Twisted And Drama Miss Trouble Maker

【I think I should remind you that we’re getting engaged next month. You’d better break things off with Linda in advance.】

Bert stared at the message for a few seconds, then turned off his phone without replying.

He looked toward the sofa where Linda stood with her back to him, bending slightly to retrieve something from her bag. Her form-fitting brown dress accentuated her graceful figure.

Tomorrow was his birthday, and Linda had booked a table at Riverside Restaurant to celebrate in advance.

Bert pressed his fingers against his temple and withdrew his gaze from Linda, shifting it toward the river outside the window. The twinkling fishing lights on both banks flickered, with yachts passing by occasionally.

Linda took out what she needed and sat back at the table, placing a carefully prepared gift in front of him before gently pushing it closer. Bert was still gazing out the window. Her voice was light and cheerful as she picked up her wine glass and clinked it against his. “What are you looking at?” She smiled. “Happy birthday. Love me forever.”

Bert turned back, smiling faintly, and took a symbolic sip of wine.

Linda sipped her wine slowly, glancing repeatedly at the gift box on the table.

But Bert neither noticed the new addition to the table nor picked up on her silent hints.

The brown gift box wasn’t small. Even in the dim lighting, it stood out against the white tablecloth. Yet he simply didn’t notice it.

Linda’s eyes flickered before finally meeting Bert’s unreadable gaze.

“Linda,” Bert took another sip of wine, swallowing with slight effort. “You can name a condition. Anything within my ability, I’ll agree to it.”

Linda didn’t even think before laughing it off. “It’s your birthday. Why would I ask for a gift?”

She hadn’t yet realized the true meaning behind his words.

Bert set his wine glass down and picked up his phone, typing a message to his secretary.

Since she didn’t want a gift, Linda stood up, placing her hands on the table as she leaned in, about to kiss him—

Then he spoke.

“It’s not a gift. If you haven’t thought of anything yet, I’ll transfer the Riverside Community villa to your name. I’ll have Assistant Chad handle it. Besides the house, you can ask for one more thing.”

Riverside Community was a newly developed villa district in New York City. Each standalone home was prohibitively expensive, owned exclusively by the wealthy elite. Linda had never imagined she could afford a house there in her lifetime.

And now, he was suddenly giving her such a costly property?

A bad feeling rose inside her.

Bert continued typing, deliberately avoiding looking at Linda, unwilling to see the expression on her face at this moment.

After a brief pause, he added, “If you ever run into trouble you can’t handle, you can always go to Assistant Chad. He’ll take care of it. I won’t be available anymore.”

Linda froze for a moment. Then, realizing what he meant, she let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

He had made it clear. There was no need for further explanation.

Bert finished instructing his secretary and only then noticed Linda’s posture. She had been leaning forward to kiss him. He reached out, trying to hold her shoulder, but she suddenly pulled back and sat down, dodging his touch.

Their eyes met.

Linda’s gaze, filled with silent sorrow, scanned his deep-set eyes, the sharp bridge of his nose, and his entire face. She knew him so well, yet at this moment, he seemed like a stranger.

In terms of family background and financial power, he had always been the dominant one. That meant he could break up without warning, without reason, without needing to give her any explanation.

Maybe he had loved her at some point during their relationship, but when it came time to be ruthless, he was truly ruthless. She was in the middle of celebrating his birthday, yet this was the moment he chose to break up with her—without a thought for whether she would be devastated or heartbroken.

If their roles were reversed, if she were Bert, she would at least wait until after the birthday dinner to bring up breaking up. And if she had to offer “compensation,” she would do so as gently as possible.

But he was not her.

To him, their relationship had been nothing more than entertainment. She was the one who took it seriously.

Bert braced himself for an outburst, but Linda never questioned him.

“Within five years, ensure that none of my dad’s law firm’s major clients are lost. Also, when new companies move into the New York City district, introduce their business to my dad first.” She didn’t pretend to be noble. She stated her terms straightforwardly, ending their two years and four months of being together.

After all, he had pursued her by sending business to her father’s law firm.

And now, it was business that ended it.

Bert agreed immediately. “No problem.”

She didn’t make a scene, didn’t beg, didn’t cling to him. A rare sense of guilt stirred within him, and he inexplicably wanted to compensate her more. “Is there anything else…”

Before he could finish, his gaze landed on the gift box beside her hand.

The logo on the box was unmistakable—it was the brand of watches he often wore.

Her entire annual salary, if she didn’t eat or drink, would barely be enough to afford one.

“For me?” His voice was hoarse.

Linda maintained her carefree expression, smiling. “For someone who deserves it.” She grabbed the box and walked toward the sofa.

With her back to Bert, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself after the unexpected breakup.

She had been telling herself that he wasn’t worth her sadness, but it was useless. After two years together, how could she possibly not feel hurt?

Putting the watch away, she rang for a server.

The door opened, and it was the restaurant manager, followed by two waiters.

She wasn’t important enough for the manager to personally serve her—only the other person in the room had that kind of status.

The manager stood at the door, smiling as he asked Bert, “Mr. White, shall we start serving the dishes?”

Bert said nothing, merely waved a hand to dismiss them.

Linda spoke up instead. “Manager Harris, please see the guest out. Thank you.”

There were only two people in the private room. Since she was the host tonight, the only “guest” could be Bert.

Manager Harris forced an awkward smile. Even if he had the courage, he wouldn’t dare ask Bert to leave—unless he no longer wanted to work at this restaurant.

Linda had made a reservation for this river-view private room two weeks in advance. She had spent all afternoon decorating the place and ordering the cake. Now, before even the appetizers had been served, she was kicking the birthday guest out. Manager Harris was baffled. Even if they were arguing, this was too much.

Just as the manager hesitated, Bert stood up, retrieved his jacket from the wardrobe, and put it on slowly. His eyes never left Linda.

She had her back to him, sorting her bag, her expression hidden from view.

Bert ultimately remained silent and strode toward the door.

With a soft ‘click,’ the door shut.

Linda no longer had to maintain a false expression. She crossed her arms and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window for an unknown amount of time. The manager and servers didn’t disturb her until her phone rang on the table.

“Where are you? The dress has arrived. Should I send it over, or will you come pick it up?”