Chapter 26
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Yolanda and Charles headed to Muse Club’s private room. Halfway there, he stopped to take a call, so she continued toward the door.
Before she could reach for the handle, she heard Max Shaw’s voice. “Guess who Charles is bringing tonight–Sophie? Or that CEO he hooked up with that one night?”
Max was Charles’s buddy, an heir to the Shaw family, and he loved watching drama unfold.
Quinn Cooper leaned back, snickering. “I’ll put a bottle of Golden Legend on it–he’s bringing Yolanda.”
Max was confused. “Why her? He hasn’t taken Yolanda out in forever.”
“Samuel’s here tonight, Quinn replied. ‘No way Charles would bring a fling in front of his brother–in–law.”
Yolanda’s fingers froze on the door. ‘So, they all know Charles is cheating on me. I’ve been a joke this whole time, she thought bitterly.
Max took a sip of his drink, swirling the glass. “Samuel’s something else, nailing that land deal. Word is land’s owner, Lucas Zimmerman, turned down cash, turned down a house–how’d he even pull that off?”
Quinn said. “You’re missing the angle. Lucas wouldn’t budge because his wife vanished ten years back. He was scared she wouldn’t find her way home if he moved.
When Samuel started after that land, he sent people to track her down. Lucky break–they found her. Now Samuel’s the only one Lucas will sell to.”
Lucas had gotten lucky–his family held onto that land for years, never selling. They’d even built a big house and a little farm there.
That plot of land was right in the middle of the government’s most lucrative development plans. And the city started talking about developing the area six months back. But Lucas just wouldn’t budge.
Plenty of folks in Beloris had their eyes on that plot. But Lucas was blocking everything. No one could agree on a price, and he wouldn’t back down, not one bit.
But Samuel managed to seal the deal recently. He’d got no problem swallowing his pride if it got him what he wanted. Now Charles had to team up with him to tackle that project, so bringing Yolanda along made perfect sense.
After hearing every word through the door, Yolanda pushed it open.
Spotting her, Max exchanged a glance with Quinn. ‘Damn, Quinn’s bet is spot–on,‘ he thought.
Quinn raised an eyebrow and flagged down the manager of the club to send over a bottle of Golden Legend.
Yolanda acted like she hadn’t heard their little wager. She slid into a seat next to Charles’s–just like always–quiet, waiting.
Max twirled his glass, thinking to himself, ‘No wonder Charles isn’t into her, even though she’s so pretty. She’s way too submissive. Young guys don’t go for the goody–goody type.
Quinn popped the cork on the Golden Legend and poured Yolanda a glass, teasing, “Well, well–look who’s out to play. Come alone? Not glued to Charles’s side today?”
“He’ll be here in a sec,” Yolanda said, pushing the glass back. “I’m not drinking.”
Quinn leaned in, grinning. “Yolanda, you’re way too nice. Good thing you’re hitched to Charles. With how sweet you are, some other guy’d walk all over you otherwise.”
Liars. All of them–supposedly Charles’s best friends, Yolanda sneered silently. She plastered on a fake smile and said, “I’m married now. Staying loyal to my husband is what matters.”
Quinn sighed to himself, Totally a buzzkill.
Just then, the private room door swung open, and in walked Charles and Samuel.
Samuel was the last one to join this group, and he never really clicked with the others.
The group had looked down on him. Everyone in their circle knew the Grants had built their wealth by exploiting women. They didn’t think the sole Grant heir was any different.
But he had blown up in recent years. Before anyone knew it, he’d become a total up–and–comer.
1/2
2:15 AM PP.
Chapter 26
Samuel stood next to Charles, maintaining his serious expression.
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Yolanda jumped to her feet to greet him. She’d met him once at the Grant residence, but back then she’d been standing in the yard, being punished.
Samuel nodded, holding out a hairclip.
Yolanda froze.
“Picked it up at the mall on the way over.” Samuel said.
The clip was covered in real diamonds, sparkly and totally girly. She dropped her gaze, took it, and clipped it into her hair. “Thanks,” she murmured.
Samuel nodded and sat down. The second he did, the easy vibe in the room vanished.
Charles stayed quiet, his eyes locked on Yolanda’s head. The small smile on his lips faded a little.
Yolanda was adopted by the Grants–no blood relation to Samuel. But like most guys, Charles was territorial. He hated when anyone invaded his turf and even left a mark.
He slid an arm around Yolanda’s waist, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. “If you like stuff like this, I’ll take you shopping before we get home.”
Samuel picked up a cup–the one Quinn had poured for Yolanda, which she hadn’t touched. He took a sip, then said, “She’s been your wife for two years, and you never bought her a hairclip before?”
Charles’s smile stiffened. His eyes turned cold.
Yolanda suppressed a smile. She was scared of Samuel, but he had one major advantage–he was brutally direct, just like at work, always cutting straight to the point.
Watching Charles squirm felt good. Still, she stepped in, sweet as could be. “Samuel, Charles has given me tons of gifts. I just don’t like wearing them.”
Samuel fixed her with a stern, fatherly look. “A young lady ought to act like one. The Sinclairs have money, so why aren’t you wearing any jewelry?”
Charles set down his cup. “Are you here to grill me, Samuel? I’ve been married to Yolanda for two years, and I’ve never mistreated her. Besides, you know how Grant women are. Simple, no frills–that’s just her style.”
Yolanda dropped her gaze, feeling a sharp pang in her chest. She did love those things, but Grant family rules frowned on flashy jewelry.
Max jumped in to smooth things over. “C’mon, Samuel, Charles treats Yolanda well, and we all see it. No need to worry–he’s not chasing after other women.”
Samuel never paid much attention to gossip; he was too straight–laced. He had no idea Charles was seeing Sophie. But even if he had known, he would’ve kept quiet for the sake of keeping the peace. His concern for Yolanda only went so far.
The mood lightened a little. Max brought up the land deal, and they moved on to business talk.
Yolanda tuned out for a bit, but she caught the gist: With this land, Samuel’s standing as a new–money big shot would only get stronger.
