Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

The night outside is alluring, and the atmosphere inside the car is even more enticing...

Charlotte raised her arm softly to push Atlas Hallow away, seeing him still holding her waist firmly with a look of unfinished desire.

”Take me home.” The intense activity between the man and woman just now made her sweat, seemingly evaporating the effects of alcohol.

”Stay tonight...” Atlas’s voice was deep and hoarse, like gravel sliding over a millstone, exuding a strong and tempting desire that he had suppressed for more than three years. What just happened didn’t even qualify as a pre-meal appetizer.

But the alcohol already cleared from Charlotte’s mind, and she smiled faintly, shaking her head: ”I want to go back.”

She picked up the clothes scattered in the car, putting them on slowly, thinking how reckless she’d just been.

Even when drunk, she remembers all that she did to Atlas in the car.

This time, she can’t blame Atlas after all she was the initiator.

But there was no embarrassment, Charlotte’s lips still bore a hidden smile, uncertain if she was laughing at her own boldness and madness, or at Atlas’s insatiability.

”We are... adults, I had needs yesterday, and you were just willing to satisfy me; it is nothing more.” Charlotte spoke in a gentle voice, feeling as if her joints were soaked in vinegar while getting dressed, aching unbearably.

Though he restrained himself, just this one time almost exhausted her, physically she could not match Atlas at all.

”Then how did you satisfy your needs in the past three years?” Atlas leaned over and spoke in her ear: ”Don’t tell me there’s really something between you and Rogers; you haven’t changed a bit, can’t you feel it yourself?”

Not only unchanged but even tighter.

”Whether it’s true or not is none of your business.” Charlotte couldn’t help giving Atlas a glare, feeling really uncomfortable after dressing, all sweaty and sticky.

She needs to hurry home for a bath and a little sleep; tomorrow they officially start competing.

She doesn’t know how much the Hallow Clan has changed over the three years, nor can Atlas estimate how much capital she has amassed for the invasion, so everyone must be alert.

”What did you think of me just now?” Atlas lifted her chin, looking directly into her eyes, making Charlotte’s thoughts escape nowhere.

”Don’t you know? I’ve made it very clear, adults fulfill each other’s needs; if you mind, I’ll find someone else next time.” Charlotte gave a strong shake of her head, freeing herself from Atlas’s grip.

”Dare you...” Atlas’s words were like candy coated with gunpowder, sweet yet with a destructive force.

”Don’t threaten me, see if I dare, Mr. Ex-husband.” Charlotte bit her lip and slowly said each word.

Atlas looked at the defiance in Charlotte’s eyes; she didn’t seem like a mother but rather a rebellious teenager.

The title ”Mr. Ex-husband” was quite jarring; Atlas sighed inwardly, how like a little kitten this girl seemed, ready to show her claws and scratch him anytime; he has to be careful.

The car stopped downstairs at Atlas Hallow’s apartment. Under the glow of streetlights, he looked at Charlotte’s petite face, tender and white as if liquid would seep out with a pinch; he reluctantly touched her cheek lightly, then watched as Charlotte opened the car door and got out.

Rolling down the car window, Atlas leaned out, the moonlight casting a faint halo on his sharply defined face, enticing and captivating.

”If you need me, I’m always available.” He was still eager to meet her needs like this.

Charlotte elegantly walked inside, saying nothing more, leaving Atlas only with a slender silhouette.

Silently, she opened the door, tiptoeing to sneak into her room, but unexpectedly the living room lights suddenly turned on, making Charlotte instinctively blink as she saw her mother sitting on the sofa.

”Charlotte, you’re back.” Freya Morgon sat there, holding a cup of rose tea, sipping it before waving Charlotte over.

”Mommy, why aren’t you asleep yet?” It was almost four o’clock in the morning, why hadn’t her mommy gone to bed?

Freya poured a cup of rose tea for Charlotte, handing it to her and softly saying: ”Staying up is bad for your liver, drinking this is much better.”

Charlotte took the cup and drank it in one go.

She was truly thirsty; after being with Atlas earlier, it felt like all the moisture had drained from her body.

”Mommy, you’re almost a half expert in health care for Mia’s sake.” Charlotte said apologetically, as her time is sometimes not enough, leaving such worries to her mommy.

Thinking about this, she hugged Freya’s shoulders like she was being a little coquettish: ”Thank you, Mommy, it’s great to have you and Luna always there.”

”Actually, it’s really Mia we should thank; who could’ve thought Luna’s temperament would be tamed by Mia? Maybe it’s fate; you sisters weren’t deeply bonded, not talking much since childhood, but Mia is different; she can talk with Luna for an afternoon.” This truly puzzled Freya.

Like Mia and Luna were the real sisters.

”Yes, they are truly fated.” Only beside her mother does Charlotte let down all her defenses, seeming like a child.

”So in this world, all imperfections are replaced by something else, what about you and Atlas? Did you meet him today?” The only reason for her daughter coming home this late could never be anyone else but Atlas.

”Me and him?” Charlotte smiled subtly, not knowing what exactly she and Atlas were.

Years ago, she loved him, but those traces of love were gradually smoothed over by hurt, leaving some marks but past hurts made her want to forget even these marks.

Can she forget?

She couldn’t accept any man’s touch, except with Atlas, she doesn’t reject.

Sometimes Charlotte wonders if she’s part of the ”looks club,” having seen the best-looking man, so no other man could catch her eye?

This she might try another day.

”Mommy, I can’t be with him anymore, yet I sometimes find myself attracted to him.” Only in Freya’s presence would Charlotte reveal her feelings like a child.

She can’t be with Atlas anymore, too much history, and Luna; how can they be together?

She couldn’t even get past this herself.

”I always remember being sold off by him, or to be precise, exchanged; when I went to the Hallow Family, I was constantly careful, afraid a wrong step would lead to dire consequences.” The alcohol dispersed from Charlotte’s body, she became crystal clear.

”I dislike that feeling, he’s too domineering; in front of him, I have to submit, resembling ancient times adhering to three obediences and four virtues. The funniest part is even my clothes he controlled, guarding me like a thief going out.” Those days without dignity were like fine needles pinning into her flesh, always unpickable.

”What do you want then?” Freya’s voice was gentle and elegant, soothing her daughter’s shoulders.

Privately, she cherished her younger daughter not for any specific reason, but because she contributed too much to the family.

Not only worrying about her parents but taking care of Luna, never one thing that eased her mind.

Initially, Freya hoped to try her luck, thinking her daughter so wonderful, maybe Atlas would appreciate her, perhaps due to accidental circumstances they’d have a happy marriage; but eventually it was not meant to be, leaving Charlotte suffering a lot.

Though Charlotte never fully disclosed what she experienced, her health condition upon returning to the United States suggested a painful journey.

”I want to defeat him, even if I can’t win, I want to contend fiercely.” Maybe this is her knot; if she can’t have a fair fight with him, it will never untie.

”Then strive on, Mommy supports every decision you make.” Freya poured Charlotte another cup of rose tea, speaking gently and lovingly: ”Wish you triumph over Atlas, but don’t pressure yourself too much. Even losing to such a man, you’d still be honored in defeat...”