Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Yolanda called Charles, and when it came to Megan, he didn’t have much to say-after all, it was Renee who beat Megan until she lost her baby.
He figured Yolanda was in the dark about all that, so he agreed to help.
Megan got her divorce papers that afternoon and excitedly dragged Yolanda out to celebrate.
Yolanda knew Megan was strapped for cash-Greg had maxed out her credit cards, and even though they were paid off, Megan didn’t have much left.
“Megan, let me treat you,” Yolanda said.
Megan didn’t hesitate. “Where’s the most expensive restaurant in Beloris?”
Yolanda chuckled and made a reservation that night.
Just as they were about to head out that evening, Yolanda got a call from Ian, saying he wanted to join them for dinner.
Yolanda’s nerves instantly kicked in-Ian had been here once before, and barely touched his food back then. The memory of him dropping to his knees as soon as the door closed still lingered in her mind.
She took a deep breath and sent him the address.
As soon as Yolanda and Megan stepped into the vintage-themed lobby, they unexpectedly ran into Leo.
Leo was trailing behind Xavier, looking completely bored, while a girl beside him kept talking nonstop, trying to get his attention.
He didn’t respond at all, just kept his head down, wrapped up in whatever he was thinking.
Xavier was the first to spot Yolanda, giving her a slight nod. “Yolanda, you here for dinner too?”
Leo’s eyelashes flickered as he slowly raised his head to glance in her direction.
She looked gorgeous tonight-her hair was braided and draped elegantly over one shoulder, tied with a soft cherry-colored ribbon. Even her outfit followed the same rosy color palette, radiant yet gentle. With pale lipstick and ruby stud earrings, her delicate features stood out even more.
Yolanda didn’t dare glance too long in their direction, worried Leo might freak out again.
The girl beside Leo, who clearly had no idea who Yolanda was, couldn’t resist asking, “Who’s she?”
Leo yanked his gaze away, lips pressed tight, the corners of his eyes tinged red as he struggled, gritting his teeth, “A… a…”
He just couldn’t say it.
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Chapter 198
‘Wow, Yolanda really looks stunning tonight, Leo thought to himself, unable to tear his eyes away for a
moment.
Yolanda ushered Megan into their private booth, settled her down, and thoughtfully picked up the menu for
her to choose from.
Halfway through dinner, Jason called-he needed to go over a few little details about Sophie’s case.
Yolanda caught the sound of a hostess greeting someone in the background. Wait, was Jason at this same
restaurant too?
“Mr. Maine, which room are you in?” she asked.
“108. You here too?” he replied.
“Why don’t we just meet and talk? I just put in our order-it’ll take about twenty minutes before the food comes out,” Yolanda suggested.
“Sure, let’s meet in the lobby lounge on the first floor,” Jason replied.
This was an upscale spot, attached to a hotel, with a beautifully landscaped courtyard that made for a quiet. private place to talk.
Yolanda let Megan know and made her way to the lounge.
Jason was still in his suit and didn’t waste any time. “Sophie honestly has no clue about the law-she still thinks she’s gonna walk free. The cops posted everything online today, so now you’ve got way more people taking your side. I just gotta know, end of the day, are you gonna let her off easy?”
This would decide how hard he should go with the evidence-if he threw it all on the table, Sophie was totally headed for jail, no question.
She’s still young. Maybe Yolanda would feel pity and go soft on her.
That thought flashed through Jason’s mind and he frowned just a bit. ‘Wait… why do I even think Yolanda would go easy on her?’
Yolanda sat back in her chair, eyes drifting toward the decorative rock garden and the water quietly flowing by. “I’ve given her two chances. There won’t be a third.”
Back at Starlight, when Sophie shot her mouth off, Yolanda didn’t make a fuss about it-even gave her a heads-up.
But things just kept escalating, and her last livestream unleashed a wave of cyberbullying that blew up big time.
Yolanda might go soft sometimes, but she’s not the type to go easy on people like Sophie.
Sophie was clueless. Even if Yolanda let her go this time, she’d just see it as Yolanda caving to public pressure.
She wouldn’t see it as Yolanda showing mercy.
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Chapter 198
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Yolanda thought, ‘Idiots like her don’t deserve to be unleashed on society to stir up chaos.
Jason caught her meaning and gave a polite nod. “She made about fourteen million-I’ll make sure every cent ends up in your hands, as compensation for everything you went through.”
“No need, Mr. Maine. You can hold onto the money. Like I said, when it’s all done, you’ll get a nice cut,” Yolanda replied.
Jason paused for a few seconds, surprised, then quickly nodded. “Thank you.”
He glanced at his watch. “I should head back to my booth-Stella’s waiting.”
Just as Yolanda was about to nod, the lounge door was flung open-Stella burst in, looking ready to pick a fight.
Her cheeks were burning with rage as she practically shrieked, “Didn’t you say this was just business? Why are you meeting in some shady place like this?”
Yolanda just stared, totally speechless-this lounge was a special part of the restaurant, connected to a gorgeous courtyard full of lights and scenery. Since when was this supposed to be some sketchy ‘place you can’t be seen in’?
Jason’s brow knit together. “Stella, I’ve told you before-Yolanda is the one who signs my paychecks.”
Stella shot Yolanda a hateful glare. “We’re both women, so don’t try those little games on me. I’ve heard all about your marriage drama-things are a mess. You’re just hanging around Jason because you want a shoulder to cry on, right? Honestly, it’s pathetic.”
“Stella!” Jason’s tone dropped, his expression turning cold. “Apologize to Yolanda.”
Stella’s eyes went red as she stamped her foot. “I’m not apologizing! She’s nothing but a man-stealer-always trying to hook up with someone else’s boyfriend! I’m not letting her off the hook!”
With that, she ran out of the room.
Jason paused for a few seconds before saying quietly, “Sorry about that, Yolanda.”
Yolanda looked indifferent and asked, “How old is she?”
“Twenty-three.”
“So she’s a grown-up. Does an adult really need someone else to apologize on her behalf when she screws up?” Yolanda replied flatly.
“I’ll do my best to get her to apologize. Hope you don’t take it personally,” Jason said.
“Mr. Maine, I can shrug it off this time, but I can’t promise I’ll always turn a blind eye,” Yolanda said.
Jason understood exactly what she meant, apologized again, and headed out.
Yolanda was left alone in the lounge. Stella meant absolutely nothing to her. She leaned near the window,
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Chapter 198
totally oblivious that Leo was sitting just next door in the private dining room.
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At that moment, a waiter stood by the table, introducing. “There’s only one serving of this dish today. The ingredients are premium, and the preparation is exceedingly complex-right now, your table is the only one that gets it.”
Leo looked over at the plate-it was crafted into delicate peonies, each about the size of a thumb nail. garnished with tiny green leaves. The presentation made the whole dish look like a miniature garden in full bloom. There were just two blooms on the plate.
As the waiter finished explaining and turned to leave, Leo asked, “Are you certain this dish is exclusive to our table?”
“Yes, Mr. Lawson,” the waiter replied.
Leo picked up the sanitized hand towel and meticulously wiped his hands. Then, with his thumb and forefinger, he delicately picked up one of the tiny peony-shaped bites. Rising abruptly, he headed straight for
the door.
Xavier was still going over the dishes. When he looked up, Leo had already reached the doorway.
Xavier called out, “Leo, where are you going?”
The only response was the sound of the door shutting behind him.
Xavier was so furious he could barely breathe. He quickly apologized to the woman sitting next to him. “Sorry about that. My family’s always spoiled him rotten. I’ll go give him a piece of my mind.”
The Lawson family had been trying to get Leo to socialize more with women, hoping it would keep him from just holing up at home, doing who-knows-what.
Leo strolled out of the private dining room, absently pinching the tiny peony-shaped treat between his fingers. As he walked down the corridor, his eyes wandered-and he caught Yolanda, standing by the lounge window, phone pressed to her ear, alone.
Instantly, he changed course, slipping through the courtyard and heading straight to her window from outside.
Yolanda looked up, only to find herself suddenly standing in someone’s shadow.
She was in the middle of speaking when Leo, quick as ever, popped the little peony right into her mouth.
It melted instantly, cool and sweet against her tongue-catching her off guard with how good it tasted.
She glanced up and saw Leo, arms folded and one eyebrow raised, looking completely satisfied with himself, like he’d gotten away with something sneaky.
Yolanda hung up, tried to spit it out, startled. “What did you just put in my mouth?”
“Poison, obviously. You’re dead,” Leo said with a wicked grin.
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Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.
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.
