Chapter 175
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Mrs. Lawson turned to Charles, looking a little embarrassed. “Charles, I didn’t even realize you were here. I got too caught up gossiping. Why didn’t you bring your wife with you today? Yolanda is such a sweetheart. Last time I saw her, she called me ‘Aunt Vivian‘ in that soft voice of hers. It totally made my day! Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met a girl sweeter than her.”
May’s face clouded over. Yolanda hadn’t bothered to visit her even once, but meanwhile, Joelle had shown up twice–how nice for her.
She swallowed her frustration, thinking there was no way she’d bring up family drama in public, so she just kept her mouth shut.
Mrs. Lawson kept at it, “Charles, you and your wife really should think about having a baby soon. You’re not exactly kids anymore!”
“Got it, Aunt Vivian,” Charles replied, not looking the slightest bit annoyed.
Charles didn’t seem the least bit bothered.
The elevator dinged open on the first floor. Mrs. Lawson was the first to stride out, beaming from ear to ear. “May, catch you next time! Afternoon tea tomorrow, don’t forget!”
May forced a polite smile and nodded, but the second Mrs. Lawson was out of sight, her face fell in an instant.
She got into the car, still grumbling, “Joelle is a hundred times more mature than Yolanda. Your Aunt Vivian had a point–you really need to make up your mind about the kid situation. I just want to know who’s actually going to have it, so I’m not left guessing.”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Charles replied, voice cool. Then, remembering something, he warned, “And seriously, stop getting physical with her.”
May didn’t even realize she was about to get blamed for something she hadn’t done–she just sneered.
Charles dropped her off at home, and just as he was about to leave, she held him back to keep talking.
“Charles, all of the Sinclair family’s legacy should be yours–no one else’s. Your uncle’s coming back any day now, and I’ve heard Edward’s been stirring up trouble again,” May said, her tone earnest.
Charles sat behind the wheel, sounding unfazed. “It’s fine.”
May, putting her faith in him, finally relaxed and went back into the house.
Once she was gone, Charles rubbed his temples, looking clearly worn out. Jack Nolan, who was driving, glanced back and asked, “Still want to go to Joelle’s tonight, Mr. Sinclair?”
Charles stared out the window, not really feeling up for a visit to Joelle Monroe. He kind of wanted to go home, but there was no Yolanda waiting for him–she was over at Aunt Simone’s tonight.
He leaned back, sounding casual. “Just drive me to my aunt’s.”
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Chapter 175
Jack looked a bit surprised, but didn’t say anything, so he turned the car that way.
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Yolanda had come back to lan’s place by herself. Ian mentioned he had something to take care of and left before dinner–she had no clue where he’d gone.
Sitting at the table, she took her time with her takeout, texting Jason to ask how things were going with the stock acquisition.
Jason messaged, “Yolanda, we’ve reached 1.3% so far. I’m still taking it step by step. That Ms. Page has been live for hours now–her audience is over a million. She’s really dragging your name through the mud. Maybe it’s about time to hit her with a defamation suit.”
Yolanda smirked. ‘Just what I was thinking. When the time comes, I’ll make Sophie cough up every penny she pocketed from those streams,‘ she thought.
“You just focus on rounding up that 2% share. Leave her to me–I’ll handle Ms. Page myself,” Yolanda replied.
“Copy that,” Jason answered.
Just as Yolanda was about to say something else, she heard a woman’s voice in the background. “Jason, should I clear the dishes from the table?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” Jason replied.
Yolanda blinked, a bit thrown. ‘Wait, does Mr. Maine have a girlfriend?‘ she wondered out loud.
Mr. Maine didn’t confirm or deny, just said calmly, “Is there anything else you need, Yolanda?”
Realizing she’d probably crossed the line, Yolanda apologized. “Sorry for being nosy. Just focus on your work, and I promise you’ll get a nice reward when this is all over.”
“Thank you, Yolanda,” Jason replied.
*
Meanwhile, Mark Long was practically buzzing with excitement the moment he got Yolanda’s text. His eyes lit up like he’d just won the lottery.
‘Knew it! That little tramp’s never been able to sit still–always acting flirty, even back when she was just a kid. Total slut,’ he thought, almost licking his lips.
He quickly changed into a new outfit and sprayed on some cologne, but no matter how hard he tried to spruce himself up, his age was showing. He still had that greasy, sleazy vibe that made people wonder why Mr. Grant even bothered hanging out with him.
Mark Long called up Eric Long, his tone brimming with excitement. “Don’t say your uncle never does you any favors. That bitch agreed to meet me tonight–once I’ve had my fun, I’ll hand her over to you. You can have a taste yourself.”
Eric felt a wave of revulsion. Mark had a habit of ruining girls–even one Eric had really liked before.
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Chapter 175
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Mark had no real skills in bed, but he loved to torment the girls using all sorts of twisted methods. By the end, there usually wasn’t much left unmarked. In the streaming company, Mark held a lot of power–those who didn’t want to end up like that had no choice but to pay him off.
He knew where to draw the line: as long as you paid his “protection fee,” he wouldn’t touch you.
Eric couldn’t care less about any woman who’d already been messed with by an old creep like Mark, but he still flashed a fake grin. “Sure thing, Uncle. Knock yourself out tonight.”
Mark burst out laughing, eyes glinting with excitement. “That slut is seriously a knockout. I’ll send you a video -then you’ll get why I’ve been hung up on her all these years.”
Eric gave a cold laugh in his head. That 60–thousand–dollar check was burning a hole in his pocket. Once he finished the hit, he’d be out of the country–no way was he going to hang around with this dirty old man any longer. Sticking around here was a dead end.
Mark fired up his brand–new Cayenne SUV and sped out, practically bursting with anticipation.
He figured Yolanda was starving for some comfort since Charles wouldn’t give her the time of day–or any money, for that matter. So of course she’d end up desperate enough to come running to him.
He was so wired with anticipation he could barely keep his hands steady, driving two straight hours just to get to that so–called hotel.
‘That bitch booked the room way out in the middle of nowhere–trying to hide from Charles, huh?‘ he sneered to himself.
Mark let out a cold, triumphant laugh as he pushed the door open.
The room was pitch–black; the only thing filling the air was the sickly stench of his cologne.
“Yolanda, baby, Uncle Mark’s here for you,” he called out, his tone oozing with sleaze.
Before Mark could finish his sleazy greeting, the lights snapped on all at once. Sitting on the bed was a man in a mask–his posture casual, but the aura he gave off was downright intimidating.
Every filthy thought in Mark’s head vanished in a heartbeat, and he instantly took a shaky step back.
He’d pissed off plenty of people in the streaming world, but right now, he had zero clue who this masked guy
was.
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.
