Chapter 188
4:5
Quinn obviously knew Charles would never act like that–after all, he was Charles.
EX 40 voerthers
This guy even handled breakups with women in such a classy, gentle way. If you ever asked him to do something that ruthless, it’d be easier just to put him out of his misery.
Quinn let out a low chuckle and shook his head. “Honestly, Yolanda’s got it pretty good. She might not have your love, but she gets to see you every day and doesn’t have to worry you’ll up and leave. You’ve never actually thought about divorce, right?”
Charles’s lips curled up ever so slightly as he picked up his glass and took a sip.
“Not for now.”
“Charles, I’m your friend, but damn, you can be stone cold,” Quinn said, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. “Can’t really blame these women, though. They fall for your face, fancy last name, and that sweet attitude, and just assume you’re Prince Charming. If only they realized, the softer a guy seems, the more frost he’s packing underneath. Your heart? You could wrap it in sunshine and it’d still never thaw. Honestly, Joelle Monroe’s totally set her sights on you this time.”
Whether Joelle’s got what it takes to melt the ice, well, that’s up to her.
Charles didn’t bite. He just brushed it off–didn’t see the point. A second later, he changed the subject and started talking business with Quinn instead.
After they wrapped up, Charles asked, “So, where’s Leo tonight?”
Quinn couldn’t help but laugh. “Apparently, he’s sick or something. When I called, he sounded totally drained. Just the other day, he told me his tongue hurt because some girl bit him. As if we’d ever buy that. Honestly, if Leo actually ended up making out with a girl, I wouldn’t be surprised if you, Charles, were on your knees begging a woman to stay.”
Charles chuckled too. “Is it serious?”
“Who knows? He just sounded out of it, wouldn’t even come out for drinks. My guess? Xavier probably took away his race cars–otherwise, there’s no way he’d suddenly come down with ‘something.”
After saying that, Quinn went full gossip mode and called up Xavier to see if he knew anything about Leo’s so–called illness.
Xavier sighed and rubbed his brow. “All I did was haul away two of his cars this morning. Seriously? That’s enough to make him ‘sick?‘ Honestly, that kid is ridiculously pampered.”
Quinn thought, ‘Figures. Taking away Leo’s cars is like stealing his wife. No wonder he’s moping around like he’s lovesick.
Just as Quinn was about to hang up, Xavier couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, Quinn, has Leo been hanging out with any girls lately? He’s been acting kind of weird.”
“Nah, not at all. He’s either out drinking with us or holed up at home playing video games. He’s got zero
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Chapter 188
chances to meet any girls.
Navier let out a sigh of relief. If Leo actually started showing interest in women, the Lawson family would be throwing a damn parade.
They were seriously worried about him–hell, even his grandma was scared he’d bring home a guy instead.
After they hung up. Quinn eyed the drinks on the table and said, “If we ever spot a decent girl, we should set Leo up. Otherwise, the Lawson family might start thinking we’re all such players we’ve ruined his interest in
women.”
Max looked up, his voice dry. “Hey, you guys are the ones fooling around, not me.”
Quinn just chuckled.
The conversation in the private room shifted to other topics.
Yolanda had just snagged another ten percent of the shares, bringing her total to twenty–eight percent. And with Jason still working on rounding up the rest, she was on track to hit thirty percent soon. Once she did, she’d have the most say in Starlight.
She called Jason to check on the progress. “How much longer until we hit thirty percent?”
“Almost there, Mrs. Sinclair. Should be done by tomorrow noon.”
Yolanda nodded and hopped into Sophie’s livestream. The girl hadn’t stopped streaming for a second–just kept whining nonstop like it was her full–time job.
The chat was full of trash talk aimed at Yolanda, but there were plenty of folks rooting for Sophie too.
Sophie even roped her three roommates into the show, and now they’re all making bank.
“Mr. Maine, help me lock in all the evidence. The moment my shares hit thirty percent tomorrow, I’m going straight to the police.”
“No worries, Mrs. Sinclair. I’ve already documented everything.”
With Sophie’s livestream blowing up and Yolanda’s name topping the trending charts, they really didn’t need anything extra–there was already more than enough proof out there.
Yolanda finally breathed easy. Working with someone as clever as Jason Maine, she didn’t have to rack her brains at all.
She thanked him, sunk into a soothing bath, and waited for what tomorrow would bring.
Just as she was about to doze off, Yolanda’s phone lit up with a message from Ian.
[Ms. Grant, are you asleep?]
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Chapter 188
Yolanda paused, then decided to reply.
[Don’t touch Eric Long Charles already dug up his identity, and I still have use for him.J
FUJ
22 55 96uchers
lan was all quiet ferocity–the type who let his actions do the talking. Last time, he’d sent Vivian Andrade into
a coma, blowing up everything between the Andrade manor and Charles. Now, Yolanda couldn’t help worrying he might set his sights on Eric next.
Her instincts told her–ruthlessness ran in Ian’s veins, just like it did with Charles.
[Understood. Just couldn’t help but tell you–I miss you.]
Yolanda’s chest tingled, all itchy inside, like a trail of ants had just crawled across her heart.
She left the message unanswered and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Yolanda woke to the cozy warmth of someone in her bed.
Instinctively, she tried to nudge him away, but Charles just wrapped his arms around her even tighter.
That snapped her fully awake. She shot out of bed and hurried off to freshen up.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, getting dressed, Charles was sitting at the edge of the bed, looking relaxed and gentle as ever. “You’re up early, huh?”
“I need to check up on that exec who got hurt because of me.”
Charles hummed in response, tilting his head slightly. “Come here and give me a kiss.”
“You haven’t brushed your teeth.”
She started looking for her bag, but he wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Getting tired of your husband?”
Yolanda thought, ‘Please, save those moves for your flings. I’m not falling for that trick.’
“Not at all, but I’ll be pretty swamped these next few days.”
Charles was all worked up this morning, clutching her tight and slipping his hand up under her skirt, totally unwilling to let her go.
“Come on, babe, it’s way too early–and don’t act like you’re not feeling it too,” he teased.
She’d ended up having a seriously steamy dream last night, all thanks to that one line Ian dropped.
Charles started sliding his hand lower, fingers tugging at her pants. Today she was dressed down, giving off major heiress energy, emerald studs and all–so flawless and doll–like it was impossible not to stare.
Yolanda brushed his hand away, met her own eyes in the vanity mirror, and dabbed on a pale lipstick like nothing had happened.
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Her thick hair was loosely pulled back with a green lace ribbon, the curls falling carelessly over her shoulders -effortlessly gorgeous, so stunning you couldn’t look away.
Charles couldn’t help but be struck by how beautiful she looked, and he wasn’t even annoyed at being brushed off.
Yolanda, you’ve really gotten into dressing up lately, haven’t you?” he teased.
Back then, she always wore plain white clothes, no earrings, nothing flashy. She was pretty, sure, but there was always something a bit too proper, missing that playful spark.
Tve been meeting a lot more people these days–can’t just show up looking all plain anymore,” she replied.
Charles bit his lip, his eyes lingering on her back. Every curve was perfect, her waist–to–hip ratio just right. He used to love teasing her by pinching her waist.
But now he looked a bit sulky. “You’re getting all dressed up just to head out?”
Yolanda capped her lipstick, spun around and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Relax, I’m just meeting up with some women. What’s got you so jealous?”
Was he actually anxious about this?‘ Charles wondered.
He just couldn’t stand the thought of her heading out looking that amazing,‘ he admitted to himself.
Does she even know how stunning she looks right now?‘ he thought.
He used to love flaunting his most treasured things in front of his buddies–especially his lovers, never stingy about parading them around. But with Yolanda today, the last thing he wanted was for her to leave the house,’ he mused.
Out of nowhere, Eric’s words echoed in his mind: “Your wife’s a knockout. There’s a whole bunch of guys watching her.”
Is there really some guy out there checking Yolanda out?‘ Charles wondered to himself.
Ever since Yolanda came back home, she’d been like his shadow, never even glancing at another man.
And honestly, nobody had ever shown the slightest interest in her–no secret admirers, no one crushing on her, nothing.
Yolanda couldn’t care less what was running through his head. Without missing a beat, she made for the door -only to have Charles snake an arm around her waist and reel her right back in.
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Chapter 189
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.
