Chapter 204
Eric’s forehead slamined into the floor with a terrible thud, blood staining the floor bright red.
Yolanda had always been wary of Eric. The cops told her he was the obsessive type–once he decided someone was his enemy, he wouldn’t rest until he’d torn them apart.
Eric kept banging his head against the floor, his movements growing more erratic as he neared collapse.
Yolanda couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She said flatly, “The only reason I got you out was because your uncle handed me an eight percent stake. Aren’t you angry with me for that?”
Eric spoke weakly, barely holding himself together. “It’s myself I blame. I was just jealous of Jack. Why was I stuck in hell while he kept climbing higher and higher? He used to be no better than me. Why was my family torn apart, while he still had loving parents? I was jealous of him…”
Yolanda reached out, and it took her a bit of effort to finally get the rope untied.
The rope dropped to the floor, smeared with blood.
Eric slowly got to his feet, limping forward.
Yolanda paused before she spoke again. “You’re thinking about going after Edward Sinclair for revenge? Do you even know who he is? That’s Uncle Edward—not just anyone–he’s Charles’s uncle, and Charles is the CEO of Sinclair Group.”
Eric stopped dead, then turned back and sank to his knees before her. “Yolanda, please, show me the way. I’m begging you.”
Yolanda wasn’t a fan of these intense types. Back at the police station, Eric would rather go down with the ship than sell out the person pulling his strings–he’d rather rot in jail than let anyone else get burned.
Guys like him are trouble, but if you know how to use them, they’re the sharpest blade in your hand.
Yolanda went over several names in her head, then landed on Quentin. She grinned. “Come with me.”
Right next to them was a narrow alley–some things you just couldn’t say out in public.
Eric followed her into the alley, and just then, Frank’s bodyguard showed up. When he saw Yolanda, he instinctively stepped in front of Eric.
Yolanda was a little surprised. “Who are you?”
“Miss Grant, I’m Mr. Doyle’s bodyguard. He wants me to take Mr. Long abroad.”
Yolanda nodded. Truth was, she actually had some respect for Frank Doyle. Before she joined Starlight, she’d run background checks on all the senior men, and Frank was the only one who’d never gotten blood on his hands–he never actively pressured anyone, just chose to keep his distance. In a place as cutthroat as Starlight, only those with ice in their veins managed to survive.
She’d always known Frank Doyle was a tough player, but unfortunately, he had Eric Long as his Achilles heel -and Eric Long was seriously disappointing.
All of a sudden, Eric threw himself to his knees before the bodyguard. “I have to make them pay for what they did to my uncle!”
The bodyguard’s brow furrowed, his face cold. “Mr. Long, Mr. Doyle’s already taken care of everything. Come on–you’re leaving in three hours, there’s still time if we head out now.”
Eric stayed silent, still kneeling. Yolanda sighed. “If Eric’s family hadn’t fallen apart, he probably would’ve been the valedictorian that year. But life was too smooth for him, and Frank’s always been the silent type- never says a word unless he has to. Their misunderstandings just snowballed. If they’d just talked it out, Eric wouldn’t have turned out like this. Can’t you see? He’s stuck with all these unresolved issues. If he doesn’t handle it himself, he’ll just stay lost, even if he goes abroad. Back home we’ve got strict anti–drug laws, but overseas… it’s a whole other mess.”
People like Eric, born smart, either end up running the show or hit rock bottom–there’s no middle ground.
Fate gives them one gift, but doesn’t hesitate to slam shut every other door.
That’s what turned Eric into such an all–or–nothing kind of guy.
Yolanda glanced at her phone, sounding cool as ever. “Frank Doyle’s death is all thanks to Edward Sinclair. Now, Edward isn’t that hard to handle, but trust me–getting near him is tougher than it looks, especially with his two sons always around. So don’t go head–on–play it smart and work around the edges. Your best bet is to get close to Quentin Andrade at the Andrade manor. Right now, Edward’s teaming up with Quentin’s biggest rival, Cedric. But that partnership’s just a ticking time bomb. When things blow up, Edward’s gonna come for Quentin, and if you’re the one who steps in and saves Quentin’s ass, you’ll win his trust and get a place at his side. Honestly, I can’t stand Quentin, but right now, he’s set to be the next boss of the Andrade family. Once you climb up the ladder, getting a shot at Edward will be a breeze–though yeah, it’s a hell of a climb. Think about it carefully. And the reason I’m pushing Quentin? At least he’s got some sense of decency–he always repays favors. Plus, he and Edward’s sons are both chasing after the same girl. You’ll be seeing a lot of him, whether you like it or not.”
The relationships were seriously messy, but Eric picked up on the whole situation after just one listen.
“Miss Grant, I’m in. I’ll go to Quentin’s side.”
Yolanda nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Good luck, then.”
The bodyguard stood off to the side, brow furrowing as he watched Yolanda. ‘She’s definitely playing a deep game. Mr. Sinclair was right–she’s after something big!
But that wasn’t his business. Eric had made his choice, and that was that.
Yolanda handed Eric Quentin’s schedule, which she’d just gotten her hands on.
The land deal Edward and Cedric had cooked up was about to blow up in their faces. Once the Andrade family caught wind of it, they’d kick Cedric out of Beloris so fast his head would spin.
Eric took the schedule without another word to Yolanda and walked off.
Chapter 204
Yolanda had swung by the studio to grab a few things. The online drama about Starlight was still going strong and now everyone was seeing through Sophie’s schemes—she was getting roasted all over the internet
As for that batch of artists who hopped onto the livestream bandwagon to cash in and stomp on Yolanda? They were all getting called out and dragged through the mud.
Netizens live for gossip–they weren’t about to let this slide. They put together a master list of every artist who went live to trash Yolanda, blasted it onto the trending charts, and sent it viral.
Seventeen artists had gone live to attack Yolanda. Now, a bunch of them couldn’t take the heat, and were rushing to pay back everything they’d made from Starlight, signing termination agreements, and hightailing it out of there.
Yolanda grabbed her stuff and was about to leave the studio when her phone rang–it was Simone.
“Yolanda, did you hire an assistant for lan?”
“Yeah, I asked a friend to keep an eye on him. He’s my golden goose–I can’t afford to lose him.”
She called Megan early this morning and told her to never leave Ian’s side on set from now on–he needed someone to watch out for him at all times.
Plus, things had gotten tense between them just last night, so some distance would do both of them good right now.
“Ian’s been absolutely crushing it lately–every shot is a one–take wonder. The kid’s a born actor. Oscar and I just finished a new movie script, and we’re planning on making him the male lead. For the female lead, Oscar
wants Joelle Monroe. Is that cool with you?”
Yolanda was about to say she didn’t care, but her expression shifted in an instant.
Simone continued, “There’s a bunch of intimate scenes in this one–including a few full–on bedroom scenes.”
Yolanda’s stomach turned.
“Ian just won’t budge. He’s been making a fuss about it all morning–that’s why I called you. How about you try convincing him? This is a major production–every A–list actor out there would give anything to land a part in it. That kid, I swear, sometimes he just doesn’t know how good he’s got it…”
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.
