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.

“Thanks, Charles. I really appreciate it,” Joelle said.

9:35 Sat Oct 25

Chapter 203

Quentin’s face fell, all the light gone from his eyes.

156 vouchers

Navier was turning it over in his mind: Wait, isn’t Charles basically with Yolanda now? As long as that’s still a thing, Leo actTitan 206

Chapter 206

Yolanda followed Simone, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

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

Simone was about to respond when Ian suddenly spoke up.

“Ms. Grant.” Ian called out.

“Yeah?” Yolanda looked over.

She turned to face him, noticing he seemed unusually quiet tonight.

“Can I talk to you about Ms. Sinclair’s new script?” Ian asked.

Simone hadn’t forgotten Ian was turning down the role, so she gave Yolanda a thoughtful, sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

“Try and talk some sense into him, will you? If 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 A–list star practically overnight,” Simone urged.

Yolanda could hear the urgency in Simone’s voice. In truth, Simone really liked Ian–he was talented, worked hard, kept his head down, and always acted with respect. Honestly, what manager didn’t wish for talent like him?

“I’ll talk to him, Aunt Simone,” Yolanda promised.

they needed some privacy, so she called out to the

and sat down, motioning for Ian to join her. “Come

benches here were designed in an interesting way–some were higher, some lower. She chose the

one.

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

tell he was still stewing over something.

grin, she propped one

her a sideways look. “Careful, Grant. Your

catch us.”

up and

back with an easy swagger. “Still

be mad? You told me to chill out. If I

Ian

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

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

you

a second, eyes lowered, the barest hint of a smile flickering on

and gave his earlobe a playful pinch. “If you did, the female lead wouldn’t be Joelle. Honestly, I can’t handle you getting all close and personal with her on

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

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

his chin on her shoulder, lashes down, back all hunched–looking like the

gave his hair a little tousle. “Let’s go. We’ll miss

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

“Well, well, you two again. Guess I took a whole lap just

She definitely wasn’t about to let him sniff out what was

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

a second, Yolanda figured he was just taking his

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

seriously like a shadow that

him a

scoffed, ‘Talk about extra. Who

path yours or

the top. The lights from the mountain lodge glowed nearby, and everyone who’d made it was already waiting on the grass for the

he walked past lan, shooting him

and just handed her bag off to lan. “Go

more, she strode off toward

to take a step after

move a

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

in a flash, obviously not wanting to

tables were for breakfast later, and the staff was already hustling

so he

but the door was wide open and the place was totally

frowned–where had

floor, then the third, still

phone, ready to call her, but before he could dial, someone cracked him hard on the

the nearby courtyard and shoved him

out cold.

been knocked

Yolanda, but Leo was so annoyingly persistent, hanging around

inside it 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

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

in a chair.

was to reach for the chain around her

felt something wrong

if he might explode any second. ‘What the hell

place–a grimy, beat–up thing, way too shabby

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

out, his voice dry and low, and

her attention, his body heavy and off–balance as he moved step by

back, so he could only nudge her

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

mind. He lowered his gaze, barely keeping himself in check as he fought the urge

up,” he muttered, his voice rough

had been kidnapped before, but never with someone like Yolanda. How the hell did she end

him?

hell is actually behind this? Is it me they want, or is Yolanda the

made it worse, until he just gave in and pressed

his voice barely audible, rough with

was boiling alive, trapped in a desert, the heat suffocating him. Getting close to

against her, frowning in discomfort as she instinctively shovTitan

Chapter 207

missing and had already sent the Crimson Gallery crew

the mountaintop villa. Not seeing Yolanda around,

the moment Andrew hit him up with the stream

the day, only Ian, Sam, Xavier, and Quinn were

wasn’t serious. Xavier, hanging out at the hospital with Joelle, just

in it for the entertainment–nothing like a bit of chaos

to over thirty people in their circle,

as long as they saw Leo hooking up with Yolanda on the live stream, Yolanda’s reputation would be trashed for good. Once he felt the timing was right,

to go up against

people on the stream, he could pretty much guess who was behind

in the car, talking to his team. “Find out where that signal’s

all sorts of shady tricks overseas, and his signal was blocked off from the outside world. Cracking it was going to take

running the show as the admin of

to kick off. Hope

city of Beloris caught wind of Yolanda’s mess, it wouldn’t just be Charles getting humiliated–the entire Sinclair family would be dragged down with him. And when it came to screwing up like that, his grandfather would

of Charles hating his guts was thanks to his old man backing

could shake the Sinclair family, he couldn’t afford to screw

was just the usual insiders watching, well, everyone knew how powerful the Sinclair family was–and they knew Yolanda wasn’t exactly beloved. The scandal wouldn’t touch the Sinclairs one

she wanted, he’d move heaven and earth to get

this disgusting live stream. He didn’t waste a second before barking out

the woman was Yolanda,

up with Yolanda, how the hell were they supposed to

was obvious Leo had been drugged–who the hell would

completely out of it–all he knew was there was something cold and sugary right

tied behind his back, it was hopeless. ‘Why can’t I reach it? I need it, now!‘ Leo thought, panic

were still

blasted the link out to a bunch of people, and only four

up.

he finally bumped into

darkening. He quickly tore his eyes away and barked

out he almost dropped his

hell are you waiting for? Get moving!

stop Leo

chat, his

you’ll regret. If you mess with Leo,

feared no one but his grandfather, and the rest of the world didn’t even register

he typed into the

the spectacle, Xavier. Watch as your precious

a whole torrent of curses, but the system instantly censored them

watched the stream and let

about what kind of dirty crap

the kid was so out of his mind he probably

screwed now!‘ Quinn muttered

is about to go up in flames!‘

pond eel had more energy and excitement than she

he grabbed a

what the hell is even going on?‘ Quinn

just pick up the phone and call Charles–there were only four people watching right now, and Xavier was obviously one of them. ‘Xavier’s here, but

then the four of them could just act like this whole mess never happened.

he really didn’t want his own

lunatic behind this whole fiasco, had no idea who the four viewers

at Leo like this anymore,’ Quinn thought, forcing himself to look

screen.

the window, so it could only catch their movements, not their voices. Leo buried his face in Yolanda’s neck

breaths coming quick and shallow as she struggled for air. Finally,

a hand to press against her aching forehead, only to bump into something

in his fever and need, instinctively reached out and grabbed her hand, pressing it against his cheek like it was

chasing away some of

moved, her ankle jerked back–chained tight. No matter how desperately she scrambled, she couldn’t get more than

grip!” Yolanda yelled, her voice trembling with fear

clinging to his last thread of sanity even as every cell in his

Leo thought bitterly. ‘She’d be falling

tightly behind his

around her ankle keeping her in place. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t

her thigh, voice hoarse and desperate.

and zero hesitation. “What the hell is wrong with

chest from the kick, his eyes turning bright red and misty in

play out, felt his scalp start to

right mind? You think he actually likes you? That kick–believe me, I won’t forget it. You better watch yourself!]

ed him away,

push me… I feel awful,” Leo

window caught everything–streaming every second live