Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Did Joshua Hughes kill George Parker?

It seems unlikely. After all, George Parker had some connection with Avery Jane’s parents, and it was clear that Joshua Hughes was utterly infatuated with his young wife, behaving irrationally. Could someone have framed him?

Atlas Hallow got up and dressed. He came to Las Vegas with Joshua Hughes and was seen at George Parker’s place together. Joshua Hughes was already in trouble; would Atlas face trouble as well?

”Daniel Parker, you must keep an eye on Charlotte Miller 24 hours a day to ensure she’s safe.” Atlas Hallow suddenly realized that the waters in Las Vegas were deep, even someone like Joshua Hughes had fallen, creating quite a mess.

In another room, Avery Jane sat on the bed, feeling as though her bones had been removed, slumped and limp.

The world is truly unpredictable...

The sergeant mentioned George Parker; perhaps he was referring to Tiger George, whom she saw with Joshua Hughes at the casino that day.

But she had seen him just yesterday; he seemed fine then. How could he be dead today?

What should she do now?

How could she help Joshua Hughes?

Joshua Hughes seemed to have a decent conversation with Tiger George; he couldn’t possibly have killed him. Someone must be trying to harm him. She understood Joshua Hughes, while others spoke of his ruthless nature, she knew he had his limits. Since he became friends with George Parker, there was no reason for him to act.

Avery Jane bit her lip hard, forcing herself to calm down.

She thought for a while, then got off the bed, picked up her phone, and dialed a number...

Charlotte Miller answered the phone while still lying in bed, surprised that Avery Jane called so early; could it be an invitation for breakfast?

”Charlotte, just now... Joshua Hughes was taken by the police. I don’t know what to do.” Avery Jane’s tears fell as she spoke, recalling the terrifying scene.

Charlotte was shocked as well. How could someone like Joshua Hughes be taken by the police?

”The police said he’s involved in George Parker’s death. Do you remember the casino owner? He was murdered yesterday,” Avery Jane explained, overwhelmed and unsure what to do.

Avery Jane thought of Charlotte, realizing she was the only person in Las Vegas she could turn to now.

”Don’t panic, Avery Jane. If someone dares to move against Joshua Hughes, they must have come prepared, knowing his background. They’ll likely act fast to convict him. You should immediately notify the Hughes Clan Group’s lawyer to come to Las Vegas. Staying one more day in the police station could be dangerous, life’s in danger, I’m afraid.” Charlotte was also startled by the news. How could George Parker be dead when he was greeting them at the casino just yesterday?

”Casinos are indeed terrifying places, the most luxurious yet filled with people who have lost humanity in the face of wealth and greed. Many of them have lost their humanity for money, like carnivorous plants that bloom beautifully after feeding on corpses. Some people have lost their humanity for money and power...” This is why their family forbade gambling involvement.

Charlotte’s words flowed smoothly like a stream in the morning, chilling Avery Jane to the core, making her feel as if she stood on ice despite the sunlight streaming through the window.

Was Charlotte suggesting Joshua Hughes might face life-threatening danger in prison?

The realization numbed her heart.

”You don’t need to worry too much. I’ll discuss with Atlas Hallow what’s the best course of action. You should get the Hughes Clan’s lawyer here quickly.” The situation is indeed very tricky.

”Thank you, Charlotte.” Avery Jane said over the phone, having no time for more words, she hung up and immediately dialed another number.

”Is this Mr. Carter? Joshua Hughes was taken by the police.” Avery Jane’s voice trembled slightly, her fear and anxiety evident in her tone.

Julian Carter is Joshua Hughes’s special assistant, and it’s most suitable to turn to him for such matters.

”Miss Jane, I’m already on the way to the airport. I understand the situation somewhat. You must stay in the hotel, lock all room doors, avoid eating out. Don’t move until I get there.” Julian Carter’s typically calm face had cracked open, the situation developing too quickly for him to grasp.

Leaving here now, without traffic jams, the earliest flight to Las Vegas takes a few hours.

He didn’t know what the police would do in those hours. Since they dared to openly arrest Joshua Hughes, it was a public declaration of war. He wouldn’t be treated well at the police station.

Damn it.

This year had been particularly busy, they had prepared for years, but when they began action, troubles around Joshua Hughes kept emerging, slowing progress.

Avery Jane was surprised. How did Julian Carter know what happened ten minutes ago?

Joshua Hughes sometimes seemed enigmatic, almost prophetic, even his assistant could be hard to tolerate.

The call ended, and he must be rushing to Las Vegas.

Avery Jane donned a shawl, walked to the door, locked it, then curled up on the sofa hugging her knees.

What happened last night? He returned late, and she didn’t even know when he came back, as she was deeply asleep by then.

Only at midnight did she vaguely feel his familiar, warm body at her side, embracing her in deep sleep, safe and warm, but by morning, all the pleasant sensations seemed frozen, too sudden.

After making calls, the room was filled with a scary silence, so silent that a pin drop would be audible, only her heart’s irregular beat echoed...

She couldn’t believe Joshua Hughes would kill anyone. It couldn’t be him, even if she didn’t know his past or anything else, she believed he didn’t do it.

Thinking of the smiling middle-aged man now dead made her want to vomit after calming down. The blood scent spread from unknown corners as if turning into crimson bubbles filling the room.

This was the first death she heard directly of in her life, and someone she’d met recently.

Who would kill one person to frame another?

What kind of deep hatred could it be?

That middle-aged man seemed cheerful and amusing; how could he die like that?

Her life wrapped in beauty by Joshua Hughes; could there also be a bloody side forgotten in the past?

Long eyelashes trembled like helpless butterflies, beautiful and sad...

Charlotte Miller and Avery Jane are entirely different women.

Avery Jane lost her parents young, the worst part losing most of her memory, leaving Joshua Hughes as her whole world, longing to remember yet fearing it, rendering her helpless and fragile.

Charlotte Miller, however, always knew what she wanted in life and how to achieve it, possessing stronger will and endurance than most, with logical thinking surpassing even men.

Her mind raced as she draped in a robe, barefoot, heading to Atlas Hallow’s room.

Surprisingly, he was already up, sitting in the living room. The hotel’s housekeeper had brought breakfast, the aroma of black coffee helping one wake up.

”Would you like a cup?” Atlas Hallow offered Charlotte Miller a cup of black coffee, seeing her serious expression, suggesting she might need a brain boost.

”Yes.” Charlotte took the cup, drinking the slightly sour, slightly bitter, yet enduring fragrance lingering in her mouth.

”Joshua Hughes was taken by the police.” Charlotte raised her gaze, meeting Atlas Hallow’s eyes. Yesterday they chatted for a long time, he wouldn’t otherwise speak much if they weren’t on the same page.

”I know, Daniel Parker saw it early on.” Atlas Hallow held Charlotte’s hand, sighing deeply, ”He’s in some trouble, and it might mean trouble for us too.”

”So what’s the plan?” Charlotte bit her lip as Atlas took a slice of bread, skillfully spreading jam on it before offering it to Charlotte.

”Haven’t thought it through, Las Vegas police are currently impenetrable...” Charlotte instantly understood Atlas’s words; things were indeed tricky, even Atlas hadn’t gleaned any information.