Chapter 183
Bly vouchers
Charles found it beneath his dignity to get into a shouting match with someone like Eric.
Be gently pulled Yolanda behind him, his voice soft. “Go wait in the car.”
Yolanda nodded, worry written all over her face as she grabbed his sleeve. “Charles, don’t make it too big. I’m scared the Sinclair family will hear about it.”
She looked down, her voice low. “If something like this gets out, no matter what actually happened, people won’t be judging me. They’ll judge you.”
Even now, she was still more anxious about his reputation than her own.
Charles’s eyes grew softer and he reached out to gently rub the top of her head. “Go wait in the car for me,” he said in a low, soothing voice.
Yolanda headed outside and, once she got in the car, closed her eyes for a quick nap.
Nobody knew what Charles said to the cops, and no one bothered to even look at Eric.
Eric lived to be the center of attention. Being ignored was pure torture for him; it drove him nuts.
After finishing his conversation with the police, Charles finally turned his attention to Eric.
Eric sneered, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. “Your wife’s nothing but a whore. She’s hooking up behind your back with some pretty boy. You act all classy, but she still cheated on you–serves you right! There’s no shortage of guys who keep their eyes on her, and I’m just one of them.”
Charles didn’t hesitate. He swung his fist and landed a solid punch right in Eric’s gut. Eric coughed up more blood and nearly passed out.
The police quickly stepped in, trying to calm things down. “Mr. Sinclair, this guy’s got a pretty extreme personality. He said all that just to insult Miss Grant. Last night, the nurse on duty called us–Miss Grant was terrified. Whoever helped her was probably just someone who couldn’t stand by and watch. By the time we got there, they’d already left.”
Charles kept his tone cool and steady. “I get it. I’ll look into all this myself. Thanks for your work.”
When he got back to the car, he spotted the cut on her lip. His eyes flashed coldly,
“Did that guy bite you?” he asked.
Yolanda opened her eyes, tears threatening. “No, I did it to myself,” she murmured.
Charles’s heart twisted painfully. He hugged her tightly. “Yolanda, I’m sorry.”
“It’s nothing. I just had bad luck, that’s all,” she whispered.
“Silly, someone’s targeting you. I’ll look into it,” Charles said softly, a hint of gentle chiding in his tone.
10:38 PM Oct 17
A Chapter 183
When’t that be too much trouble for you? Yolanda asked, her voice quiet, her eyes full of sincere concern
There was a clear, innocent honesty in her gaze; she honestly didn’t want to burden him with this sort of thine
It felt as if something had bitten into Charles’s chest, and a slow poison seeped through his whole body. making him deeply uneasy.
They might be husband and wife on paper, but right now she was treating him almost like a stranger–far too polite.
Yolanda… Charles said softly, his voice tinged with concern.
Yolanda lowered her lashes, closing her eyes. “If it’s not too much trouble, just let me know when you find something out. I’ll figure out what to do next.”
“Forget it–I’ll take care of everything for you,” Charles replied, the possessiveness in his voice unmistakable.
“But…” Yolanda hesitated, her words faltering, uncertainty in her tone.
“No more but’s. I’m your husband, remember? Sometimes, you need to let yourself lean on me,” Charles said, his words gentle yet fiercely protective.
Yolanda made a quiet sound of acknowledgment and blinked her eyes open, gazing out the car window with an unfocused look–no one could really tell what was going through her mind.
The Sinclair family’s influence was massive, and there were very few things Charles couldn’t get to the bottom of. Besides, Ken and Wayne only had Richard backing them–and Richard still hadn’t returned to Beloris. They’d left a bunch of clues behind, and Charles’s crew tracked them down in no time. Meanwhile, Ken and Wayne had no clue what was going on, still hanging around waiting for Eric to report back.
Charles headed to the office that afternoon and, almost on impulse, asked Yolanda to come along.
Yolanda didn’t object. When they arrived, she curled up quietly on the couch with a book, one hand lightly holding the pages while the other carefully turned them. She looked adorably focused, almost childlike in her quiet diligence.
The setting sun poured in through the large windows, bathing the room in a gentle, serene light.
The tranquil scene was interrupted when Joelle Monroe walked straight into the office without bothering to knock.
“Charles,” she said.
She spotted Yolanda on the couch and came to a sudden stop. “Am I interrupting?” Joelle asked, glancing between them.
Yolanda found it rather amusing. ‘We’re husband and wife–what could she possibly be interrupting?‘ she thought, a hint of a smile crossing her mind.
Charles sat calmly at his desk, his tone cool and even. “Is there something you need?”
10:38 FL 0417
Chapter 183
Joelle bit het hip and walked over, stopping beside his desk 1 brought you some soup Jack Nolan told me you bareh are anything this morning.
Charles’s eyes instantly zeroed in on her wrist–she’d just hurt it last night, and now she was busy cooking? Does she not care about her hands at all! he thought to himself.
Charles have some while it’s hot. I’ve got meetings with a bunch of directors soon about the new film I’ll be shooting now that I’m back, so I probably won’t get the chance later. Just take this as payback for your help last night, okay? No need to read into it,” Joelle said lightly.
She set the soup container on the desk, and before Charles could say anything, spun on her heel and left without another word.
Yolanda had to admit, Joelle’s tactics were impressive. She always handled herself with such effortless confidence and charm that it was almost impossible to turn her down.
And with that whole “white moonlight” aura–the type of idealized first love–no wonder Charles just couldn’t let her go.
Charles stared at the soup container in silence for a while, then reached up to rub his forehead.
It was obvious he was worried about Joelle’s injury.
Yolanda sat quietly on the couch nearby, keeping to herself and letting Charles deal with his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Joelle Monroe slid into her car, only to find Quentin Andrade still lingering outside. The sight made her instantly uncomfortable–she hadn’t expected him to stick around like some stubborn shadow.
A trace of awkwardness flickered across her face; her fingers curled tight around the steering wheel. “Quentin, why are you following me here?” Joelle asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Quentin had chased after her once before, but she’d brushed him off without a second thought–she already had Charles, after all.
Charles was the big boss among all these people–the top shelf, the real prize. There was no reason for her to aim any lower.
Quentin’s expression turned pained when he spotted the bruise on her wrist. Without hesitation, he pulled Joelle straight into his arms. “Did you seriously go and cook for him?”
Joelle immediately squirmed in his grip, but her struggles were half–hearted. Quentin just held her tighter, refusing to let go.
“This has nothing to do with you. I already said no to you years ago–stop chasing after me,” Joelle shot back.
“Joelle, Charles is already a married man. Aren’t you worried about all the gossip if people start talking? What if the press catches wind of this? Imagine what your fans would say if they found out! You’ve got over ten million followers now, and everyone knows how talented you are–they’re all rooting for you. If you get caught up in a scandal like this, everything you’ve worked for could come crashing down. Have you really forgotten how much you sacrificed to get where you are?” Quentin pressed, his frustration barely hidden.
Joelle kexas welled up with tears. She chily wiped them away, her voice desperate. “I told you just way meat
Joette why can you give me a chance? If you think less of me for not being CEO, well Vivian’s stirred up some troeble land and Grandpa’s rethinking the whole thing I swear, even if it’s only for your sake, I’ll get
pson–no matter what Quentin sand his voice low and intense.
Joebe bit hee Tigs, staying silent.
Since she’ll stopped struggling. Quentin held her hand tenderly, his voice low and full of yearning. “At your weke dinner, Charles was so cold to you–he barely looked your way. It’s clear he’s not into you anymore. Yesu ve always been so clear–headed, Joelle. I’ll show you I’m the one who’s best for you. Just wait–two months from now I’ll be sitting in the CEO seat at the Andrade Group
Joelle lowered her head, a shrewd look flickering in her eyes
The Andrade family had real clout, and if Quentin snagged the CEO spot, he’d have the power to back her up wherever she needed.
She drew a steady breath. I don’t want you chasing that position just for me—you should do it for yourself. Quentin, you really have what it takes. Vivian’s just too emotional, you know? She’s not cut out to manage the Andrade Group Out of your generation, you’re hands–down the most capable.
She barely finished the words before Quentin pulled her into a kiss.
田
A
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.
