Titan 183

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Charles found it beneath his dignity to get into a shouting match with someone like Eric.

Be gently pulled Yolanda behind him, his voice soft. “Go wait in the car.”

Yolanda nodded, worry written all over her face as she grabbed his sleeve. “Charles, don’t make it too big. I’m scared the Sinclair family will hear about it.”

She looked down, her voice low. “If something like this gets out, no matter what actually happened, people won’t be judging me. They’ll judge you.”

Even now, she was still more anxious about his reputation than her own.

Charles’s eyes grew softer and he reached out to gently rub the top of her head. “Go wait in the car for me,” he said in a low, soothing voice.

Yolanda headed outside and, once she got in the car, closed her eyes for a quick nap.

Nobody knew what Charles said to the cops, and no one bothered to even look at Eric.

Eric lived to be the center of attention. Being ignored was pure torture for him; it drove him nuts.

After finishing his conversation with the police, Charles finally turned his attention to Eric.

Eric sneered, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. “Your wife’s nothing but a whore. She’s hooking up behind your back with some pretty boy. You act all classy, but she still cheated on you–serves you right! There’s no shortage of guys who keep their eyes on her, and I’m just one of them.”

Charles didn’t hesitate. He swung his fist and landed a solid punch right in Eric’s gut. Eric coughed up more blood and nearly passed out.

The police quickly stepped in, trying to calm things down. “Mr. Sinclair, this guy’s got a pretty extreme personality. He said all that just to insult Miss Grant. Last night, the nurse on duty called us–Miss Grant was terrified. Whoever helped her was probably just someone who couldn’t stand by and watch. By the time we got there, they’d already left.”

Charles kept his tone cool and steady. “I get it. I’ll look into all this myself. Thanks for your work.”

When he got back to the car, he spotted the cut on her lip. His eyes flashed coldly,

“Did that guy bite you?” he asked.

Yolanda opened her eyes, tears threatening. “No, I did it to myself,” she murmured.

Charles’s heart twisted painfully. He hugged her tightly. “Yolanda, I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing. I just had bad luck, that’s all,” she whispered.

“Silly, someone’s targeting you. I’ll look into it,” Charles said softly, a hint of gentle chiding in his tone.

10:38 PM Oct 17

A Chapter 183

When’t that be too much trouble for you? Yolanda asked, her voice quiet, her eyes full of sincere concern

There was a clear, innocent honesty in her gaze; she honestly didn’t want to burden him with this sort of thine

It felt as if something had bitten into Charles’s chest, and a slow poison seeped through his whole body. making him deeply uneasy.

They might be husband and wife on paper, but right now she was treating him almost like a stranger–far too polite.

Yolanda… Charles said softly, his voice tinged with concern.

Yolanda lowered her lashes, closing her eyes. “If it’s not too much trouble, just let me know when you find something out. I’ll figure out what to do next.”

“Forget it–I’ll take care of everything for you,” Charles replied, the possessiveness in his voice unmistakable.

“But…” Yolanda hesitated, her words faltering, uncertainty in her tone.

“No more but’s. I’m your husband, remember? Sometimes, you need to let yourself lean on me,” Charles said, his words gentle yet fiercely protective.

Yolanda made a quiet sound of acknowledgment and blinked her eyes open, gazing out the car window with an unfocused look–no one could really tell what was going through her mind.

The Sinclair family’s influence was massive, and there were very few things Charles couldn’t get to the bottom of. Besides, Ken and Wayne only had Richard backing them–and Richard still hadn’t returned to Beloris. They’d left a bunch of clues behind, and Charles’s crew tracked them down in no time. Meanwhile, Ken and Wayne had no clue what was going on, still hanging around waiting for Eric to report back.

Charles headed to the office that afternoon and, almost on impulse, asked Yolanda to come along.

Yolanda didn’t object. When they arrived, she curled up quietly on the couch with a book, one hand lightly holding the pages while the other carefully turned them. She looked adorably focused, almost childlike in her quiet diligence.

The setting sun poured in through the large windows, bathing the room in a gentle, serene light.

The tranquil scene was interrupted when Joelle Monroe walked straight into the office without bothering to knock.

“Charles,” she said.

She spotted Yolanda on the couch and came to a sudden stop. “Am I interrupting?” Joelle asked, glancing between them.

Yolanda found it rather amusing. ‘We’re husband and wife–what could she possibly be interrupting?‘ she thought, a hint of a smile crossing her mind.

Charles sat calmly at his desk, his tone cool and even. “Is there something you need?”

10:38 FL 0417

Joelle bit het hip and walked over, stopping beside his desk 1 brought you some soup Jack Nolan told me you bareh are anything this morning.

Charles’s eyes instantly zeroed in on her wrist–she’d just hurt it last night, and now she was busy cooking? Does she not care about her hands at all! he thought to himself.

Charles have some while it’s hot. I’ve got meetings with a bunch of directors soon about the new film I’ll be shooting now that I’m back, so I probably won’t get the chance later. Just take this as payback for your help last night, okay? No need to read into it,” Joelle said lightly.

She set the soup container on the desk, and before Charles could say anything, spun on her heel and left without another word.

Yolanda had to admit, Joelle’s tactics were impressive. She always handled herself with such effortless confidence and charm that it was almost impossible to turn her down.

And with that whole “white moonlight” aura–the type of idealized first love–no wonder Charles just couldn’t let her go.

Charles stared at the soup container in silence for a while, then reached up to rub his forehead.

It was obvious he was worried about Joelle’s injury.

Yolanda sat quietly on the couch nearby, keeping to herself and letting Charles deal with his own thoughts.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Joelle Monroe slid into her car, only to find Quentin Andrade still lingering outside. The sight made her instantly uncomfortable–she hadn’t expected him to stick around like some stubborn shadow.

A trace of awkwardness flickered across her face; her fingers curled tight around the steering wheel. “Quentin, why are you following me here?” Joelle asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Quentin had chased after her once before, but she’d brushed him off without a second thought–she already had Charles, after all.

Charles was the big boss among all these people–the top shelf, the real prize. There was no reason for her to aim any lower.

Quentin’s expression turned pained when he spotted the bruise on her wrist. Without hesitation, he pulled Joelle straight into his arms. “Did you seriously go and cook for him?”

Joelle immediately squirmed in his grip, but her struggles were half–hearted. Quentin just held her tighter, refusing to let go.

“This has nothing to do with you. I already said no to you years ago–stop chasing after me,” Joelle shot back.

“Joelle, Charles is already a married man. Aren’t you worried about all the gossip if people start talking? What if the press catches wind of this? Imagine what your fans would say if they found out! You’ve got over ten million followers now, and everyone knows how talented you are–they’re all rooting for you. If you get caught up in a scandal like this, everything you’ve worked for could come crashing down. Have you really forgotten how much you sacrificed to get where you are?” Quentin pressed, his frustration barely hidden.

Joelle kexas welled up with tears. She chily wiped them away, her voice desperate. “I told you just way meat

Joette why can you give me a chance? If you think less of me for not being CEO, well Vivian’s stirred up some troeble land and Grandpa’s rethinking the whole thing I swear, even if it’s only for your sake, I’ll get

pson–no matter what Quentin sand his voice low and intense.

Joebe bit hee Tigs, staying silent.

Since she’ll stopped struggling. Quentin held her hand tenderly, his voice low and full of yearning. “At your weke dinner, Charles was so cold to you–he barely looked your way. It’s clear he’s not into you anymore. Yesu ve always been so clear–headed, Joelle. I’ll show you I’m the one who’s best for you. Just wait–two months from now I’ll be sitting in the CEO seat at the Andrade Group

Joelle lowered her head, a shrewd look flickering in her eyes

The Andrade family had real clout, and if Quentin snagged the CEO spot, he’d have the power to back her up wherever she needed.

She drew a steady breath. I don’t want you chasing that position just for me—you should do it for yourself. Quentin, you really have what it takes. Vivian’s just too emotional, you know? She’s not cut out to manage the Andrade Group Out of your generation, you’re hands–down the most capable.

She barely finished the words before Quentin pulled her into a kiss.

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