Betting a Man’s Pride

With Enzo Nova’s god-tier assist, Luna Aster emerged victorious.

“Sister Aria, how would you like to pay? A check or a bank transfer? Either works for me.”

Luna Aster spoke the most shameless words in the gentlest possible voice, backing Aria Nova into a corner with nowhere left to run.

“El, are you really going to just stand there and watch me get bullied?”

In her desperate situation, Aria Nova grabbed onto the last straw that could save her. Luna Aster instinctively looked toward Elio Leandro, and her heart inexplicably sank.

*Oh no, oh no. What if I lose that two million?*

According to the traditional plot, once the white lotus started crying, even the most cold-hearted man would eventually soften and surrender. Seeing Luna Aster’s slightly furrowed brows, a hint of amusement flashed through Elio Leandro’s eyes.

“So? What do you want me to do?”

Aria Nova immediately burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

“El, what happened back then wasn’t really me cheating on you. It was all a conspiracy. Someone deliberately wanted to break us apart!”

She sobbed as she continued, “There was nothing between that man and me. If you don’t believe me, you can personally verify it. I…I’m still a virgin!”

Elio Leandro remained expressionless, but Luna Aster, the spectator happily eating up the drama, widened her eyes.She tugged on Elio Leandro’s shoulder and rose onto her tiptoes, leaning close to his ear.

“You dated her for so long and you never touched her? Can you even do it? Are you really a man?”

The string of questions challenging his sexual prowess made Elio Leandro’s expression darken. He gritted his teeth and looked at Luna Aster.

“Can I do it? Am I a man? Don’t you have any idea? Who was begging for mercy in the laboratory today?”

Luna Aster: “…”

*This bastard’s pride is surprisingly strong!*

His voice wasn’t particularly loud, but the people nearby happened to hear their conversation as well.

Aria Nova looked as though she were about to collapse from heartbreak, while Enzo Nova also seemed to have been hurt, his mood instantly sinking.

“As for what happened back then, I have no interest in knowing. Miss Nova, I’m married now. Please have some self-respect.”

Elio Leandro looked at Aria Nova, his expression cold and distant, his tone carrying an unmistakable warning. He took Luna Aster’s hand and led her toward the exit of the banquet hall. Then, as though remembering something, he stopped and turned back toward Aria Nova.

“The two million you promised my wife, remember to send it to the university tomorrow. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to send someone to collect the debt directly from the chairman’s office of Nova Group.”

Leaning against Elio Leandro’s arm, Luna Aster smiled sweetly.

“Sister Aria, don’t worry. The university will also award you a trophy and certificate for your charitable donation, as a token of appreciation for your support of scientific research in higher education.”

Under the gazes of all the guests, Luna Aster linked her arm through Elio Leandro’s and walked out of the banquet hall. Outside, a fine drizzle was falling. A chilly night breeze swept past, and Luna Aster couldn’t help shivering. Elio Leandro took off his coat and wrapped it around her before effortlessly scooping her up into his arms.

“Hey, what are you doing?! There are so many people here!”

Luna Aster might have had thick skin, but not thick enough to publicly perform an R-rated scene in front of everyone.

“Your shoes don’t fit. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Elio Leandro strode toward the car, his deep, pleasant voice carrying a hint of gentle reproach.

Those words left Luna Aster stunned.

No, what is the meaning of this sudden concern? Wasn’t it you who ordered the butler to prepare the shoes in the first place?

She glanced back and, upon seeing Aria Nova coming after them, Luna Aster immediately understood.

*Oh, I get it now. As expected of a couple who truly loved each other once—they can sense each other’s presence without even looking back.*

*Young Master must be deliberately putting on an affectionate display with me tonight just to provoke Aria Nova.*

And sure enough, the effect was excellent. Aria Nova, having been thoroughly stimulated, was already heartbroken and filled with regret.

*The first step has succeeded. Next comes reconciliation and pouring out their feelings to each other. It won’t be long before they get back together!*

Thinking of this, Luna Aster couldn’t help scratching her head, looking slightly troubled.

*Looks like I’d better hurry and get everything I need to do done before Elio Leandro brings up the divorce.*

Just as Luna Aster was about to get into the car, a sorrowful voice came from behind her.

“El, back then I risked my life to save you. You…have you forgotten?”

Those words made Elio Leandro’s back stiffen. His gaze instinctively fell on Luna Aster. His gaze was so intense that Luna Aster felt rather uncomfortable.

*No, big brother, why are you looking at me? Hurry up and go comfort your sweetheart! She’s crying her eyes out over there!*

After a long moment, Elio Leandro finally turned around and looked at Aria Nova, his gaze cold and unreadable.

“Originally, I wasn’t planning to bring this up so abruptly. But since you insist on mentioning it, then I have something I’d like to ask…”

Before he could finish, Enzo Nova suddenly came rushing over, looking every bit like a wild and carefree young man chasing the wind.

“Sis, actually, I’ve liked you for a very long time!”

This sudden confession shocked not only Luna Aster, but even Elio Leandro. He swallowed the words he had been about to say and turned to look at Enzo Nova.

“Sis, from the day you saved me in the laboratory, I fell in love with you!”

Enzo Nova seemed to have been drinking. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes were filled with undisguised affection.

“I became obsessed. I secretly followed everything related to you. I know that you’re a young genius. You entered Z City University’s gifted youth program at sixteen, then gave up the guaranteed admission opportunity and earned your place in the combined master’s and doctoral program through your own academic achievements.”

“You’re fluent in five languages. You hold four invention patents. You’ve won the women’s 3,000-meter race at the university’s annual sports meet for three consecutive years…”

As he rattled off Luna Aster’s impressive achievements in one breath, Enzo Nova became even more infatuated.

“Sis, you like sweet food and spicy food. You like eating barbecue and drinking at street stalls. You like reading danmei novels…”

The moment she heard “danmei novels,” Luna Aster hurriedly coughed several times, maintaining a perfectly dignified expression without even blushing.

“Junior, don’t make things up. I only like reading biographies of famous people and classic works by renowned foreign authors. What’s danmei? I have no idea!”

After saying that, Luna Aster instinctively glanced at Elio Leandro, only to see that the man’s expression had turned ugly, as though he were on the verge of exploding.

“Sis, Elio Leandro is a scumbag. Other than being rich, he’s completely useless. He’s not worthy of you!”

Elio Leandro radiated such a fierce chill that Luna Aster’s heart trembled.She didn’t have time to argue with Enzo Nova. She immediately wrapped her arms around Elio Leandro’s waist, shoved him into the car, and closed the door behind him in one fluid motion.

“Driver, go!”

The driver was also a man who knew how to read the situation. He slammed his foot down on the accelerator, and the car sped away, instantly leaving Enzo Nova and Aria Nova behind. Before long, the car was cruising steadily along the elevated highway.

Elio Leandro looked at Luna Aster with an amused, half-smiling expression.After a while, he finally spoke.

“I had no idea my wife was so talented. Developing morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and practically? And you also enjoy barbecue, drinking, and danmei novels?”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense. Rumors stop with the wise.”

Luna Aster hooked her arm around Elio Leandro’s and gave him an ingratiating smile, looking rather guilty.

“Do you also think I’m not worthy of you? After all, even Enzo Nova said you’re so poor that all you have left is money.”

Luna Aster waved her arm indignantly in protest.

“How is that an insult? That’s clearly the greatest compliment anyone could give a person!” She looked at him hopefully.

“If someone pointed at me and called me so poor that all I had left was money, I swear, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams.”

Elio Leandro’s expression softened slightly. He leaned down, pressed close to her ear, and breathed lightly against it. His hand reached down and took hold of her slightly cool feet, gently rubbing them, making the woman in his arms tremble.

“You looked beautiful tonight. From the moment you stepped out of the car barefoot, I’ve been itching to get my hands on you.”