Chapter 186
Vistanda sat comfortably on Charles’s lap, blatantly ignoring Ken and Wayne.
Ken finally lowered his head, trembling all over. “Mr. Sinclair, we truly had no idea what was going on. Honestly, you can’t trust your wife completely. You made her CEO of Starlight, but behind your back, she took shares that were supposed to be fixed from the start. She’s scheming, she-
If Ken had brought this up earlier, Charles might have gotten suspicious. But he chose to say it right at this crucial moment.
Yolanda was hurting so much already, and it was obvious Charles had spent the night with Joelle. If he started getting hung up over those nominal shares now, he’d just be embarrassing himself.
Charles would never lower himself like that.
He glanced at Yolanda, who looked up at him with cheeks still a bit pink, anxious to explain herself. “I told you I wanted to show you what I’m capable of, but the people at Starlight are impossible. I have no real power there, they even tried to mess with me, so shares were the only thing I could work with. I wasn’t trying to keep this from you, I talked to Mr. Maine about everything. I drew up a contract–everything goes to you in the end. I’ve already signed it, you can take a look.”
She wasn’t caught off guard at all. Yolanda reached into her bag and pulled out the document transferring 18% of the shares, setting it right in front of Charles.
“This is the contract I asked Mr. Maine to draft, and I’ve already signed it. Honey, I swear…”
In the very next second, Charles tore up the transfer papers and dropped them straight into the trash. “Seriously, you think I’d blame you over something so insignificant?”
Yolanda murmured, head hanging low, her tone barely above a whisper. “I don’t know.”
Charles’s arms tightened around her instinctively. ‘Is this all my fault? Is it because of everything I did before… is that why she can’t trust me now?‘ he thought, guilt swirling in his chest.
He couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed; he caught her chin between his fingers and made her look at him. “That black card I gave you, and the ten million dollars before–do you seriously think any of that matters less than a handful of stocks? Was I ever petty like that?”
Yolanda’s eyes flashed with delight. She instantly planted a kiss on his lips and smiled, “No way. You’ve always treated me like your queen.”
Charles’s gaze grew intense, his Adam’s apple shifting as he swallowed hard. That dazzling confidence in her eyes right now? It was impossible not to be moved by it.
The more lovey–dovey Charles and Yolanda got, the more miserable Ken and Wayne felt, still stuck kneeling on the floor. They’d always heard gossip–how Charles didn’t love his wife, how he only married her to teach someone a lesson, and how the two practically ignored each other after tying the knot.
But looking at them now, all that talk sounded like total nonsense.
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Chapter 186
Charles was obviously crazy abom her
Ken and Wayne were drenched in cold sweat, beads rolling down their foreheads
The more Charles showered Yolanda with affection, the more doomed Ken and Wayne felt.
no puchers
Charles kept Yolanda right in his arms, and at last, he gave Ken and Wayne a chilly look–they finally had his
attention
Wayne dropped to the hard floor and kowtowed for mercy. “Mr. Sinclair, it’s all our fault for failing to recognize your greatness! If Mrs. Sinclair wants some shares, we’ll hand over every single one we’ve got. Consider it our way of begging for forgiveness!”
Ken’s eyes went wide in shock. Each of them had 5% of the shares. If those ended up in Yolanda’s hands, she’d basically run the show at Starlight.
“Wayne…” Ken barely got a word out before Wayne shoved his head down.
Wayne grovelled on the floor, pressing Ken’s head down too. “Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Sinclair, we swear we knew nothing! Please have mercy on us. From now on, we’ll do whatever Mrs. Sinclair says, no complaints!”
Ken’s throat felt raw, and he was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. Five percent of the shares–millions in yearly dividends–now ended up in Yolanda’s lap, that bitch!
His gaze twisted with fury, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Charles gave Yolanda’s waist a gentle squeeze. “Are you satisfied now?”
Yolanda’s smile curved sweetly. “I am, honey. I never expected I’d get shares too. Honestly, I’m a little flattered and surprised…”
Charles felt his heart flutter–she was just so sweet and obedient, he couldn’t help wanting to spoil her even
more.
He pressed Yolanda’s head firmly toward him and claimed her lips in a passionate, possessive kiss.
Without breaking the kiss, Charles shot a cold, ruthless look at Jasper Clark, his eyes flashing with menace.
Jasper gave a crisp nod, whipped out the Starlight share transfer documents, and made Ken and Wayne sign without ceremony. Then, without hesitation, he signaled for the two men to be hauled out.
A few minutes later, agonized screams rang out from outside.
Yolanda startled, instinctively shoving Charles away as she glanced anxiously toward the floor–to–ceiling windows. “What’s happening to them?”
Charles’s voice was icy and merciless. “Betray me, and you still think you get to walk away alive? Those two are dreaming.”
Yolanda fell silent, burying her face in his neck.
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Chapter 196
Charles gemik patted her back, his voice softening “Scared?”
The next seen anything like this before, she murmured.
s me take you home. Be good for me, Charles murmured softly.
Mm–hmin. Yolanda replied in a gentle whisper.
Yeslanda’s heart was all over the place. She’d always known Charles was cool, calculating, and had zero patience for anyone who dared betray him.
If what happened between her and lan ever got out, she was sure Charles wouldn’t think twice about dealing with her just like he had with Ken and Wayne.
She pressed her lips together, frantically searching for an escape route in her mind.
No matter how much she racked her brain, she just came up blank.
Until she had real power of her own, all she could do was keep her head down and play along in front of someone like Charles.
Charles noticed how quiet she’d gotten ever since they got in the car, figuring she was probably still spooked by what just happened.
He teased, “Your nerves really that shot?”
Yolanda’s lips twitched, keeping her eyes low. “I was just thinking… You make dealing with stuff like this look easy now, but it must’ve been hell back when you first took over, right? Uncle Edward wanted me to poison you, Uncle Henry’s about to make a comeback, and Dad’s still being his usual trainwreck…”
Her eyes got misty as she dove into his arms. “Honey, you really have had it rough.”
Charles froze for a moment, then gently placed his hand on her back. “You little dummy.”
He patted her back, pulling her closer. “So, have you mastered that little trick I taught you last time?” Charles teased, his voice low and intimate.
Yolanda knew exactly what he was getting at. Just to tease him, she deliberately bit her lip again–right where the scab was. Instantly, it broke open and a bead of blood appeared.
Let the losers fight over the leftovers,’ Yolanda scoffed inwardly. ‘I’m not about to settle for trash.’
Charles saw she wasn’t responding, so he gently pulled her up and noticed a trickle of blood on her lips.
“What happened?” he asked, concern in his voice,
Yolanda shyly turned away, her ears flushed red. “I’ve never really done this before, so I’m a bit nervous… Can you give me a little more time?”
Charles couldn’t help but feel something soften in his chest. Every other woman he’d met tried so hard to win him over, always anxious about not pleasing him enough. But Yolanda? She was still a bit shy–and all of this
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new to her
Truth be told, he’d never cared for stiff, conventional types anyway. Their earlier times together were always straightforward and businesslike, hardly ever taking the time for kisses or intimacy.
Kissing had become a lot more frequent lately, though.
She’d changed, subtly but unmistakably–she was much more intriguing now than she’d ever been before.
Charles leaned in and placed a gentle kiss right on her wounded lip. Then, his tongue slipped inside, testing the waters with tender care. “There’s no rush, sweetheart. Take it slow–we’ve got all the time we need.”
田
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.
