Chapter 169
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Yolanda nudged lan’s head–which was resting on her shoulder–and said, “Hey, quit fooling around,”
Ian just grinned and held her tighter. “You brought me along to meet him. Clearly, you trust the guy.”
Jason honestly couldn’t care less about this kind of romantic drama; the back–and–forth between couples bored him stiff compared to those colorful stats flashing across his monitor.
He barely glanced at them before turning right back to his screen.
Yolanda thought for a moment and realized this trick could really work. Rumors fly around the stock market every single day, and only the truly savvy know how to tell what’s real from what’s just noise. It’s usually the speculators who end up paying the price.
She instantly whipped out her phone and fired off messages to a few reporters she was familiar with.
Before long, headlines about Starlight pulling out of investments hit the top of the trending list.
As for who was backing out and what exactly they were ditching–nobody bothered digging any deeper.
Right now, any negative buzz about Starlight was pure feeding frenzy.
The stock price just kept crashing—it was nosediving like a rock.
Ian, who’d been filming all day, was exhausted. He turned to Yolanda and muttered, “Yolanda, I’m really tired.”
Yolanda was focused on the screen in front of her, seriously asking Jason about the rows of data. When Ian interrupted, she sat up and pointed to the couch behind them. “Go lie down for a bit. I’ll let you know when it’s time to leave.”
Ian really was that tired–his eyes were red and bloodshot. “Okay,” he replied softly.
He walked over to the sofa, leaned back, and fell asleep almost immediately.
As the night wore on and the temperature dropped, Yolanda asked a few more questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ian wasn’t covered with a blanket. She turned to Jason and asked, “Do you have a light blanket around here?”
Jason got up and went upstairs to grab one.
Yolanda took it from him and walked over to Ian, who was still asleep with his eyes closed. She gently draped the blanket over him.
She’d already checked with Simone–Ian’s schedule was packed, and she’d even taken him to meet a few directors to discuss his upcoming projects.
Yolanda felt guilty about it. She’d promised to be his manager and assistant, but ever since taking over Starlight, she’d been swamped with work.
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Thanks to all the online drama lately, lan had started to get his name out there, but still didn’t have an assistant. Rumor had it on set that he wasn’t treated like a big deal at his tiny agency. Yolanda figured a bunch of companies were probably circling, hoping to snag him, and maybe some had already reached out to him behind the scenes.
Zack’s show was already halfway through its run, and Ian’s Twitter followers had hit over thirteen million. But without any major hits under his belt, his success felt like a house of cards–one wrong move, and it could all come crashing down.
She made sure the blanket was snug over him, then softly brushed his hair off his forehead.
lan barely cracked his eyes open, glanced at her, and smiled–probably thinking he was still dreaming. Then he went right back to sleep.
He was really exhausted.
Yolanda thought to herself, ‘Once I’ve got Starlight completely in my grip, I’ll just move Ian’s contract over. My tiny agency is just me and Megan anyway, so merging with Starlight would be a breeze. I’ll make him a superstar with my own hands!‘
She walked back over to Jason and pointed at the data again. “Is this about Sinclair Group?”
“Yeah, ever since Mr. Sinclair took over, the stock price has skyrocketed,” Jason replied.
Charles really was a force to be reckoned with in the business world.
Back when Jason was receiving death threats, Charles was the first to step in and sign him under Sinclair Group’s wing, giving him real protection. Since then, the Sinclair Group Legal Department has barely lost a case, and Jason’s position at the top has been absolutely unshakeable.
Just the settlement money Sinclair Group paid out every year was in the hundreds of millions. It was clear how smart that decision had been.
‘Charles might be a total scumbag, but when it comes to business, he really knows what he’s doing,’ Yolanda thought to herself.
Yolanda was totally out of her depth when it came to all these market stats jumping up and down–she seriously had a long way to go if she wanted to figure any of this out.
She kept firing off questions for a whole hour, and suddenly it was way past midnight—1 a.m. Even Jason, always the serious type, couldn’t help it; his head kept drooping as he started nodding off.
Yolanda realized she’d been way too impulsive coming over tonight and ended up messing with his rest.
“Alright, help me out with the trades when the market opens tomorrow morning. I’ll owe you one! I’m heading home now, Jason,” Yolanda said.
Jason just murmured a quiet “Yeah” and kept his computer running. As he turned, he caught sight of rain falling outside, the soft patter growing louder against the window.
Yolanda walked over to the sofa, about to wake lan up, but the moment her hand touched him, she realized
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Chapter 169
he was burning up.
Is lan seriously running a fever? Yolanda thought.
“lan!” she called out.
:
She quickly turned to Jason, who was headed upstairs. “Jason, Ian’s burning up. Do you have anything for a fever here?”
Jason stopped mid–step, dug around for the first–aid kit, and came back with some warm water.
It felt kind of rude to just head off to bed now, so after thinking it over for a few seconds, he sat back down.
Yolanda couldn’t be bothered with Jason right now. She lightly tapped Ian’s cheek. “Here, take this med.”
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Ian, still half–asleep, blinked up at her, swallowed the pill right off her fingertips–and accidentally sucked on her finger. The heat from his mouth made Yolanda nearly jerk her hand away, her heart skipping a beat.
She grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Ian got all docile when he was sick, just lying there quietly asleep. But he was burning up so much, you could feel the heat coming off him just by sitting nearby–as if he’d turned into a human furnace.
It was pouring outside, so there was no way Yolanda could drag Ian out in this weather.
“Jason, mind if we crash here for the night?” Yolanda asked.
Jason, still half–absorbed in stock data, snapped back and stood up. “Yeah, just make yourself at home. If you need anything, call me. Goodnight.”
Yolanda nodded and gently rested her palm on Ian’s forehead again.
Afraid he might be uncomfortable, she softly eased him down so his head could rest on her lap.
Leaning back against the couch, she closed her eyes.
By six in the morning, Yolanda stirred awake and reached out to feel Ian’s forehead. He was still burning up- the fever just wouldn’t quit.
She gave him a gentle shake. “Hey Ian, wake up,” she urged.
“Yolanda…” Ian mumbled, still groggy.
“Already called Simone–you’re off for the day,” Yolanda said softly. “I’ll take you to the hospital in a bit.”
Ian slowly sat up, eyes darting around the room, looking tense and on edge. For a moment, he was clearly confused–where was he? But as soon as he realized where he was, the tension melted from his face, and he finally let out a breath, feeling safe again.
Yolanda didn’t notice his wariness at all. With a quick tug, she pulled him to his feet, her tone brisk. “Let’s go. We’re heading to the hospital.”
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Ian just trailed after her in silence–not a single word, not even a playful tease like he usually would. ‘He must really be feeling lousy… He’d never be this quiet, Yolanda thought, a bit worried.
Yolanda’s anxiety only grew. She fired off a rushed message to Jason on WhatsApp and didn’t waste another second–she grabbed Ian and hurried straight for the hospital.
Ian’s fever just wouldn’t break–even by noon, he was still burning up. His lips were parched and starting to crack.
Yolanda soaked a cotton swab, then leaned in and carefully moistened his dry lips.
Just then, a familiar voice drifted in from the hallway–it was May.
Ever since Renee had been sent to the rehab center, May had been sick. She’d checked into the hospital yesterday evening, and guess what? Her room was right next door.
Standing beside May was Yolanda’s mom, Linda. Linda was putting on her nicest attitude, trying to win May over. “I heard you were sick, so I rushed over right away. Where’s Yolanda? Why isn’t she here taking care of you?”
May let out a cold laugh, but when she spotted the pile of gifts Linda had brought–jewelry worth millions- her expression softened a bit.
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare bother her. Last time I asked her to look after Renee, she gave me such attitude about it,” May replied.
May really didn’t bother to spare Linda’s feelings–just left her completely out in the cold.
Linda looked a bit awkward for a second, but quickly tried to patch things up with a few nice words before the two of them went into the room next door.
Not long after, Yolanda’s phone buzzed–it was Linda calling.
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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.
