Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Charlotte Miller’s deep eyes slightly squinted, her long eyelashes trembling, reminiscent of a black feathered fan stirring emotions.

At this moment, she was somewhat enjoying herself because his hands were wide and large, applying just the right amount of pressure to relieve the stiffness in her neck.

Even though she was still young, she seemed to be catching the aches and pains of old age.

Annie Gray didn’t come in to interrupt; after tidying up, she returned to her own office. She wasn’t sure when Atlas Hallow would return, but she definitely couldn’t leave.

Once Atlas was back, she’d go in to keep Charlotte company through the night, as it would feel odd to go inside now.

Some people, even after separating, remain intricately connected; these ties can be felt even by an outsider like her.

Her phone had rung at least five times; if she didn’t answer, it felt like it might explode. With a sigh, she picked it up.

”Annie, are you doing this on purpose? We made plans and you dare not to come?” Joseph Shaw’s voice on the other end was already impatient, as if he might leap out and grab her through the phone.

”President Shaw, it’s not that I’m avoiding coming. I’m stuck working late at the company tonight.” Annie tried to keep her voice soft, hoping it wouldn’t seem like she was intentionally ignoring the calls.

”Enough overtime; what time do you think it is?” Joseph’s voice still carried a fire, barely restrained.

”There really isn’t time today, since President Miller is working overnight tonight. As her assistant, I can’t leave now.” Annie decided to use Charlotte as a shield because Joseph wouldn’t make things difficult for Charlotte, given his connection with Atlas.

”Is she crazy? Why doesn’t she let Atlas keep things running smoothly? Has she gone mad and dragged you along? How much overtime pay does she offer you?” Joseph’s voice grew louder, forcing Annie to hold the phone away from her ear.

The noise was almost enough to rupture her eardrums; saying it was explosive wasn’t an exaggeration.

”Well... President Shaw, I have work to do, so I’m hanging up now.” Annie hurriedly ended the call; dwelling on it further might induce a heart attack.

Joseph’s temper was terrible, explosive enough to scare someone to death.

After hanging up, Annie’s ears were still buzzing. It was time to make coffee for Charlotte and Atlas.

At this hour, without any need for her company, making coffee was her idle task.

In Charlotte’s office, Atlas showed no intention of leaving. The night was deep, and he sat on the couch, gazing at Charlotte’s silhouette.

He enjoyed wild physical contact, yet also cherished this silent midnight, where good feelings emerged without a word.

Their breaths mingled, seeming to draw them closer.

Often, the feelings between two people need a gradual accumulation to transform into something substantial.

He and Charlotte had precious little time together; it was so rare that substantial change couldn’t occur.

Charlotte’s phone rang suddenly, startling her.

Why was someone calling at this hour? She feared Mia might have fallen ill.

In days past, especially when Mia first came home from the hospital, she was difficult to manage. Her temperature could spike suddenly at night, prompting calls to Rogers at any hour.

But now, Rogers was up in the air, near but not yet landed; this thought made her more anxious.

Hastily grabbing her phone, she noticed the number was unfamiliar yet oddly recognizable.

This was her private line; not many people had access to it. Picking up, she heard a man’s somewhat blunt voice.

”Charlotte, are you seriously working at this hour? Let Annie go home...” The voice was not just blunt but also impatient.

Upon hearing this voice, Charlotte knew who was calling.

This man still had the nerve to mention Annie, which was infuriating, and his attitude was poor.

Charlotte handed her phone to Atlas, who was sitting on the couch.

Her phone traced a parabolic arc through the air before landing securely in Atlas’s hand.

What felt large in her hand appeared tiny in Atlas’s.

Atlas wasn’t sure what was happening, but as she tossed him the phone, he caught it and listened to the voice on the other end.

”You should stay home and watch your kid, because it’s that nutcase Atlas enabling you. Don’t teach Annie your ridiculous ideas...” Joseph was close to losing it.

Ever since Annie met Charlotte, she’d practically transformed.

She used to be obedient, diligently working by day and morphing into the perfect bedfellow by night, always adaptable. Now, she was continually unavailable.

Over the years, she’d left him in the lurch, neither cold nor warm.

A surge of anger over Annie made him impatient with Charlotte too.

”If you know I’m a nutcase, why provoke me, hmm?” Atlas’s voice rose softly in the air, laced with a playful danger.

”Atlas, you’re there too?” Joseph was startled by the familiar voice.

Wasn’t he supposed to be working overtime at the office?

But how was Atlas there too, and at this hour?

”What are you doing there? Your lady forced my assistant’s hand; what’s this nonsense?” Joseph retorted angrily.

When Annie first left, he thought she was just another woman who’d walked away, and that was that.

Slowly, he realized not all women were alike.

Annie never caused him trouble, and even when living together, she discretely maintained household supplies without his concern.

He liked her independence, but when she became too independent over the years, Joseph found it increasingly unsettling.

He’d cycled through several assistants, none of whom were satisfactory, leaving him frustrated to the point of hair loss.

This time, he was determined to have Annie back as his woman and his assistant.

With her around, everything felt safe and secure; he could throw confidential files her way without worry.

Did she think he was stingy? Wasn’t the money enough?

”Is she yours? If you disagree, challenge me; see if you can beat me first.” Atlas sneered at Joseph’s handling of women’s affairs, making a mess of his own life, unable to find peace.

Not bothering further, Atlas hung up, then promptly blocked Joseph’s number.

”Ignore him from now on...” Atlas whispered as he stood to return Charlotte’s phone to her desk.

In the middle of the night, the porcelain-faced young woman showed signs of fatigue. Even her eyelids were dark.

”Get some sleep; I’ll monitor things for you.” Things had already settled; watching the screens was a mere formality. Atlas leaned close to Charlotte’s ear, speaking softly.

”No need.” Charlotte replied evenly, though her heart skipped a beat.

As he approached, his pure and fresh scent enveloped her, seeming to seep into her pores.

This man was domineering, and even his scent carried the same trait.

”President Miller, I made coffee, but drinking black coffee at night is harsh on the stomach. I added sugar and milk...” Annie came in wanting to see Atlas intimately conversing with Charlotte.

She’d seen such scenes often, and yet she maintained an air of unaffectedness.

Boldly, she placed the coffee on the table and asked with a smile, ”Would you like a midnight snack?”

They had eaten earlier, and Japanese cuisine was light, lacking fats, which led to hunger.

”No thanks.” Eating would only make them drowsy. Charlotte stood, smiling at Annie, ”If you have something, you don’t need to stay.”

Annie hesitated briefly, realizing Joseph must have called Charlotte.

Ugh, that madman...

”It’s nothing, really.” Annie awkwardly smiled; this wasn’t suitable behavior, letting private matters affect work.

She shouldn’t let it entangle any further.