Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Three hours later, as Yolanda’s car finally reached the gates of Moonbay Estate, she was startled to spot Vivian Andrade waiting outside.
Vivian stood right by the entrance, phone pressed to her ear, focused and unmoving.
‘She must be here to see Charles, Yolanda thought, secretly rolling her eyes.
Yolanda tried to act as if she hadn’t noticed, but Vivian wasn’t having it–she darted over and planted herself right in front of the car, forcing Yolanda to stop.
Her car came to a reluctant halt.
Vivian stomped over, pounding on the window. “Yolanda, get Charles out here to see me!”
The news about Grady’s shooting had already set off a huge scandal, but now Minister Howard had drowned tonight, and suddenly the whole Andrade family became the prime target for everyone’s suspicions.
Minister Howard was a key witness in the Grady Incident, and the Andrades had tried to win him over for a long time. But he never took the bait, and now he was gone. Of course, all eyes turned to the Andrades as the most likely suspects.
Even Vivian, slow as she was, finally realized–only Charles could have pulled off something this ruthless!
Yolanda called Charles, who was still hunched over his desk, working late in the study.
“Honey, you wanna come out and see this? Ms. Andrade won’t let my car through,” Yolanda said.
A cold glint flashed across Charles’s eyes.
Yolanda thought Vivian was just hopeless–clinging to a guy like this would only make him loathe her even
more.
Sure enough, a group of bodyguards appeared, stepping right in front of Vivian to block her way.
Vivian was so furious it made her scalp tingle. “Get Charles out here! I need to see him, now!”
The bodyguards didn’t bother listening and moved in to eject her, but Vivian threw herself onto the ground like a wild woman, flat–out refusing to leave.
Yolanda caught sight of it all in her rearview mirror, and her knuckles turned white on the steering wheel.
Honestly, Vivian had bent over backwards for Charles–playing matchmaker, swallowing her feelings, and ended up making a mess of her own life.
The last thing she should’ve done was fall for a guy like Charles.
A sharp glint flashed in Yolanda’s eyes. ‘Vivian can love whoever she wants,‘ she thought, ‘but using her family’s influence just to make my life hell? That’s crossing the line.‘
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Chapter 137
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By now, the Andrades were about to disown Vivian–her reckless feelings had cost the family their chance to get away unscathed.
If she’d just suspected Charles from the very beginning, she should’ve known Minister Howard would be in danger.
But instead, she’d put her own life on the line for Charles, vouching for him right in front of Grandpa Jonathan.
Yolanda went inside, washed up, and started mulling over all the mess happening with the Andrades.
Grandpa Jonathan probably figured out by now that Charles had orchestrated the whole thing, but without hard evidence, his hands were tied. And once Vivian got thrown to the wolves, Cedric would fall out of favor too–he’s got muscle, sure, but brains? Not so much.
Even so, those two weren’t finished just yet. As long as there’s a shot for them to rise again, Vivian’s crazy–for- Charles streak could make things seriously dangerous for Yolanda.
Yolanda closed her eyes, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She barely started to process everything that had happened before she was out like a light.
When she woke up, there was a text from Ian waiting for her.
“Handled the Vivian problem for you,” Ian wrote.
Yolanda’s heart did a flip. She instantly scrolled through Twitter, piecing together scraps of news–Vivian had been in a terrible car crash last night.
The rest of her life would be spent flat on her back in bed.
Yolanda snapped awake, jumped out of bed, and rushed downstairs.
Charles hadn’t had breakfast yet. He was already at the entryway changing his shoes, his expression dark as
ever.
He’d had someone toss Vivian out last night, and now she’d gotten into a car accident. The Andrades would pin this on him in a heartbeat.
Add in that whole Grady feud, and there’s no way his life’s going to be peaceful anytime soon.
Charles pulled Yolanda close and held her softly. “Promise me you’ll stay in at night. No wandering around by yourself, alright?”
The Andrade family might not be able to strike at him for now, but when it came to Yolanda, they wouldn’t hold back one bit.
Yolanda pieced together all the twisted mess–and that left her with an odd feeling.
Ian couldn’t have picked a better moment to make his move. What he did sent the Andrade family over the edge, and now, instead of working things out, they wanted Charles’s head.
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Chapter 137
Was this all planned out, or did he just get lucky? Yolanda wondered to herself.
Either way, with Charles caught up in the chaos, he’d barely have time to worry about her.
Besides, with Vivian out of the picture, Yolanda could barely hide the satisfaction.
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lan may act wild sometimes, but he’s pretty well–behaved in front of me. Guess I’ll keep my little puppy around a bit longer, Yolanda mused to herself.
Charles hurried off, knowing Grandpa Jonathan was bound to come after him with trouble now.
Yolanda hopped in her car and headed straight to Ian’s villa. He’d just wrapped up a late–night shoot and had barely gotten home.
She barely set foot inside before pulling up his shirt to see for herself.
He had several nasty bruises mottled across his abs–the kind that stick around and make every movement send a fresh wave of pain.
“Didn’t I warn you not to rush in like that? Ian, you’re just one guy going up against families with deep roots. Ever think about what happens to you if Charles figures this out?” Yolanda shot at him.
Ian leaned back on the couch and said lightly, “Doesn’t hurt.”
“You’re way too impulsive,” Yolanda said, her annoyance showing.
‘Yolanda could feel her irritation really boiling this time!’
Ian swept her back into his arms, nuzzling his chin against her shoulder. “Promise–never again.”
Yolanda let out a long breath. The last time he acted this recklessly, it was against Vivian, and he’d managed to cover his tracks. She figured he’d done the same this time.
But she knew–keep playing with fire, and eventually, you’re gonna get burned.
She grabbed a bottle of bruise tonic and set it in front of him. “Take care of it yourself. I’ve gotta run by Starlight. Not sticking around to babysit you today.”
“Yeah, I know, you’re busy,” Ian mumbled.
Yolanda heard the faint whiff of a pout in his words and couldn’t help but smile. She stood at his side and ruffled his hair playfully.
“Come on, it’s just because I’m new on the job–there’s a ton to handle up front. Once things calm down, I’ll be glued to you every single day.”
Ian saw the little smile in her eyes and lowered his gaze. “Mm.”
Yolanda was just about to walk away when Ian pulled her back, wrapped her tightly in his arms, and kissed her so long she nearly lost track of time before he finally released her.
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Chapter 137
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Her whole body melted into him, but the thought of her work at Starlight snapped her back, and she softly eased herself out of his embrace.
Not long after she left, the doorbell rang and a stranger walked into the living room.
The man sniffed the air, catching the lingering scent of a woman’s perfume, and sneered, “Well, look at you, living the high life. Causing all this trouble for Charles, and you’re even hooking up with his girl behind his back.”
Ian’s shirt hung open, and those ugly bruises on his abs were impossible to miss.
The man lounged on the couch, giving Ian a long once–over. “Three and a half hours—ten rounds, just like that. Do you have any idea how many people are out there hunting for you? They could wrack their brains for days, but nobody’s ever gonna suspect a rising star like you. You really do know how to blend in with the crowd.”
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16:19 Mon, Sep 29 B
Chapter 138
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.
