Chapter 165
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Yolanda’s eyes were utterly emotionless–she couldn’t be bothered with morons. ‘I really can’t stand dealing with idiots,‘ she thought to herself.
The young talent Sophie Page slipped out and hid herself in the dance studio, crying quietly in the corner.
The studio was lined with mirrors–perfect for anyone wanting to work on their posture or practice their
moves.
Soon, the other girls came over to check on her. “Sophie, what happened?”
“Did someone make you go drinking with them again?”
Sophie frantically wiped away her tears, her eyes puffy and red. “It’s Yolanda again. I told her straight up I didn’t want to do those skimpy photo shoots, and she totally went off on me.”
Everyone here’s used to getting pushed around by those suits upstairs, so whenever the girls hung out together, they’d vent about the higher–ups.
Yolanda had thrown Starlight into absolute chaos lately, so of course everyone started gossiping about her
next.
“I heard someone actually threw acid at her once. Honestly, she totally had it coming.”
“Being a woman herself, you’d think she gets us, but she’s probably just in cahoots with those guys.”
“Sophie, stop crying. You’ve done these shoots before, and hey, at least you get paid. If not, we’ll be totally broke next month.”
Sophie bit her lip, her eyes flashing with anger. ‘Why is Yolanda doing this to me?‘ she wondered.
She quickly got up and went to find Mary Hall, only to hear that Mary had gone to Yolanda’s office.
Too scared to go in, Sophie had no choice but to wait outside.
As soon as Mary stepped out, Sophie rushed over. “Ms. Hall, what did Yolanda say to you?”
Mary creased her brows, noticing just how little respect Sophie had for Yolanda, even though she was the
CEO.
Maybe it was because Yolanda was so young–Sophie just saw her as another pretty face, not the real boss. That’s why she always got bitter whenever Yolanda shot her down.
Mary, though, still got some respect–her age made it impossible to brush her aside.
Mary held up her hand, cutting Sophie off. “Enough with the first names. She’s Ms. Grant, remember?”
Sophie curled her lip. “Ms. Grant? Please. She’s been running the show for like half a month now and still hasn’t come up with a single plan. Honestly, looks to me like she’s just fallen in line with those suits upstairs-
11:15 Mon, Oct 6
Chapter 165
can’t think about anything except how to wring every penny out of us.”
=,
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“Sophie, if that’s really how you see things, then stop coming to me for favors. I’m the director here, you’re just a talent. I only treat you kindly because I feel for your situation–don’t mistake my decency for a license to step out of line.”
Sophie’s face went ghostly white and she trembled all over. “Did Yolanda spill something to you?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she panicked inside. ‘Did Yolanda say something behind my back? Is that why Mary suddenly sounds so cold?‘
‘It’s gotta be something Yolanda said,‘ Sophie thought, her mind racing. Not long ago, she and Mary would rant together about those guys upstairs, but now there was an unmistakable chill between them, like they were total strangers.
Seeing Sophie still didn’t get it, Mary Hall couldn’t be bothered to argue or comfort her anymore–she just stepped right into the elevator and disappeared.
Her eyes rimmed red, Sophie burst into Yolanda’s office, almost in tears.
“Did you trash–talk me to Ms. Hall? Seriously? After all the trust I put in you!”
Yolanda’s face turned icy cold as the door slammed open–the doorknob banged into the wall, leaving a mark.
“Get out,” she said coldly.
Sophie stopped dead, her cheeks burning red, nails dug deep into her palm. “Yolanda! Not helping me is bad enough, but now you’re stabbing me in the back?! Have you got any decency left? Don’t let that CEO badge go to your head–Starlight would be exactly the same with or without you!”
Yolanda picked up the phone and called security, then reached out to a few more people before sliding a termination contract across the desk to Sophie.
Sophie stared at the contract, her eyes wide with disbelief. That deal had always been stacked against her, and now–if she got let go–she’d have to cough up a crazy amount, something like 12 million. There was no way she could fork over that kind of money.
Her face turned ashen, hands trembling as she clutched the contract. “Yolanda, are you trying to destroy me?! I’ve never seen anyone so ruthless!”
She burst out of the office, clutching the contract, tears streaming down her face.
Yolanda stared at her computer. ‘Me? Ruthless?‘ she thought in disbelief.
This was the exact same contract they signed–she hadn’t changed a single word. The ones squeezing them dry were the higher–ups, not her. But now she was the villain, just because her name was on the paperwork?
It was almost funny. ‘I haven’t even done a damn thing yet, Yolanda thought.
Back in the dance studio, Sophie clung to the contract, tears spilling down her face the moment she crossed the threshold.
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Chapter 165
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The other girls crowded around, unloading on Yolanda with furious words, calling her even nastier than the men who ran the place.
“Sophie, seriously, what are you going to do? You owe over twelve million! Where could you possibly get that kind of cash? If the police get involved, would you even end up in jail…?”
“Sophie, maybe you should just expose her online! Someone this heartless deserves to be dragged in public.
“Exactly! Let the internet take care of villains like her and give her what she deserves.”
Sophie’s eyes were red and puffy, but she angrily swiped her tears away with the back of her hand.
“That’s right! I’m putting her on blast online! I’ll make sure the whole internet tears her to shreds!”
So in the end, these girls weren’t clueless–they knew exactly how to stick up for themselves. It was just that with Alex Wilson and his crew running the show, no one dared make a peep. But swap in a female boss, and suddenly they’re brave enough to start a rebellion. Funny how that works.
Sophie didn’t hesitate–she went live right away, holding up her business card as proof and real–name reporting. She announced for all to hear that she was a talent at Starlight Entertainment, had slogged away for three years just to make rent, and now she’d gotten dumped by the company with a twelve–million–dollar penalty.
Real–name exposés were blowing up online lately, and in the eyes of netizens, anyone bold enough to flash a business card had to be legit.
And since it was entertainment industry drama, the gossip crowd swarmed in for the show.
The livestream took off in seconds, rocketing straight to the front page of the app.
Sophie squeezed her business card tight, her lips quivering with anticipation, as she watched her stream roll past twenty thousand live viewers.
“This is what went down,” Sophie said with her voice shaking. “Her name is Yolanda–she’s the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, and she’s the one who’s been bullying me all along. All I’m asking for is justice! Please, everyone, help me blow this up and get the word out!”
Yolanda didn’t see the livestream until three hours had passed, by which time she was already back at Moonbay Estate.
She was trending in the top ten, even though she was a total nobody–more than forty thousand hate comments, and every top reply basically told her to drop dead on the spot.
Ian was the first to call. “Ms. Grant, are you alright? Just saw all the drama online–do you want me to come over and be with you?”
Yolanda lazily swiped across her screen, sounding unfazed. “Don’t worry about me. It’s just people running their mouths–no big deal, it’s not like they’re hurting me. Honestly, all this noise is working in my favor. Just let it be.”
Ian listened to her calm, steady voice, his throat tightening. “If those trolls realized you weren’t bothered at all,
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Chapter 165
they’d be pissed.”
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Yolanda burst out laughing, her eyes soft. “Come on, I’m living in the most lavish villa Downtown, got my husband’s black card, and a drop–dead gorgeous talent like you by my side. Seriously, why would I waste time getting angry over some online haters? Whenever I get a little annoyed, I just peek at that black card in my purse and poof–the bad mood’s gone. Ian, let me show you my new earrings.”
Ian fell silent for a few seconds. When he finally spoke, his voice was husky. “You really were born to drive men crazy.”
Yolanda was rock–solid; as she gradually broke free from the shackles of her marriage, her own brilliance began to shine brighter and brighter–her aura was dazzling, impossible to ignore.
It was so dazzling, you couldn’t help but stare.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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.
