Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Samuel left without another word.
Yolanda was left reeling by his last words.
A
165 won her spe
The shock of being caught by Samuel hit her like a tidal wave–she nearly forgot she was even here to find someone tonight.
She drifted toward the elevator in a daze, and by the time she reached Quentin’s floor, she was standing in the restroom, overhearing two girls chatting, their faces full of obvious frustration.
“Quentin’s been into her for ages. He’s so damn loyal. Doesn’t he get that she’s only back because of Charles?” one girl sneered.
“Oh, it’s not just Quentin. There were a couple other guys in that private room drooling over her too. Leo was just sitting there, staring at her like a lost puppy,” the other girl snarked.
“That bitch has some killer charm. Charles splurged ten million on her in jewelry! With all these big shots swarming tonight, she must be loving it. Now that she’s back in the entertainment scene, nobody dares challenge her. Directors won’t even try to give her grief. Just watch–things are only gonna get tougher for us,” the first girl grumbled.
Yolanda kept her head low, scrubbing her hands, while the two women kept gossiping nearby. They were probably someone’s arm candy from the private room.
‘So Quentin’s into Joelle? Well, working together is definitely off the table, Yolanda thought, a pang of regret going through her.
Joelle always came across as that fragile yet resilient type that guys just couldn’t resist. She never cared about their money, but somehow she had every single one of them wrapped around her finger.
Quentin was one of those people–once he fell for someone, he’d give it everything, even if all he could ever do was watch her be happy from afar.
He really was the most qualified backup–the perfect fallback guy.
Yolanda suddenly realized there was no point in trying to talk business tonight. If Joelle’s admirer landed the CEO spot, she’d be totally screwed.
‘Honestly, maybe it’d be better if the Andrade family just went down in flames, she thought, bitterness churning in her chest.
Meanwhile, in the private lounge, Joelle sat right at the center of it all, still carrying that naïve, untouched charm in her eyes–as if the entertainment world hadn’t managed to stain her one bit.
She looked over at Charles, paused a moment, then finally said, “Charles, long time no see.”
Charles didn’t meet her gaze. Maybe it was because he’d just come out of the hospital, but his usual aura was pretty faded. He just replied with a low “Mm.”
11:20 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 161
1901
69 vouchers
The private room was packed with over twenty people, each with their own little schemes, but some of the guys in there were obviously hung up on Joelle–their eyes practically glued to her.
Joelle stood up, her smile lighting up the room. “Thanks for throwing this welcome–back dinner for me. It’s great to see so many familiar faces again. My work’s shifting back here, so I hope we can all hang out more often.”
She hadn’t even finished speaking before Leo grabbed a bite–and instantly started hissing, pain written all over his face.
He opened his mouth, gulped down his wine in a hurry, but that only made him hiss again.
Quinn, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but laugh. “Man, don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on Joelle. Bro, using such a clumsy move to get her attention? That’s pretty low–level.”
“Your mom!” Leo shot back, scowling as his eyes watered from the pain.
‘Damn you, Yolanda–she really went all out on that bite!‘ he cursed in his head, tongue throbbing madly.
‘God, my tongue hurts like hell!‘
Quinn clicked his tongue. “Seriously, man, keep it classy. Did a girl actually bite your tongue or what?”
Leo guiltily shot a quick look at Charles, who was sitting right next to him.
Leo quickly dropped his gaze, avoiding both the food and the drinks now. “You’re such a gossip,” he muttered under his breath.
Before Leo could finish his sentence, the private room door swung open and Oscar Rowe stepped in—the biggest name director around, the only one in the country with two Best Director Oscars to his name. The guy was basically untouchable in the industry.
Oscar was no stranger to events like these. His films were investor goldmines, so most of the folks gathered here had crossed paths with him more than once.
He nodded to the group, then gave Joelle a warm smile. “Joelle, we ran into each other abroad a year ago. I swear, you’re looking even more stunning these days.”
Joelle rose to her feet, her confidence flipping on like a switch. “Mr. Rowe, I wasn’t expecting you tonight–a real surprise.”
Oscar nodded, then patted Ian on the shoulder. “I’m planning to start a new film in the next couple of years. Someone recommended this kid to me–he’s got some real talent. Turns out, he’s actually your junior.”
Back in the day, Oscar accepted Joelle as his last disciple and taught her countless acting skills.
Joelle had the waiter bring over a couple of chairs, her gaze landing on Ian. “If Mr. Rowe thinks you’ve got what it takes, you’re about to be the next big thing–everyone knows his taste is spot on.”
Oscar smiled, obviously satisfied with lan. He wouldn’t have brought him to a room full of industry big shots if he didn’t think the kid was special.
11:20 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 161
As soon as lan sat down, he immediately felt someone openly staring at him. He turned his head and caught Leo, two seats away, locking eyes with him in the most unsubtle way possible.
Leo dramatically downed a gulp of his drink, making a big show of it–and instantly started hissing in pain.
Quinn, sitting nearby, just shook his head in disbelief. “Bro, if your tongue’s busted, why keep drinking? Are you just asking to suffer?”
Leo smirked softly, eyes growing a bit hazy. “She went all in. I couldn’t stop her. Honestly, the way she flashed her teeth was kinda adorable.”
Quinn gawked at him like he’d absolutely lost it. “Wait, your tongue got bitten by a girl? For real?”
Leo shot lan a sidelong glance as he pushed his food around his bowl. “Yeah.”
Ian didn’t pay him any mind. Parties like this just weren’t his thing. If it weren’t for Joelle’s personal fan club lurking around, most of the crowd was only here to give face to Charles–and with heavy hitters from the Cooper and Lawson families in attendance, nobody wanted to miss out on the chance to rub elbows.
Ian reached out for a dish, but right as he was about to grab it, someone yanked the table around, and the dish slid way out of his reach.
Leo stopped with a mocking grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. When Ian tried for another dish, Leo spun the table again, just to mess with him.
Even the most oblivious person in the room could tell Leo was doing it on purpose.
People could only marvel to themselves, ‘Joelle’s really something else–she’s got at least four or five guys here all wrapped around her finger, and each one’s at the heart of power. Even that new junior looks like he’s already falling for her.‘
Joelle could feel those jealous glances from a few of the women nearby.
Her lips curved into a cool smile as she calmly reached out to keep the table steady.
Oscar could tell what Leo was up to and quietly asked Ian, “Did you somehow offend him?”
Something flickered in Ian’s eyes, but he simply shook his head.
“Mr. Rowe, I don’t think this is the right place for me. I’ll head out for a while–I don’t want to put you in an awkward spot,” Ian said quietly.
Oscar patted his shoulder in reassurance. “You deserve the trust you’ve earned. You really know how to keep your cool.”
Ian didn’t say anything more. He just stood and slipped out of the room in silence.
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.
