Chapter 139
As soon as the police left, the buzzing atmosphere gradually died down, replaced by the quiet sound of girls crying.
Some girls leaned onto their friends‘ shoulders, crying quietly, trying their best not to break down,
Yolanda’s heart wasn’t made of stone. She could feel her emotions stirring, but she knew there was still a lot she had to face.
This was just the beginning. After all, there were still five male executives at Starlight, and none of them were the type to be underestimated.
Leon Cole thought Yolanda was just bluffing—at least until Jason Maine walked in and began listing, one by one, every last thing Leon had embezzled over the years.
Turns out, Leon had over fifty properties in his name, but selling them all wouldn’t even begin to cover his crushing debt.
Jason adjusted his glasses, all business–like, the very image of the hotshot lawyer he’d been for years—not just because of his age, but because of that striking face.
“Ms. Grant says you don’t have to worry about the leftover debt. Those fifty–some properties will be going up for auction in the next month. When you get out, Mr. Cole, you’ll have to start from zero like everyone else. Oh, and here—your wife’s divorce agreement. She’s finally fed up after all these years and is flying out this afternoon. So when it’s over, Mr. Cole, you’ll be on your own,” Jason said.
And down Leon went again, out cold.
Word about Leon’s properties being auctioned off spread like wildfire among the other executives.
They quickly started digging into the details. Right now, the five men were split into two small groups.
With Leon out of the picture, one of those groups was down to just two people–brothers, actually. The younger one was Ken Ford, and the older one was Wayne Ford.
Ken wasted no time pulling Wayne into a meeting, his eyes filled with worry.
“Bro, what do you think we should do about all this?” Ken asked.
Wayne had a pile of files laid out in front of him. He’d just called all around Sinclair Group, but nobody knew anything about Yolanda’s background. He even flashed her photo to a few contacts, but came up empty–no one recognized her.
Now, he was starting to suspect that Yolanda was probably some executive’s secret mistress at Sinclair.
Wayne sneered, his voice full of disdain. “What’s the hurry? Let’s hold our ground and let the others make the first move. Once I dig up who this piece of work is sleeping with, I’ll send the whole mess straight to the wife. Let’s see how she likes getting dragged out into the street for a beatdown.”
Ken breathed a little easier and took a gulp of water. “Lcon went down way too quick. Makes me nervous. But
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you’re right, let’s let those guys stick their necks out first.”
Half an hour later, Yolanda called in a meeting with the top brass.
She was still sitting right in the center, commanding attention as she flipped through the stack of reports that were handed to her.
These reports were supposed to outline the status of each manager’s respective projects, but anyone with a clue could see they were vague as hell.
Yolanda picked up Mary Hall’s report and glanced at it. She’d always known Mary was capable, but seeing this concise, straight–to–the–core report still took her aback-‘She really doesn’t mess around, Yolanda thought to herself.
With Mary’s level of talent, she could’ve left ages ago and been snatched up by any company out there. But she’d stuck it out at Starlight all this time.
It wasn’t just some sentimental feelings for Starlight that made Mary stick around. Truth was, if Mary hadn’t been here, those male execs would’ve run wild long ago–maybe things would’ve even blown up beyond
control.
Mary would never admit it, playing tough but soft–hearted underneath. But Yolanda was sure she’d been quietly looking out for those girls forced to sign unfair contracts.
Yolanda took a steadying breath and slammed the rest of the reports right in the male executives‘ faces.
“You’ve got one day. If your reports are still this sloppy, don’t bother coming back,” she snapped.
The male execs were totally thrown–first going pale, then red with rage, completely unused to being put in their place like this.
Yolanda stood up, her gaze sweeping over the execs, cool and distant. “I’ll be reviewing these reports again at ten tomorrow morning. If they’re still this slapdash, you ought to be embarrassed to keep your seats. If you don’t want them, plenty of others do.”
With that, she got up and left, not sparing them another glance.
As soon as the door shut behind her, Tony Sutton slammed his hand down on the table, face contorted in fury.
“Damn it! She really thinks she’s the CEO now? Just some sugar baby playing boss. What’s she got to brag about?” Tony spat.
Ken and Wayne exchanged a look, sly grins flashing in their eyes. They knew someone was going to lose his cool sooner or later.
Tony shot Mary a vicious glare, snatching up the report. “Mary, you don’t seriously think that woman’s gonna last here, do you? Just wait and see. She’ll be gone before she even sees it coming–I’ll personally make sure of that.”
Mary stood, looking flawless in her smart workwear, expression cool. “Then show us. Just don’t trip over your
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own ego on the way down.”
“What the hell did you just say?” Tony snapped, stepping forward.
But at that moment, the office door was pushed open, and Yolanda walked back in.
Yolanda’s gaze shifted to Walter Hudson, her randomly chosen assistant, who was still standing off to the side. thick glasses on, looking completely indifferent to the chaos in the room.
Tony froze mid–step, fist still raised, when he saw Yolanda return.
Mary let out a cold laugh, waving the report in her hand. “Pathetic coward.”
Tony’s eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched tight. “Say that again, I dare you!”
He strode angrily toward her, pride stinging from the open challenge.
‘She used to be their punching bag–how’d she suddenly get so bold?‘
Mary walked over, positioning herself right beside Yolanda.
Yolanda eyed the furious Tony with a cool little smirk. “What now, planning to take a swing?”
Tony was gritting his teeth so hard he could’ve cracked them. ‘These two damn bitches!‘
Without another word, he stormed past them and out the door.
Mary let out a deep breath, heart pounding. For the first time in years, she’d finally stood up to those assholes -and damn, it felt amazing.
Yolanda didn’t care what Mary was thinking. She tilted her chin at her assistant. “From now on, you’re with me.”
Walter pushed up his heavy glasses, clearly caught off guard. “…Uh, okay.”
Yolanda dropped into her chair, then suddenly called out, “Hey.”
Walter blinked, not sure if she was talking to him, so he just stood there, awkwardly frozen for a few seconds.
Yolanda looked straight at him. “Yeah, I mean you. Before I came over, I memorized the background of every employee at Sinclair Group–but I don’t remember seeing your name anywhere.”
Walter tensed up instantly, and Mary, who’d just walked in, stared at Yolanda in disbelief.
It wasn’t the question that threw Mary–it was the fact that Yolanda actually memorized the staff files. ‘Is she some kind of genius… or just nuts?‘ Mary wondered.
‘Seriously, does she even have a normal human brain?‘ Mary thought, staring in disbelief.
Walter pushed his glasses up again. “I’m Mary’s distant relative. I got in through connections, so I haven’t submitted my paperwork yet.”
8:12 Tue, Sep 30
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Yolanda glanced at Mary, who gave a quick nod.
Yolanda’s suspicions faded. “Alright, get your paperwork to HR and finish the formalities. From now on, you’re my assistant.”
Walter nodded.
Yolanda hung around the office until clock–out. When she stepped into the lobby and was just about to leave, a bodyguard blocked her way.
“Miss Grant, Mr. Sinclair wants to see you,” the bodyguard said with a stiff face.
Yolanda’s brows knitted together, but she still went with him, caution flashing in her eyes.
At a quiet café next door, she finally found out who was waiting–it was Edward Sinclair.
Edward, Leon Cole’s old patron, was now coming straight to her.
Yolanda’s thoughts were all over the place, but she didn’t let it show as she took her seat. “Uncle Edward.”
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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.
