Chapter 157
Chapter 157
Yolanda raised an eyebrow, clearly couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.
155 Vouchete
Leo trailed after her, grinding his teeth in frustration. “So that’s your reaction after I kissed you? Does that mean any random guy could just walk up and kiss you? Are you really that easy?”
He knew exactly how to push her buttons.
Yolanda got into her car, grabbed a bottle of water from the seat, twisted off the cap, and dumped it straight onto his face.
Leo was chilled to the bone, wiping water off his face. “You-”
Yolanda hit the gas, sticking her hand out the window and flipping him off.
Leo stood there, water dripping from his chin, but strangely, he didn’t feel angry at all when he saw her middle finger.
‘Damn, she’s so freaking cute,’ he thought.
Who said she was ever a good girl…?
He stood there and touched his lips, pissed at the thought that all Yolanda did was slap him.
‘Seriously, is that all I get for crossing the line? Just a slap?‘ Leo muttered to himself.
‘So, any guy can just kiss her, huh?‘
His anger flared up again. Leo had no idea why he still felt so damn bothered–so he shot her a message.
[“Just remember, you’re a woman–if some guy tries to force a kiss on you, you should call the police, you get me?“]
After sending that, Leo still felt restless, so he shot off another text.
[“Honestly, I really did mistake you for someone else. Like hell I’d ever want to kiss a loose woman like you.“]
But after he sent it, all he got was a red exclamation mark.
‘Isn’t she supposed to be driving?‘ Leo thought.
So he just dialed her number.
Yolanda’s tone was icy. “What the hell is wrong with you tonight?”
Frustrated, Leo kicked at a pebble and snapped, “Why are you even checking messages while driving? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”
Yolanda just curled her lip and hung up on him.
Chapter 157
1056 vouchers.
When Yolanda got back to Moonbay Estate and finished her shower, someone knocked on her bedroom door. Charles stood there, his voice soft. “Why are you back so late?”
Yawning, she replied, “I was hanging out with Megan.”
The moment Megan’s name came up, Charles instantly looked a bit sheepish and kept quiet.
He was standing there in pajamas, fresh from the shower, with the robe belt hanging so loose it looked like it could drop any second.
He had the kind of body that could turn heads, and showing up at this hour–well, he probably wasn’t just hoping for a late–night chat.
Yolanda had just stuffed herself and was in that unbothered, post–meal mood. She didn’t spare him a second glance before slamming the door in his face.
As she turned away, Yolanda frowned, a little crease forming between her brows.
She whipped out her phone and dropped a private post on Twitter, making sure only Joelle Monroe could see it. Back when Charles was with Joelle, Yolanda had already followed her account.
She attached a picture of that exclusive black credit card.
With just one spicy caption: “Hubby gave me this for peace of mind, but tonight he seems ready to make a baby with me. Ugh, I’m so stressed!”
Babies were always a sensitive topic–especially if it was Charles’s kid. There’s no way Joelle would just brush this off; honestly, she might even rush back home tonight.
Plus, the media back home was already hyping up Joelle’s comeback, and you could bet that was all her doing. Joelle’s goal was clear: she wanted to make a scene and make sure Charles couldn’t ignore her return.
After posting that tweet, Yolanda just crashed into bed.
When she woke up, the entertainment news was blowing up, saying Joelle was heading back to Beloris in three days.
Yolanda breathed a sigh of relief. She’d barely left the gates of Moonbay Estate when her phone buzzed with a call–it was Edward.
“Hey Yolanda, I’m waiting for you at Starry Café,” Edward said.
Yolanda scrunched up her brow, then spun the wheel and headed that way.
She wasn’t dumb. She knew Edward hadn’t handed her some slow–burn drug that would only cause problems years down the line.
Just one or two pills and Charles would be a goner, no question. But now, days had gone by and Charles was perfectly fine. So Edward was starting to suspect she’d been trying to fool him.
As soon as Yolanda sat down, Edward sneered, “Did you see the headlines today? Joelle Monroe’s back.”
11:19 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 157
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Au Vouchers
Everyone in the Sinclair family knew Charles was completely hung up on Joelle Monroe, and marrying
Yolanda was just him acting out of spite towards her.
Yolanda didn’t say a word, just stared at her coffee.
Edward’s voice was almost threatening. “Did you swap out the meds?”
“Uncle…” Yolanda began, “I-”
She hadn’t even finished before Edward’s phone rang. It was Wyatt: Charles had collapsed.
There was a flash of triumph in Edward’s eyes as he shot to his feet, but he faked concern in his voice. “Charles is okay, right? Have they already taken him to the hospital?” Edward asked, pretending to care.
Whatever Wyatt said on the other end clearly did the trick–Edward hung up, barely able to wipe the grin off his face.
“So, Charles fainted. Guess he’s tougher than I thought, managed to last a few days. Listen, Yolanda, Joelle Monroe’s coming back, and we all know this spot was always hers for the taking. You might as well grab a ticket and get out now. Don’t blame me for not giving you a heads up,” Edward said, his tone oozing satisfaction.
With a smug smile, he strode out and got into his car.
Yolanda swirled her coffee, thinking, ‘Charles is totally playing the long game here. He knows exactly what Edward’s up to, knew he couldn’t resist coming to test me tonight–and the guy’s practically about to crack!
Charles was stretching out this whole poisoning act just to see Edward lose control.
Yolanda took a sip and let out a sigh. ‘Those Sinclair uncles might think they’re slick, but when it comes down to it, none of them can outplay Charles!’
Not long after, Yolanda’s phone buzzed–it was Wyatt, his voice booming with authority. “Get to the hospital.”
Yolanda answered obediently, “Yes, sir,” not daring to defy, and didn’t hesitate as she hurried straight to the hospital.
Charles looked seriously ill lying there on his hospital bed, his face white as a sheet. The Sinclair family crowded around the doctor, all demanding to know what was going on, but the doctor just kept repeating stuff about heart palpitations and organ failure.
These symptoms matched exactly what that drug was supposed to do. Edward Sinclair finally felt at ease, his grin almost impossible to hide. ‘Charles is finished. There’s no cure for this poison–the docs can only watch his organs shut down, bit by bit. At best, he’s got a month left, Edward gloated inwardly.
Edward took a deep breath and planted himself right next to Wyatt. “Dad, why don’t you go home and get
some rest?”
Wyatt’s face was tight with worry–Charles had always been his favorite grandson. “Charles, where are you feeling unwell?”
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Charles dropped his gaze, looking completely wiped out. “Let Yolanda stay. The rest of you, leave I just want some quiet,” he said, sounding exhausted.
Wyatt got to his feet, nodded at Charles, then fussed over him with a stream of warnings before finally heading out, still reluctant.
Everyone else from the Sinclair family quietly made their way out.
Yolanda sat beside the hospital bed, reaching for the water pitcher, but just then the door swung open–it was Dylan.
The last time she’d seen Dylan was probably back when he had that fight with May.
Yolanda instantly stood up and called out, “Dad.”
Charles’s own father, Dylan, was the last one to arrive. He took a seat, his tone cool and detached. “What happened? Why did he suddenly collapse?”
Just then, May stormed in, her face twisted with anger. She’d been dealing with the hospital paperwork and now she shoved Dylan hard.
“Why didn’t you just wait until the funeral to show up? I bet you were off with that bitch!” May snapped.
First Renee’s accident, and now Charles–May had been on edge for weeks.
Her husband wasn’t there for her, hadn’t been home in ages, and now she just lost it.
AD
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.
