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.

really appreciate

9:35 Sat Oct 25

Chapter 203

fell, all the light

156 vouchers

mind: Wait, isn’t Charles basically with Yolanda now? As long as that’s still a thing,

Chapter 206

followed Simone, her backpack slung over her

now. Should we consider having our talent without scripts try

to respond when

Ian called

“Yeah?” Yolanda looked over.

to face him, noticing

to you about

was turning down the role, so she

even land in his lap. His popularity is soaring, but his list of

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

talk to him, Aunt

needed some privacy, so she called out to the rest

nearby little pavilion and sat down, motioning for Ian

benches here were designed in an interesting way–some were

one.

and sat on the lower bench at her feet. He took her backpack, opened it, and

lan, she could tell he

teasing grin, she propped one leg

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

catch us.”

up and

help but laugh, leaning back with an easy swagger. “Still holding a grudge, huh?”

got any right to be mad? You told me to chill out. If

Ian shot

his head bowed and a gentle look on his face, Ian tucked her sunscreen spray into his own bag, left her backpack empty, and finally zipped

a high ponytail, her black sportswear making her skin look almost porcelain pale. Her jet–black hair

don’t want you

the barest hint

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

could wrap any guy around her finger. Just a second ago, Ian was sulking like a sad puppy, and now he was all up in her space, tail practically

Grant, honestly, before I came tonight, I was thinking… If you really made me work with her, I’d just vanish. You wouldn’t see

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

a little tousle. “Let’s go. We’ll miss the sunrise if we

and pulling her up the path. But halfway there, Yolanda caught footsteps behind them, so she quickly

and casual, before firing off a snarky remark. “Well, well, you two again. Guess I took a whole lap

to let him sniff out

Leo stuck to them like some soggy, creepy ghoul, matching their steps

figured he was just taking his sweet

she caught on–speed up, he sped up; slow down, he slowed down. The guy was

a shadow that just

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

mentally scoffed, ‘Talk about extra. Who the hell wears

yours or something?”

Thankfully, they’d reached the top. The lights from the mountain lodge glowed nearby, and everyone who’d made it

another cold snort as he walked past lan, shooting him a glare that could cut

her bag off to lan. “Go snag us a

more, she strode

stood there clutching her bag, was just about to take a step after her when Simone’s

help us move

a cocky line over his shoulder. “Superstar, you better get

not wanting to get caught and forced by Simone

and the staff was already hustling around, getting everything set

so he just headed over to

first floor, but the

frowned–where had

checked the second floor, then the third, still

the first floor, he pulled out his phone, ready to call her, but before he could dial, someone cracked him hard

and shoved him into

out cold.

knocked

so annoyingly persistent, hanging around looking for people, that he finally just decided

was stripped completely bare–just piles of scattered bricks on the ground, a single locked door, steel bars over the windows, and a camera dangling from one of

of his eye, he noticed someone behind him. Turning around, he saw Yolanda

in a chair.

froze, and his first instinct was to reach for the chain around her ankle and try to undo it, but

he felt something wrong with

was overheating, his skin prickling with heat as if he might explode any second. ‘What the hell did they do to me?‘ he wondered, blinking through

beat–up thing, way too shabby for someone

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

Leo called out, his voice dry and low, and he

body heavy and off–balance as he

tied behind his back, so he

in so much of the knock–out drug, she was

lowered his gaze, barely keeping himself in

he muttered, his voice rough

but never with someone like Yolanda. How the hell

him?

hell is actually behind this? Is it me they want, or is Yolanda the target?‘ Leo thought, mind

until he just gave

Leo croaked, his voice barely

suffocating him. Getting close to her was the only thing that made it

his burning presence against her, frowning in discomfort as she

push me… I feel awful,” Leo

everything–streaming every

watch.

to a bunch of people: Charles, Ian, Samuel, Xavier,

knew Andrew was persona non grata, so as soon as he sent out that

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

were

ually stands a chance.

Leo. “Aren’t

then swung open Charles’s car door and pushed his older brother

I’m counting on you–don’t let Ms. Monroe

finally clicked for Navier–Leo was trying to avoid letting Charles know he liked Joelle too, so he was keeping his feelings on the down–low, and letting Xavier be the one to look after

when did this kid get so low–key? Navier thought, a little

him a look that said,

lips in a

turned and headed for the trails, and with the car already gone, Xavier didn’t even realize he’d picked

linger shamelessly

his seat. "What do you mean

In fact, she’s taken this whole thing like it’s a vacation trip to the tropics. Her mental health’s fine. Honestly, you would see

Carl froze, jaw tightening.