Emotions are so overwhelming that love has dissipated

The door burst open—and in that instant, Richard pulled Sophie into his arms. She’d been pinned against the desk, clothes half undone, but now she was shielded against him.

The intimate mood in the study shattered. Richard’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening into ice‑cold daggers aimed straight at Nova.

He showed no panic at being caught. Calmly, he set down the calligraphy brush and rested a steadying hand behind a flustered Sophie.

Watching Sophie, emboldened by his touch, bravely meet her eyes, Nova felt like the villain intruding on a pair of lovebirds.

She raised an eyebrow, her voice cold and dripping with scorn.

“There aren’t any condoms in the study. Maybe pick a different spot next time? Try not to breed in my house.”

Sophie’s eyes reddened instantly. Richard’s expression darkened, every trace of gentleness toward Nova gone.

“That was uncalled for, Nova. Apologize to Sophie.”

*Uncalled for.* Again.

When Sophie had shattered the porcelain vase her father Harold loved most, and Nova had told her to get out—that was uncalled for.

When Sophie had poured coffee over her laptop, drowning three days and nights of unsaved work, and Nova had demanded she get it fixed—that, too, was uncalled for.

Sophie was all incompetence and calculated sweetness, but the moment her eyes welled up, everything became Nova’s fault.

She wouldn’t fuel their romance any longer. Nova shot Richard a frigid glance.

“I’m attending the partners’ dinner tonight.”

Their marriage had no affection in it. But if she proved valuable enough, even Henry would show her some regard.

Richard frowned, looking surprised. “I never bring women to business dinners—”

“Mr Richard, I’ve never seen how big negotiations work,” Sophie’s soft, fragile voice cut in.

Richard hesitated only a second before nodding. “Alright.”

Nova’s eyelashes fluttered. She fought back the sting of tears, turned, and left.

Of course. The moment Sophie spoke, every rule Richard set for Nova turned to dust.

It didn’t matter.

Once she uncovered the truth, she’d send them both straight to hell.

Night fell. Stepping from the villa, Nova saw Richard already seated in the car—with Sophie pressed intimately close beside him.

Without a word, Nova expressionlessly took the passenger seat.

Richard was taken aback. Before, she would have fought to sit next to him. If Sophie was there, she’d have thrown a fit to make her move.

What was different today?

Sophie’s soft hand slipped into his, interrupting his thoughts.

Throughout the drive, only their hushed conversation filled the car.

The car stopped at The Imperial Club. Nova had barely stepped out and found her footing when Sophie seized her right hand.

“Miss, are you upset because you’re remembering last time, when Mr Richard made you walk back in the rain? He didn’t mean it—he was just so worried because I was sick.”

“This is all my fault. If you need to blame someone, blame me. Punish me, if it helps.”

Nova shook her off instantly, wiping the spot Sophie had touched.

“You think you’re worthy of my punishment?”

Sophie swayed, collapsing into Richard’s arms, her head bowed to hide her expression.

Richard’s brow furrowed sharply, his gaze toward Nova turning colder by the second.

Nova had no patience for their melodrama. She strode directly into the private dining room.

Over the past decade, she had been steadily stripped of authority within the Nova Group. Before marrying into the Hunt family, she needed enough capital and projects to avoid being at a disadvantage.

The moment she entered, everyone offered polite, practiced smiles. The partners seated here were all shrewd operators.

But everyone knew who really held the reins at the Nova Group now. They offered Nova two rounds of toasts—and when Richard didn’t refuse on her behalf, his stance was clear.

So, round after round of strong liquor was forced into her hands.

The harsh spirits burned down to her stomach, bringing tears to her eyes with the first sip.

The partners edged closer. Their leering jokes, laced with foul breath, and the hands that ‘accidentally’ brushed her leg filled Nova with utter revulsion.

But she couldn’t even free a hand to push away the endless stream of alcohol, powerless to escape.

“Enough!”