Chapter 128
Mary had been busting her ass for years trying to hold onto her position, pushing herself so hard she barely saw her own son anymore. Now, all she felt was total exhaustion and regret.
Honestly, sticking around wasn’t worth it–these people wouldn’t rest until they’d forced her out, no matter
what.
Still, if she could manage to save someone’s life before leaving, maybe that’d mean she hadn’t wasted all these
years.
“As long as you don’t involve that girl in whatever you’re planning, I’ll write up my resignation letter right now -I’ll quit tomorrow,” Mary said, her voice firm even though inside, she was falling apart.
Mary knew–maybe she could save the girl this time, but if it happened again, she’d be helpless.
Besides, this girl wasn’t the only victim caught up in all this.
Leon’s eyes twinkled with amusement, his face practically buzzing with excitement. “You sure about that?”
Mary nodded, bitterness twisting in her chest. She’d poured thirteen years into this company–how could she just walk away now?
‘But this place stopped making room for me a long time ago,‘ Mary thought.
Leon slapped the table and smirked. “Alright, deal.”
Mary didn’t bother saying anything else. She’d always despised Alex Wilson and his circle–all rotten to the core, treating Starlight like it was just some private harem selection. God knows how many girls they’ve preyed on over the years. Honestly, they’re nothing but animals.
As Mary stepped out, the girl was waiting for her right outside the door.
“Ms. Hall…” the girl whispered, her voice shaky.
Mary wasn’t the type to complain or wallow. She slowly unclipped her work badge, her voice steady yet distant. “I’m sending in my resignation tomorrow. Tonight, you won’t have to go to that party, but they’ll keep coming after you. Just… look out for yourself, okay?”
The girl’s eyes brimmed with tears, lips trembling as the reason for Mary’s leaving hit her all at once.
She quickly wiped away her tears, forcing herself to sound brave. “Alright, I’ll go to the party if that’s what it takes. Ms. Hall, I know how much you’ve sacrificed for this company.”
Mary looked a little taken aback, then gave a rueful smile. “Weren’t you just putting your life on the line for this a minute ago?”
The girl’s expression flickered with disappointment. “I don’t want to mess up your future. If anyone takes advantage of me, I’ll grit my teeth and get through it.”
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Chapter 128
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With that, she swung open Leon’s office door and declared, “Mr. Cole, I’m willing to go to the party with you. Ms. Hall is staying!”
Leon was still basking in the thrill of finally forcing Mary out when the girl barged in without a hint of respect. His joy vanished instantly. Annoyed at her blatant disregard for authority, he slammed his palm hard on the desk.
“How dare you!” he roared.
Right as he shouted, the office door–which was nearly closed–was pushed open by a graceful hand.
Yolanda stood at the entrance, glancing between the two people locked in a standoff and Mary lingering by the door. With a puzzled look, she raised an eyebrow. “So what’s all this about?”
Yolanda’s beauty was so stunning, Leon’s jaw just about hit the floor. His eyes went wide with greed.
‘Who signed this new talent?‘ Leon sneered inwardly. ‘With looks like hers, she blows every actress out of the
water.‘
Leon grinned to himself, ‘If I take her out tonight, those contracts will practically fall into my hands–couldn’t be easier.‘
His anger disappeared in a flash; he plastered on his most fake–friendly smile, leering as he moved in close to Yolanda, hand already sliding toward her waist.
“You’re one of the new talents, right? I’ll bring you to the party tonight. Be a good girl and even if you don’t have any work yet, I can slip you straight into a lead role in a major project,” Leon said with that sleazy tone.
Just as his hand was about to land on her waist, Yolanda’s hand flashed out and smacked him hard in the face
-no warning, no hesitation.
The slap was so loud and crisp it echoed around the whole office, stinging everyone’s ears and making the pain almost palpable just from the sound.
Leon stood there, stunned, eyes bulging with disbelief.
“Did you just hit me?” he blurted out, utterly floored.
Yolanda gave a cool little smile, rubbing her stinging palm. “Yeah. Got a problem with that?”
Leon let out a short, angry laugh, thinking, ‘Guess this rookie has no clue how things really work around here!‘
Standing by the doorway, Mary couldn’t help but feel a rush of satisfaction at the sound of that slap–only for worry to creep in right after for the new girl who’d just landed herself in this mess.
Leon snatched up a vase from the desk, eyes blazing with fury. “You got a death wish or something? Who do you think you are, hitting me?”
But Yolanda moved faster–before he could even swing, she drove her foot right into his stomach, sending him reeling.
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Chapter 128
The vase crashed down onto his own head, leaving him seeing stars and almost splitting his scalp open.
Yolanda calmly took out her appointment letter, spread it open, and set it down right on the office desk.
“Mr. Cole, it’s my first day as CEO. All this yelling and threatening people–don’t you think that’s a bit much to kick things off?” she said coolly.
Leon stared at the document, stunned. ‘Wait, the new CEO… is her? And she’s drop–dead gorgeous?‘ he thought, floored.
He clutched his head, his mind racing.
Yolanda smirked, strode right over and claimed his chair without hesitation. “Not bad. Seems you forgot to set me up with an office–guess I’ll just take this one.”
She said it in such an easy, breezy way–like she was just stating the obvious, totally unfazed by the whole situation.
Leon was so furious he started laughing, his face turning bright red.
Every year, someone new would show up, always tiptoeing around Leon, never daring to step out of line.
But this woman? She clearly had a death wish–totally clueless about who really calls the shots at Starlight.
Yolanda leaned back coolly and gave a few sharp claps. Four workers in jumpsuits marched straight in from outside.
She pointed at the cabinets. “These–get rid of them. That pattern and color–change it, way too tacky. And those windows? Make them floor–to–ceiling.”
She’d brought these four herself, so Leon’s say didn’t mean squat to them.
Leon’s hand shook as he nearly jabbed her in the face. “Yolanda, right? Who do you think you are, barging in here like you run the place? You seriously believe you’re gonna keep that chair warm? Trust me, one word from me and you won’t even get settled before you’re out.”
“Mr. Cole, I was sent by Mr. Sinclair himself. You really think you outrank him?” Yolanda fired back, her voice smooth but ice–cold.
Leon let out a mocking laugh. “You really think I don’t have people high up at Sinclair Group?”
“Go ahead, run and snitch. Let’s see how many days I stick around,” Yolanda said, arms crossed, eyes sparkling with defiance.
Yolanda crossed her arms, barely glancing over as she kept directing the workers. “You heard me–do that corner up exactly the way I described. Got it?”
“Don’t you fucking touch anything! This is my goddamn office!” Leon snarled, practically spitting the words.
Leon, trembling with anger, snatched up his phone and started dialing security to come up.
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Yolanda’s gaze went cold. “Mr. Cole, when Mr. Sinclair put me in charge, he made it clear I call all the shots. Looks like you’re the one who’s clueless here. Believe me, if I say the word, you’ll be out of here before your seat even gets cold.”
She tossed his own threat right back at him.
Leon snorted with disbelief, thinking, ‘What a joke. This has got to be the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.
“You? Seriously?” Leon sneered.
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.
