Sean stood up the moment he saw Yolanda. “It’s been two years since you last reached out. I thought maybe Charles didn’t approve, and you’d decided to quit showbiz altogether.”
Yolanda shook his hand gracefully. “Charles is tied up with work–he doesn’t interfere in my business. Sean, this is my studio’s talent, Ian Foster. Can we have him go later?”
Ian had two million followers on Twitter. People were talking about him, but he was still basically D–list.
Sean patted her shoulder, then looked at Ian. “Well, since you put it that way, how could I not give you some face? Grab a seat. The audition for the second male lead’s about to start.”
Even if the role was pre–decided, they still had to go through the motions. Yolanda looked at Ian and gently reminded him, “Go ahead. When it’s your turn, Sean will call your name.”
Ian nodded and slowly walked over.
After Yolanda sat down in front of Sean, he let out a sigh. “If you’d been working these past two years, you’d definitely be a top agent by now. I’ve seen this kid in dramas–he’s talented. You really hit the jackpot with him.”
Yolanda was dressed simply today, but her looks were stunning enough that even without makeup, people couldn’t take their eyes off her.
She smiled. “It’s never too late as long as you’re willing.”
Sean raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Seems like you’ve changed. Would’ve been great if it had always been like this.”
The auditions for the female lead started first. After all the candidates had performed, one person was still missing.
Sean frowned and called out, “Who’s late?”
Yolanda guessed it was Sophie. Afraid of running into Charles, she stood up. “I’m going to get some fresh air,”
She planned to come back after Sophie finished her scene,
“Don’t go too far,” Sean reminded her.
Yolanda grabbed a bottle of water from nearby and walked into the hallway. She let out a sigh of relief. But as she passed the restroom, a moan caught her attention.
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“Charles, it’s really my turn to audition. If I’m late, the director will scold me. Please, just stop it…” Sophie’s voice came from inside the restroom.
Though she was telling Charles to stop, her legs were still wrapped around his waist.
Through the slightly open restroom door, Yolanda could even see the seductive glint in Sophie’s eyes.
“Charles, you said the Sinclair family is strict, but you seem pretty skilled. Who taught you?” Sophie teased.
Charles chuckled and lifted her chin, moving with practiced ease. “And you, baby, where did you learn all this?”
“I just want to keep you tied down a little, so you don’t go home,” Sophie hummed.
Yolanda’s face turned ashen, and her heart felt like it was being cut into pieces. She stepped back, only to feel someone cover her eyes.
A voice whispered, “Don’t look. They’re disgusting.”
The water bottle in Yolanda’s hand slipped to the floor. Sophie, startled, looked up and saw someone outside. She quickly pushed at Charles. “Someone’s there.”
Charles released Sophie. As he turned, all he saw was the half–empty water bottle on the floor.
He straightened the folds of his clothes with deliberate care. In reality, he and Sophie hadn’t done much–just a little flirting.
He wasn’t sure if the person outside had taken photos, and he couldn’t let a scandal leak.
After leaving the restroom, Charles called his assistant. “Check the surveillance.”
He wanted to know who had been standing outside–and make sure that person stayed quiet, so Yolanda wouldn’t find out.
Sophie straightened her clothes. She had apparently seen Yolanda entering the audition room earlier and guessed she was here to audition too.
“Charles, leave this to me,” Sophie said. “I know who was outside just now. I’ll make sure she doesn’t say anything.”
Charles, at that moment, returned to his aloof, high–and–mighty demeanor. He pinched her cheek. “Focus on your work.”
“Got it. I won’t embarrass you,” Sophie said. “Go wait outside. I’ll get this over with, then we can have dinner together.”
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He chuckled lightly and glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was the one Yolanda had given him–a gift that had hit the right spot in his heart, so he’d worn it ever since.
“I’ll wait for only half an hour,” Charles said.
“Why so heartless?” Sophie pretended to be sad.
They flirted casually, as if no one else existed, until Charles was escorted out amidst his entourage. Only then did Sophie lift her chin and enter the audition room.
She saw Yolanda and immediately recognized her as the woman who had been standing outside the restroom earlier. Yolanda looked pale, but undeniably beautiful.
Sean, seeing that Sophie had only just arrived, was a little impatient. He was about to usher her out when someone ran over to remind him, “Sean, she’s sent by Mr. Sinclair.”
Sean furrowed his brow, wondering what Charles’s relationship with Sophie could be. After all, Yolanda was still sitting there.
Yolanda anticipated what Sean was thinking and politely said, “I’ve never involved myself in Charles’s affairs.”
Besides, Sophie had Charles completely wrapped around her finger in the bedroom.
Sophie sweetly introduced herself and began her performance. But her acting was a disaster. By the end, she probably realized how embarrassing it was and couldn’t help tearing up.
She’d been kept up too late by Charles the night before and had forgotten her lines. This was far below her usual level.
She quickly turned to Sean, pouting, “Mr. Anderson, I was with my boyfriend last night and got delayed. I really didn’t mean to forget my lines. I’ll memorize them properly next time.”
Then she glanced at Yolanda, a flicker of triumph crossing her eyes, before adding a threat, “By the way, if you dare tell anyone what you saw outside, you’ll be responsible for the consequences.”
She had intended to say it politely, but Yolanda was too beautiful–it sparked jealousy in her.
No one liked to be outshone, especially in the entertainment industry, where looks often mattered more than anything else.
Seeing Yolanda stay silent, Sophie got even angrier. “Did you hear me? I don’t care who you are–you can’t mess with my backer.”
Sean, already in a bad mood, snapped back, “Who she is has nothing to do with you. Don’t waste my time with the other auditions.”
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Sophie, used to being pampered wherever she went, nearly burst into tears at Sean’s harsh
tone.
Her manager quickly handed over some tissues. “Mr. Anderson, Sophie really did work too hard last night. Sorry for causing any trouble. Sophie, come on–go call Mr. Sinclair.”
Sophie’s manager, who had never lost out since working with Sophie, knew better than to make a scene when so many people were around.
Sophie shot Yolanda a glare before the manager pulled her aside.
Yolanda watched as Sophie made the call. Charles was probably on the other end, coaxing her just enough to make her beam with happiness.
Finally, Yolanda understood why Charles spoiled Sophie so much.
When Sophie smiled, her eyes were strikingly similar to the woman Charles couldn’t have— those same lively, irresistible eyes.
And just that resemblance alone was enough to throw him off balance.
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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.
