Chapter 194
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Charles picked up Joelle at six in the evening. Evercrest Manor was a bit of a drive from Moonbay Estate, and he figured he’d be home around midnight. So, right in front of Joelle, he called Yolanda.
Yolanda was still keeping an eye on the online buzz. She didn’t even need to answer his call to know where he was–Joelle had already posted about it on Twitter.
Charles’s expression softened as he thought about what Joelle had worn out today, his chest growing warm at the memory.
“Are you home? I’ll be working late tonight and should be back around twelve,” he said.
Yolanda gave a half–hearted “mm” in response, her attention focused on her computer as she chatted with Jason.
Jason was in charge of Sophie’s case right now, and with all the online drama blowing up, they had to calm things down ASAP–or else, even if Starlight tried to fix things later, they’d still get shut down for good.
‘Charles couldn’t help but feel uneasy–her voice was so calm, it almost sounded distant!
‘Come to think of it, Yolanda hadn’t called to ask where he was or what he was doing in forever.
‘He used to just give her half–hearted answers, but at least he’d picked up when she called.
‘Now he was the one making the effort, but she couldn’t care less.
Before Charles could get another word out, Yolanda ended the call on her end.
Joelle caught the look on his face and slowly tightened her hand by her side. “Charles, I’ve always wanted to ask… did I wait too long to come back?”
‘He only married Yolanda out of frustration with me, but now, watching him call her, I can’t help but think he still cares about her–otherwise, why bother checking in?‘ Joelle thought to herself.
Charles kept his eyes on the window, his voice gentle. “Why do you think that?”
Joelle bit her lip and let out a quiet sigh. “Just a hunch. Right now, I need to put my career first. As for us… let’s talk about it another time.”
Joelle reached for her wrist, tracing the noticeably visible scars there.
After that incident with Andrew, she faked having some serious psychological issues–and she’d carefully laid the groundwork for her trip abroad with that act.
Charles was the one she wanted, but he was always messing around; Andrew wasn’t the CEO of Sinclair Group, and Quentin didn’t quite measure up. So, Joelle took a sum of money from May and decided to try
her luck overseas.
Charles noticed those faint scars on Joelle’s wrist, and a dull ache hit his chest.
10:59 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 194
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Back at the welcome party, the director claimed Joelle just got a little too into her role, but Charles knew better–ever since then, her mind had never really been okay.
Still, she always acted upbeat, no matter if she was hustling for her career or dealing with people.
At least, that’s the impression she gave. As for what she was truly thinking, Charles honestly didn’t have the time or the heart to dig into a woman’s mind.
The car pulled up at the entrance of Evercrest Manor, and as Charles got out, he ran into Simone.
Next to her was Ian, and the two were deep in a conversation about acting.
Joelle had met Ian before, so she greeted him politely, “Junior Ian.”
“Junior Ian.”
“Senior Joelle,” Ian replied, giving her a respectful nod.
They exchanged nods, acknowledging each other.
Simone’s gaze settled on Joelle, then on Charles–who’d brought her along. Simone smirked. “Charles, did you forget you’re married?”
Charles rubbed his temples. “I just happened to be passing by.”
“Oh, really? So you just conveniently dropped by and ended up here?” Simone shot back, voice flat. “We booked the whole place tonight–I didn’t hear anything about anyone else coming.”
Simone didn’t bother to hide her contempt. “I thought Yolanda was finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, but looks like you haven’t changed one bit.”
No matter what it was, if Joelle was involved, Charles always put her above everything else.
Simone wasn’t your average woman–in the entertainment industry, she could sniff out tricks from a mile away. Years ago, Joelle kept a bunch of guys dangling, never saying yes, never saying no, just acting all pitiful with red eyes and bitten lips when pressed. That “poor me” routine had every dude thinking they were special, falling harder and harder until they were totally hooked.
If Charles was bad news, then Joelle was every bit as much of a player.
The difference was, Charles had the luxury of being a player, backed by his own strength and the Sinclair family name, Joelle, though, grabbed every opportunity she could, all while pretending to be some pure little angel who was above it all.
Simone was seriously annoyed, but she wasn’t about to stoop to arguing with Joelle–it wasn’t worth her dignity as the older one. Shooting Ian a look, she said, “I’m heading inside. The air out here is just unpleasant.”
With that, she sped up and strode away.
Joelle flushed in embarrassment, nearly lost her balance, and her bag tumbled from her hand to the ground.
10:59 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 194
Ian bent down, scooped it up, and gave it back to her.
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Joelle’s eyes suddenly sparkled. ‘Bet Ian’s got a soft spot for me. That’s just what I need–if I play it right, I can use him to mess with Charles a little,‘ she thought, plotting.
Guys can’t stand it when another man grabs the spotlight–Charles was no different.
She took the bag, softening her voice. “Thanks, Ian. So how do you feel now that the directors chose you to be the leading man this time?”
“Working with a senior like you, Joelle, honestly makes me nervous. Your acting is next level–you’re so deep in your roles, sometimes I wonder if you ever stop acting, even off–camera. You’re seriously devoted,” Ian said.
Joelle’s first reaction was that his words sounded a bit strange, but as she mulled it over, she realized he probably didn’t mean anything by it.
‘Maybe I’m just reading too much into it,‘ Joelle thought to herself.
Joelle flashed a gentle smile, putting on her classic big sister act. “Relax, I’ll make sure to look after you and show you
the ropes.”
Then, her eyes drifted down and landed on the necklace Ian was wearing.
“Hey Ian, isn’t that necklace one of those couple sets? You can’t buy them solo, right? So… do you secretly have a girlfriend?” she teased, eyebrow raised.
Joelle remembered overhearing the directors say Ian’s popularity was skyrocketing and his acting was superb. Getting involved with someone now would be totally reckless–he’d be crazy to get a girlfriend at a time like
this.
Charles’s gaze followed Joelle’s, and for a second, his eyes narrowed–something about that necklace triggered a flash of suspicion in him.
He squinted, realizing the piece looked oddly familiar, like he’d seen it not too long ago.
Then it clicked–just a couple weeks back, he’d thought about getting that exact style, but Yolanda, bless her oblivious heart, totally missed his not–so–subtle clue. ‘Sometimes, that girl is just hopeless,‘ Charles thought, resigned.
Ian looked as cool and distant as ever, even with people around. “She’s not my girlfriend—at least, not yet. We’re just talking. I honestly have no idea if she’s even interested.”
Joelle felt her cheeks heat up. ‘Wait… is he talking about me?‘
She’d had tons of guys chasing after her before, but lan was a whole different breed. No one like him had ever tried for her.
His vibe was something else–completely unique, and it definitely caught her attention.
As they chatted, they made their way inside, where a bunch of directors were already chilling on the sofas in the lobby.
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Chapter 194
Charles had only tagged along with Joelle, and he couldn’t care less about the script details.
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So, he headed back to his car to catch up on some work, figuring he’d just wait until everything wrapped up and then drive Joelle home.
No wonder so many women liked him–when Charles wanted to pamper someone, he could be incredibly thoughtful and gentle.
While the directors were deep in conversation, Joelle sat down next to Ian. She pretended to reach for a cup on the coffee table, her body leaning in close for a moment.
Her scent drifted over, catching Ian by surprise; his eyes grew wary as he instinctively shifted further to the right.
Joelle picked up a glass of water and smiled politely, “Could you send me the link for that necklace? I’d like to buy one as a gift–the style is pretty unique.”
Ian glanced down, pulled up his WhatsApp chat with Yolanda, and asked her for the necklace link.
“Senior Joelle, I’ll drop it in the group,” Ian said coolly.
They were both in the same WhatsApp group as all the directors. Normally, Ian should’ve just added Joelle as a direct contact, but instead, he kept his distance and shot the link straight into the group chat.
Oscar overheard their banter and let out a laugh.
“Man, Ian, you’re so clueless. Do you have any idea how many people are out there trying to get Joelle’s WhatsApp?” Oscar joked.
Oscar was the one who brought Ian to Joelle’s kick–off party last time–that’s where the whole ‘senior‘ and ‘junior‘ nickname thing got started.
The other directors joined in, egging him on.
“You can tell–still untouched by all the industry drama. Guys like you are just different,” one said with a grin.
“Ian, you can’t even look Joelle in the eye! She must really be that pretty, huh?” another teased.
Joelle laughed along, “Ian really is something else–way more genuine than most of the actors around.”
Looking confident and unbothered, Joelle scrolled through the group chat, found the link, and bought the couple’s necklace without a second thought.
This necklace only came as a pair–no singles–a high–end luxury set, running over two million RMB for both pieces.
Her plan? Give the men’s necklace to Charles and wear the women’s version herself.
‘Wonder what Yolanda’s face would look like once she saw her husband rocking a matching couple’s necklace -with someone who wasn’t her, Joelle mused to herself, smirking inside.
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.
