Chapter 130
Chapter 130
ECTR
Leon was about to storm out, but a few people blocked his way, their tone crisp and no–nonsense. “Even if you’re going to see Mr. Sinclair, please remember to take your stuff with you. Ms. Grant is in a hurry to take over this office.”
Leon shot Yolanda a venomous glare.
Yolanda smiled and waved at the four workers she’d brought with her. “Alright, no one’s in your way now. Let’s get this office fixed up.”
Leon was shaking all over with anger, his teeth clenched so hard it was audible. “Yolanda, did you hire a bunch of people to pretend they’re from Sinclair Group? Do you have any idea what you’re messing with? You’re headed for jail! Just watch!”
He kept cursing under his breath as he went back to pack up everything on his desk.
“Just you damn well wait! I’m heading straight to Sinclair Group to give Mr. Sinclair a piece of my mind!”
He stormed out, fuming.
Everyone knew he was off to rat to Mr. Sinclair himself.
The crowd kept their eyes on Yolanda, wondering just what kind of chaos she was about to unleash.
Yolanda gave a casual nod to the Sinclair Group guys. “Alright, thanks for coming over.”
They politely held the door open for her as she stepped into the office. “Ms. Grant, we’ll be heading out now.”
Yolanda just gave a quick acknowledgment and went right back to bossing around the workers she’d brought, getting the office renovated.
Meanwhile, the top floor was already in an uproar over what happened.
In a nearby office, two men huddled together, both wearing mocking grins.
“Let Leon cause a scene first. Maybe that woman’s just bluffing.”
“Whatever happens, Leon’s totally embarrassed himself this time. That damn woman actually pulled it off.”
They didn’t bother hiding their contempt for Yolanda as they spoke.
Mary’s office door burst open with a bang and in came the girl who’d come begging for help earlier.
The girl, barely into her twenties, was red–faced and out of breath. “Ms. Hall, something major just went down!”
Mary rolled her eyes, thinking it was probably another disaster cooked up by those higher–ups. After all, they’d nearly caused a deadly mess before. She snorted, “I’m outta here tomorrow anyway–your messes aren’t my problem now.”
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Chapter 130
“No. Ms. Hall, it’s about the new Ms. Grant! She brought over some Sinclair Group supervisors and fired Leon! She even snatched Leon’s office–he’s so mad he’s headed straight to Sinclair Group to complaints
The girl was panting from her mad dash; she’d witnessed it all at the doorway, and had rushed over to fill Mary in.
Mary parted her lips to speak, but it took several seconds before the tension finally left her body.
日
The girl was clearly worked up, pacing restlessly in front of Mary’s desk. “Those supervisors were downright respectful toward the new CEO–I’ve never seen that before! Ms. Hall, do you think this means we’re finally getting saved? Maybe you won’t have to leave after all?”
Her eyes were shining with hope, but because she wanted it so badly, they were turning red, and tears threatened to spill at any second.
Of course Mary was moved, but she forced herself to remember: don’t expect too much.
After all these years swinging between hope and disappointment, she felt almost numb–like a shell of her former self.
Mary didn’t say a word, her heart thumping faster–it was true, Yolanda was nothing like anyone they’d had before.
“Let’s just watch how things play out. Dry your tears,” Mary said.
The girl nodded, hastily brushing away her tears. “Yeah, let’s just see what happens. Leon’s already gone to the Sinclair Group.”
Mary couldn’t stay in her seat any longer. She’d always been the kind who kept her cool, but now, she genuinely couldn’t help herself—she had to get upstairs and see for herself.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than her feet were already carrying her up.
When she arrived, the top floor was buzzing with people. Everyone found an excuse to stroll past Yolanda’s office, craning their necks to get a glimpse of what was happening inside.
Mary took a deep breath and stood at the doorway.
She could hear Yolanda giving orders inside. “Replace these chairs and desks–I don’t use anything that’s already been handled by someone else.”
“Got it, Ms. Grant,” came the reply.
“And let’s put a money tree here for good fortune.”
“Sure thing.”
Yolanda was busy instructing the staff, but when she caught someone watching from the doorway, she turned to look.
Mary had only meant to sneak a quick look, but once she was spotted she froze, not sure what to say. After a
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beat, she mumbled, “I’ve got a prosperity bowl sitting on my desk–supposed to bring luck. It’s really cheap. Want me to get one for you?”
A small gift like that–if you acted coy or tried to refuse, it’d just seem weird.
Yolanda flashed a smile. “Sounds great, thanks, Ms. Hall*
Mary was genuinely surprised that Yolanda even knew her name.
In that instant, it all clicked–Yolanda must’ve memorized everything about Starlight before coming in. Otherwise, how else could she go straight for Leon, the one who pulled all the strings? This was definitely on purpose, a shot across the bow for everyone. Just a shame those other big shots were still busy congratulating themselves, totally oblivious.
It’s the little things that reveal whether someone actually cares.
Mary felt herself relax a bit more, though for reasons she couldn’t fully explain, her eyes prickled with an oncoming burn. Not wanting Yolanda to notice her emotions, she spun around quickly. “I’ll bring it up to you when the delivery arrives,” she said, trying to keep her composure.
She’d been getting stomped on at Starlight for thirteen years, fighting her way through endless crap just to hold onto her spot. All her time–gone, sacrificed on the altar of work; her kids barely knew her, and she couldn’t blame them.
Family? Out the window. Work? Just one grind after another. Nobody had a clue about all the crap she’d had to swallow.
Mary was a rock. She never let anyone see her weak side.
She bolted for the break room, only daring to wipe her tears once she was sure nobody else was around.
Just then, the young girl’s voice cut through the silence. “Ms. Hall, are you crying?”
Mary was thirty–nine. She straightened her back immediately. “No, just got something in my eye.”
The girl wordlessly handed her a glass of water.
Mary took the glass, her face stern. “Aren’t you supposed to be in your posture class today? You better get going.”
The girl pouted and grumbled, “That male teacher always gets handsy whenever he’s fixing our posture. It’s so gross.”
Mary just looked out the window at the sky, a hint of resignation in her gaze. “Just hold off for now.”
Maybe the true spring was finally about to begin.
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.
