Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”What does it have to do with you? That woman is so confident, it’s ridiculous. She said I couldn’t keep Atlas Hallow, really...” Charlotte Miller already didn’t have much fondness for Atlas Hallow, and now she disliked him even more.

What kind of people are around him?

This Violet Carter seems to be very familiar with him, childhood friends? Like Joseph Shaw?

It’s really just a bunch of useless friends, none of them decent.

This Violet Carter, she looks pretty decent, but every word she says sounds like it’s laced with sarcasm to show off her superiority, it’s disgusting.

”So, Charlotte trying to keep a man is completely pointless.” Annie Gray said slowly, her voice weak like a little animal drained of its bones.

Trying to get what you love, but that feeling is out of reach, so painful it strips away one’s dignity, leaving one suffering alone in the Inferno, humbling oneself to the dust, where nothing can blossom, only dirt clings to you.

”If you can’t eat, don’t bother. Let’s go out for a drink tonight. It’s a holiday, and I spent the afternoon sunbathing with Mia. Once she’s asleep, we’ll go for a drink, like a farewell to single life, how about it?” Charlotte Miller smiled mysteriously, ”I know a place that’s pretty good, you won’t be able to go there once you’re married, so let’s go tonight.”

Charlotte blinked and smiled mischievously.

Annie was really envious of Charlotte’s disposition. It seemed like she was shining while living for herself, not caring about those unimportant people’s feelings. This kind of living was so straightforward.

”Okay...” She could probably guess what kind of place it was. She was not just a simple high school girl anymore. Occasional indulgence was nothing, and neither she nor Charlotte would do anything outrageous. Just seeing the world, it was nothing.

Over the years, Annie understood one thing: love wouldn’t keep two people together forever. The power of love is very limited. What gives a woman hope isn’t love, but a man’s sense of responsibility, the kind that can bring stability.

After lunch, Charlotte was taking Annie back to her apartment, but Annie said she’d rather stay at a hotel.

”Are you afraid Joseph Shaw will come looking for you?” Charlotte suddenly remembered that day years ago when she hurried Atlas Hallow to open the door to Annie’s apartment.

”It’s not fear; it’s just no longer necessary to meet.” Annie closed her eyes, saying goodbye in her heart, without flowery words, just a determined belief to never meet again.

”Alright.” Charlotte thought about it and felt it was better this way, at least no more trouble would arise. In two days, Annie would be registered, and once everything was settled, it would become a distant memory.

But she didn’t understand where Joseph Shaw got the courage to keep entangling with Annie. He was already engaged.

What position did he want to put Annie in?

Mistress? Third wheel? Or something else?

Suddenly, she felt she could understand Annie’s helplessness. If she didn’t get married, Joseph Shaw would keep pestering her endlessly. This society isn’t fair; it often doesn’t see it as the man’s fault, and all the dirt gets thrown at the woman.

That kind of ”why not find someone else, why insist on her, it must be her seducing someone else’s husband” mentality, a girl like Annie seemed to be fighting alone, but she was actually more fragile than anyone else. She needed marriage as a protective umbrella to keep those stigmas out of her life.

Charlotte’s heart ached as if it couldn’t bear it any longer. She escorted Annie to the hotel, then patted her shoulder, ”Hey, beautiful, dress up pretty tonight, let’s go light up the world...”

”Alright, together...” Annie smiled, her eyes shining like stars, bright and dazzling.

After safely seeing Annie to her hotel room, Charlotte drove back to the Foster Family’s courtyard.

This was already the best weather, with the winds in April not too cold, and the sun not too scorching, everything was just right...

But better than the weather in April was her little Mia’s smile.

Holding Mia, kissing her little face, it never seemed enough.

Mia giggled, her laughter flowing like a mountain spring, clear and beautiful.

”Mommy, let’s play puzzles.” In the courtyard lay a large pink and green shaggy carpet, upon which sat a low sandalwood table, covered with a pile of jumbled little pieces, a 1,000-piece puzzle.