Chapter 191
The stream was surging past a million viewers, and everyone was surprised when cops walked in.
The chat was blowing up with rows of question marks.
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[What’s happening? Why are the police coming for Sophie? Did they get the wrong person? Shouldn’t they be arresting Yolanda, that corrupt boss?]
[They’re probably just here to get more info. Sophie’s the victim, so she’ll have to go to the station.
[Do victims really need handcuffs? Aren’t the police supposed to protect them?]
[Yeah, so what’s actually going on here?]
While the viewers kept guessing, Sophie was totally confused. She didn’t think she’d done anything wrong, so she couldn’t help but ask, “Officer, what’s this about?”
“Miss Grant has filed a police report. You’re accused of making defamatory statements and spreading rumors. The lawyers have collected the evidence. Please come with us,” the officer said.
Sophie wondered if she’d just misheard. ‘Did Yolanda really call the cops?‘
‘She’s got some nerve–she’s the one breaking the law!‘
Taking a deep breath, anger written all over her face, Sophie glared. “Fine, I’ll go with you. This is all Yolanda’s fault. The law will prove I’m innocent!”
She stepped up to the camera, face white as a sheet. “Yolanda called the police. I honestly don’t know if I’ll come out on top this time, but please, don’t let your attention stray. If you all stop caring, I’m going to take the full hit from the corporate powers. I’m just a regular person–I really don’t stand a chance against them.”
Her words had barely landed before the stream was cut off.
The internet went absolutely nuts. Starlight’s official account was nailed with a million furious comments, and people started spamming government departments, begging for someone to take down this shameless
company.
The outcry got so huge, the police had no choice but to step in and get serious about it.
When Sophie got to the station and saw Yolanda, she was so mad she could barely breathe. “You actually had the nerve to call the cops? Listen, Yolanda, if you kneel and apologize to me right now, maybe I’ll think about letting it go. Otherwise, you’re gonna get torn apart online!”
Yolanda just shrugged, pointing to Jason beside her. “Officer, this is my lawyer. He’ll handle everything from here. I’m pressing charges for defamation and slander, and I’m not backing down. The internet’s blowing up with hate for me, and everyone’s watching what you guys do. My only request is that you keep everything about this case public. If you don’t, you’ll get dragged into this mess too. Is that okay?”
The cops were more than happy to agree. Ever since they’d taken Sophie in, their phones had been ringing off the hook with people accusing them of siding with the rich and powerful.
12:08 Sun, Oct 19
Chapter 191
“Miss Grant, that’s perfectly fine,” the officer said.
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Before leaving. Yolanda shot Sophie a cold look. “Sometimes, I really envy you. Being so clueless must be pretty blissful, huh?”
Sophie’s eyes widened in shock and rage. She stomped her foot furiously. “Yolanda, you bitch! What did you just say?! Say it again if you’ve got the guts! Say it to my face!”
Yolanda ignored her and climbed right into her car without a word, driving away.
She wasn’t about to show her face at Starlight until the storm died down.
Starlight’s headquarters was practically besieged, with angry crowds packing every inch of the place, and any car trying to get through was instantly nailed with rotten eggs. The whole staff was completely overwhelmed and just trying to survive the chaos.
The glass entrance had already been shattered, and the cops had to show up in person to keep the mob from getting even more out of hand–this one–sided bullying nearly spiraled out of control.
Yolanda started trending again, and with nobody able to dig up a single photo of her, rumors and wild theories began spreading like wildfire.
Some people swore she was a high–ranking official’s secret lover, others swore she was his daughter- everyone online was spinning stories that sounded almost believable.
Yolanda hopped into her car and glanced at her chat with Ian. It was just after six, and he’d sent her a location.
It was that tiny place he’d first rented–she’d visited before, and remembered how cramped it was.
“What’s Ian doing back here?‘ Yolanda wondered to herself.
She drove over, pushed open the door, and saw Ian with his hands filthy with dirt, carefully bagging a young sapling into a sack.
The place was tiny–you could take in the whole room at a glance. The couch stood square in the middle, and despite the size, everything was spotless.
Yolanda sat elegantly on the couch, and it was like her presence brightened the entire space.
fan looked at her, then headed into the tiny bathroom to wash his hands. From inside, he called out, “Yolanda
Yolanda got up and walked over, about to ask what he was up to, when he suddenly tugged her inside.
She was wearing heels and nearly stumbled, falling right into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
The bathroom was cramped, but it was spotless.
“You still haven’t moved out of here?” she asked.
12:09 Sun, Oct 19
Chapter 191
“Actually, it’s a friend’s place. I don’t pay much rent, lan replied.
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Back in college, after finishing their training, the jocks would go straight for the nearest faucet, crank it wide open, and gulp the water down with their heads tilted back. If you happened to walk by, you couldn’t miss that wild, raw vibe they gave off.
Yolanda closed her eyes, keeping silent.
lan set her down on the couch and lowered himself onto one knee, gently massaging her leg.
Wearing those heels and standing on one foot had really started to hurt.
While he worked, he asked, “Does it still hurt?”
Just a moment ago, she’d nearly ripped his hair out–seriously, she didn’t pull any punches. Ian was left rubbing his scalp, wincing a little inside. ‘Man, she’s brutal, he thought.
Ian backed down with a pitiful look. “Okay, okay, it’s my fault. I swear I’ll never mess up like that again.”
Yolanda’s cheeks turned pink. She looked away, stubborn to the end, and he kept working on her foot for another ten minutes until she pressed her lips together, trying–without much success–not to let a smile slip
out.
“So, you’re really going to plant that little tree at my place?” Yolanda asked.
“Yeah, Ian said softly, “I dug it up from the mountains a while back and honestly, I just can’t leave it behind. I have no idea how long you’ll let me crash at your place, but I still want to bring it over and plant it there.”
lan knelt down, slipping her shoes onto her feet again and fastening the straps with extra care.
Yolanda tried to get up, but her legs just wouldn’t work and she almost sank to her knees.
Ian jumped in to steady her, instantly picking up on her sour mood and rushing to make it right. “Hey, don’t be upset. Let me carry you out to the car, okay?” he said gently, trying to coax her.
Yolanda finally closed her eyes and let out a little annoyed ‘hmph.’
Jan lifted Yolanda and carried her out to the car, then gently set the tree sapling inside before sliding into the driver’s seat.
Once they made it to his place, lan headed out to the garden, busying himself with planting the little tree right dead center.
Yolanda watched him through the big window, waiting until he was almost done planting; then, finally, she got up and walked outside.
The garden was already gorgeous, bursting with colorful blooms everywhere, which made his tiny sapling seem totally forgettable in the midst of all that beauty.
Ian brushed the dirt off his hands, stood up, and looked over at Yolanda.
12:09 Sun, Oct 19
Chapter 191
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Her cheeks were still tinged red, and honestly, she had that kind of effortless charm that outshone every flower in the whole garden.
Yolanda wasn’t even paying attention to lan’s look–she just ran her fingers over the little sapling. “So, what kind of tree is this?”
“No idea,” lan said, giving her a helpless smile. “I just yanked it out of the mountains. Didn’t even bother figuring out what it was.”
He wasn’t making things up–he really had no clue about the tree.
Yolanda couldn’t help but laugh. “You finally get a couple hours off, and you use it just to look after this thing?”
“Yolanda…” Ian called out, sounding a little aggrieved.
Honestly, he’d spent even more time fussing over her in that tiny bathroom.
‘Heartless,‘ Ian thought to himself.
All that effort he’d put into smoothing things over, and she still wouldn’t cut him any slack.
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.
