Chapter 190
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Yolanda still couldn’t be bothered to argue. She pulled out her phone and started replying to lan’s WhatsApp
messages
Jan was out filming today.
lan texted: “Ms. Grant, I have two hours free at 7 PM tonight”
By that time, everything at Starlight should be over, Yolanda thought. She replied: “Send me the address then. I’ll come find you.”
Ian sent a few heart emojis back.
Yolanda didn’t bother replying. She could feel a piercing gaze fixed on her–the unsettling sensation of being watched was impossible to ignore.
She glanced up to find Stella standing over her, a look of pure disdain in her eyes. “Weren’t you supposed to be working? Now Jason’s stuck doing everything alone while you’re busy texting someone. Isn’t that kind of out of line?”
Before Yolanda could say anything, Jason stepped in. “Me and Ms. Grant have a work arrangement–she pays, I handle the job. That’s just how it goes.”
Stella saw him sticking up for Yolanda and clenched her jaw, clearly frustrated. “That’s just taking advantage of you! Jason, I know you’re not the type to complain, but have you ever thought she might be messing with your on purpose?”
Yolanda couldn’t help but laugh at that.
Stella’s face turned bright red with rage. “What’s so funny? Am I right? Jason’s too good–natured to say anything, so you’re taking advantage of him! But now that I’m around, I won’t let you push him around!”
“Ms. Cole, even with you at his side, Jason’s managed to get this far. That really shows how capable he is,” Yolanda said coolly.
Stella stared at Yolanda in disbelief for a few seconds before fury took over and she raised her hand to slap her. “Are you saying I’m the one dragging him down?!”
Yolanda grabbed her wrist, her gaze turning cold. “Do you really think I couldn’t get Jason kicked out of Sinclair Group with just one word? What’s in it for you to piss me off? Ms. Cole, you watch over him like a hawk, acting like anyone who chats with him is out to seduce him. If you’re that worried, why not just ask Mr. Maine to quit for you? Then you can keep him chained to your side for good.”
“You-!” Stella choked, her face flushing as tears welled up.
Stella’s tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched Jason walk over.
“Ms. Grant, please let go,” Jason said, voice steady.
Yolanda released her grip.
10:39 FIC OCT 17
Chapter 190
ACID
Stella thing herself into Jason’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “Jason, did you hear her? Isn’t she way out of line?
Jason scowled and pried her off him. “I’ve got work to get through. If you keep pulling stunts like this, don’t bother showing up again
Stella’s face went deathly pale and she blurted, “Sorry! I know–your job is the most important.”
Jason pulled out his bank card and handed it over, voice icy. “This is everything I’ve saved up. If you want something, just go buy it.
Stella’s eyes sparkled. She snatched the card, delight written all over her face, then gave Yolanda a look that screamed I win and let out a smug little huff.
Jason, I knew you always treat me best! I just spotted a couple of Hermès bags I’ve been eyeing–I’m going to snag them right now! Catch you later, Jason.”
Yolanda watched her skip off, then couldn’t help but comment, “Those bags cost at least 30 thousand each. You really don’t mind, huh? I figured someone who worked their way up from nothing would be a lot more careful with money.”
Jason sat back down at his computer, his posture as rigid as ever. “I was adopted by Stella’s grandmother when I was a kid. If she hadn’t taken me in, I would’ve starved to death. Now she’s seriously ill and asked me to look after Stella. It’s only right that I repay her. If Stella wants to spend money, let her. I can always make more.”
Yolanda glanced around the room in amazement. “Is this house in her name too?”
Yeah, she asked for it,” Jason replied.
“Mr. Maine, you’re unbelievably generous. Don’t you ever think about yourself?” Yolanda said.
Jason shot her a puzzled look, then turned back to his computer. “Think about what? We all end up six feet under—it’s pointless to cling to stuff. If she wants it, let her have it. As long as she doesn’t mess with my work, I don’t care.
‘Now that’s a one–of–a–kind guy,‘ Yolanda mused. ‘I’ve never run into anyone quite like him.‘
“So, are you going to marry her?” Yolanda asked.
“Yes. I promised Grandma I’d marry Stella,” Jason replied.
“Honestly, I don’t think you even understand what it means to love someone. If you ever really meet the right person, living like this, just by yourself–how would you ever make her happy? Stella’s just not the one for you, Yolanda said.
“Ms. Grant, where do all these so–called perfect matches even come from? As long as you can put up each other’s tempers, life’s basically the same no matter who you spend it with,” Jason said.
with
Yolanda was about to say more, but Jason’s tone suddenly turned all business. “The market’s open.”
‘Classic Jason–always zeroed in on the numbers,‘ Yolanda thought.
10.30 FM, Oct 17
Chapter 190
Yslanda’s eyes followed his, staring at the screen ‘How long before it’s ready?”
Within an hour, Jason replied.
Yolanda nodded in relief and checked her phone again, where Sophie was still live–ranting and crying for sympathy The chat was exploding with furious netizens, and more and more people were gathering outside Starlight headquarters, turning the whole place into a war zone. These days, every talent from Starlight was being smeared and attacked nonstop, and anyone who didn’t speak out against Yolanda was instantly lumped in as her ally.
Yolanda waited there for another hour until Jason finally said, “It’s done.”
She whipped out her phone and called the cops right away.
Meanwhile, Sophie was still on her live stream, turning on the waterworks and playing the victim for her
viewers.
“Yeah, there’s five of us squashed together in this little rental apartment. The landlord is so stingy–sometimes he tries to barge in at night. If there weren’t so many of us, it’d be super scary, But we can’t afford anywhere else. I wanted to help everyone make some money, but then someone had to go suck up to Yolanda and stab us all in the back. I’m not naming names. Thank you guys so much for being here–I really feel like things are turning around.”
The fan comments just kept pouring in, everyone trying to comfort her.
[Sophie, you’ve already weathered so many storms. Don’t cry! Keep streaming, we’ll always support you.]
[Heard Yolanda hasn’t shown up at Starlight lately. Looks like all the drama scared her off–now she’s just hiding like a turtle.]
[I wish every girl out there could be as brave as Sophie. If that were true, maybe the world really would get better.]
Sophie’s voice trembled, almost breaking down. “Don’t worry, guys–there are still a bunch of talents at Starlight getting squeezed. I’ll reach out to every single one. I’ve had my share of rainy days, so you can bet I’ll be the one holding the umbrella for someone else.”
[Sophie’s such a genuinely sweet person. That sellout who stabbed you all in the back is just the absolute worst.]
[People like that are everywhere–always making things easier for those rich big shots.]
[Spill the name already! We’ll just straight–up boycott anything she ever endorses.]
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Sophie’s eyes. If Rainie Warren were even a little bit famous, she totally would have called her out right now.
But Rainie was just a nobody–she didn’t even have a Twitter account, so what’s the use?
“Whatever, I guess she didn’t mean it. I won’t go against my principles. I’ll keep exposing all this injustice online, and as long as I have your support, there’s nothing I’m afraid of,” Sophie said.
10:30 FA, Oct 17
Chapter 100
As soon as the finished, the comments exploded with flashy effects–someone had tipped her 30 thousand Just like that
Sophie’s cheeks turned bright red with excitement as she spotted a comment: “Did someone just knock on your door
Sophie, is someone at your place?”
Sophie got up to check the door, all of it happening live on her stream.
She opened the door–only to find several police officers waiting outside, who cuffed her wrists right on
camera.
田
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.
