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 . 10 vouchers 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 . 1/2 PP . 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 . 10 vouchers 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 2/2 whiteni