Chapter 133
Leon recognized this lawyer in an instant and went completely silent. He knew for sure this wasn’t the kind of guy Yolanda could buy off–not when he was the ace of Sinclair Group Legal Department.
He shot to his feet, looking panicked. “Mr. Maine, I was just kidding carlier. Are you sure you’ve got the right guy?”
Mr. Maine glanced around. “Ms. Grant has already submitted the required paperwork. The court’s taken the case, and you’ll get the summons within five days. I’m her attorney–she sent me to notify you. Better line up your own counsel now, don’t go claiming she’s picking on you.”
Leon’s face turned dark in a flash. With Edward not picking up the phone, he didn’t dare act recklessly. He snatched up his coat and rushed downstairs, hurrying back to Sinclair Group as fast as he could.
Folks at Starlight felt like they’d been riding a rollercoaster all day, but when some recognized the lawyer, their eyes went wide with shock.
“Damn, is that Jason Maine? He’s the head honcho at Sinclair Group Legal Department. I’ve seen him interviewed a bunch of times,” someone whispered.
“Jason Maine? You mean the same guy who totally crushed a veteran attorney two years ago?” another person jumped in.
“Yeah, that’s him. His takes are always fierce and spot–on. Last year, he represented a business owner who’d been owed public funds for over a decade–and when someone with deep connections threatened his life, Sinclair Group hired him right when things got dangerous to protect him. If Yolanda didn’t have some major influence, there’s no way she could’ve recruited someone like him.”
Jason didn’t bother with the gossip–he just turned and left without looking back.
Yolanda was still lying in her hospital bed, with Charles already off at the office. Right now, Ian was there by her side, keeping watch over her.
Ian sat beside her, spoon–feeding her the soup he’d brought. When he heard the doctor mention her low blood sugar, his face instantly darkened and he banged the spoon against the bowl in frustration. “Your husband’s rolling in cash–is he rationing your meals or something?”
Yolanda’s lips curled into a faint smile as she glanced at the clock. “His assistant’s dropping by later. It’s probably best if you head out before he gets here.”
Ian pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze. “Yeah, I know I’m not exactly someone you want hanging around.”
Yolanda felt a pang of guilt. Ian had been working his ass off filming lately, so it meant he couldn’t hang around her that much. Still, he texted her constantly–she just hadn’t gotten around to replying today because she’d been busy.
If Ian had puppy ears, they’d totally be drooping right now.
Yolanda paused, took a bite of the soup he handed her, then said. “My husband really is loaded: those earrings
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you’re wearing? I bought them with his money.”
Ian’s hand stilled, something flickered in his eyes, and then a little spark lit up inside him. “Got it.”
Just like that, she had him wrapped around her finger.
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Before heading out, lan even took away the trash, washed the fruit for her, and arranged a gorgeous fruit platter on the table.
Yolanda picked at the fruit, all the while wondering when Jack would get there.
Sure enough, ten minutes later, Jack pushed open the door and stepped in.
“Ma’am, I’ve already asked the court to expedite things–the summons will be out in three days. Leon Cole just rushed back to Sinclair Group, trying to get backing from Uncle Edward. But Edward Sinclair already knows you’re the one from Starlight and isn’t getting involved, so Leon won’t be bothering you again,” Jack Nolan reported.
Yolanda just nodded, taking her time with a piece of fruit. “Thank you, Jack Nolan. You’ve really worked hard.”
Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that something about her was a little different today, though he couldn’t figure
out exactly what it was. He just gave a quiet nod. “If you’re ready, let’s get you home.”
He’d already sorted out her discharge papers–after all, it was just a case of low blood sugar, no point sticking around in the hospital.
Yolanda slid into the car, but instead of heading back to Moonbay Estate, she asked Jack to take her to Starlight.
When she stepped onto the top floor, all eyes turned her way. The diligent renovation workers, noticing no one was interfering, simply kept on with their tasks, and Yolanda couldn’t help but be impressed by their professionalism.
She watched with satisfaction as the various decorations were brought in, giving a slight nod. “Thanks for your hard work.”
There were still a bunch of people hanging around the entrance, and when that young girl spotted Yolanda coming back, she covered her mouth in excitement and bolted toward the elevator. She was moving so fast that she tripped and fell, but she just got right back up and kept running.
Yolanda couldn’t help but worry that she might have hurt herself.
The girl rushed into Mary’s office. It was almost time to clock out, but Mary was always the last one to leave.
“Ms. Hall! Big news! Ms. Grant’s back, and she’s suing Leon Cole! Her lawyer is Jason Maine–the badass Jason Maine!” the girl blurted out.
Mary’s tense body instantly relaxed as she leaned back in her chair.
Then she covered her face and rubbed her eyes hard. “Good… that’s good.”
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The girl’s eyes were all swollen–she’d burst into tears several times today. Now, unable to hold it in anymore, she flopped onto the sofa, gritting her teeth because her leg was still smarting from that fall.
“Seriously, what is even happening right now? I swear, my heart can’t take this anymore,” she whimpered.
But everybody understood: with Jason Maine backing Yolanda, she was set. No one’s going to mess with her
now.
Jason’s not only a total powerhouse in court–he’s got the whole Sinclair Group behind him. Back when Sinclair Group recruited him, it was all over the news for days.
There was a knock at the door, and there stood Yolanda.
Yolanda gave a small smile. “I noticed there’s a storage room still empty on the top floor. I’m thinking of having the crew convert it into your office. Why don’t you head up and take a look? You can pick the style you want–just let me know your thoughts.”
Mary’s office was supposed to be on the top floor, but after getting pushed aside, she’d ended up stuck in a downstairs corner.
She got up right away, hands clenched tight at first before slowly relaxing. “Understood. I’ll go check it out now. Thank you, Ms. Grant.”
Yolanda just nodded, said nothing more, and walked off.
The top floor was packed with people now, but nobody dared stick around–everyone kept their heads down and scurried by, all worried Leon might show up at any moment.
It was almost time to clock out, and Leon still hadn’t shown up.
People couldn’t help whispering that Leon might’ve finally met his match this time.
Everyone was dying to know who Yolanda really was–she’d only been at Starlight for a day, and she’d already turned the place upside down.
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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.
