Chapter 110
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As the director, Simone couldn’t hand over her spot to Ian, and he wouldn’t have taken it anyway.
lan sat down between Simone and Yolanda, watching both of their tiles.
He sat up straight, keeping his distance from Yolanda as much as possible, but with a mahjong table this small. he couldn’t avoid getting close anyway.
Charles glanced up, his eyes landing on lan for just a moment before looking away.
Just some rookie in showbiz he’d never heard of.
The game started in earnest.
Yolanda wasn’t very good at mahjong. Just as she was about to toss out a tile, a hand suddenly slid onto her thigh, the fingertips slowly and deliberately tracing over her skin.
She’d just taken a shower before coming over, wearing a dress with a tightly cinched waist. But once she sat down, the hem crept up, leaving her knees and a sliver of thigh exposed.
Now, that hand was brushing lightly against that bare skin. moving upward under the silk of her dress, inching higher with a mischievous insistence.
She didn’t glance at lan, pretending to focus intently on her tiles.
Ian didn’t look at her either, even reaching down to pick up a tile that had fallen to the floor.
Vivian, clearly trying to get under Yolanda’s skin, kept chatting with Charles about the project, monopolizing the conversation and making the atmosphere feel tense.
Simone tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Yolanda, you were talking about kids earlier. Have you thought about when you might want one?”
Yolanda’s lashes fluttered as she discarded a tile, and she slowly shifted her hand to snatch the unruly one on her thigh.
“Charles isn’t ready for that yet,” she said.
Charles picked up the tile Yolanda discarded, the corners of his mouth curving into a warm, gentle smile. “I just can’t bear to let you go through all that trouble.”
Yolanda won the round, scoring nearly ten grand. She stood up. “I’m gonna hit the restroom.”
That hand next to her had seriously crossed the line.
As soon as she left, Ian didn’t move to take her seat until Simone nudged him. “Ian, why don’t you take over for her?”
lan nodded and slid into the chair, his movements perfectly proper, no hint of anything out of line.
n her wannin still lingered between them.
Three rounds had flown by; now it was down to just Ian and Charles.
….. wody neat mingled strangely, as
Simone Sinclair chimed in deliberately, half–joking but strategic. “Ian, he’s got deep pockets. Bet he’s trying to score big this round. Don’t let him win, or you’re gonna take a serious hit.”
Charles snorted in amusement, his relaxed vibe making it clear he wasn’t worried about Ian at all. “Aunt Simone, you’re really siding with outsiders over your own nephew?”
Simone Sinclair shot back with a cold smirk. “Like you’re any different?”
“She’s a business partner, and Yolanda knows how to handle things way better than you,” Charles said.
“You-!” Simone snapped.
Fuming, Simone leaned over to Ian’s side and when she caught sight of his tiles, everything went dark for a second. “Whoa, you two are after the same win? One tile left–let’s see who’s lucky now.”
That was when Yolanda came back. Instead of immediately making Ian leave the table, she leaned in, teasing, “Going for a clean sweep? That’s pretty bold.”
Ian, eyes downcast, long fingers picking up the last tile, murmured, “I’ve always been greedy.”
The final tile was a seven–Ian drew it himself, clinching a self–draw victory with a pure suit and even snagging that last lucky tile from the wall.
A grin lit up Yolanda’s face. “Wow, you really know your stuff.”
Her praise made the whole room go silent for a beat. Charles, barely bothered, revealed his own hand–he’d been chasing the same seven, trying for a pure suit himself.
For him, it wasn’t about the money; it was something else entirely….
With a knit brow, Charles watched Ian rise and slip back to his original seat, while Yolanda slid smoothly back into the game, as if nothing had happened at all.
Nothing Ian did was out of line, but somehow he just made everyone feel on edge.
For the rest of the game, Ian kept his cool and never once paid extra attention to Yolanda. He just talked shop with Simone here and there, keeping things perfectly professional.
Charles tossed out a tile, sounding almost bored. “Aunt Simone, is romance in the air these days?”
Simone shot him a glare, itching to yank his ear. “Say that again and I’ll cut your ear off. Ian’s the lead actor in my show–talented, respectable, and I brought him along to give him some real world experience. Not everyone is like you—”
She trailed off, remembering that Yolanda still had no clue about Charles’s affair.
13:33 Mon, Sep 22 N
Chapter 110
Charles leaned back out of reach, tossing her a smirk. “What are you trying to say about me?”
Charles shot Simone a warning look–telling her to watch her mouth.
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Simone pulled her hand back, and while they were messing around, neither of them noticed Yolanda lean forward a bit, trying not to draw attention to herself.
She sat there clutching her tiles, cheeks warming with embarrassment.
Simone made a few more grabs for his ear, but Charles was too quick. Huffing, she finally declared, “Alright, that’s enough for tonight.”
Charles stood up and dropped his chips onto the table, each landing with a sharp click.
He’d lost a cool hundred and ten grand–all of it landing right in Yolanda’s pocket.
He wrapped an arm around Yolanda. “Let’s go. Time to head back.”
Seeing everyone getting ready to leave, Simone asked. “The temple fair’s in full swing outside. You guys aren’t gonna check it out?”
Yolanda faked a yawn. “I’m beat. Just wanna crash.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Yolanda saw Vivian tugging on Charles’s sleeve. “Mr. Sinclair, wanna check it out?”
Charles glanced at Yolanda.
Yolanda waved him off, looking totally wiped. “I’m really beat. You guys go ahead.”
Charles’s face fell, clearly not thrilled.
Yolanda didn’t linger; she just turned and headed straight back to her room.
In the end, Charles headed off with Vivian, and Yolanda couldn’t be bothered to care. She was just about to collapse onto the bed when the doorbell suddenly rang.
She opened up to find Ian waiting right outside.
Ian let himself in, not hesitating for a second before pulling her into a deep kiss.
Yolanda’s heart nearly burst out of her chest; she shoved him away, breathless. “Don’t lose your mind,” she hissed.
This was Charles’s room–he could walk in at any moment.
But Ian wasn’t having it. His lips drifted down from her earlobe, tracing hot, insistent kisses along her neck, refusing to stop even as she tried to push him away.
Yolanda’s knees nearly buckled, and she let out an exasperated sigh. “You know, you’re really pushing your luck these days.”
13:33 Mon, Sep 22 N
Chapter 110
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Ian’s eyes brightened, and he gently bit her earlobe, leaning in close. “I realized you don’t have any piercings. Tomorrow I’ve gotta wear a couple of studs–Aunt Simone insisted I get three done. How about you get your ears pierced with me? I saw a shop on the way back,” he murmured right next to her ear.
“No chance,” Yolanda cut in, sounding impatient.
“Oh, come on, Yolanda. Just do it,” Ian teased, voice low and coaxing.
Ian brushed a quick kiss against the corner of her lips, his gaze shimmering with playful light.
Yolanda’s heart gave a little flutter. Without thinking, she reached up and brushed her fingers over his throat, lingering on the hollow of his Adam’s apple–her way of agreeing, even if she didn’t say a word.
Honestly, she’d never planned to get her ears pierced–needles totally terrified her, and her phobia of anything sharp was no joke.
The mere idea of a needle was enough to set off a wave of nerves through her whole body.
Sitting inside the shop, her face was noticeably pale.
They were both still wearing hats and masks, but Ian saw the anxiety in her eyes. He gently cradled her face, asking softly, “Are you nervous?”
Ian already had his three studs done–now it was Yolanda’s turn.
Yolanda’s lashes trembled as she glanced away, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m afraid of needles.”
“I’ll do it,” Ian said, reassuring her.
He grabbed the piercing gun from the shop assistant. “She’s nervous about the pain–let me take care of it, okay?”
Ian’s voice was so smooth and easy on the ears that the shop assistant couldn’t shake off a sense of déjà vu- where had she heard it before? Without thinking, she just handed him the piercing gun.
Yolanda’s heart was pounding, and little beads of sweat gathered at the tip of her nose–she was legit scared out of her mind about this.
Ian finished cleaning up and carefully marked the spot, then gently tipped her chin up. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’ll do it,”
Yolanda squeezed her eyes shut tight, bracing herself for the sting. But… nothing. She peeked through her lashes, only to catch fan snapping a photo of her face with his phone, grinning like he’d just pulled a prank.
Her chest rose and fell in flustered anger. “Ian!”
The next moment, the sharp pain hit her car.
She jolted in surprise, and before she could react, lan tugged down her mask and kissed her full on the lips.
13:33 Mon, Sep 22
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.
