Chapter 154
Yolanda lay awake in bed, unable to sleep. Eventually, she got up and browsed through Starlight’s files, lost in thought.
She might hold real authority now, but the shares in Starlight were still firmly in the hands of those male higher–ups.
Leon Cole was gone, but he was still clutching his shares. Yolanda’s gaze dropped as she mulled it over.
‘If I don’t get those shares, Starlight will never truly be mine. Only with those shares in my possession will it actually belong to me,‘ Yolanda thought to herself.
‘I’ve got to find a way to get those shares from Leon Cole,‘ she resolved.
Early the next morning, she went to meet Leon Cole in person.
Leon Cole’s case was still working its way through the process, and for now he was simply being held in custody..
As soon as he saw Yolanda, his eyes flashed with hatred, and he looked like he was about to lunge at her, barely holding back his fury.
“You bitch! You fucking bitch! When I get out, I swear I’ll kill you!” Leon Cole spat at her.
Yolanda didn’t come alone this time–she had Jason Maine with her.
Jason stood just behind her, all business–his expression unreadable, like emotions were something he’d left at the door.
Yolanda eased herself into the chair, a pleasant smile on her face. “Mr. Cole, your fifty–plus properties are already up for auction, but even if they all sell for market price, you’ll still be drowning in debt. I’ve got a way for you to clear all those debts. Care to talk it over?”
Leon Cole gave a cold laugh as the truth dawned on him.
“You want my shares? Not a chance in hell! I’d rather die clutching them than hand them over to you!” he spat.
“Mr. Cole, those shares aren’t doing you any good in here. I’ll buy them at market price–and drop the lawsuit. What do you say?” Yolanda replied calmly.
Leon Cole’s eyes went wide, disbelief all over his face as his throat tightened. “Are you seriously telling me you’d drop the charge?”
Yolanda gave a soft smile. “The shares are what I really care about. And let’s be honest, Mr. Cole, it’s not like there’s any bad blood between us, right?”
Leon Cole instantly quieted down, sitting with his hands folded in front of him, caught up weighing his options.
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Yolanda stood up. “If you’re not interested, no problem–I’ll just talk to someone else. Tony Sutton pissed off the wrong person recently and he’s still stuck in the hospital. Maybe he’ll be easier to deal with.”
These guys might be a clique, but there was zero real trust between them.
Leon Cole immediately panicked. “Fine, I’ll sell! Ten percent of Starlight, at market price. Just make sure you really drop the lawsuit–don’t screw me over!”
Anyone with half a brain would know what choice to make right now. Just like Yolanda said, those shares were worthless to him locked up behind bars.
Yolanda leaned back, her lips curling into a cool smile as she nodded to Jason. “Slide Mr. Cole the share transfer paperwork.”
Leon Cole didn’t hesitate―he scrawled his signature, all the while watching Yolanda rise from her seat.
“The money will go through the official channels and land in your account. When you’re finally out, Mr. Cole, maybe you should take a good hard look at who convinced you to target me. You had cash and power–none of this had to happen. That’s all I’ll say. Take care,” Yolanda said.
Leon Cole’s face stayed cold, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened, but after a long, tense pause, he slowly let them go.
Of course, he’d only made a move because someone in his own crew had provoked him.
Yolanda headed out and hopped in the driver’s seat, with Jason Maine sliding into the passenger side beside her.
She gripped the steering wheel, listening as Jason asked, “Does Mr. Sinclair even know you’re gunning for those Starlight shares?”
“Is that really any of your concern, Mr. Maine?” Yolanda shot back.
Jason clutched the documents, sitting stiff and upright, his tone never wavering. “Just routine as a Sinclair Group employee. If you’d rather I keep quiet, I’ll stay out of it.”
“Then don’t go blabbing,” Yolanda replied. “If I want Starlight to really be mine, I need to have absolute control over the shares.”
Jason glanced over. “Does Mr. Sinclair know just how big you’re aiming with all this?”
‘The reason I picked you for the legal team, Mr. Maine, is because I know exactly how you operate,‘ Yolanda thought, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her mind.
Jason sat rock–straight, as always, in his signature light suit, totally expressionless. ‘What a waste on that handsome face,‘ Yolanda couldn’t help but think.
Yolanda drove straight to the hospital–this time, it was the one where Tony Sutton was staying.
Starlight was just a minor subdivision within the Sinclair Group, and Charles never cared much for those shares or its business. That’s why Edward Sinclair and the rest of the family used it as a tool to gather support.
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Edward passed out shares to these guys, but he also set things up so they’d constantly keep each other in check.
Each clique had its own backer–Leon Cole’s crew had Edward Sinclair behind them, while the other group was probably under the wing of Charles’s uncle, Richard Sinclair. Even though Richard got exiled to some out–of–town branch, he could still reach his hands this far. That was impressive.
Yolanda pushed open the door to Tony’s hospital room, and the instant he saw her, his eyes flickered with dread.
He hadn’t forgotten that night–just a few dirty jokes about Yolanda, and the Lawson family’s young master had knocked him out cold.
It was only recently that he’d realized his attacker was actually the little prince of the Lawson family.
The Lawsons were huge in Beloris, and their boss, Xavier, was infamous for his iron–fisted style. Tony knew better than to get on their bad side.
‘Wait… could Yolanda be the Lawson prince’s girl?‘ Tony thought, a chill running down his spine.
His lips lost all color, fear etched across his face–there was no way he’d dare give her any attitude now.
Yolanda pulled up a chair by the bed, flashing an easy smile. “So, word is you’re holding eight percent of Starlight shares. Any chance you’d sell?”
She’d expected this to be a tough negotiation, but to her surprise, Tony gave in almost instantly.
“Yeah, I’ll sell. Miss Grant, I didn’t even know who I was messing with before!” Tony blurted, his tone full of
regret.
Yolanda lifted an eyebrow, thinking to herself, ‘Did getting KO’d actually make him smarter, or did it just fry
his brain?‘
Either way, she wasn’t interested in digging further. She just motioned for Jason to hand over the paperwork.
Tony signed right away, swallowing nervously. “Miss Grant, I’ve always had Starlight’s back. Since I didn’t hesitate, could you give me another shot–maybe let me back on the team? I swear I’ll never cross you again. Whatever you say, I’ll do it—no questions asked!”
Yolanda gave a cold laugh as she stood. “Forget it. There’s no way you’re coming back to Starlight. The payout from your shares will hit your account soon enough–you won’t have to worry about making a living. You’d better start looking for a new gig.”
Tony’s face darkened, clearly stunned by how ruthless she was.
His hand at his side slowly curled into a fist as he forced out through gritted teeth, “Fine. I’ll stay out of your way from now on, Miss Grant.”
Yolanda didn’t waste another second listening to him. She just turned on her heel and walked out.
Snagging eighteen percent of the shares just like that felt great, but it was nowhere near enough for Yolanda’s
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The Sa Vouchers
She leaned back in her seat, fingers drumming on the wheel, lost in thought–until Jason piped up from beside her.
“Once you trade more than five percent of the shares, it’s gotta go public,” he reminded.
In other words, Charles and Edward Sinclair were bound to catch wind of it, whether she liked it or not.
Yolanda pressed down on the gas pedal, her lips curling into a sly grin. “Let them go at each other’s throats all they want. If they’re too busy clawing for power, they won’t even notice a small fry like Starlight slipping through their fingers. Mr. Maine, I want an absolute controlling stake in Starlight. When it comes to selling or keeping this company, the final word will be mine alone.”
To pull that off, she’d have to own a majority stake–over fifty–one percent–which meant sweeping up every single share those guys at the top still held.
“You’ve got some seriously big plans, Mrs. Grant. I don’t think I can sign up for this ride–Mr. Sinclair’s done right by me,” Jason admitted.
“I’m not asking you to stab him in the back. Just keep my name out of it when you’re talking to him,” Yolanda told him.
Jason turned his head to take her in.
She was beaming now, her whole vibe worlds apart from the innocent, well–behaved persona she’d shown before.
He shifted his gaze, watching the scenery outside in silence.
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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.
