Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Flix Hallow’s funeral was a grand affair.

After all, the Hallow Family is such a prominent family, and Flix Hallow even returned from Europe.

Surprisingly, accompanying him was a beautiful middle-aged woman who appeared to be around forty, but such a well-maintained woman should actually be nearing fifty.

This woman was obviously not Kinsley Lee; Kinsley was still dutifully serving her sentence in prison. It’s normal for Flix to have a woman outside, but did this mean it was about to become public?

The middle-aged woman, in a black dress and hat, gracefully entered with her arm linked with Flix’s. A layer of black veil covered half of her face, leaving only her well-shaped lips visible.

If she was dressed in black to attend the funeral, it showed some respect, but her lips were painted a striking red, making her particularly eye-catching amidst the black and white.

The hall was solemn, with white roses and lilies and a giant chrysanthemum wreath. Flix Hallow’s photo was embedded in the middle of the floral arch. In the dark brown, gold-lined coffin lay the disfigured body from the car accident. The embalmer spent the entire night to restore even a semblance of wholeness.

But in such a solemn hall, a woman with such bold lipstick, especially standing intimately beside Flix, was indeed an eyesore.

”Atlas, it’s really unfortunate such a thing happened. You must take care of your health,” Flix consoled Amir thoughtfully.

”Thank you for your concern, uncle...” Amir said softly. Perhaps it was the sudden accident of his parents, the black attire, or something else, but he seemed to have lost all his sharpness at this moment.

Amir Hallow was also present, wearing a black suit. He didn’t say much, only helping entertain the elder guests.

Gradually, more and more people arrived, and floral tributes lined the hall to the street. At this moment, there was some commotion outside, and two bodyguards ran in.

”Young Master Hallow, Flower Snake himself has arrived at the entrance.” Flower Snake had not appeared publicly for over a decade, probably only Amir could summon him.

A tall figure trembled slightly and went to the entrance to greet him.

”Why did you come personally?” Amir saw Flower Snake sitting in a wheelchair. Although it was late spring transitioning to early summer and already warming, Flower Snake was still wearing a thick black coat. His small frame seemed overwhelmed by the black coat, and his pallor was almost corpse-like.

”It’s alright...” Flower Snake said faintly, then gestured for his men to wheel him to a corner, noting it was not good to draw attention by coming.

At this moment, Charlotte Miller also walked in, wearing a black coat, her face pure like a crescent moon; even more serene was that she held Mia Miller in her arms.

The little girl wore a black velvet dress, black leather shoes, and white socks, her exquisite and quiet demeanor made it irresistibly tempting to present the world’s best to make her smile.

Charlotte had considered for a long time at home, and finally, Freya Morgon thoughtfully advised her that although certain things might feel uncomfortable now, it was better than regrets years later. With her mother’s words, she seemed to gain clarity.

After all, Mia was Flix Hallow’s blood relative. Not seeing him off might indeed be regrettable in the future, though now Mia is too young to comprehend such partings. Still, she hoped that when Mia grew up, her life would be free of regrets.

And so, they still came.

Amir guessed Charlotte might come, but he never imagined she would bring Mia too.

Perhaps this was fate. Flower Snake would never usually step out of his territory, but today, he came.

Mia was frail since childhood, usually not taken to funerals, yet Charlotte brought her.

”Charlotte, come here...” Amir gestured for Charlotte to come over, and she brought Mia to him.

”This is my good friend, Flower Snake.” Amir leaned close to Charlotte’s ear, speaking only for her to hear, ”He promised that if I had a child, he would be the child’s godfather—it’s an honor. I want to gather all the protections I can for my daughter, to ensure her life is safe and without worry.”

Charlotte could understand the importance of Flower Snake from those words, but they also carried a certain bitterness, reflecting all that had happened that drove him to want to protect Mia.

For Amir Hallow to regard being his child’s godfather as an honor, this man, who might seem odd or even ugly, must have something special about him.

Strangely enough, Mia wasn’t afraid of Flower Snake at all, despite his somewhat intimidating appearance.

”This is my daughter, Mia.” Amir held Mia and squatted beside Flower Snake’s wheelchair, speaking deeply.

His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present heard it clearly.

”Then there’s no avoiding me being the godfather...” Flower Snake coughed lightly, a faint smile on his pale face appearing strange.

Held by Amir, Mia gently squirmed and reached her small hand to touch Flower Snake’s hand. He wore a silver ring, plain but with a soft glow from age.

Flower Snake’s eyes flickered, and he extended his hand—Charlotte wasn’t afraid at all, extending her small delicate hand toward him.

Amir placed Mia on Flower Snake’s knees, and Mia smiled at Flower Snake and unexpectedly lifted her little head to kiss his cheek.

Charlotte was stunned—Mia was actually approaching someone with a less-than-handsome face, but perhaps children’s hearts are the simplest, purest, allowing Mia to be someone who understands others. She knew this person would protect her, so she liked him without reservation.

Holding Mia, Flower Snake took off the silver ring from his hand, threaded a red string through it, and hung it around Mia’s neck.

Amir pondered that while this world was already quite terrible, filled with sin, bloodshed, and killing, warmth still existed—like that night when Charlotte brought him a cup of tea and a hug, like Flower Snake, who lived in anonymity all his life, considered ugly and scary. Yet, a little angel like Mia gave him a pure kiss.

”This gift is too precious; thank you on behalf of Mia.” Amir looked at the gentle silver ring on Mia’s black velvet dress, his eyes slightly stirred.

Those present who knew the ring’s origins were also astonished that such a ring ended up with a little girl—it was unbelievable.

”I’ll tell you about the ring’s history later; just keep it safe so it doesn’t get lost.” There were too many people now, leaving Amir unable to recount Flower Snake and the ring’s story.

”Go tend to your business,” Charlotte said softly. He undoubtedly had many matters to handle today, and those could wait for another time.

Soon, the Baird brothers sent a wreath, representing the Baird Family, mentioning that Oliver was Mia’s godfather, hence his special attendance.

This caused all present to exchange glances, looking at the exquisite little girl held by Flower Snake in the corner.

Perhaps she was the most well-protected child in the world?

She was Amir’s daughter, the godchild of Flower Snake and Oliver Baird; even just one of these would be unshakeable, yet all would become her guardians.

It was clear to anyone perceptive that Flix and Kinsley Lee’s car accident wasn’t simple. So, these people attending the funeral and establishing a relationship with Mia were essentially warning everyone not to touch this little girl.

The funeral proceeded smoothly, and finally, as Amir carried Flix’s portrait out of the hall, everyone watched the hearse head into the distance, and Charlotte took Mia down from Flower Snake’s lap.

”We came in a rush today; Mia still needs to take her medicine. I’ll bring her to your home another day to formally pay respects,” Charlotte’s clear, gentle voice sounded, as Mia had not slept well the past few days and coughed slightly. She was better now, but it was time to return for snacks and medicine.

”No need for formalities.” Flower Snake’s voice was weak, waving his hand as he looked at Mia’s delicate little face, his eyes filled with a gentle affection.

”It’s necessary.” Since Mia was already taken in as Flower Snake’s goddaughter, it was customary to bow in respect, just as they had once for Oliver Baird.