Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Yolanda felt her whole body go weak after hearing those words.
Charles was right. Yolanda thought, a little dreamily, ‘Younger guys really are bursting with energy!
Ugh, too bad I can’t get divorced yet. If I could, I’d just eat lan alive, she couldn’t help but sigh to herself.
Jan let her go and tugged at his collar, trying to cool off.
He and Charles were total opposites. Charles was always rocking a suit, but lan chose outfits straight out of a college guy’s dream–except he made them look way colder, cooler, and kind of untouchable. The kind of guy you saw on the street and, even if he knocked the breath out of you, you wouldn’t dare ask for his WhatsApp.
The cozy moment was shattered by the ring of a phone. It was Charles calling again.
‘Does he ever actually work? Seriously?‘ Yolanda griped to herself.
Yolanda playfully brushed Ian’s hand aside. “Alright, I really need to get going now.”
“Yeah,” Ian replied.
He personally walked her down to her car, his gaze lingering on her, clearly reluctant to let her go.
Let’s be real, no woman could ever say no to that kind of gaze.
After Yolanda left, Ian stood there, his gaze suddenly turning icy cold.
He could only feel the sunlight blazing down on him–searing, almost stinging against his skin.
As he was about to head back inside, he noticed a man stepping out from behind a pillar.
“Didn’t I tell you to quit dropping by?” Ian said coolly.
The man lounged against the pillar, looking totally laid–back. “Relax, Leo’s not around today. That kid’s really something. He’s way more into this than Charles ever was. Bet you got under his skin last night. You really know how to hit people where it hurts.”
Jan was about to head inside when the man caught up. “Crimson Gallery’s quiet for now, but a few division managers are up to something behind the scenes. They think they’re real slick about it.”
Jan murmured, “Yeah.” The two of them went in together, and he closed the door softly behind them.
The guy glanced around, taking in all the extra girl stuff scattered everywhere. He smirked. “Quite the upgrade since last time–obviously she’s getting under your skin. Going to suck when you have to say goodbye, huh?”
Ian dropped into a seat, stretched out his long legs, and closed his eyes, his whole demeanor frosty. “Quit prying into what’s between me and her.”
10:38 Fri Oct 17
Chapter 182
The guy flopped into the single armchair next to him, flashing a teasing grin. Just gotta know–what’s she like) h she really that irresistible”
Ian’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up, locking in on the guy with a cold intensity. “Curious about anyone the Roc But Yolanda? Off limits. She’s mine.”
The guy looked surprised for a second, then let it drop and started talking about Crimson Gallery instead.
“Hey, remember back in school? You had that long hair and those thick glasses–total bookworm vibes. Changed your name, too. Charles‘ guys couldn’t dig up anything. Who would’ve guessed that beneath all that lifeless hair, you had a face like that–and now that face is hooking up with his wife. He’s gonna lose it when he finds out.”
lan didn’t say a word, just let out a low chuckle.
Yolanda drove back to Moonbay Estate, thinking Charles would be at work. To her surprise, he was sitting on the couch at home, looking pretty upset.
She had no clue when he’d come back last night, but the way he was acting, it was pretty obvious he knew she hadn’t been home.
Before he had the chance to say anything, she rushed over with her eyes already red and teary. “Honey, you’re back?”
Her voice trembled, and with one side of her cheek swollen, she looked pretty rough.
Charles struggled to keep his anger in check. “What happened to your face?”
Yolanda ducked her head and turned away, barely meeting his eyes. “It’s nothing, really… I got into a little trouble last night, but the police are already handling it.”
Her phone buzzed–it was the cops, and she picked up right away.
“Miss Grant, we need you to come down and give a statement.”
“Alright, I’ll be right there,” she replied.
She was about to head out when Charles spoke up, his voice cold and heavy. “What happened?”
“You know all that drama at Starlight lately? One of the female execs I’m pretty close with got attacked by a bunch of extreme fans, ended up in the hospital. She was having surgery last night, so I stayed at the hospital with her. Around five in the morning, when I was about to leave…”
She stopped and took a shaky breath. “I ran into some guy who tried something nasty. I didn’t know him at all, but thank God there were people around and they helped me out. The cops took him away. I’ve got a feeling he was put up to it by someone.”
Charles felt a jolt in his chest. Last night, he’d been with Joelle Monroe at Sinclair Group’s exclusive hospital, clueless about everything that had gone down on Yolanda’s side.
Chap 18
He humped up and pulled her into his arms “You should be called me this is serieurst
Inlanda marmured Honey jou didn’t want to disturb you
Her voice waftened, calm and tweet How’s Ms Monroe doing?
Charles grimed his teeth. Is that really what you’re worried about right now? I’m going with you to the police
Vistaria
Vstands breathed a linte easier, her eyes still red. I really thought you’d be mad… Why aren’t you at work today
Charles was actually planning to just stop by and head out, but when he realized she wasn’t home, he pressed the housekeepers for answers–and only then found out she hadn’t come home at all last night.
He’d tried calling her, over and over, but she never picked up. It bugged him more than he cared to admit.
Back when Yolanda used to call him and he didn’t pick up, it was usually because he was busy with Sophie, too wrapped up to answer,
Now, the tables were turned, and it was bugging him way more than he wanted to admit.
But at least he knew Yolanda wasn’t like that.
Charles pulled her close, guiding her gently into the car.
Jack drove them straight to the police station.
When Eric saw Yolanda, he started spewing filth again. “You little whore. If nobody had busted in last night, you’d be moaning under me right now. Ha! I’m telling you–I want you bad. I don’t care how many years I get, when I’m out, you’ll be the first one I hunt down. I’m gonna fuck you, one way or another.”
Eric was seriously the kind of creep that made you want to puke.
The cops nearby looked downright pissed, but when their eyes landed on Yolanda, they just looked fed up and helpless.
He’s not playing ball. Says nobody put him up to it, just that he thinks you’re hot,” one of the officers muttered,
Yolanda nodded, keeping her head down. Right now, she didn’t need to lift a finger–she could just rely on Charles to deal with everything.
Just as expected, Charles fized Eric with a glare cold as steel, his eyes icy enough to freeze the air.
Eric didn’t even acknowledge him; he was practically glued to Yolanda, staring at her like she was the only person in the room, his tongue sliding over his lips obsessively, almost drooling.
10.38 Fri, Oct 17
Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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.
