Chapter 17
Yolanda slept until dawn, waking just after six.
Just as she stepped out of the guest room, Jack handed her a gift box. “Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair asked you to deliver this.”
Yolanda took it and headed straight downstairs.
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Jack blinked, slightly taken aback. Charles had been with Sophie for over ten days this month. Before, Yolanda would’ve dropped hints, fishing for details on his schedule. But now, she didn’t ask a single thing–just grabbed the box and went down.
Charles still wasn’t home. Yolanda guessed he’d spent the night with Sophie. She did a quick workout on an empty stomach, picked at a light breakfast, then headed out around 7:30 to make the delivery.
She’d really ticked May off yesterday. Seeing her this early, May’s face soured like she’d stepped in something gross.
“Charles asked me to bring you this bracelet,” Yolanda said, holding out the gift box.
May took it. Inside was the emerald bracelet–the kind one couldn’t just buy with money–she’d been obsessing over.
The bracelet worked its magic. Her mood lightened as she slid it on. Then she shot Yolanda a sideways glance. “Has Charles taken you to get checked? Are you pregnant or not?”
“I’ll go this afternoon.” Yolanda replied. “Just a stomach bug, probably.”
May’s eyes sharpened, a sneer in her voice. “Heard from the maid at Moonbay Estate that you’ve been hunting down herbal remedies to get knocked up. Is that right?”
Yolanda stiffened. She’d been desperate for Charles’s baby, and now it was only making her look like a fool. ‘I was such an idiot, thinking a kid could keep him around, she thought.
May went on, “Charles treats you good, right? He gives you 60 thousand a month in allowance and bailed your family out more times than I can keep track of. Samuel wouldn’t be where he is without him.
“So don’t start thinking that just because your family’s rolling in cash now, you can play these games. Charles said it last night–you don’t deserve to have his baby.”
Yolanda’s fist tightened, but she wasn’t as stung as she might’ve been–she’d seen this coming. “No need to stress,” she whispered. “I’ll bring you the test results today. I wouldn’t even want to carry a Sinclair baby.”
Her words were humble, but they hit May like a sharp edge–though she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what felt off.
“Enough. Get out of here,” she snapped. “Keep this up, and I’ll call the Grants, asking them how they raised such a daughter.”
Yolanda flinched, thinking of the Grant family’s memorial hall she’d always hated. There was a punishment room–cold, pitch–black, terrifying. She’d been locked in there once for two days and had come out barely alive.
She bowed her head, pressed her lips tight, and mumbled, “I’ll leave now.”
May finally felt satisfied. She knew very well Yolanda was terrified of returning to the Grant family–they were way harsher than the Sinclairs ever were.
Charles has been this good to her, and she never even thanked him. What an ungrateful woman, May thought.
Once Yolanda got in the car, she realized her back was soaked with cold sweat.
Honestly, the Grants hadn’t punished her very much, but their house always felt suffocating. Ever since she was a kid–after learning she was adopted–she’d lived with a constant fear of being abandoned.
So, she’d always pushed herself to be the best at everything. But she had never realized the Grants were grooming her to be the perfect wife.
Yolanda leaned back, her eyes stinging. She floored the gas pedal and sped toward her studio.
Ian was already there waiting. Today, he wasn’t wearing a mask, and his lean frame stood out–his sharp features impossible to miss. When he saw her, he dropped his gaze, lost in thought.
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Chapter 17
Yolanda had driven her own car. She nodded for him to get in.
lan clutched the contract tight and slid into the passenger seat.
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She leaned over to buckle his seatbelt, like she always did. Sensing his tension, she comforted, “We’re gonna be around each other a lot. Better get used to it. As your agent and assistant, I’ll even handle your wardrobe.”
“Got it.” lan stared out the window, his fingers slowly curling into a fist.
Yolanda then drove to Zack’s film set. To her surprise, Sophie was there too.
Sophie had been launched into stardom by Charles, and with major brand endorsements under her belt, she was now an A–list rising actress. Everywhere she went, people fawned over her.
Spotting Yolanda, Sophie stormed over, her eyes blazing with fury. “Perfect. I’ve been wanting to find you. Didn’t think you’d have the balls to show your face here, you bitch,” Sophie spat.
She raised her hand to slap Yolanda, but lan caught her wrist, tight.
Sophie yanked hard, but couldn’t break free. Her face flushed crimson with rage. “Aren’t you scared of getting your career destroyed? Just wait–you’ll regret this,” she snapped, pulling away and turning to make a call.
Yolanda frowned and stopped her. “Ms. Sutton, I’m pretty tight with Mrs. Sinclair.”
Sophie paused, knowing that was a threat. She cut off the call before it could connect and asked coolly, “What do you mean?”
Yolanda stepped closer. She was taller than Sophie, with looks and poise that outshone her completely.
Sophie’s cheeks flared even redder, feeling totally overshadowed.
“Hasn’t Mr. Sinclair told you not to push your luck?” Yolanda said. “If word gets to his wife, he might not have your back. The Sinclairs don’t like scandal–you should know that.”
Charles might spoil Sophie, but she was just a disposable placeholder. Yolanda was certain he’d never jeopardize the reputation he’d carefully crafted over years.
Charles could be sweet one minute, ice–cold the next. He could lift a woman to the stars today and drop her into hell tomorrow without a second thought.
Sophie’s expression kept changing, her eyes burning with raw fury.
Yolanda smiled coolly. “Let’s keep things calm. I’ll stay quiet about Mrs. Sinclair–hope you make your move fast, Sophie.”
Sophie ground her teeth hard enough to hurt, her chest heaving with rage. Ever since she’d been with Charles, no one had dared to treat
her like this.
‘Damn it!‘ she seethed internally. I’m not letting the slap go. Just wait–I’ll make you crawl and beg for mercy.
“Go ahead and try. Say one word, and you’ll see how fast Charles drops you,” Sophie hissed. She whirled around and pulled out her phone.
‘Sophie’s seriously a handful, Yolanda thought, frowning. Then she brushed her off and took lan to meet Zack.
Right before the contract was signed, Zack’s phone rang–it was Jack.
Zack gripped the pen, his face changing as he listened. Before long, he hung up, set the pen down, and said, “Tessa, Jack just called. I can’t give you that role. You know I work for Starlight Entertainment–I could lose my job over this.”
Yola
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