Chapter 20
Linda came downstairs and caught the intimate moment between Charles and Yolanda, which somehow made her feel a bit more at ease. “You’re here, Charles,” she smiled.
Charles nodded, his voice soft. “Came to take Yolanda home.”
‘Yolanda’s so lucky to have a man as sweet as Charles, and yet she doesn’t appreciate him and even talks back to her mother–in–law, Linda fumed to herself.
She let out a heavy sigh. “How are you feeling? I heard you had some issues with low blood sugar at work today.”
Charles replied, “All good. Probably just missed Yolanda is all.”
That made Linda even happier. As long as Charles cared for Yolanda, this marriage would stick. “Quit with the lovey–dovey stuff this late. Just take her home,” she said.
Charles smiled, his hand still on Yolanda’s waist. “We’re off then. Yolanda’s been in a funk lately–if she rubbed you the wrong way, go easy on her, yeah?”
At this point, Linda could only laugh and wave them off.
Charles kept hold of Yolanda till they left the Grant residence.
Yolanda got into her car parked nearby, planning to drive back alone.
Charles stood by the car window, about to say something, when his phone buzzed.
Yolanda, sitting in the car silently, paused for a moment–she heard him mention her alias.
Tessa? Got it,” Charles said to the phone. “Have the people at Starlight Entertainment handle this. Just make her apologize.”
‘Sophie called Charles to help her get revenge? And he’s actually wasting his time on something this petty?‘ Yolanda thought. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and glanced down, slamming her foot on the gas.
Charles slid into the passenger seat, leaned back, and clicked his seatbelt. Then he rested his cheek on his hand and smirked at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Yolanda stayed calm. The bright red handprint on her cheek was impossible to miss.
He reached out and gently traced the red mark with his fingertip. “Your mom did this?” he asked, his voice soft, almost caring.
Yolanda couldn’t help but laugh. Pulling the car out, she shot back, “Quit the act.”
If Charles hadn’t made a big deal about that low blood sugar, May and Linda never would’ve come down on her like this.
Charles chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. For two years of marriage, Yolanda had been the perfect, compliant wife. But lately, she’d been pushing back at him more and more.
Yolanda thought he was nuts–smiling even after she snapped at him.
Charles continued, “Babe, I didn’t fake that low blood sugar thing on purpose. I ran into this annoying business guy today and used it as an excuse to bail on some pointless event. Had no idea it would get back to our families. I’m sorry.”
”
Yolanda’s eyes stung. She gripped the wheel till her fingers hurt. She knew Charles was only placating her now because he was certain she wasn’t pregnant. Besides, her defiance seemed to have amused him.
‘He thinks he’s the only one who can act? Watch me, she thought.
The car rolled into Moonbay Estate. She turned to him, her expression softening, her voice deliberately husky. “I’m so grateful you came to pick me up. I’ve been snappy lately. I’ll do better. Just come home more, okay?”
Charles felt like he was looking at the same old meek, boring Yolanda again, and the amusement in his eyes vanished instantly. He mumbled, “Yeah,” got out, and pulled out his phone.
Yolanda bit back an ironic laugh and followed him into the living room. She was still changing her shoes in the entryway when he was already heading out. “Got some work stuff at the office,” he said casually.
Yolanda figured it wasn
1/2
I work–more likely his mistress needed something. She didn’t really want to ask, but knowing how much he
2:14 AM P P
Chapter 20
hated her old passive behavior, she deliberately put on a clingy act.
“What’s the rush? Can’t you stay home and spend some time with me? My face still hurts,” she said, feigning vulnerability.
Charles patted her cheek lightly. “Go put some ointment on that,” he said, his tone soft. Then he turned and left.
20 vouchers
Yolanda stood there, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. After a moment, she walked upstairs to the guest room at the end of the hallway.
That day had made it crystal clear where she stood. Taking Charles head–on would only bring herself trouble. From now on, she’d play the submissive wife–until she was ready to strike back.
Charles settled into the car.
Jack, sitting in the front seat, said, “Mr. Sinclair, Ms. Sutton got slapped. She wants me to deal with that nobody talent. What are your orders?”
Charles considered banning Tessa outright. But since Sophie just wanted to take down some small–time star, he figured he’d let that happen.
“Don’t bring me these minor issues again,” Charles said coldly. “Sophie might cause drama, but she won’t go
too far.”
Jack nodded, understanding Charles was supporting Sophie. After a brief hesitation, he added, “Mrs. Sinclair mentioned earlier that she wanted to visit Starlight Entertainment…”
Charles lit a cigarette, scoffing, “Yolanda’s a delicate flower. Being pampered by the Grants all these years, even if she has a bit of spirit left, she’ll wise up after a few rejections. Ignore her.”
Yolanda spent the night calling up the directors she knew, checking if they had any roles open.
When she first launched her studio, only Sean and Zack knew she was Charles’s wife. She’d kept that detail quiet, so most people just
knew her as Tessa.
Ian was joining the crew soon. She needed to check in on him regularly while hunting down new roles for him.
But the most critical thing now was getting him to move away from Willow Lane. The place was a mess–if anything happened, they’d be screwed.
Yolanda remembered when she got married, Samuel had given her a set of keys, saying it was his property.
Samuel was new money, owned more properties than one could count. If he’d truly meant to give her the place, he wouldn’t have kept living there himself.
Yolanda dug through the kitchen cabinet and found the keys.
Honestly, Samuel had been good to her, but he was just so intense. Even though he wasn’t as harsh as Linda, his emotionless expression always sent a chill down her spine.
She took a deep breath, flipped the keys over, and spotted the address scribbled on the back. She decided to move lan there tomorrow morning. He was the only talent in her studio, and she had to look out for him.
