When the news of Ryan and Vera's engagement hit the trending topics, Nova was in Ryan's arms, sharing a passionate kiss.

Red wine passed between their lips as they kissed, drawing whistles from others in the private room.

After breaking the kiss, Ryan's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "Having fun?"

"Of course," Nova purred, her fingers tracing circles on Ryan's chest. "So tonight..."

Ryan grabbed a cigarette from the coffee table. Someone quickly lit it for him. He took a drag, exhaling smoke before looking at Nova through the haze. "After today, we're done."

"Given that you've been with me for a year, I'll let you name your terms."

Nova's wandering hand froze on Ryan's chest. Her eyes flickered briefly, but her face remained surprisingly calm. "Breaking up? Sure, why not."

She knew Ryan hated clingy women, and she wasn't about to become one begging him to stay.

Without letting her smile falter, she reached for their glasses and poured wine for both of them.

She pressed a glass into his hand. "Here's to our breakup then."

Even calling it a breakup was generous of Ryan.

Their relationship was basically an affair, with Nova being little more than his mistress.

Only seven or eight people in their inner circle knew about them. Ryan had made it clear - the news must never reach Vera, his true love.

And Vera happened to be Nova's half-sister from the same father.

Ryan studied Nova's exquisitely beautiful face, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Taking another drag from his cigarette, Ryan asked while watching her striking features, "No demands?"

Nova turned to look at him.

"I have a request," she wrapped her arms around Ryan's waist seductively. "Though I haven't decided what it is yet."

"When I figure it out, I'll let you know." Nova knew her place well in Ryan's bed. She wasn't some naive, pure flower - Ryan's offer was worth something substantial.

With a slight smirk, she lifted her glass and drained it in one go. Looking around at everyone present, she said cheerfully, "Well then, I wish you and my sister eternal happiness, brother-in-law!"

Nova deliberately emphasized the words "sister" and "brother-in-law" with a raised eyebrow.

Ryan's face darkened, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Nova, dark as storm clouds.

"Nova, if my fiancée ever finds out about this, you're dead."

Ryan's voice was melodious.

But hearing such cruel words in that beautiful voice made Nova feel hurt.

She bit her red lip softly and cuddled against Ryan's chest, acting coy: "Don't be so mean, brother-in-law."

Ryan let out a cold laugh: "Nova, you really have no shame."

"Get out!"

That was typical Ryan - unpredictable as ever. One moment he'd be intimate, the next he'd turn hostile.

Nova knew what she was getting into when she first got involved with him.

Everyone said Nova wouldn't last three months with Ryan, but she stayed for a whole year, longer than any other woman.

Even Ryan's best friend said Nova had captured his heart.

Then suddenly, news broke about Ryan's engagement to Nova's sister.

Nova became the joke.

Standing up, she smiled brightly at everyone present: "Hope you all enjoy yourselves. I'll be heading out."

Her smile made it seem like this was a wedding rather than a breakup.

She managed to stay by Ryan's side for so long because she always knew when to advance and retreat.

Stepping out of the private room, the noisy chatter inside was shut off instantly.

As soon as the door closed, Nova's pretty face darkened.

Tch.

Ryan was truly as difficult to deal with as the rumors said.

But letting Vera marry Ryan?

Hah, in his dreams!

After Nova left, an awkward silence fell over the room.

Ryan downed a glass of wine in one go, his handsome face completely expressionless and cold.

Everyone exchanged glances, until one brave soul sat down next to Ryan.

"People said Nova was totally devoted to you, but she seems..." he paused, not daring to finish his thought.

But everyone knew what he meant - Nova didn't seem as in love with Ryan as rumors suggested.

The speaker was a well-known playboy named Nathanael, who was quite close with Ryan.

Ryan turned and gave him an icy stare that made Nathanael shiver.

Nathanael forced an awkward smile and poured Ryan another drink, studying his expression: "So you and Nova are really done?"

Ryan knocked back the entire glass: "What, interested in pursuing her?"

Nova was famous for her beauty in their social circle. Before Ryan, many had tried to court her but none succeeded.

People said she was hard to get, yet surprisingly she had actively pursued Ryan herself.

It made sense though - someone as stunning and elegant as Nova probably only deserved someone like Ryan.

When news of their relationship spread in their circle, quite a few hearts were broken.

Including Nathanael's.

He had given up hope, but tonight he witnessed firsthand Ryan and Nova's breakup.

Nova was the kind of woman perfect as a mistress, though not necessarily wife material.

"Well, Nova does have that effect on men," Nathanael chuckled. "Why not give it a shot? Nothing to lose."

*Thud* - Ryan slammed his glass down and shot Nathanael a cold look. "Good luck with that then."

With that, Ryan got up and left.

Nova strutted through the parking garage in her heels, immediately spotting the sleek black Bentley. A slight smirk crossed her face as she climbed into her red sports car.

Their cars were parked facing each other. Without hesitation, she floored the accelerator, ramming straight into the Bentley's front end. The collision left both vehicles damaged.

The repair bill for Ryan's car would definitely be higher though - that thought alone brightened her mood considerably.

"Tch." If she'd known they'd break up today, she would've taken the Tank 300 from home instead. That would've done even more damage to Ryan's precious car.

Getting dumped out of nowhere - of course she was bitter. After a year together, she'd hoped to at least mean something to Ryan, even if she couldn't come between him and Vera's engagement.

But that jerk just tossed her aside as soon as he got engaged.

They didn't know this side of Nova - she wasn't as easygoing as she appeared.

This wasn't over yet.

Feeling satisfied with her revenge, she was about to leave when she turned to find Ryan standing there, hands in pockets, glaring at her with dark eyes.

The unexpected sight startled her for a moment.

But once she recognized him, Nova's signature flirtatious smile appeared. "Oh, if it isn't my dear future brother-in-law."

"So sorry - I was too heartbroken to remember drinking and driving don't mix. Accidentally hit your car."

"But I'm sure you won't hold it against me, right?"

Despite her words of heartbreak, her expression remained completely composed.

Nova stepped out of the car and left it where it was, making a quick call to have someone pick it up.

She then clicked her way to the curb in her heels to catch a taxi.

Bertrand watched her retreating figure with dark eyes for a long moment before letting out a cold laugh and walking away.