Chapter 192
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Yolanda was about to head inside when lan dropped his little shovel and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. “I’ve got to head back to the set soon,” he said.
lan pressed a trail of soft kisses on her neck. “When do you have time? Ms. Sinclair’s giving me some days off -she’s planning to go hiking and wants me to join. She says she’ll call a few others, too.”
Anyone Ms. Sinclair invited was either from Beloris‘ most powerful circles or one of the top directors from the entertainment world. The fact that she wanted Ian to come along–it was obvious she was planning to take him under her wing.
Yolanda wasn’t sure how long she’d be caught up in everything with Starlight. She had a busy few days ahead.
“Let’s see,” she said.
Ian rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice tinged with disappointment. “Just… call me when you’re free, okay?”
Yolanda nodded, about to step away when Ian turned her around.
He pressed her back against the glass door of the floor–to–ceiling window. His hands were restless, but he held back, worried she might still be feeling the afterglow from earlier.
Yolanda was lost in Ian’s kiss for what felt like ten minutes, completely swept up in the moment–until her phone went off and snapped her out of it.
She checked her screen. It was a call from the police department.
‘That’s why I told Ian not to mess with Eric,‘ Yolanda thought to herself. ‘Frank feels guilty about his nephew, and if Eric gets into trouble, Frank will rush over no matter what.‘
Now she owned thirty percent of the shares, with Frank holding eight. If she played this right, maybe she could kill two birds with one stone.
The second work matters popped into her head, Yolanda came back to herself and pushed Ian away.
“Ian, I have to run to the police station right now. Stay focused on your scenes,” Yolanda said, giving him a quick reassuring look before heading off.
‘No matter how much I wish she’d stay…‘ Ian thought, ‘work always comes first for Yolanda
“Okay,” he muttered, trying to hide his disappointment.
Yolanda headed to the police station alone and found Frank already waiting for her. Everyone else in his circle was gone now–he was the only one left standing, and he was by far the toughest nut to crack.
“Mr. Doyle,” Yolanda called out with an easy smile, extending her hand. “The police brought me up to speed— I never expected Eric to be your nephew.”
12:09 Sun, Oct 19
Chapter 192
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Frank, usually cool as a cucumber, couldn’t hide the change in his expression this time. He already knew who Yolanda was, and with Charles watching Eric like a hawk, it wasn’t looking good. If it was just attempted rape, Eric might get a few years at most. But Charles was infamous for never showing all his cards–everyone knew he had plenty more tricks up his sleeve.
Frank liked to think he was tough, but facing off against a business giant like Charles… he didn’t stand a
chance.
He lowered his gaze in a polite, inviting gesture. “Ms. Grant, may I have a word with you in private?”
Yolanda nodded, following him into a nearby private room.
Frank seemed a lot calmer than usual. “Ms. Grant, you probably know I’m backed by Mr. Sinclair’s uncle, Edward Sinclair. When you took Leon and Tony’s shares, Edward didn’t say a word. Just a few days ago, he told me to hold onto my shares tight–he said Charles wouldn’t last much longer.”
As he spoke, Frank fixed Yolanda with a piercing stare.
Yolanda guessed Edward was still convinced Charles was feeling the effects of that drug and was only toughing it out for now. Not to mention, Charles was supposed to sell off that plot of land he’d been clutching onto forever.
Edward had already teamed up with Cedric. The two of them were lying in wait, just looking for Charles to show any signs of poisoning again–then they’d strike and help Edward seize the throne.
Frank was clearly testing the waters, probing for intel on what was really happening with Charles and why Edward sounded so sure of himself.
If this all turned out to be Charles‘ scheme, and Frank kept following Edward’s lead, he’d end up falling into the abyss right along with him.
Frank usually knew how to play his cards, but this time, he was testing the wrong person.
Yolanda flashed him a cool, confident smile, standing tall and looking every inch the boss. “Mr. Doyle, asking me about Charles is pointless. What you should be asking is how many years Eric’s about to spend in prison. Did you really think he’d only be charged with attempted rape?”
Frank’s brow furrowed. ‘What else can I even do now?‘ he thought, feeling utterly cornered.
With the victim being the CEO’s wife, there’s nothing more he can do to help Eric. All that’s left is to wait for Eric to get out someday and make sure he has a few properties to live out the rest of his life worry–free.
Yolanda spoke lightly, but there was a calm force behind each word. “I told the police I was carrying important Sinclair Group business secrets that day. Thanks to Eric’s mess, those documents vanished. I’m convinced he stole them. Eric and I are total strangers–he was acting on someone else’s orders, so that ‘I was just attracted to your looks‘ excuse doesn’t fly. He was after the confidential papers I had. Now they’re missing, and under national law for corporate espionage, that could mean life in prison.”
She finished speaking and gave a soft smile. “So, Mr. Doyle, don’t waste your energy worrying how to compensate your nephew, I swear–he’s never getting out.”
Frank’s face instantly changed–first blanching, then burning red. He stood there in a daze for a moment, jaw
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stays on his heels. If she hadn’t died, Eric never would’ve been cast aside so fast, never would’ve gone down this path. Bottom line: Frank owed Eric, no escaping that.
He took a deep breath, and after a long pause, finally asked, “Ms. Grant, is it my eight percent you’re after?”
Mr. Doyle, sharp as ever. Yolanda replied.
Prank pressed his lips together and rubbed his temples. “You know these shares were all handed to us by Sinclair Group just to keep our sponsors sweet. Edward could look the other way when Leon and Tony lost theirs but if I go down too, he’d be wiped out at Starlight–and you’ll be next on his hit list.”
That’s Charles battle, Yolanda replied, cool as ever. “Besides, I’ve been a target for Edward for ages anyway.”
Frank gritted his teeth, at a total loss for words. He’d never come across a woman like Yolanda–gentle on the surface, but tough as nails, and she saw through every move. She was unbeatable.
Figures she’s Charles wife, Frank thought. ‘I bet he taught her all the tricks.
He lost–plain and simple. Yolanda had outplayed him, and he knew it in his bones.
Frank looked at Yolanda, his voice edged with resignation and a last flicker of hope. “Ms. Grant, if I hand my shares over to you… will Eric actually walk free? Will Charles really go along with it?”
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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.
