Chapter 145
Rumors started flying around the company like wildfire.
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“I heard she’s just here to cash in, and her connections are even scarier than Leon Cole’s. Now she’s talking about changing all our contracts from ten or twenty years to freaking thirty. She’s basically Leon 2.0.”
“Why can’t these people just go jump off a cliff or something? Why are we always the ones getting screwed? I was this close to only five years left on my deal, now it’s gonna be fifteen! Am I ever gonna see the light at the end of the tunnel?”
“I heard at her old company, she’d force the female talent to sleep with clients. If you didn’t do it, you’d get shipped off to Raventon.”
“Seriously? If that’s true, isn’t she even more ruthless than Leon Cole?”
“Guess I really did get my hopes up for her for nothing.”
As Yolanda walked past the top floor, she couldn’t help but feel all those resentful stares directed at her.
She assumed it was because she wasn’t moving fast enough. There was still plenty that needed reforming in Starlight, and she had to get a handle on all the rules before she could tackle anything real.
Yolanda had been working in the office until the evening, when she finally handed a folder to Walter, who was hovering behind her like her shadow.
“Print this out, and once you’re done, give it to Ms. Hall,” she instructed.
“Understood, Ms. Grant,” Walter said eagerly.
Walter Hudson was tall, standing nearly six–foot–three, but his fashion sense was… let’s just say it desperately needed help. He always rocked suit pants paired with a plaid shirt that looked straight out of a programmer
meme.
Yolanda’s gaze lingered over him before she let out a sigh. “Honestly, you should pick up some tips from online style bloggers. You’ve got a solid build–dress right and you’d be a total male model. Also, you really need to do something about your hair. And these glasses–are they prescription or what? The lenses look thick enough to stop a bullet.”
Yolanda leaned in and reached out, about to take his glasses off for a closer look, but Walter instantly backed
away.
‘He must be shy about his looks,’ Yolanda thought, deciding not to press it. “Just go print it,” she told him.
With that, she slung her bag over her shoulder and got ready to clock out for the day.
But the moment she stepped out of the elevator, some lunatic came barreling straight at her.
“Yolanda! Go to hell!” the person shrieked, their voice echoing with hatred.
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Chapter 145
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Suddenly, a glass bottle flew at her, drenching her in a liquid with a sharp, acrid smell.
Before Yolanda could react, Walter hauled her out of harm’s way and shielded her in his arms.
There was a sickening sizzle in the air as the corrosive liquid hit flesh, and terrified screams erupted all
around them.
Yolanda was still in shock when Walter let her go almost immediately, barely pausing before dashing toward the exit. “I’m heading to the hospital,” he called out urgently.
“I’m coming with you!” Yolanda called out, but Walter didn’t break his stride.
Blood was streaming down his back, and the assailant was still shrieking, “Why are you protecting her? Why defend that bitch? She’s even nastier than Leon Cole! She wants to bleed us dry, suck out every last drop!
Walter kept moving. “Ms. Grant, I’m used to handling things solo. You deal with the rest,” he said, his voice steady.
With that, he left without looking back.
Yolanda wasted no time calling the police and handing over the security footage.
As the crazed attacker was dragged away, their eyes fixed on Yolanda with a venomous glare, like a snake refusing to let go.
“Yolanda, none of us will ever let you off! Even if I’m thrown in jail, there are plenty more waiting to take you down!” the assailant screamed.
Yolanda realized then–someone must be behind all this, stirring everyone up against her.
Without wasting another second, she headed back upstairs to Mary’s office.
The young talent was standing in front of Mary, and when she saw Yolanda come in, she shrank back like Yolanda was out to eat her alive.
Yolanda frowned, her gaze fixed on Mary. “What’s going on? It feels like all the talent suddenly hates me.”
The young talent’s eyes were rimmed red and she bit her lip, glaring at Yolanda. “You’ve got the nerve to ask? Everyone knows about those new contracts you’re pushing–they’re even nastier than Leon Cole’s! I actually thought you were one of the good ones, but turns out you’re just another monster!”
Mary barked, “Shut it!”
The young talent instantly clammed up, her breath hitching with a shaky sob.
Yolanda realized–someone must’ve been egging them on from behind the scenes.
She had the young talent pull up the message threads, and sure enough, the source was Ken Ford and Wayne Ford–the infamous brothers.
But those brothers weren’t amateurs. In the group chat, they never spelled anything out directly. Instead, they
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Chapter 145
dropped cryptic comments, steering everyone step by step into getting riled up and suspicious.
So with this kind of “evidence,” there was no way Yolanda could nail them to the wall.
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Yolanda didn’t bother joining the group chat. Instead, she went straight to the company’s website and posted an announcement herself.
Hey everyone, we’re still working on the new contracts for our talent. If there’s anything unfair or out of line, it’ll get fixed–but it’s gonna take a bit. Hang tight and we’ll make sure everyone gets an answer they can live with.
People wasted no time grabbing a screenshot and sharing it in the staff group chat.
Some started hoping things might actually change; others just kept doubting everything.
Yolanda was just turning to leave when the young talent blurted out, “If you really are doing this for us, then I apologize.”
Yolanda paused, one hand on the doorframe, her voice cold as ice.
“Save your apology. Instead of saying sorry, try actually thinking for once. Don’t let yourself get played as someone else’s pawn next time–I have no use for fools hanging around me,” she said flatly.
Fools only bring trouble, letting themselves get stirred up and causing havoc at the slightest provocation.
That was definitely not the kind of talent Yolanda wanted.
The young talent’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she couldn’t come up with a single word to defend herself.
Yolanda didn’t spare her a second glance–she strode out, her figure disappearing through the doorway.
The young talent glanced nervously at Mary. “Ms. Hall, is she really mad at me?”
Mary gave her a look. “What do you think? Word just came in–someone actually believed all these rumors and tried to splash acid on her at the lobby downstairs. If her assistant hadn’t jumped in, she’d be horribly scarred right now. Leon Cole squeezed you guys dry for years, and you just swallowed it. Yolanda hasn’t even started, and you’re already turning on her. Let’s be honest, it’s because she’s a woman, and you think she’s an easy target.”
That’s exactly what pissed Yolanda off the most.
The young talent’s face went from pale to flushed, and she didn’t dare say a word.
After leaving the office, Yolanda called Walter to check on his injuries.
“Ms. Grant, I got it all sorted out. I’m good,” Walter replied.
“Where are you? Which hospital? I’ll come see you myself,” Yolanda insisted.
“No need for that. I’m taking a week off–hope that’s okay. I just don’t like getting too close with my boss.
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Protecting you is part of my job, after all,” Walter said.
Walter really knew how to keep his boundaries, but honestly, Yolanda preferred it that way.
She promised to triple his salary, and he didn’t turn it down.
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Tomorrow was the weekend, so Yolanda didn’t have to show up at work–she’d already promised to spend the day with lan.
Yolanda had just turned the key, ready to drive back to Moonbay Estate, when Renee pinged her with a
message.
[Did your friend’s kid make it? Heard she was bleeding out, pretty badly.]
Renee Sinclair never felt even a hint of guilt–she honestly didn’t see any problem with what she’d done. At the moment, she was out with Blake Alston on a movie date. Blake was in line at the popcorn stand, prepping to buy snacks for them.
‘Funny how all this couple stuff feels so fresh to me,‘ Renee thought, a little amused. ‘I’ve never really done the whole “normal date night” thing before.
Just as Renee was about to fire off another message and stir things up, she suddenly noticed a shadow looming over her.
A man’s voice cut through the air. “Are you Renee Sinclair?”
Renee thought for sure he was about to ask for her WhatsApp, so she gave him a side–eye and smirked. Yeah, that’s me. But honestly, with my outfit and my bag, do you really think you’re on my level? You actually have the guts to hit on me? Do you even know who you’re talking to?”
Before Renee could even finish talking, the man lunged at her with a knife.
Everyone around started screaming in terror.
Renee started screaming too.
Blake, still waiting in line, was stunned for a second before rushing over to block the man.
But the attacker moved with chilling speed–he stabbed Blake twice in the shoulder, each strike vicious and merciless, like he saw nothing but prey before him.
Renee had never felt death breathing down her neck quite like this.
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.
