Chapter 129
Yolanda stayed put in her chair, sounding almost nonchalant. “Yeah, just me.”
65 vouchers
Leon burst out laughing, bracing his hands on the desk and leaning in, getting up close and personal with Yolanda.
“Alright, let’s see just how you plan to kick me out. Yolanda, I’m gonna watch you get on your knees and beg me to stop targeting you.”
Just then, the security guards from downstairs arrived.
Leon lifted his chin, eyes dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve got ten minutes to pack your stuff and get out of Starlight.”
Yolanda got up, pulled out her phone, and walked out without a second glance.
The four workers she’d brought along looked lost for a second, then asked, “Miss Grant, should we still go ahead with the changes in this office?”
Yolanda nodded. “Your deposit’s already been paid. Go wait downstairs for now.”
The workers didn’t make a fuss and headed out without another word.
The office was quiet again, with only Leon and the other two left.
Leon kicked a chair hard, not even bothering to hide it from Mary. He pulled out his phone and dialed without hesitation.
“Get some muscle to deal with the new CEO tonight. That damn woman actually dared to lay hands on me.”
Mary overheard his conversation, shook her head at the girl beside her, thinking to herself, ‘He’s unbelievable. The two of them slipped out of the office in a hurry.
The girl walking behind her sounded nervous. “Ms. Hall, what should we do? Will that woman be in danger?”
Mary pressed the elevator button and was surprised to see Yolanda standing there inside.
Yolanda had just ended her call and stood quietly, her posture perfect and unruffled.
Mary couldn’t help but notice how poised she looked, like someone who’d grown up among the elite.
Without hesitation, Mary said, “Leon’s got it out for you. Seriously, you should be careful.”
Yolanda already had the files on all seven execs committed to memory–faces, resumes, rumors, the whole playbook. Whether she’d met them or not, nobody in the upper ranks was a stranger to her.
“Appreciate the warning,” Yolanda said coolly.
Mary gripped her employee badge, tone calm. “Leon’s got someone with real clout backing him over at
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Chapter 129
Sinclair Group.”
Q
Mary doubted Yolanda was reckless enough to pick a fight with Leon like that without thinking through the fallout.
The suspicion gnawed at her, but she still couldn’t be sure.
Yolanda nodded, her eyes drifting to Mary’s badge. “Thinking about quitting?”
Mary nodded, forcing a half–smile. “Guess I don’t really have a choice.
“With me here, maybe there is. Why not hold off and see how tomorrow goes?”
Just then, the elevator doors slid open, and Yolanda stepped out.
Mary watched her go, biting her lip.
The girl trailing behind her spoke up quietly, “Ms. Hall, maybe she can really fix things this time…”
Mary didn’t slow down, her tone steady and emotionless. “I’ve been hoping for something like this for three years. If I still believe in it now, that’d be downright pathetic.”
But even as she said it, she couldn’t help feeling a little bitter inside.
Once Yolanda got back to her car, she didn’t head straight home. Instead, she swung by a nearby mall and, while she was at it, picked out a pair of cufflinks for Charles.
She sent him a photo of the cufflinks.
[Do you like them?]
Charles wasn’t in a meeting right now. He used to just ignore Yolanda’s messages–but nowadays, he’d actually reply.
[Weren’t you headed to Starlight?]
[Do you like them?]
She didn’t spell out that she’d just been kicked out, but Charles was sharp enough to pick up on it.
He turned to Jack Nolan. “Anything going on at Starlight?”
“Ms. Grant wants to fire someone,” Jack replied.
“Then fire them,” Charles said without missing a beat.
Jack was going to say that the person Yolanda wanted fired had some serious connections, but seeing Charles’s no–nonsense vibe, he just kept quiet.
Less than two hours later, people from Sinclair Group were heading over.
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Chapter 129
One thing about Sinclair Group folks–they always had bright red badges on them.
If they were checking things out on the sly, those badges stayed hidden in their bags.
But if they strolled in with the badges on display, you could bet something major was about to go down.
Yolanda had already picked out the cufflinks and was waiting in the lobby. When she saw the crew from Sinclair Group arrive, she greeted them and followed them into the elevator.
The receptionist spotted those bright red badges and quickly called management. “Sinclair Group’s here.”
Usually, the Sinclair Group team kept their badges hidden for surprise inspections.
But today, everyone had theirs on full display–signaling that something major was happening.
The receptionists couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“Is that the new CEO they parachuted in? I heard someone was getting dropped in from HQ recently.”
“Parachuted in or not, how many of those outsiders ever last? Probably just crossed paths with Sinclair Group’s people by mistake.”
When the elevator reached the top floor, Yolanda walked up to Leon’s office, stopped outside the door, and knocked.
Anyone passing by caught sight of the Sinclair Group crew and instantly froze.
This was the first time in years Sinclair Group folks ever wore their badges out in the open.
‘Is today the day something big blows up?‘ That thought flashed through everyone’s mind.
Leon was already in a foul mood. When he heard the knock, he yanked at his tie in frustration.
“Come in,” Leon said.
When Leon saw Yolanda walk in, he practically shook with fury. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here again!”
But the moment he spotted the Sinclair Group crew at the doorway, his attitude flipped in a heartbeat. “Oh, uh, what brings you all here?”
The Sinclair Group folks stepped in, leaving the door wide open for everyone to see.
One of them produced an official contract and certificate, stamped by Sinclair Group. “This contract bears Mr. Sinclair’s stamp–Leon Cole, you’re officially terminated.”
Leon had been with the company for years, and firing him meant a hefty severance package.
So the contract was pretty thick.
Leon thought he must be hearing things. ‘Fired? There’s no way.‘
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He laughed, thinking. There’s gotta be some mistake.
“Are you sure you’ve got the right guy? I’m Leon Cole!”
The Sinclair Group team raised their eyebrows. “That’s right, Leon Cole–you’re the one being fired. Sinclair Group wants you out in ten minutes. From now on, Ms. Grant will be taking over your office.”
By now, a crowd had gathered at the doorway, everyone frozen in disbelief, thinking they must be hearing things just like Leon.
“Wait, did I hear that right? They’re firing Mr. Cole?”
“No way–they must’ve messed up. Mr. Cole’s got serious connections over at Sinclair Group. His backer’s way too solid for this to be real.”
“That’s Ms. Grant, right? The new CEO they parachuted in–didn’t expect her to be this gorgeous.”
“She went straight at Leon the moment she showed up. Win or lose, that’s downright badass.”
Everyone was fed up with those six guys running the show at Starlight, but nobody had the guts to speak up.
The only woman in upper management had been frozen out, stripped of any real authority.
But now, another female exec had arrived and was already shaking things up. Most folks were genuinely hoping she’d pull it off.
Still, some people weren’t so hopeful.
“She wants Leon gone? Maybe she’s just itching to be the next Leon herself.”
“Don’t hold your breath. They’re all just sharks in suits–same rotten bunch.”
“But seriously, she’s drop–dead gorgeous.”
Even the entertainment industry crowd, used to seeing stars every day, were stunned by Yolanda the moment she walked in.
Leon stormed up to the doorway, snatched the contract, and skimmed it–his face turned paper–white the instant he saw Sinclair Group’s official stamp.
“No way… this absolutely can’t be happening! I want to see Mr. Sinclair! I’m going to face him myself!”
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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.
