Titan 155
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Yolanda drove to Sinclair Group to drop Jason off, planning to see Charles while she was there.
Jason kept his distance from her. As soon as they arrived in the underground parking garage, he went straight for the elevator dedicated to the executive floors, leaving Yolanda behind.
Ironically, even as the CEO’s Wife, Yolanda didn’t have the access card for that elevator. Seriously? I still can’t get into the VIP area, she thought wryly, so she had to go up to the lobby first.
Yolanda figured Jason probably thought she had a pass already, which was why he didn’t bother waiting for
her.
Yolanda stepped into the regular elevator next to it, only to spot Sophie, all bundled up like she was trying hard not to get recognized.
Sophie’s face was full of surprise. “Tessa? What brings you to Sinclair Group?”
She was carrying an insulated lunch container, packed with home–cooked food–every single dish was Charles’s favorite.
These days, Sophie hung on Yolanda’s every word, her attitude toward her as friendly as could be.
Yolanda glanced at the lunch box. “Mrs. Sinclair’s around today. This really isn’t the best time for you to show up.”
A flash of panic flickered in Sophie’s eyes. She used to be brave enough to cause a scene in front of Mrs. Sinclair, but after almost getting left by Charles, she’d been way more cautious lately.
Sophie bit her lip. “So, what should I do?”
“Why don’t you head home? I’ll take the lunch box upstairs for you,” Yolanda said.
Sophie let out a sigh of relief and handed the lunch container over. “Thanks, Tessa. Once I’m sitting in the Mrs. Sinclair seat, I’ll be sure to give you a big red envelope–and every single talent under your management, I’ll make sure they all hit the top tier.”
As she got off the elevator at the first floor, Sophie kept reminding her, “Charles has stomach problems, so I put a lot of effort into making these. I actually got my hand blistered from all the cooking. Please, make sure he eats them.”
“I’ll try my best,” Yolanda replied. “But I’m not that close to Mr. Sinclair, so I’ll have to find an opportunity to deliver it. I can’t guarantee it’ll work.”
When Sophie heard Yolanda say she wasn’t close to Charles, she felt an odd wave of relief.
‘She’s just too beautiful, Sophie thought, ‘No wonder she makes people on edge around her.’
Yolanda rode the regular elevator up to the top floor and knocked on Charles’s office door.
10:16 Fri, Oct 3
His voice sounded from inside. “Come in.”
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She walked in carrying the lunch box, speaking gently. “I was with Jason Maine earlier. We had to handle some things for Starlight today.”
She set the lunch box down where he could easily reach it, her voice light and thoughtful. “I just knew you’d skipped lunch again.”
Charles looked genuinely surprised when he saw the lunch box. “You made this?”
Yolanda just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
He popped open the lid and took a look–the food looked and smelled incredible, and every single dish was one of his favorites.
Nobody but Yolanda could remember exactly what he liked, right down to the last detail.
Charles pulled her straight into his arms with a grin. “What brings you here out of the blue today? Came to spy on your hubby at work?”
Yolanda smiled softly. “Since you let Jason help me out, he’s really sorted out a ton of legal headaches for me. Thanks for that.”
Charles rested his chin on her shoulder, lips curving into a teasing smile. “That’s it?”
He picked up the fork, tasted a bite–flavor was on point, and he couldn’t help but feel way better than before.
Yolanda stood up and started sorting through the documents on his desk. “Uncle Edward has a few ‘close‘ executives over at Starlight. I’ve just let two of them go, and now I’m worried he’ll blow his top.”
That ‘closeness‘ just means those execs were the kind who accepted favors–especially women–from others.
Charles usually just turns a blind eye to that kind of thing.
Yolanda nudged the paperwork forward, her tone sweet. “Last time, Uncle Edward told me to poison you, and I still haven’t done anything. It’s been days and he hasn’t tried to follow up or check in.”
Since Charles had once pulled out that bottle of pills in front of Edward Sinclair, Edward just assumed I’d already gone through with it.
Yolanda clearly wasn’t expecting Charles to answer; she just steered the conversation onto something else. “So, how’s Renee holding up?”
Charles’s fingers tightened around the fork; he was clearly bothered by that question.
It was because his mom just wouldn’t agree to send Renee to a care center.
Yolanda paused, then suggested softly, “Honey, maybe I should stop by your family’s place tonight and check in?”
Her forehead still bore a small wound, though her bangs did a good job of hiding it from sight.
10:16 Fri, Oct 3
80
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Charles felt a pang in his chest and set the fork aside. “If you go, you’ll only get caught up in the drama again. Just don’t, okay?”
Yolanda wavered, worry flickering in her eyes. “But… is it really alright if I don’t go?”
“Really, trust me. It’s fine,” Charles replied, not a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Jack Nolan pushed open the door just then, treating Charles with proper respect. “Mr. Sinclair, the meeting kicks off in ten minutes.”
Yolanda nudged the lunch box his way. “Eat it all, okay? I’ve gotta head out–need to drop by Starlight.”
She’d said before she wanted to show Charles what she could do, and he hadn’t stood in her way.
Charles grabbed his fork again, teasing, “Don’t work too late, alright? You’re not supposed to be busier than me.”
Yolanda grinned. “Yeah, yeah, I hear you.”
As Yolanda slipped back into her car, she was surprised to see Sophie still lurking in the underground garage. Yolanda rolled down the window. “Hey, I handed you the lunch box for Charles earlier–did it get to him?”
“No, didn’t manage to,” Yolanda replied, sounding almost bored. “Mrs. Sinclair happened to toss it out by accident.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed, a flash of disdain in her gaze. ‘Mrs. Sinclair, that woman… always getting in the way, she thought bitterly.
‘Just wait–once I take her place, I’ll make sure she regrets ever crossing me.’ Sophie gritted her teeth, the promise echoing in her mind.
Sophie gritted her teeth, recalling what Yolanda had told her–Charles was never in love with Mrs. Sinclair. The woman who really had his heart was Joelle Monroe.
Sophie tightened her grip, her voice tense. “Tessa, have you heard? Joelle’s coming back, and she’s making headlines! She’ll be back in just a month.”
Yolanda knew exactly what Sophie was talking about. ‘Joelle’s return–it’s all for Charles,‘ she thought.
‘Actually, this might work out for me, Yolanda mused, ‘at least Charles won’t be home every night—and that definitely helps with what I’ve got planned.
“I’ve heard,” Yolanda replied smoothly. “So you’d better not slack off–spend more time with Mr. Sinclair, and maybe even consider having a baby. I chatted with Mrs. Sinclair earlier, and the Sinclair family is getting impatient. If Joelle comes back and steals the show by having Charles’s child first, you’ll be in real trouble. Joelle’s never been the forgiving sort—she won’t leave a spot open for anyone else.”
Sophie’s face went pale with rage. “That bitch! What makes her so special? She’s not even Charles’s wife!”
Yolanda just smiled and got in her car.
10:16 Fri, Oct 3
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Meanwhile, in another country, Joelle gazed at her own flawless reflection in the mirror, a hint of worry clouding her beautiful features.
“Do
you
think Charles will still love me when I get back?” she asked softly.
Her agent stood beside her, beaming and handed her a necklace with obvious respect.
“Joelle, you’re an international superstar now. Remember how Charles was begging you not to leave back then? You’re his white moonlight–his one true first love. People always say a ‘white moonlight‘ doesn’t have to do anything; just standing there is enough to win. Back in Beloris, you had half the elite tripping over themselves for you.”
A smug smile crept onto Joelle’s face. Despite her humble background, she’d gotten into Beloris University- she had the looks, the brains, and the drive to work harder than anyone. That’s what caught Charles’s attention and got her pulled into his elite circle. Plenty of other guys had tried to confess their feelings for her, but she already had Charles, so turning them down was effortless.
But soon, Joelle realized that all that admiration came way too easy. Craving something more meaningful, she decided to go abroad with someone who truly shared her ambitions.
This guy wasn’t some broke student either–his family dominated the overseas film scene and gave her the connections and resources she needed to rise. Without his backing, she never would’ve reached the heights she stood at today.
But at the top, looking down on so many, Joelle finally understood–Charles was the real deal. Back then, he’d treated her with a tenderness no one else ever had.
Too bad he went and got married–just to get back at me, and of all people, he picked that childhood friend of his.
Joelle leaned back with a sigh. “Whenever he flew out and met up with me, he still had that gentle look in his eyes. But I was pretty insecure back then. I’d hear people gossip, saying I was with him for his social standing. If I’d stayed this broke student forever, everyone would have kept side–eyeing me. And his precious little childhood friend–she’s just some adopted kid who lucked out. Charles kept ditching her for me, more times
than I can count.”
Her eyes curved innocently, a flash of smugness showing through. “Charles spoiled me with everything- literally the best the world had to offer. But I was too high and mighty at the time to care. Now I’ve got status and fame; once I’m back, that childhood sweetheart can kiss her place goodbye.”
Her agent nodded eagerly. “Exactly, Joelle. You can rest easy.”
Joelle remembered how Yolanda used to look at her and Charles when they were together–so envious, like she wished she could switch places.
‘Someone like Yolanda is no threat to me,’ Joelle sneered to herself. ‘She’s never even been on my radar. That girl is the walking definition of dull–absolutely no spark!
10:16 Fri, Oct 3