“Don’t worry, Sean,” Yolanda said. “I already told him.”
Sean let out a sigh of relief. He glanced at Sophie, still crying and whining not far away, and couldn’t help but tell Yolanda, “You’re ten thousand times better than her.”
Yolanda didn’t feel proud of being better than Sophie–she felt ashamed. Sophie was short- sighted, sending private photos to men in the middle of the night, relying on men to climb the ladder.
But then Yolanda reminded herself that, in the eyes of others, she was also a woman living off Charles–only no one would ever say it out loud.
Women without careers were looked down on everywhere. Yolanda realized how utterly foolish it had been to dedicate herself entirely to being a housewife two years ago.
Her chest tightened, and Sophie was close enough that Yolanda could hear every single coaxing word on the phone. So she stood up and said, “Sean, I’m going to the restroom.”
She had just said it when Charles, surrounded by people, appeared at the doorway—but he didn’t see her.
Sophie’s eyes
lit up when she saw Charles. “Charles!”
She ran over, looping her arm through his, pride written all over her face, Charles genuinely spoiled her, even coming here just to see Sean for her.
Sophie thought of Yolanda and felt upset. She had just asked around and learned that Yolanda was an agent, bringing an actor to audition for the second male lead,
A smirk curved on her lips, and she teased Charles, “Charles, can I pick the second male lead myself?”
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Chapter 10
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Charles raised an eyebrow, looking at her animated expression. She reminded him of the early days of Yolanda. “Why all of a sudden?”
“I just want to,” Sophie said. “Come on, say yes. Didn’t you say, as long as it’s not a big deal, I can make the call?”
He chuckled lightly, and Sean quickly stepped forward. “Mr. Sinclair.”
Sean had expected Charles to be there for Yolanda–he never imagined he’d be flirting with Sophie while Yolanda was still in the room.
Charles gently pushed Sophie away, his tone a little careless. “Just let Sophie pick the second male lead.”
Sean wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Mr. Sinclair, but today Mrs. Sinclair-”
He didn’t get to finish before Sophie cut in again. “Oh, Charles, I already found the woman who was spying on us earlier. She knows Sean. I warned her already.”
Charles’s gaze flickered, something complicated flashing in his eyes.
Sean frowned, and instantly thought of Yolanda. He turned back to glance at her, still sitting quietly inside.
He remembered that Yolanda had stepped out for a bit earlier, and when she came back her face looked pale. It hit him—she must’ve seen Charles and Sophie together.
‘Does Mr. Sinclair not realize the one who caught him with Sophie was Mrs. Sinclair herself?‘ Sean thought, but he didn’t dare say it out loud.
“Sean, is there a problem?” Charles asked. His presence was so overwhelming, the question landed in Sean’s chest like a hammer blow.
From where Charles stood, he couldn’t see Yolanda.
Sean hesitated, then thought of Yolanda’s calm, detached expression. With a sigh, he said, “No, whatever you say.”
Charles gave a slight nod, then as if remembering something, added, “Yolanda will be here soon. If you’ve got a suitable role, give it to her.”
Sean glanced at Sophie, then finally asked, “Am I supposed to listen to Ms. Sutton, or to Mrs. Sinclair?”
Before Charles could answer, Sophie leaned on his arm, pouting sweetly. “Charles…”
Charles chuckled, indulgent. He figured even if Sophie wanted to take something, she’d never
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Chapter 10
:
take it away from Yolanda. So he said, “Give Sophie first pick.”
Sean kept quiet, but his eyes darted to Yolanda.
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She didn’t look their way. She was busy telling Ian what to watch out for, as if the noise at the door had nothing to do with her.
The audition for the second male lead was about to start.
Sean went back to his seat with a sigh. “Tessa, you and Mr. Sinclair, are you—”
“Sean, let’s start the auditions,” Yolanda cut in, her voice even calmer.
Sean remembered two years ago, the joy on her face when she told him she was getting married.
Back then, he wanted to warn her–Charles had mistresses, and not just one. But she was too proper, too naive, thinking her love for Charles could conquer everything.
“Alright, let’s begin,” Sean said.
All the actors who came to audition for the second male lead were ready. Even though Ian was basically locked in, to be fair, he was by far the best among them.
Yolanda was pleased with his performance. Her eyes were full of admiration.
Sean was satisfied, too. He let out a sigh of relief and was about to announce the result when Sophie suddenly stood up. Her chin lifted slightly, and all the lip gloss she’d put on had been wiped clean by Charles’s kiss.
“Mr. Anderson, I don’t want this man as the second male lead,” she said to Sean. “I want that
one.”
She casually pointed to one of the actors who had just auditioned for the role. The man she pointed at stood up in disbelief, shocked by his sudden stroke of luck.
It was obvious to everyone that Sophie had connections. If she picked someone, maybe he really could get the role.
Yolanda’s expression didn’t change. She said softly, “lan did really well, and this role suits him.”
Sophie folded her arms and raised her brows. “Did he really? I didn’t feel it.
“Lady, do you even know who’s backing me? Whoever I want as the second male lead gets the role. My boyfriend’s power is no joke.”
She acted all sweet and coy in front of Charles, but in front of everyone else, she was as
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Chapter 10
arrogant as could be.
:
Sean finally lost some patience. “And do you know who she is?”
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Yolanda lowered her eyes. If she openly competed with Sophie, the winner and loser would depend on Charles’s stance—and it was clear he was siding with Sophie. There was no need for her to humiliate herself.
So Yolanda smiled. “Ms. Sutton, I don’t know who your boyfriend is, but if you mean that man in the restroom, I remember he’s married, isn’t he?
“These days, even homewreckers act so brazen? Ms. Sutton, you’re still young. If this ever gets out, your future would be ruined. So keeping a low profile might be wiser.”
Sophie’s face instantly turned pale. Her relationship with Charles did need to be kept secret.
“I’m warning you,” she said to Yolanda. “If you dare run your mouth, not only the actor under your care but you yourself won’t survive in Beloris!”
In truth, she actually hoped Yolanda would be stupid enough to spread it around. She’d heard Charles’s wife was stiff and boring, unloved by Charles, yet shamelessly refused to divorce
him.
Sophie glanced at Sean and rolled her eyes. “My boyfriend already warned Sean to listen to me. Even in front of his wife, Sean has to back me first.
“The real homewrecker is the one who isn’t loved. My boyfriend’s wife is just a prop, shamelessly clinging on without divorcing. Pathetic.”
Yolanda hadn’t planned to make a scene, but with Sophie insulting her this far, if she didn’t fight back, she’d be spineless. So she slapped Sophie hard across the face.
Sophie covered her cheek, stunned. “How dare you?”
Yolanda took a deep breath, then smiled at Sean. “Sean, I’ll be taking lan with me.”
Sophie’s expression twisted. “You’ll pay for this!”
She shouted, watching Yolanda head for the door, and wanted to rush forward in anger.
But fan, who was following behind Yolanda, suddenly turned back and gave Sophie a look that froze her stiff in place.
When she snapped out of it, her face burned red with shame, Covering her face with her hands, she burst into tears and ran out.
She was going straight to Charles to tattle, to make him teach Yolanda and lan a lesson.
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Chapter 11
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Part 1: The Discovery of BetrayalYolanda Grant’s marriage was built on patience, sacrifice, and quiet endurance — but that illusion shattered in one night. It was late when she arrived at a dark, empty alley after receiving a mysterious message with an address. At first, she thought it was a misunderstanding. After all, her husband Charles Sinclair — a man of wealth, power, and refined taste — would never lower himself to something so vulgar. But when she saw him holding a young woman in his arms, kissing and touching her like a man possessed, every ounce of denial drained from her. Charles, the proud and disciplined businessman, was cheating — and in a filthy alleyway, no less.Part 2: The Scene of HumiliationFrom the safety of her car, Yolanda watched as the scene unfolded. The woman clinging to Charles was frail, trembling, and emotional, like a flower blooming in the mud. The surroundings — the stained floor, damp walls, and suffocating darkness — mocked everything Charles had always claimed to be. This wasn’t just infidelity; it was degradation. Yolanda’s mind swirled with disbelief. Her husband, who obsessed over class and perfection, had become a man of impulse and dirt. She didn’t confront him or make a scene; she didn’t even cry. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, numb, realizing that her marriage was already over in spirit.Part 3: Two Years of DevotionAs she sat there, flashes of the past flooded her mind. Two years of marriage — two years of her trying to please him in every way. She had known from the start that Charles didn’t love her. On their wedding day, he had made it painfully clear that his heart already belonged to another woman. Still, Yolanda married him out of hope, out of love, out of the foolish belief that devotion could melt even the coldest heart. She gave up her career, her ambitions, and her independence, just to prove she was worthy of him. She cared for him like a nurse for her patient — cooking his meals, planning his wardrobe, and tending to every detail of his life. And in return, she got nothing but distance and silence.Part 4: The Breaking PointNow, watching him entwined with another woman, everything she had built inside her — the patience, the sacrifice, the illusion — collapsed. The man she had once called her husband had become unrecognizable. He had torn off his noble mask and revealed himself as nothing more than a beast driven by desire. Yolanda felt like she’d been slapped, her dignity shattered into pieces. But instead of screaming or crying, she felt an eerie calm. Her pain was too deep to express. All she could think was: This marriage must end.Part 5: Charles’s UneaseWhile Yolanda drove home, Charles suddenly sensed that something was wrong. The headlights of a passing car illuminated his face, and a chill ran down his spine. He didn’t know whose car it was, but unease stirred in his chest. The girl in his arms whimpered for his attention, but his mind was already elsewhere. Straightening his clothes, he pulled away coldly. “That’s enough for tonight,” he said flatly. “The company’s got big projects. I can’t afford divorce rumors right now.” His words revealed not love, but calculation — every move guided by image and control. The girl, blinded by her feelings, agreed softly, claiming she would wait. But to Charles, it was just another temporary indulgence.Part 6: The Return HomeWhen Yolanda returned home, the villa felt colder than ever. She had just come out of the shower when Charles entered the bedroom, carrying his jacket. He looked as immaculate as always — tall, handsome, commanding — but tonight, his arrogance seemed cruel. On his pristine white shirt, Yolanda noticed a faint smear of pink lip gloss. She had never worn lip gloss; she hated its stickiness. That small, shiny mark told her everything she needed to know. As she dried her hair, she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her pain.Part 7: The Cold ConversationCharles glanced at her and asked casually, “When did you get back?”“This afternoon,” she replied.He loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt as if nothing had happened. “I was out playing golf tonight,” he added. The lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. Through the reflection in the window, Yolanda saw the dirt on his back — proof that golf wasn’t the only game he’d been playing. With quiet fury, she shot back, “Then I guess you scored plenty of holes. Congrats.”Her sarcasm caught him off guard. For the first time, he frowned, slightly unsettled. He wasn’t used to this tone from her — the woman who once worshiped him now sounded indifferent, almost mocking.Part 8: His Cruel ArroganceInstead of apologizing, Charles smirked and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Are you mad? I told you when we got married that I didn’t love you. If you’re that unhappy, find someone else to cheat with.” His words cut through her like a blade. It wasn’t just betrayal anymore — it was humiliation. He treated her heartbreak as an inconvenience, as if her pain were irrelevant. Inside, Yolanda’s chest felt like it was being strangled with wire, every breath searing. Yet she stayed silent. Her quietness, once a sign of love, now turned into armor.Part 9: The Memory of InnocenceIn that moment, Yolanda’s mind drifted back to when she first met Charles. She was young, freshly adopted into the Grant family, and he was already the picture of perfection — disciplined, confident, untouchable. Back then, she looked at him with admiration and love. To her, he was everything she aspired to be. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that this same man would someday make her feel worthless. All those years of love, of marriage, of giving — they now felt like a cruel joke.Part 10: A New Beginning Hidden in the Word “Fine”Charles chuckled when she finally said, “Fine.” To him, it was just another empty threat, another outburst that would fade with time. He kissed her cheek, confident that her love would keep her shackled to him forever. What he didn’t realize was that this time, “Fine” wasn’t surrender — it was goodbye. Behind her calm eyes, Yolanda had already made her decision. The love that once bound her had turned to ash, and from that ash, something new was forming — strength.Chapter 1 ends with Yolanda’s quiet determination to take back her life. She won’t cry or beg anymore. This time, she’ll walk away — not as a broken wife, but as a woman reborn through betrayal.
