1.Chapter 1 Get Married
“Yolanda, don’t… Yvonne’s still here.” A man’s low and muffled voice resounded softly in the quiet room.
“Chill. She’s wasted. You always wanted to do this right under her nose, didn’t you? You stuck with her for four years, and she never let you touch her. Who gets you like I do?” A woman replied in a bitter and urgent voice.
The subject of their conversation, Yvonne Ford, happened to wake up at that very moment because of thirst. Hearing voices, she followed the sound and saw a couple hugging closely together by the window, not far from her.
Yvonne forced herself to believe that it was a nightmare. If not, it was too cruel for her. Her fiancé and her best friend were cheating right in front of her.
Just then, Yvonne heard Yolanda Stark, her so-called friend say, “I’m a top celeb now. She’s a has-been. Why you stay with her?”
Yvonne couldn’t believe her best friend could be so disrespectful. She’d helped Yolanda build her career. And now Yolanda just badmouthed her without shame.
“Fine, I’ll tell you. You know the famous jewelry family in Quniland, the Todd family?” Yvonne’s fiancé, Zell Lampard, said, sighing. “Yvonne’s their heir. If something ‘happened’ after our wedding, their money would be ours.”
Even through her confusion, Yvonne knew this wasn’t a dream. Zell, the man who’d promised to love her, was just using her for her family’s money.
Yvonne had been a top actress, winning major awards. She’d given up everything at her peak because Zell said he wanted a quiet life. What she all got were lies.
Rage blinded Yvonne’s pain. She wouldn’t just wait and do nothing. Quietly, she grabbed her phone and recorded the cheating couple in their disgusting scene.
Zell continued to coax Yolanda, “I have to marry Yvonne. Our interests are tied now. It’ll take time to drain her power. But trust me, you’re the only real Mrs. Lampard. No one else deserves that title.”
“Then hurry up,” Yolanda cooed, sweetly. “I can’t stand that fake wearing your wife’s title. Oh, and make Yvonne go to tomorrow’s audition instead of me, okay?”
Zell whispered, “Anything for you, my darling.”
Their moans echoed in the room. Yvonne forced herself to stay still, her nails digging into her palms until they bled.
She couldn’t confront Zell yet. Their interests were too intertwined. Cutting ties would take time and planning. If she’d given everything to those backstabbers before, now she’d take it all back, piece by piece.
*****
At midnight, Yolanda said she was too scared to drive alone and begged Zell to take her home. Without hesitation, Zell left Yvonne, who was drunk, and drove off.
Yvonne sat up in bed, replaying the recorded conversation over and over. Her bloodshot eyes filled with tears. Those traitors wouldn’t get away with it; she swore they’d pay.
She seethed, thinking, ‘Yolanda wants that role so badly? Good. This role will be the first step in my revenge. Let the games begin!’
*****
The next morning at the city hall, Yvonne got Zell’s call. “Yolanda’s been in a car accident.” His voice crackled through the phone. “I’m going to the hospital. We’re postponing the marriage registration.”
Even thought Yvonne had known his true colors, Zell’s sudden cancellation hit her hard. Yesterday’s sweet promises still lingered in her ears, those rose-colored memories now cutting like shattered glass. Everything had changed overnight.
Yvonne started, “But—”
“There is no but. We can register our marriage anytime. You need to see the big picture. Yolanda’s currently our company’s biggest moneymaker.”
“Got it. Go take care of your hospital visit,” Yvonne replied, trying to keep her voice calm.
“Yolanda has an audition this afternoon that needs a face veil. Secure that role for her.” Zell ended the call before Yvonne could respond.
The monotonous beep filled Yvonne’s ear. She smiled coldly. She’d get that role—but whether it would stay Yolanda’s? That was another story.
Yvonne turned her back on the city hall. This wedding could go to hell.
A tall man with a commanding presence walked straight toward Yvonne. His aura demanded attention, like a king among commoners.
As he got closer, his incredibly handsome features took her breath away. She recognized him from before.
He was Lorenzo Hammond, CEO of Radiant Entertainment.
Three years ago, when Yvonne won her Best Actress award, Lorenzo had been sitting in the front row.
Radiant Entertainment was the powerhouse of the industry. Every woman dreamed of Lorenzo. His true wealth and power were a mystery. He was the king of the business world, and no one dared cross him.
“Mr. Hammond, Ms. Larson is running thirty minutes late,” Lorenzo’s assistant, Evan Foster, panted, rushing up to Lorenzo in the hallway.
“I don’t work with people who can’t keep time,” Lorenzo said, stopping mid-step. His voice was so cold that the nearby onlookers shrank back, terrified of him.
“But your dad insisted. You-You have to get your marriage license today. He said even a man would…” Evan stammered, his shirt collar soaked with sweat under Lorenzo’s piercing gaze.
Yvonne stood frozen. A crazy idea popped into her head.
She stepped right in front of Lorenzo and flashed a bright smile at him. “Mr. Hammond, my groom’s a no-show and your bride’s missing. It’s such a coincidence. How about we get married instead?”
Evan’s draw dropped to the floor. Yvonne had just proposed to Lorenzo Hammond, the CEO known as “The Ice King.”
Lorenzo’s eyes locked onto Yvonne’s. His piercing eyes glinted like an expensive watch.
Yvonne squared her shoulders, trying to look calm.
After a moment, Lorenzo finally said, “Interesting.”
Yvonne then realized how reckless she’d been. Lorenzo was the king of the entertainment empire. Crushing her would be as easy as stepping on an ant.
“Get me all her info,” Lorenzo said to Evan before Yvonne could say anything.
Evan recognized Yvonne, the rising star who had retired at the peak of her fame three years ago. He made a quick call, and within two minutes, a complete file appeared on his iPad.
Evan handed the iPad to Lorenzo respectfully.
Yvonne knew she’d acted impulsively, but even after calming down, she didn’t regret it.
Lorenzo wasn’t the type to use women like Zell did. Love wasn’t as important as expanding his empire. And he certainly didn’t need more bedmates. Women were always throwing themselves at him.
A marriage without love but full of benefits was exactly what Yvonne needed. More importantly, she wanted Zell to regret his choices. She wanted Zell to know that she could do much better than him.
The marriage registration took barely fifteen minutes. Yvonne stared at the license in her hand, feeling disoriented. Lorenzo in a sharp suit beside her made the whole situation feel surreal.
Just like that, Yvonne was Lorenzo’s wife on paper.
