Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Yolanda glanced at Walter Hudson, standing nearby. He was skinny, in a plain white shirt, with nothing special
about his looks.
“You, you’re my assistant from now on,” Yolanda said. “Go tell the other six Alex Wilsons there’s a meeting in ten minutes. If anyone skips it, just kick them out.”
With Leon Cole’s mess hanging over everyone, you had to be an idiot to act dumb now.
So, even if the execs didn’t have a clue what was going on, they still showed up in the office right on time.
Mary Hall had never been allowed to set foot in the meeting room before. The execs always made sure to exclude her when they had their meetings.
According to them, women belonged at home having babies–competing with men at work just made them look ridiculous.
Mary had endured this for thirteen years. Now, barely containing her excitement, she sat herself down at Yolanda’s left side.
The exec who was supposed to sit there frowned and scoffed quietly, “You really think just because she’s here, you get to move up? Mary, you’re way overestimating that bitch.”
They were only there because they didn’t want to cause any trouble, and since they still didn’t know what was really going on, they figured they’d just go along for now.
Yolanda settled into the center seat at the table, her gaze sweeping over the five male execs. Each wore a look of disdain, except for one whose emotions were hidden and impossible to read.
She smiled, straightened her back, and neatly tied her hair into a low ponytail.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Yolanda, and as of today, I’m officially taking over as CEO,” she said.
The five execs just smiled, not saying a word.
Mary bit her lip, her eyes red as she managed to choke out, “Welcome.”
After fighting alone for thirteen years, she finally had an ally.
Yolanda nodded, flipping through the papers. “It’s almost quitting time, and I’m not a fan of making people work late, so let’s keep it brief. I’ve already checked out what each of you is handling. But from what I see, you’re all butting into each other’s business a little too much. For tomorrow morning’s meeting, I want you to organize the details of your own projects. No watered–down reports–I want blunt, honest opinions.”
The execs looked pretty sour, but went along with a grudging “okay.”
Yolanda kept things rolling; the whole meeting wrapped up in just over ten minutes.
As she walked out, one of the execs snickered, “She’s really putting on a good act. Maybe Jason Maine had to
15:50 Sun, Sep 28
Chapter 134
sleep with her just to get her to show up.”
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The rest looked pissed, but these guys were old hands–they’d seen it all before, so they just kept their poker faces, figuring they’d watch what happened with Leon Cole before making any moves.
Yolanda headed back to the office to tell the workers to renovate the storage room, then headed out to her car.
But as soon as she got in, she found lan hanging out inside.
Even with the window up. Yolanda glanced around warily. “You know this is kinda risky, right?”
The AC was blasting in the car, making it chilly. Ian sat there in a long coat and mask. “You’ve been busy lately, and I wanted to give you a gift. Ended up staking out here for you myself.”
He had a key to Yolanda’s car–she’d personally given it to him.
Yolanda glanced at the rearview mirror, softening into a smile. “What kind of gift?”
Ian pulled off his mask, but he kept his coat clutched tightly around himself, not even letting a hint of skin show at his neck.
He lowered his lashes, his voice a bit husky. “Come to the back–I’ll tell you in secret.”
Yolanda thought, ‘Honestly, the guy could be such a stubborn puppy sometimes. But fine, I’ll play along.
She was willing to go with it.
She stepped out and made her way to the backseat.
Yolanda asked, “So, what’s the gift?”
As soon as she asked, Ian shrugged off his coat, leaned back a bit, his Adam’s apple moving with every breath. “So, what do you think? Look good to you?”
A silver–black chain glinted around his neck, resting just above his Adam’s apple. Paired with his black shirt and a few missing buttons, the whole look was straight–up eye candy.
His hair was back to its original color now, but he still had those earrings on–the ones she’d given him.
Yolanda had to admit, this guy really did know how to keep things interesting. He was always full of tricks.
He locked eyes with her, gaze burning, biting his lip for a second. “Do you like it? Does it look good?”
Yolanda reached out and tugged the chain, yanking him closer in one swift move. His eyes flashed with surprise when she asked, “Is this… a dog collar?”
He met her eyes, utterly straightforward. “You’re cold one minute, warm the next, treating me like your puppy. What’s wrong if I wear this?”
When it came to these moments, he always put himself out there, never trying to pretend he was more than
he was.
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Chapter 134
And he did it with a kind of openness that was almost disarming.
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Yolanda felt her heart flutter a bit–no one had ever put so much thought into winning her over before. She couldn’t help but be a little moved.
Her fingers glided up the chain and traced softly along his neck.
He tilted his head, lashes pointed down, ears quietly going red. That usually aloof face of his with the flashy chain–it was all such a wild mismatch it made her want to laugh.
Ian was just that way–a bundle of contradictions, wrapped in even more mystery.
Yolanda knew full well he was probably not as well–behaved as he played it, and for sure he kept his own secrets, but she kissed him anyway, not caring about any of that.
Ian parted his lips, kissing her back instantly–no hesitation at all.
They kissed for what felt like forever, and then Ian nuzzled against her palm, murmuring, “Don’t forget to text me back, okay?”
She’d ignored his texts all day; he’d run over to the hospital, then to Starlight, waiting like a hopeful puppy just to catch her attention.
He was bending over backwards just to make her happy.
When a married woman runs into a puppy like him, how could she not adore it?
Yolanda let out a soft “mm” and gave his earlobe a playful squeeze. “Looks gorgeous on you. Next time, I’ll spoil you with something even fancier.”
“Are you still gonna use your husband’s card for that?” Ian teased.
She burst out laughing. “Not even a hint of shame, huh?”
Ian used to be all distant, barely letting her kiss him the first time. Now, it was like he’d turned into a whole
new person.
“That’s just the mindset of the side piece,” Ian smirked. “Married women–they love someone who knows how to play it sweet, just like men do.”
AD
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.
