Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

The courtyard was surprisingly warm. In this kind of weather, the temperature had plunged dramatically; it even snowed yesterday. Yet, the open courtyard was wonderfully warm.

Four copper charcoal stoves had been set up, and all the doors to the rooms were open, allowing the warmth from inside to diffuse outwards. Consequently, the courtyard temperature reached over ten degrees, which was nothing short of a miracle. The daffodils on the flower rack couldn’t withstand such warmth; their white and yellow petals bloomed vigorously and joyfully.

Reclining on a lounge chair, Amir was dressed in a moon-white silk robe, looking much like a noble gentleman from the Republic era. The robe was trimmed with the finest fox fur at the collar and cuffs, pure white without a single speck of blemish. The toggle knots on the robe were exquisitely made, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The buttons, made from mutton-fat jade, were round and lusciously tempting. The cost of such a robe could probably rival that of numerous high-end tailored suits.

If this kind of outfit were worn by someone else, it would seem odd. Yet, on Amir, it harmonized perfectly, making him appear exceptionally graceful and elegant.

”An hour late, Atlas Hallow; I thought you weren’t coming,” Amir remarked lazily, watching as Atlas, seated next to him, unceremoniously lifted a freshly brewed cup of tea and drank it in one gulp.

”How could I not come?” Atlas responded, having another cup. He had come directly without even a sip of water, and he was quite thirsty.

”I have too many things to handle, as you well know,” Atlas set down the cup, shrugging with a helpless demeanor.

”Your affairs—those involve women, don’t they?” Amir looked disdainful. He could detect a different scent—a woman’s fragrance.

No woman had ever set foot into this courtyard; even the kitchen staff were all men. Yet Atlas carried with him the unmistakable scent of a woman, the kind that lingered after intimate entanglements.

”I’m curious about you. You shun women and show no interest in men. So, what do you like?” Atlas chuckled deeply. Amir, who distanced himself from women, could easily surmise his lateness was due to a woman?

”You should be glad I’m not interested in you,” Amir brewed new tea, took a sip himself, and spoke coldly.

”By the way, how’s the matter I asked you to investigate?” Clad in white like snow, Amir controlled the darkest corners.

In this world, contradictions exist, and this one was immense.

The rich and aromatic reddish-brown tea slowly slid from his mouth into his esophagus, down to his stomach. Amir gently closed his eyes, savoring the best Pu-erh tea of the year. He slowly relished this unique tea fragrance, loved by few due to its aged taste, yet it was his absolute favorite.

”The video surfaced from some hooligans’ hands. They claimed to have found a cellphone, but this video is over a decade old, and the phone model was new.” Amir picked up a piece of osmanthus cake dusted with fine sugar, and after putting it in his mouth, the housekeeper respectfully handed him a warm towel to wipe his hands.

”Was that woman found?” Atlas’s voice turned ominous. If Ava Walker’s mother dared break her promise, he wouldn’t hesitate to utterly ruin Ava.

”No, she likely isn’t in the city anymore.” Amir held a hand warmer, his long fingers pale against the colored fabric of his robe.

If she were here, he would have found her.

”Atlas, you should be prepared; if this goes public, your father might never return to the country again in his lifetime.” The video was clear and vivid, unmistakably authentic upon technical assessment: ”Would public exposure have a big impact?”

”Still unknown.” Any scandal could strike a major company. However, this incident happened over a decade ago, yet its repercussions remain uncertain, though unlikely to be anything positive.

”Weren’t those videos supposed to have been destroyed after Amir married Ava?” Amir still knew a bit about the Hallow Family’s past.

”Ella Johnson might be a woman, but she’s no fool. Those videos were her only bargaining chip with the Hallow Family, likely left to Ava upon her death. I never imagined she would dare to make them public.” That woman was indeed mad; giving the videos to some thugs and claiming the phone was found was just an excuse.