Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Alright, once you finish everything on your plate, if I take you on vacation, how are you going to express your gratitude? We did mention that it’s all about reciprocating gestures,” Atlas Hallow’s hand caressed Charlotte Miller’s clear, delicate face, enchanted by its softness and elasticity.

”You talk as if you’re not going on vacation too. Still, a good performance deserves a reward...” Charlotte looked at the smile in Atlas Hallow’s deep-set eyes and unexpectedly leaned up to kiss his thin lips, the action so swift that it was almost like a dragonfly touching the water.

”Stingy.” He pinched Charlotte’s cheek, his thoughts disrupted by the kiss, pulled back by a knock at the door: ”I’m heading out. You focus on your work, and tonight, you’ll get a reward.” Atlas whispered in Charlotte’s ear, his warm breath falling gently.

”Can I refuse?” His voice was filled with a dangerously enticing tone, and Charlotte knew the kind of reward he meant could indeed be life-threatening.

”Is it really a reward for yourself?” Watching his silent smile, she couldn’t help but mumble another sentence.

”Well then, I’ll give myself a nice reward. Don’t pass out on me tonight, you hear?” He pinched Charlotte’s cheek hard as a warning before turning and leaving her office.

Daniel Parker was already standing at his office door.

”There’s a bit of a problem...” It really seemed there was a bit of a problem, as Daniel spoke while following Atlas into his office.

Atlas Hallow sat in his chair, motioning for Daniel to continue.

”Just received calls from several board members requesting a board meeting vote. They oppose having your wife continue holding a significant position in the company.” Of course, Daniel avoided using harsher words. The callers were those Hallow Family relatives who, by virtue of their kinship, owned shares and were now voicing their opposition.

”Then let’s have the meeting.” What’s problematic about this? Those old bones are just too used to raking in dividends every year, Atlas said with an unflinching face. ”Tell them we’ll meet in a week.”

A week later, he was curious to see what they had to say.

Plus, the morning meeting had barely concluded when these people started stirring trouble, indicating someone was definitely instigating them. And he didn’t even need to think hard to figure out who it was.

No rush; he’ll deal with Ella Johnson first, and then handle it all together.

He was keen to see what tricks Ava Walker would play. If she dared to stir things up, it’d be just the right reason to kick her out of the Hallow Family. But before that, he still needed to have a talk with Amir Hallow.

”Amir, come to my office for a moment.” Atlas called Amir, certain conversations just couldn’t be had over the phone.

Even between brothers, some sincerity is necessary, regardless of how Ava and Amir’s marriage was their personal matter. But a heads-up is always needed if he plans to move against Ava.

”What’s up?” Amir didn’t usually spend much time at the company, just holding a titular position. However, he had stayed longer lately due to numerous year-end meetings, so Atlas reaching out meant something had come up.

The relationship between Atlas Hallow and Amir Hallow was quite remarkable. They had never engaged in the usual wealthy family disputes over inheritance because Amir had never been interested in Hallow Clan affairs. So they lived harmoniously for years.

”Come up, and we’ll talk.” Atlas hung up the phone, rubbing his forehead wearily.

What if Ava had chosen him back then?

Ava’s self-assurance back then that he would intervene to stop her from marrying Amir was hard to understand. A woman’s thoughts are the hardest to guess, especially a smart woman’s, like Charlotte’s.

The only person who’d enter without knocking had to be Amir.

Dark blue suit, silver tie—he looked like he walked straight out of a fashion magazine. Sitting on the sofa, he glanced at Atlas, ”What’s so important that it needs to be said in person?”

Atlas came over and sat across from Amir, speaking earnestly, ”Amir, you’ve been playing around for so long. When do you plan to come back and help me out?”

”You’re doing fine on your own. Why would I need to come back?” Amir shrugged nonchalantly, ”I’m content as long as there’s money to be divided at the end of the year, brother.”

”Is that what you call low expectations? What if I offered you this position, and I took your share at the end of the year. Would you agree?” Atlas glanced at his desk, then pulled out a cigarette, tossing one to him.

The slender cigarette traced an arc in the air, caught firmly by Amir, who lit it up.

White smoke drifted around them; the two men, slightly resembling each other, sat face to face, that familiar yet strange feeling flooding the air.

”That position feels like it’s fitted with needles; I’m not sitting there. It’s better if you take it, brother. If you need anything done, just say the word, no need to scare me.” Amir patted his chest, feigning a frightened look.

”You heard the meeting this morning. What’s your take?” Atlas took a drag from his cigarette, letting the light minty flavor travel down his throat and then slow rise, exhaling it through his thin lips.

”Your take is my take.” Amir spoke bluntly. He really had no intention or interest in Hallow Clan affairs, so he stayed out based on principle.

”And Ava’s opinion?” He broached the necessary question, and as soon as her name came up, the air grew heavy. Clearly, Amir had no interest in discussing the topic.

”What does her opinion have to do with me?” Amir feigned indifference, acting as if Ava was a stranger.

”She has more connections in the board than you, and they’re requesting to have Charlotte leave the company. What should I do?” Atlas threw the problem back at Amir; this couldn’t just be his headache alone.

”I thought it was something serious. Do we need to discuss this at all? Handle it as you see fit; no need to show me any leniency.” Amir believed it was nothing serious, though it was a major issue indeed, involving board members trying to get rid of Charlotte, treating Atlas as if he were non-existent.

”Even if it comes to that, I don’t care about having a wife.” Observing Atlas’s long silence, Amir added.

”Got it...” Atlas replied calmly, eyes lost in the ascending smoke, unable to see clearly.

”The real concern is whether she might do something dangerous.” That was Amir’s worry, still confounded as to why Ella Johnson hadn’t picked Atlas directly for Ava and insisted on letting Ava choose herself upon reaching adulthood. Atlas had been the undisputed choice among the Hallow youths back then.

Putting on airs to end up in a dead-end was ridiculous.

Leaving Atlas’s office, Amir immediately headed to Ava’s office in a rage.

Haven’t enough problems been stirred up already? What’s there left to cause trouble about?

Even if she was his nominal wife, if things turned ugly he’d be the one embarrassed. This woman was utterly mad.

He shoved open Ava’s office door, finding her on the phone, animatedly chatting away. Seeing him enter changed her expression, and she hurriedly ended the call.

”Why didn’t you knock?” Ava grumbled, quickly closing the office door, not wanting anyone outside to catch a glimpse and spark rumors.

”Stop your antics immediately. You have no right to meddle in Hallow Family affairs. Even if my brother wants to squander the family fortune, I won’t object. Charlotte’s involvement in the new energy city construction has nothing to do with you, got it?” Looking at Ava’s exquisite makeup, Amir’s eyes nearly spewed fire.

This woman couldn’t even maintain the bare minimum of tranquility anymore.

”You might not care, but I do. If everything’s lost, am I supposed to join you in biting the dust?” Ava shot Amir a cold glance, as if mocking his juvenile words.

”And don’t forget your original identity.” Amir said each word sharply, his gaze fierce, a far cry from his usual nonchalance.

”No need for constant reminders. Regardless, I am your lawful wife now.” Ava’s words nearly made Amir spew blood in fury.

”Take care of yourself. From now on, you can’t use my name for anything. I’ll send an email to everyone stating your actions are unrelated to me.” After speaking, Amir stormed out of Ava’s office, face boiling with anger.

With things at this point, he could only fight for dear life with Charlotte...