After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 614: The Nerve

Nnenna didn’t even need to glance at it to know it was his phone number. So he’s actually serious? What a weird guy, she thought, blinking at him.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the treatment," Darius announced, standing with theatrical flair. But not before flashing one last smile at the nanny by the door, and then letting his gTitan 205

To be honest, Yolanda felt she ought to call Ian and tell him to quit messing around–this was his job, and he needed to stick to an actor’s basic principles. If he wanted any future in showbiz, he had to handle all that came with it.

If he was planning to survive in the entertainment world, he’d just have to put up with it.

But why, of all people, did it have to be Joelle?

Simone was still saying something, but Yolanda tuned her out completely–her mind was elsewhere.

After hanging up, she got in her car. She’d planned to drop by Starlight, since the people blocking the entrance had finally cleared out. She’d already called the crew to fix the shattered glass doors.

Right at that moment, her phone lit up with a call from Charles.

Charles’s voice came through: “Aunt Simone’s putting together a hiking trip. Want to come blow off some steam?”

Ian had mentioned in passing that he’d probably show up too.

Simone would definitely invite a whole crew, and with things at Starlight finally calming down, Yolanda figured she might as well join the fun.

“Count me in,” Yolanda replied easily.

She hadn’t expected so many people–turns out, this wasn’t just any old hike. There was a full–blown resort at the top, and getting there meant a three–hour trek from the foot of the mountain, starting at 2 in the morning. If you made it to the summit in time, you’d catch the sunrise.

Yolanda did a quick walk–through at Starlight. As night settled in, her phone lit up with a message from Ian.

[You joining the hike?]

Then Leo reached out with a text of his own.

[Hey, you hiking or not? Just asking–no big deal.]

Yolanda ignored Leo and shot back a quick reply to Ian: [Yeah, I’m in.]

She enjoyed a hot shower, then, at one in the morning, jumped into Charles’s car and headed out to the base of the mountain.

When they got there, the whole area was brightly lit, and a crew of staff were already hanging around. They’d take the cable car up ahead of everyone to get breakfast ready at the top.

This mountain was privately owned. Normally, anyone could hike it, but when they closed the place off, it was strictly VIPs only.

Yolanda stepped out in black athletic gear, backpack slung over her shoulders, only to spot Joelle sporting matching black gear and the same backpack vibe.

Joelle was Oscar’s guest, and besides him, there were a few other famous directors in attendance, Simone included.

The rest of the crew were young elites who lived for this kind of thrill–mountain climbing was basically the hottest trend in their circle.

Charles, rarely seen in athletic gear, cast a glance at lan, who was standing next to Simone. He couldn’t help but frown, a slight crease forming between his brows.

Ian wasn’t looking at anyone, his mask covering most of his face, with only his indifferent eyes showing. He seemed completely silent and kept to himself.

Just as everyone was about to head out, Xavier and Quinn Cooper showed up, their voices ringing across the crowd.

Wow, so everyone’s going hiking and nobody bothered to call us? Lucky we got here before you left!” Xavier joked loudly.

Xavier yanked Leo over, remembering how his little brother had blurted to the Lawson family yesterday that he might be into someone. The whole family was hyped, demanding Xavier dig out this secret crush. With Leo suddenly way too keen on this hike, Xavier figured the girl he liked had to be among tonight’s crew.

He swept his eyes over the eight or nine women gathered there–first Yolanda was off the list, then Simone, both ruled out because, come on, they were on a totally different level, practically family.

After that, his gaze started sizing up the remaining six, lingering a bit longer as he tried to sniff out any clues.

Quentin showed up too–his eyes locked on Joelle from the very moment he arrived. It was old news that he used to have a crush on her; nobody even bothers to keep it under wraps anymore.

“These love triangles are just the same old story–boring,‘ Yolanda thought, totally uninterested. She fell in step behind Simone, ready to get this hike going.

There were five trails leading up the mountain, and with so many people here, everyone just broke off into little squads with their usual crew, planning to stick together for the climb.

Yolanda wasn’t really familiar with most of these folks, so she hung by Simone’s side, seriously picking her brain about the film business.

Charles was about to head over to Yolanda when Quentin called out, “Joelle, is your wrist still giving you trouble?”

Charles glanced in their direction, remembering that Joelle had only just been snatched by that lunatic Andrew yesterday. ‘And now she’s here climbing a mountain… She must’ve come for me,‘ he thought.

He frowned, staying put.

Sure enough, Joelle approached him, careful to keep a respectful distance. “Charles, which trail are you taking

-left or right?”

Charles glimpsed Yolanda and Simone taking the middle trail, and a flicker of irritation showed in his eyes- he hated being left out, even if he’d never admit it.

Still, he hid it perfectly, keeping his expression smooth and unreadable.

Quentin sidled up to Joelle, whispering, “Joelle, let’s take the right trail–it’s way easier.”

Joelle ignored him, her eyes fixed on Charles, clearly waiting for his answer.

Charles headed straight for the middle trail, and Joelle tried to catch up, but she tripped hard–hadn’t even started climbing and her ankle was already swollen from the fall.

Quentin rushed over, his voice full of concern. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Joelle took a deep breath and said seriously, “Quentin, I’ve rejected you more times than I can count. Don’t put me on the spot. I can get to the hospital on my own.”

With that, she limped to her feet, didn’t even look at Charles, and made her way back to her own car.

Quentin hurried up after her. “You don’t even have a manager with you–who’s gonna get you to the hospital?”

Leo watched the whole thing, then elbowed Charles. “You not gonna help her out? Looks like her ankle’s in pretty bad shape.”

7

A

Xavier was right there, catching Leo’s comment. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Wait, seriously?‘ Xavier wondered. ‘Is Leo into Joelle too?‘

“He’s been keeping tabs on her from the start. Now with Charles here, maybe he’s too shy to offer a ride himself? Xavier guessed, more confused than ever.

‘Has he had his eye on her this whole time, just waiting for a moment to do something?‘ he thought, picking up the tension.

Xavier’s mood soured. “There are already more than enough guys chasing after Joelle, and Leo–man, he’s no Casanova. With that many rivals, he doesn’t stand much chance,‘

Charles wasn’t planning to help out, but after Leo nudged him and saw Joelle still shutting Quentin down, he finally gave in and walked over.

“Let me drive you,” he said.

Joelle gave him a grateful–even slightly guilty–look. “Won’t you miss out on the hike because of me?”

“Hospital’s just a half–hour from here. I’ll drop you off and get back before anyone even notices.” Charles replied.

I really appreciate it,” Joelle

9:35 Sat Oct 25

Chapter 203

fell, all the light gone from his

156 vouchers

isn’t Charles basically with Yolanda now? As long as that’s still

Chapter 206

followed Simone, her backpack slung over her

Simone, the short drama scene is really booming right now. Should we consider having our talent without scripts try their hand at it?”

respond when Ian

Grant.” Ian called

“Yeah?” Yolanda looked over.

noticing he seemed unusually

you about Ms. Sinclair’s new

down the role, so she gave Yolanda a thoughtful,

Mr. Rowe didn’t have such a soft spot for him, this kind of golden opportunity wouldn’t even land in his lap. His popularity is soaring, but his list of credits is way too short. After Zack’s show finishes up, mine is coming next, and if he adds this film to the mix, he’ll become an

Simone’s voice. In truth, Simone really liked Ian–he was talented, worked hard, kept his head

to him,

knew they needed some privacy, so she called out to the rest and led them

sat down, motioning for Ian to join

benches here were designed in an interesting way–some were

one.

on the lower bench at her feet. He took her

even without a word from lan, she could tell he

propped one

hands mid–motion, giving her a sideways look. “Careful, Grant. Your man’s about to

catch us.”

up and

back with an easy swagger. “Still holding a grudge,

any right to be mad? You told me to chill out. If I keep being clueless, you’ll probably kick me

curb,” Ian shot

on his face, Ian tucked her sunscreen spray into his own bag, left her backpack empty, and finally zipped

look almost porcelain pale. Her jet–black hair looked sharp against her fair face, and her

don’t want you to

eyes lowered, the barest hint of a

pinch. “If you did, the female lead wouldn’t be Joelle. Honestly, I can’t handle you

ago, Ian was sulking like a sad puppy, and

made me work with her, I’d just vanish. You wouldn’t see me anywhere near

went full puppy mode, resting his chin on her shoulder, lashes down, back all hunched–looking like the saddest, most pitiful guy in the

little tousle. “Let’s

to life, grabbing her hand and pulling her up the path. But halfway there, Yolanda caught footsteps behind them, so she quickly dropped his hand and opened up some space

two again. Guess I took a whole lap just to bump into

about to let him sniff out

her head and pushed forward, but Leo stuck to them like some soggy, creepy ghoul, matching their steps just

a second, Yolanda figured he was just taking

sped up; slow down, he slowed down. The guy was totally

shadow that just

deep breath, spun around, and shot him a look. “Don’t you have anything better

and mentally scoffed, ‘Talk about

or

The lights from the

he walked past

to lan. “Go snag us a good spot for the sunrise

more, she strode off toward the

clutching her bag, was just about to take a step after

us move a table,” Simone

the lodge, tossing a cocky line over his shoulder. “Superstar, you better get moving. If you’re late, there won’t be any seats left

wanting to

were for breakfast later, and the staff

couldn’t turn Simone down, so he

the restroom on the first floor, but the door was wide open and the place

had

the second floor, then the third, still

but before he could dial, someone cracked him hard

Leo into the nearby courtyard and shoved him

out cold.

been knocked

Yolanda, but Leo was so annoyingly persistent, hanging around looking for people, that he finally just decided to drag him along

Leo finally regained consciousness, his head was still spinning. Looking around, he realized he was locked in some rundown, abandoned factory. Sunlight spilled in from outside, but inside it was stripped completely bare–just piles of scattered bricks on

noticed someone

in a chair.

was to reach for the chain around her ankle and try

something wrong with his

was overheating, his skin prickling with heat as if he might explode any second. ‘What the hell did they do

the place–a grimy, beat–up thing, way too shabby for someone like her. She looked so out of place,

striking. Her pale skin seemed to almost shimmer under the weak sunlight, and her athletic outfit traced every curve. Leo found himself dumbfounded, unable

called out, his voice dry and low, and

heavy and off–balance as he moved step by step toward

tied behind his back, so he could only nudge her

of the knock–out drug, she was

lowered his gaze, barely keeping himself in check

he muttered,

been kidnapped before, but never with someone like Yolanda.

him?

they want, or is Yolanda the target?‘ Leo

Leo–every step closer made it worse, until he just gave in and pressed his face right into her neck, desperate for

croaked, his voice barely audible,

heat suffocating him. Getting close to her was the

Yolanda could sense his burning presence against her, frowning in discomfort as she instinctively shoved him

push me… I feel awful,” Leo mumbled, voice thick

the window caught everything–streaming every

watch.

He blasted the group link out to a

Andrew was persona non grata, so as soon as he sent out that link, most people

family, cast out and unwanted–no one needed to bother associating with someone like

handful were left in

ually stands a chance.

“Aren’t you going with

car door and pushed his older brother

you–don’t let Ms. Monroe

was trying to avoid letting Charles know he liked Joelle too, so he was keeping his feelings on the down–low, and

get so low–key? Navier thought, a little

that said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got your

in a

headed for the trails, and with the car already gone, Xavier

linger shamelessly on

up from his seat. "What do you mean the treatment’s over?" His brows furrowed,

exactly what I said, it’s over," Darius replied in that matter of fact tone that made people want to strangle him. "She’s not depressed. In fact, she’s taken this whole thing

Carl froze, jaw tightening.