Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Dylan, with his sharp, clite looks and a tendency to avoid arguments, was nearly knocked to the floor when May shoved him. His expression instantly turned grim.
“May, you always have to run your mouth in front of the kids,” Dylan said coldly.
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Fuming, May flung the pile of hospital paperwork she was holding right at Dylan, hitting him straight in the face.
Dylan had never been treated like this before. He pushed himself up, his patience running thin. “You’re the one who called me back, and now you’re the one losing it. Honestly, you need to get a job or something. Look at what staying home all day has done to you.”
That was a total knockout–a line that finished her off.
May froze, staring at him in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
Dylan let out a cold laugh. “If you’re not happy with how things are, then go get a job. You’re just bored out of your mind.”
His eyes were icy, completely devoid of any affection for her.
May’s lips trembled, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.
Charles finally spoke up, sounding exhausted. “Can you guys argue somewhere else? Just give me a break and let me have some peace.”
Dylan’s tone softened a little. “What did the doctor say?”
Charles closed his eyes, his face impassive. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Then just rest. Don’t worry about the company for now,” Dylan said.
He stood up to leave, and May immediately followed him out.
“Dylan, how can you be so cold? That’s your own son!” May yelled after him.
Yolanda thought for a moment and then quietly shut the door to the hospital room.
The shouting kept going outside, mostly May hurling accusations. For someone who was supposed to be a high–society lady, she sounded absolutely unhinged. Dylan just ignored her, which only made her voice rise higher and higher. Finally, after a storm of arguing, their voices faded as the two left the floor.
Yolanda eased herself back into the chair beside the hospital bed, glancing at Charles. He looked perfectly calm–like nothing that had just happened could ruffle him in the slightest.
Sure, Charles always treated his family decently, but he was the kind who never let their drama or messes shake his mood.
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Chapter 158
Besides, deep down, he was already convinced that Dylan had turned his back on the Sinclair family, so there was no way Dylan’s attitude could bother him now,
When it came to being tough, Charles checked all the boxes–cold–blooded, decisive, and nothing could faze him. Honestly, his only real flaw was that he could be kind of a jerk.
“Honey, want something to drink?” Yolanda murmured, offering him a glass of water.
She handed it to Charles, and he took it without a word.
Yolanda got up in one smooth motion, placing both hands on his temples and gently massaging them.
The soft scent from her–maybe perfume or body wash–drifted over, instantly making him feel much better.
After emptying the glass, Charles set it aside, looped an arm around her waist, and nuzzled into her neck, breathing in deeply. “New body wash? Smells amazing”
Yolanda never bothered with perfume–her scent always came from her body wash or shampoo.
“Yeah,” she replied softly.
“What made you switch all of a sudden? Weren’t you totally fine with your old one?” Charles asked, his voice low.
The new scent was gentle, but underneath that tenderness was a subtle streak of stubbornness.
With his face buried in her neck, Charles found his thoughts running wild for a moment.
It had been ages since Charles and Yolanda had shared a moment like this…
Just as Charles pressed a kiss to her skin, Jack happened to walk in. He froze at the doorway, clearly panicked -about ready to dart right back out.
The interruption was just what Yolanda needed to slip out of Charles’s embrace, tidying her hair. “Is this about work?” she asked, turning to Jack.
Jack shot Charles a quick look to make sure he wasn’t about to lose his temper, then gave a nod.
“CEO, Edward Sinclair just met with Cedric,” Jack reported.
Ever since Vivian Andrade ended up in a vegetative state, Cedric had always pinned the blame on Charles. He’d been stirring up trouble lately, but Charles kept shutting him down every time.
Now the two of them ran into each other–it looked like they were about to join forces.
Charles thought, ‘If Edward just sits back and doesn’t make a move, how am I ever supposed to get any dirt on
him?‘
Charles relaxed in his chair with a lazy grin. “He’s certainly quick to make a move.”
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64 55 Vouchers
He acted like he had everything under control, accepting the documents Jack passed over. “I’ll be camped out in the hospital for the next little while–let’s go ahead and list that plot of land we bought for sale.”
This land was basically Charles’s only black mark when it came to investments. The government sold it as a gold mine, and hardly anyone knew the ugly truth: deep underground, years of a chemical plant had left radioactive waste festering. Anyone wanting to build there would have to pass some impossibly strict government safety checks. He’d originally dumped six hundred million on it, but fixing the land up would cost at least a billion–no wonder Charles had never broken ground. Of course, people in the business all gossiped about how he might be plotting something epic with the government.
Now Charles was putting that cursed plot up for sale, just waiting for some gullible big shot to bite–and that lucky sucker was the Andrade family.
He’d already gone to war with them, so there was zero reason to hold back.
And with Edward setting things up as the perfect middleman, the Andrades were basically delivering themselves straight into the trap.
Charles closed his eyes and looked over a contract. “Edward’s going to make things go smoothly for the Andrades. Just sit tight and wait.”
After letting it all sink in for a second, Yolanda turned and headed out after Jack.
“Honey, I’m heading out for now. I’ll come see you later,” Yolanda said softly.
Charles swallowed, thinking to himself, ‘She really is a bit clueless. Honestly, if she had any sense, she’d have stuck around, played it up a little, made sure I didn’t forget about her.‘
Yolanda was such a blockhead sometimes.
He chuckled softly, fingers pinching the document. “You know, you’re kinda hopelessly clueless.”
Yolanda didn’t think too much about his last comment. She just fell into step with Jack as they rode the elevator down, and couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something wrong with that piece of land?”
Jack looked a little surprised, clearly not expecting her to bring up anything related to the company.
But this was a sensitive topic, so he kept it vague. “Mrs. Sinclair, until the CEO’s plan is finalized, I can’t really say much.”
Yolanda got the hint–there was definitely something fishy going on with that land.
That was all she needed to know.
Charles was lining up Cedric to be the ultimate patsy in this scheme. Yolanda couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is there a way I can get a piece of the action too?”
The Andrade family was always locked in fierce internal battles. Vivian, a woman, storming her way to the CEO seat had already pissed off plenty of relatives. But now, with Grady’s passing and her falling into a vegetative state, Grandpa Jonathan wasn’t about to prop Cedric up. That left the rest of the family circling for the top spot–someone new was bound to take the reins soon.
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Cedric had an uncle, but there was bad blood between them. That uncle had two sons, both about the same age as Vivian, yet she’d snatched the CEO chair anyway—all because the two family branches could never see eye to eye, and their feud ran deep.
Yolanda’s mind was working overtime. She had to figure out a plan fast–even if that just meant trailing after Charles and scooping up whatever benefits he left in his wake.
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.
