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    Ynda and Charles headed to Muse Club’s private room. Halfway there, he stopped to take a call, so she continued toward the door.


    Before she could reach for the handle, she heard Max Shaw’s voice. “Guess who Charles <b>is </b>bringing tonight–Sophie? Or that CEO he hooked up with that one night?”


    Max was Charles’s buddy, an heir to the Shaw family, and he loved watching drama unfold.


    Quinn Cooper leaned back, snickering. “I’ll put a bottle of Golden Legend on it–he’s bringing Ynda.”


    Max was confused. “Why her? He hasn’t taken Ynda out in forever.”


    “Samuel’s here tonight,” Quinn replied. ‘No way Charles would bring a fling in front of his brother–inw.”


    Ynda’s fingers froze on the door. ‘So, they all know Charles is cheating on me. I’ve been a joke this whole time,‘ she thought bitterly.


    Max took a sip of his drink, swirling the ss. “Samuel’s something else, nailing thatnd deal. Word isnd’s owner, Lucas Zimmerman, turned down cash, turned down a house–how’d he even pull that off?”


    Quinn said, “You’re missing the angle. Lucas wouldn’t budge because his wife vanished ten years back. He was scared she wouldn’t find her way home if he moved.


    “When Samuel started after thatnd, he sent people to track her down. Lucky break–they found her. Now Samuel’s the only one Lucas will sell to.”


    Lucas had gotten lucky–his family held onto thatnd for years, never selling. They’d even built a big house and a little farm there.


    That plot ofnd was right in the middle of the government’s most lucrative development ns. And the city started talking about developing the area six months back. But Lucas just wouldn’t budge.


    Plenty of folks in Beloris had their eyes on that plot. But Lucas was blocking everything. No one could agree on a price<b>, </b>and he wouldn’t back down, not one bit.


    But Samuel managed to seal the deal recently. He’d got no problem swallowing his pride if it got him what he wanted. Now Charles had to team up with him to tackle that project, so bringing Ynda along made perfect sense.


    After hearing every word through the door, Ynda pushed it open.


    :


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    E55 vouchers


    Spotting her, Max exchanged a nce with Quinn. ‘Damn, Quinn’s bet <b>is </b>spot–on,‘ he thought.


    Quinn raised an eyebrow and gged down the manager of the club to send over a bottle of Golden Legend.


    Ynda acted like she hadn’t heard their little wager. She slid into a seat next to Charles’s- just like always–quiet, waiting.


    Max twirled his ss, thinking to himself, ‘ No wonder Charles isn’t into her, even though she’s so pretty. She’s way too submissive. Young guys don’t go for the goody–goody type.’


    Quinn popped the cork on the Golden Legend and poured Ynda a ss, teasing, “Well, well -look who’s out to y. Come alone? Not glued to Charles’s side today?”


    “He’ll be here in a sec,” Ynda said, pushing the ss back. “I’m not drinking.”


    Quinn leaned in, grinning. “Ynda, you’re way too nice. Good thing you’re hitched to Charles. With how sweet you are, some other guy’d walk all over you otherwise.”


    ‘Liars. All of them–supposedly Charles’s best friends,‘ Ynda sneered silently. She stered on a fake smile and said, “I’m married now. Staying loyal to my husband is what matters.<b>” </b>


    Quinn sighed to himself, ‘Totally a buzzkill.‘


    Just then, the private room door swung open, and in walked Charles and Samuel.


    Samuel was thest one to join this group, and he never really clicked with the others.


    The group


    had looked down on him. Everyone in their circle knew the Grants had built their wealth by exploiting women. They didn’t think the sole Grant heir was any different.


    But he had blown up in recent years. Before anyone knew it, he’d be a total up–and-


    . </b>


    Samuel stood next to Charles, maintaining his serious expression.


    Ynda jumped to her feet to greet him. She’d met him once at the Grant residence, but back then she’d been standing in the yard, being punished.


    Samuel nodded, holding out a hairclip.


    Ynda froze.


    “Picked it up at the mall on the way over,” Samuel said.


    The clip was covered in real diamonds, sparkly and totally girly. She dropped her gaze, took it, and clipped it into her hair. “Thanks,” she murmured.


    <b>11:35 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>10


    …


    <b>76 </b>


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    Samuel nodded and sat down. The second he did, the easy vibe in the room vanished.


    Charles stayed quiet, his eyes locked on Ynda’s head. The small smile on his lips faded a little. <fn28b3> This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel</fn28b3>


    Ynda was adopted by the Grants–no blood rtion to Samuel. But like most guys, Charles was territorial. He hated when anyone invaded his turf and even left a mark.


    He slid an arm around Ynda’s waist, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. “If you like stuff like this, I’ll take you shopping before we get home.”


    Samuel picked up a cup–the one Quinn had poured for Ynda, which she hadn’t touched. He took a sip, then said, “She’s been your wife for two years, and you never bought her a hairclip before?”


    Charles’s smile stiffened. His eyes turned cold.


    Ynda suppressed a smile. She was scared of Samuel, but he had one major advantage–he was brutally direct, just like at work, always cutting straight to the point.


    Watching Charles squirm felt good. Still, she stepped in, sweet as could be. “Samuel, Charles has given me tons of gifts. I just don’t like wearing them.”


    Samuel fixed her with a stern, fatherly look. “A youngdy ought to act like one. The Sinirs have money, so why aren’t you wearing any jewelry?”


    Charles set down his cup. “Are you here to grill me, Samuel? I’ve been married to Ynda for two years, and I’ve never mistreated her. Besides, you know how Grant women are. Simple, no frills–that’s just her style.”


    Ynda dropped her gaze, feeling a sharp pang in her chest. She did love those things, but Grant family rules frowned on shy jewelry.


    Max jumped in to smooth things over. “C’mon, Samuel, Charles treats Ynda well, and we all see it. No need to worry–he’s not chasing after other women.”


    Samuel never paid much attention to gossip; he was too straightced. He had no idea Charles was seeing Sophie. But even if he had known, he would’ve kept quiet for the sake of keeping the peace. <b>His </b>concern for Ynda only went so far.


    The mood lightened a little. Max brought up thend deal, and they moved on to business


    talk.


    Ynda tuned out for a bit, but she caught the gist: With thisnd, Samuel’s standing as a new–money big shot would only get stronger.


    <b>11:35 </b>Wed, Sep 10


    <b>Chapter </b><b>27 </b>