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Sophie had no clue what was really going on, she just assumed nobody managed to snap Yolanda’s photo. Regret gnawed at her–only I’d gotten a shot earlier!‘ she thought.
If she had, she could’ve splashed Yolanda’s pic all over her live room and let everyone see why this lady managed to parachute straight into Starlight–no way she’d land that gig without some powerful man backing her, probably as his secret lover!
Sophie didn’t let up, sniffling about her 3.6 million debt and ranting that Yolanda was nothing but a ruthless money–grubber, not even human in her eyes.
Online, playing the poor victim always draws the crowd, and with a CEO on the other side, the drama was irresistible–the topic blazed up the trending charts, catching everyone’s eye.
Suddenly, Sophie’s live room was packed with 30 thousand viewers–she’d never seen numbers like this before, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
‘Am I about to blow up?‘ Sophie thought, her heart racing.
‘Oh my god, I could be a mid–tier celebrity soon!‘
‘This is something I never even dared to imagine before!‘
Sophie doubled down, ranting away and painting Yolanda as a shameless opportunist–someone who did nothing but exploit female artists while shamelessly playing favorites with the guys, a total sellout in Sophie’s
eyes.
Starlight’s stock plummeted at breakneck speed.
The male executives totally lost their cool. They immediately jumped into action, reaching out to Yolanda and demanding–no excuses–she show up at Starlight for a meeting first thing in the morning.
Yolanda leaned against her headboard and gave a relaxed laugh. “Are you guys kidding me right now? With that mob outside Starlight, you really think I can just walk in and not get eaten alive?”
“Ms. Grant, this whole mess is on you, and you’re the one who has to fix it! If the stock keeps dropping and hits limit down, then what are we supposed to do?!” the executives pressed, voices rising.
“Then let it hit limit down. It’s not like my life depends on those shares,” Yolanda replied, unfazed.
“You-!”
Ken Ford was so pissed, he almost hurled his phone across the room.
Yolanda doesn’t live off the stock, but they sure do.
Each of them had shares in the company–if those stocks turned worthless, they’d be out of luck.
The annual dividends were their lifeline–tens of millions every year. Without that cash, how were they
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Chapter 168
supposed to schmooze the top dogs above them?
After hanging up, Yolanda reached out to Jason Maine.
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“Open a new brokerage account for me. See which retail investors have dumped their Starlight shares lately and buy them up,” she instructed.
“Ma’am, I’m here to handle your legal affairs–playing the stock market isn’t exactly in my job description,” Jason Maine replied, sounding a bit exasperated.
“Mr. Maine, you made tens of millions trading stocks last year. Out of everyone I know, you’re the absolute best at this,” Yolanda said, her tone firm.
“Did you look into me?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
“No, it’s just admiration. You’re brilliant at buying low and selling high, and you always know how to dodge the risks. It’s clear you know what you’re doing. Honestly, I don’t understand the stock market that well, so I really need your help,” Yolanda explained.
Jason was silent for a few seconds before finally giving in. “Send me the details.”
Yolanda wasted no time and sent over the information.
Jason was a real stock market ace. Last year, when everybody else was in freefall, losing big and on the brink of despair, he went against the tide and managed to walk away with tens of millions. The guy’s sense for risk and timing was next–level.
Yolanda wasn’t any kind of expert when it came to this bottomless pit called the stock market, but one thing was clear to her: with Starlight’s stock crashing, some investors just couldn’t hold their nerve any longer. At this point, they were desperate to unload their shares and salvage whatever they could before things got even
worse.
When you put all those small–time investors‘ shares together, it actually amounted to a pretty sizeable pile.
Yolanda felt totally at ease leaving this in Jason’s hands.
Yolanda was suddenly buzzing with excitement; she couldn’t help but dial Jason again. “Mr. Maine, do you think a lot of people are going to dump their shares tomorrow?”
“The retail investors will definitely offload some, but the big players aren’t making a move,” Jason replied smoothly.
“Text me your address right now. I’ll come over,” Yolanda said without hesitation.
“Ma’am, that’s really not appropriate,” Jason hesitated, thinking, ‘Is she serious right now?‘
“Stop stalling! I only care about snapping up as many shares as I can!” Yolanda shot back.
Jason lowered his lashes, rubbed his brow, then sent over his address.
Yolanda quickly changed her clothes, and just as she was about to head out, Ian walked in.
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Ian’s face lit up when he saw her, but she grabbed his wrist before he could react. “Come on, we’re going somewhere.”
Without asking where they were going, lan let her pull him into the car.
When Yolanda and lan realized they’d come to another man’s apartment–and the guy was annoyingly handsome–Ian’s face went from bright to stormy in a split second. ‘Is this your wife’s kept pretty boy?‘ he thought darkly, his mood souring.
Jason greeted them still decked out in a suit, his hair slightly damp, clearly fresh from a shower.
He probably had been lounging in pajamas before, but as soon as he knew Yolanda was on her way, he made point of slipping into formal wear–talk about trying to look perfect for her.
No matter the situation, Jason always carried himself with an air of frosty self–restraint, like some untouchable, monkish professional who never let a speck of dust cling to him.
Ian sat shotgun, a cold smirk twisting his lips. “Wow, Ms. Grant, feeling lively, huh? Is this some kind of group date tonight, or am I just tagging along for fun?”
Yolanda caught the jab instantly, and to defuse Ian’s sour mood, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Jealous already?‘ she thought, amused.
“Alright, let’s get moving. He’s my attorney,” Yolanda said brightly, nudging Ian to get out of the car.
Ian still looked pretty annoyed, but he pushed open the door and got out anyway.
Jason didn’t acknowledge anyone; he just coolly opened his door and gave a silent gesture for them to step inside.
He lived in a standalone villa–compact, but every detail was refined. The interior was orderly, almost meticulous, yet what really caught the eye was a single bouquet sitting by the window, brightening up the whole space.
On the desk by that window sat an open laptop, showing Starlight’s live stock chart.
“Ma’am, so far, I’ve only picked up activity from a handful of small investors. Starlight’s stock is still in free fall, but most people are holding back for now–the company hasn’t made any response,” Jason reported, sitting stiff–backed in his chair.
Yolanda stood just behind him, her gaze flickering thoughtfully before a confident smile curled on her lips. “Here’s my game plan: I want to buy about two percent of the shares from those retail investors. With that, I’ll have a total of twenty percent in hand. Once the market opens tomorrow, let’s move fast and start buying.”
Jason didn’t glance back at her, his whole focus locked onto the stock data flashing on the laptop screen.
Jason didn’t spare her a single glance, completely absorbed by the stock charts flashing on his laptop screen- nothing else seemed to exist for him.
Ian’s eyes swept the room before sliding next to Yolanda, his arm sneaking around her waist. “You should just grease a few reporters‘ palms and leak some dirt–make it look like every investment fund is bailing on
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Starlight. That’ll scare the retail investors into a stampede. If you fan the rumors now, they’ll take any hearsay for gospel and rush to dump their shares.”
That suggestion made Jason’s grip on the mouse suddenly go stiff–be turned, raising his brows at fan, clearly caught off guard,
lan lifted an eyebrow, leaned in close, and draped his chin over Yolanda’s shoulder, arms circled around her waist like he owned her.
“This is what I call playing smart,” Ian teased, flashing a grin. “If you strike it big, I’m hoping you’ll spoil me
rotten.”
Jason paused, then shot lan another look. “You-”
“Oh, and I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m the pretty boy your wife keeps stashed away. Just call me fan,” he quipped with a wicked smirk.
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.
