Inside a luxurious restaurant, a woman slowly swirled the wine in her glass.
The dim lights reflected against her sharp phoenix eyes, making the coldness inside them even clearer. Her gaze rested on nothing in particular, yet the pressure around her was enough to make nearby waiters avoid looking at her for too long.
She was none other than Nyxara—the mysterious woman who had stolen the spotlight at the Crimson Girls' concert.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
The memories came again.
Dark rooms.
Endless lyrics.
Songs written through sleepless nights, only to appear under someone else's name.
For years, she had been nothing more than a slave to Star Circuit BigHit Industry. Every melody she created, every word she painfully wrote, was handed over to famous idols without credit, without payment, without mercy.
The Crimson Girls had been the group assigned to her.
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
Then came him.
The only person who had ever dared to stand beside her.
He had fought for her, argued for her, tried to expose the truth…
And they shot him in the head.
She still remembered the sound of the gunshot echoing through the cliffside before his body disappeared into the darkness below.
Not long after, it became her turn.
A bullet through her heart.
Cold water swallowing her whole.
Nyxara slowly closed her eyes.
She should have died that night.
But fate had other plans.
When she woke again, everything had changed.
Her appearance.
Her body.
Even her face had transformed into something far more beautiful than before, as if the heavens themselves had rebuilt her for revenge.
And this time…
She would make sure everyone paid the price.
Crack.
A quiet sound pulled her out of her thoughts.
Her eyes lowered to the wine glass in her hand. Thin lines had already formed around it from the pressure of her grip.
A low chuckle sounded from across the table.
"Another few seconds and that glass would've died a painful death, Miss Ara."
Nyxara lifted her gaze slightly.
She hadn't even noticed when he arrived.
The man sitting across from her leaned lazily against his chair, one gloved hand resting beneath his chin. His dark eyes carried the calm confidence of someone used to controlling every room he stepped into.
Mr. Raviel.
The untouchable lawyer.
A man powerful enough to make judges nervous, billionaires cautious, and criminals disappear overnight.
Nyxara's red lips curved faintly.
"Mr. Raviel, I'm glad you made time for my invitation."
The dim restaurant lights reflected against the wine glass in Nyxara's hand as she watched the man across from her.
Raviel loosened the cuff of his sleeve lazily, his dark eyes calm and unreadable. "The case sounds interesting enough to cancel a few meetings."
"Then I'll get straight to the point."
Nyxara slid a document across the table.
"A contract marriage." Her red lips curved faintly. "You're free to accept or reject it."
The air around the table instantly turned strange.
Raviel didn't even touch the document. Instead, his gaze lingered on her face before a faint amused smile appeared in his eyes.
"Miss Ara…" He tapped a finger lightly against the table. "You do know I'm already engaged, don't you?"
Nyxara leaned closer without hesitation. The expensive scent on her body brushed against him lightly.
"Like I said," she murmured smoothly, "you can accept or reject it."
A low chuckle escaped Raviel's throat.
He leaned back against his chair, studying her openly now. "So this is the part where Miss Ara asks me to become unfaithful?"
The smile on Nyxara's face never moved.
"Mr. Raviel, you're one of the most powerful lawyers in this country. Sitting here without investigating you first would make me an idiot."
Her sharp eyes locked onto his.
"For example…" she continued softly, "I know your engagement has nothing to do with love."
For the first time, Raviel's expression paused slightly.
"You're on an investigation, " she finished calmly. "That engagement is only part of the plan."
Silence.
The temperature around the table seemed to drop.
"You're investigating someone," Nyxara finished calmly. "That engagement is only part of the plan."
Silence settled between them.
Even the air around the table seemed colder.
Then, slowly, a smirk pulled at Raviel's lips.
"I must admit…" His dark eyes stayed fixed on her. "Miss Ara is far more intelligent than I expected."
Nyxara smiled faintly.
"So no, I'm not asking you to betray your fiancée." She crossed her legs elegantly. "You were never truly involved with her to begin with."
Her gaze sharpened.
"I'm simply offering you a faster way to get what you want."
Raviel stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"I see."
Nyxara reached for her wine glass again. "Well, you have enough time to think abou—"
Her voice stopped abruptly.
Right in front of her, Raviel had already picked up the pen.
Without hesitation, he signed the contract.
Nyxara blinked once.
That was fast.
Raviel casually pushed the papers back toward her.
"Done." His lips curved lazily. "Your signature is missing."
Nyxara glanced at the contract, then back at him.
"You didn't even think about it?"
"No need."
"That confidently?"
"You already proved you're capable enough to stand beside me."
Nyxara narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You didn't even check the conditions."
Raviel leaned back against the chair comfortably.
"Didn't feel like it."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"Well then…" She picked up the papers slowly. "The contract lasts for one year."
Her expression remained calm.
"And during that time, there will be no sexual relationship between either party."
Deep inside, Nyxara sighed in relief.
She had only just gotten this new body. The last thing she wanted was pregnancy ruining her revenge plans.
Suddenly—
Raviel leaned closer.
Too close.
His low voice brushed against her ears.
"Miss Ara…" His gaze slowly traveled down her body before returning to her face. "A woman this beautiful, with such dangerous curves…"
Nyxara's fingers tightened around the document.
For the first time since meeting him, she felt slightly uncomfortable.
Raviel's smirk deepened.
"That condition might be difficult."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"But I'll try to cooperate."
Nyxara was about to speak when he added calmly—
"However…"
He leaned even closer.
"What happens if I suddenly want a child?"