Chapter 101
Yolanda kept her head bowed, feeling the weight on her shoulders like a sword about to drop. ‘I just hope I don’t mess up, she thought nervously.
After ten long minutes, Samuel finally spoke. “Ian, I’ve been searching for you for ages.”
“Mr. Grant, you must be joking,” Ian responded calmly.
Ian’s reply was crisp and confident; he showed no sign of backing down in front of Samuel.
It was as if the two of them stood on perfectly equal ground.
Yolanda kept her head down, but she was all ears, catching every word.
Samuel set his cup down and shot Ian a look. “So, you wanna be a star now? Chasing fame, huh?”
Ian grinned mischievously and leaned against Yolanda’s shoulder. “Honestly, I’d rather be her secret lover. Is that allowed?”
Yolanda stiffened all over, almost tempted to drop to her knees before Samuel in sheer embarrassment.
Samuel let out a soft “hmm,” as if he didn’t know how to respond.
After another half–minute of silence, Samuel finally said, “You won a ton of cash from my gambling house back then. Never thought your real name was lan.”
“Spent it all ages ago,” lan answered with a carefree shrug.
Samuel leaned back, giving a thoughtful hum. “Want to have this chat upstairs?”
“Sure,” Ian replied, getting up and shooting a look at Yolanda, who was still keeping her head down.
Ian got to his feet and glanced over at Yolanda, who remained silent with her head bowed.
He crouched down next to her and said, “Ms. Grant, just sit tight. I’ll be back down in half an hour.”
Yolanda’s mind was in total chaos; she couldn’t even bring herself to look at Samuel. All she could do was give a dazed nod, feeling lost and anxious.
In the study, Samuel idly turned the ring on his thumb, his presence radiating a calm maturity that made lan’s wild streak stand out even more.
Ian was like a wolf who’d grown up in the untamed wilds–he desperately tried to hide the feral instincts beneath the surface, but the little things always betrayed him.
Neither of them said a word, the silence stretching out like a tug–of–war that neither side wanted to lose.
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Chapter 101
公園
Finally, Samuel spoke. “I’ll hand over Crimson Gallery to you. Think you can handle it?”
Crimson Gallery was where lan used to fight underground. But it wasn’t just about bare–knuckle brawls–the place had a whole gambling operation too. The club was massive and famous all across Beloris, but nobody ever knew who actually called the shots behind the scenes.
Once you stepped inside, even the big shots had to play by the rules. And when you got into the ring, it was kill or be killed–nobody cared about anything but surviving.
Samuel ended up with this headache by chance, but he still hadn’t found anyone up to the job of running it.
They called it a hot potato for a reason–the place drew people from every walk of life, most of them up to no good. Only someone ruthless enough could keep it under control.
The Grant Family was all about running respectable businesses in public, so Samuel couldn’t afford to be associated with a shady operation like this.
But Crimson Gallery was a goldmine, and Samuel was reluctant to let it go.
Samuel was ambitious–hungry for power above all.
Ian was silent for a moment, his tone even. “I want an even split. Fifty–fifty.”
“Forty–sixty. Plus, you get Yoyo,” Samuel shot back.
“Deal.” Ian didn’t even hesitate.
“Just make sure Charles stays in the dark about this. If he goes off the rails, trust me–nobody can rein him in,” Samuel warned.
Charles hadn’t noticed a thing yet. He was only acting on what he’d picked up after fifteen years of knowing Yolanda.
He thought he was always one step ahead, but now the tables had turned–the hunter had become the hunted.
Yolanda had no idea what those two were plotting upstairs. She was restless, barely able to sit still–especially with this being Samuel’s place.
She swallowed hard, feeling so nervous it was like all the water in her body might just evaporate.
Sure enough, half an hour later Ian came down.
He walked up to her and said, “Ms. Grant, let’s go.”
Yolanda felt a wave of relief when she saw Samuel hadn’t come down.
She pulled her coat tighter around herself and was about to leave when Samuel’s voice stopped her.
He stood at the top of the stairs, his expression serious. “Yoyo, Charles will be here any minute.”
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Chapter 101
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youchers
Yolanda froze. After everything that had happened tonight, just hearing Charles’s name made her heart ache.
It was clear–she couldn’t leave with Ian. Ian had to go first.
Yolanda bit her lip and sat back down.
Ian brushed a kiss across Yolanda’s check before heading out, leaving her heart pounding.
Samuel watched everything unfold, then, after coming downstairs, took off the coat lan had given Yolanda and draped his own over her shoulders instead–claiming her without saying a word.
Yolanda’s whole body grew rigid, bracing herself in case Samuel started interrogating her.
But Samuel didn’t ask anything at all. The silence between them was thick and electric.
Five minutes later, the doorbell chimed. It was Charles–Yolanda instinctively straightened, nerves on edge.
Samuel’s voice was chill, seasoned with a mature edge. “You can’t hide the truth forever.”
Charles would figure it out sooner or later.
Yolanda spoke softly, “I’m going to grow my studio, save up some cash, and figure out my exit plan.”
‘I’ll just head overseas, anywhere really–there’s no way Charles can reach me out there,‘ Yolanda thought.
Samuel shot her a look, and for a moment, it hit him–Yolanda was the most innocent soul in this whole
scene.
She’d gone and tangled with Charles, and now she had the guts to poke at Ian–a total mad dog if there ever was one. If she kept playing with monsters like this, one day they’d chew her up and spit out the bones, and there’d be nothing left of her.
Samuel muttered inwardly, ‘Just how on earth would she ever get herself out of this mess?‘
He rubbed his temples, kept his silence, and simply told the servant to open the door.
When Charles stepped in, his whole vibe was heavy and brooding.
He locked eyes with Samuel for half a minute, then let out a soft chuckle. “Well, Samuel, looks like you’re quicker than me this time.”
Samuel’s people had managed to hold him off for forty minutes–they’d done their best.
Charles yanked Yolanda over with possessive urgency, swept his gaze along every inch of her, finally zeroing. in on her lips.
Her lips were a little swollen. Charles wasn’t blind–dangerous anger flared in him, his stare slicing through the room and locking cold and deadly on Samuel.
Samuel curled his lips in a bitter half–smile. “This is how I got Yoyo back.”
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Chapter 101
Charles’s grip tightened for a split second, then he pulled Yolanda into his arms and growled out, “Mine
“Thanks,” he said coolly, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice.
Back in the car, Charles shoved Yolanda hard into the seat.
Her face burned, scrambling with hands and feet to push him away.
His gaze was cold as ice. He clamped her chin between his fingers. “Who touched you?”
Yolanda felt nothing but disgust at that moment; she just looked away without answering him.
The air inside the car grew icy and oppressive. Charles’s face was dark and menacing, and you could see the chaos roiling in his eyes–like any second he might just snap.
As soon as the car rolled to a stop outside Moonbay Estate, he grabbed Yolanda and pulled her roughly into his arms.
“Let go of me!” Yolanda blurted out, panic trembling in her voice.
But she was so weak, she couldn’t put up much of a fight.
Charles set her down in the bathtub, then cranked the cold water on full blast, sending chills through her until she was shaking all over.
Just then, his phone buzzed–Vivian was calling. He didn’t even glance at it, just kept dousing Yolanda’s face with cold water, relentless and merciless.
Yolanda couldn’t open her eyes, blindly flailing; in her panic, her hand landed against his cheek in a weak slap.
Charles pressed his thumb rough against her lips, eyes blazing red with fury. “Where else did he touch you? Say it!”
Yolanda wiped cold water off her face, her heart thumping with fear–he was terrifying now, savage violent.
and
She knew Charles’s gentle side was nothing but a front. If he wasn’t ruthless to the core, there’s no way he could keep those scheming Sinclair uncles in line.
Yolanda just felt so cold, her whole body starting to tremble, weak and helpless.
“Hubby, I’m cold,” she whispered, her voice quivering with desperation.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, her face ashen and drained.
Charles stiffened–like her words had cut straight through all his anger. Instantly, the fury melted away. Without another word, he switched the water to hot.
12:13 Sun, Sep 21
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.
