Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Even if she dislikes Avery Jane, making Joshua Hughes think she’s a malicious woman just to mess with her is truly not worth it.

”She’s giving a massage?” Joshua Hughes’s voice was deep and cold, the black shirt emanating a scorching warmth from his body.

His body was warm, yet it exuded a shivering coldness. Such a man was mysterious yet contradictory.

”Yes, Avery Jane is quite devoted to my brother. For the sake of my brother, she often mixes various essential oils herself, and since he’s always exhausted from the lab, she frequently gives him massages.” Evelyn Yates sat on Joshua Hughes’s lap, her slender fingers painted with gold nail polish.

It was made from real gold powder. Her hands were beautiful, but they lacked a ring.

A ring that could truly symbolize her status.

The Hughes Family was incredibly wealthy, and Young Master Hughes was known for his generosity. Everyone knew this, as he had gifted many women various jewelry, but had never given a ring.

She was determined to claim that ring for herself.

Evelyn inhaled his scent, which was unique to him, purely masculine, powerful, with an aggressive undertone. Unable to resist, she arched her hips and gently rubbed against him, whispering seductively in his ear, ”Joshua, I miss you so much...”

The massive crystal chandelier illuminated Joshua Hughes’s handsome features, making them even more profound and charming. Evelyn could almost hear her own heartbeat. Despite how close she got to this man, he remained an enigma, impossible to decipher, making it impossible to explore his true thoughts.

Her chest felt stuffy, like a fire slowly igniting. It turned out that Avery Jane, who always acted like a virtuous woman before him, was not so different after all. Could she actually seduce men?

It was unbelievable that this woman, who reacted as though bitten by a snake after just one kiss, would give men massages in bed.

Women are all so shameless, just like the woman sitting on him, shameless enough that one wouldn’t want to touch her more than necessary.

Grant Asia Headquarters

”Avery Jane, today we’re formally signing the contract with Grant. Your mood should improve, shouldn’t it? Stop wearing that sullen face. You have to understand that good relationships are vital in this industry. Although those people at M.C always smile at you, they aren’t all as kind as they appear. In their hearts, they wish for you to fail, yet they still maintain a friendly façade. With your cold demeanor, even without any intentions, they will think you’ve become conceited now that you have a major contract,” Angela Scott quietly reminded Avery Jane.

Having known Avery Jane for so many years, she was aware of everything about her.

But in this dazzling, bizarre circle, survival without a mask is impossible.

Or another possibility is having a powerful backing, like a financier as they say, which allows you to unreservedly showcase your personality without worrying about others’ opinions.

But with Avery Jane’s character, these rumors of using one’s body for transactions and currying favor aren’t something she could handle, so she couldn’t help but remind her.

”Angela, I know.” The woman’s tone remained as soft and serene as ever.

Avery Jane looked out the window. The sunlight was good today. Through its warmth, she recalled Wenyard Cooper’s hobbies.

He loved taking various photos of her, his only hobby. She once believed she would only let Wenyard photograph her in this lifetime, but things are always changing.

Not long ago, he had turned into a handful of ashes, put into that little box. Yet she had to show all of herself in front of the camera again for a living, and the photographer was no longer her favorite.

In the meeting room, Angela Scott reviewed the prepared contract once more.

Last time, it was just an intention contract, not binding. This time, it was the real deal.

It clearly outlined the scope of work, duration, remuneration, and various conditions.

Angela Scott felt somewhat comforted, having secured the best terms for Avery Jane.

Nearly half an hour had passed, but they hadn’t seen the arrival of Grant’s executive officer. It had to be someone Beckett Wright chose, but for the contract to be valid, it required the signature of their chief executive officer. This delay gave Angela Scott a sense of unease.

”Anderson... you promised, promised me, hurry up and sign...” Lisa’s voice trembled uncontrollably. As M.C’s most popular model, she couldn’t believe she would lose to Avery Jane.

She was indignant, feeling that Avery Jane must have used some tricks to win over the famous designer without a second glance and to decide in Avery’s favor.

This contract was very important to her. Representing such a large international brand would surely elevate her fame to another level.

When the two of them walked from the office to the meeting room, Angela Scott’s heart immediately sank to the bottom.

Artists often snatch contracts from each other behind the scenes, but Lisa’s actions this time were too blatant.

She had clearly come to compete for this contract.

Lisa stood there, her face flushed, her low neckline covered in interlacing marks of red and green, and slightly disheveled hair, all hinting at what they were doing during the past hour.

”Sister Angela, I’m sorry, but Mr. Anderson seems to think I’m more suitable for this advertising contract.” Lisa, bearing a victor’s expression, lightly raised the contract in her hand.

Avery Jane looked at those few thin sheets of paper and her heart sank.

She thought that with the contract, she could have money for Wenyard’s laboratory, at least to support it for a short while. She thought this would all be as easy as reaching into her pocket, but it turned out it was nothing more than an illusion. The reality was just this cruel.

”Avery Jane, truly sorry this time.” Lisa, with the victor’s smile, gazed at Avery Jane. Such a small green tangerine, too tart to swallow, could never be her opponent.

Angela Scott sensed Avery Jane’s slight disappointment and whispered consolation, ”Avery, you have to understand that such things are inevitable in this line of work. If you really want to pursue this path, such occurrences will keep popping up. Sometimes, in this vast and colorful world, maintaining one’s integrity might be impossible.”

Avery Jane looked at Lisa’s smile and remembered Wenyard’s assistant’s anxious voice over the phone. Pain slowly seeped into her chest.

That pain, invisible as blood, flowed from her heart, numbing to the point of dull ache, then making even breathing difficult.

At that moment, a flash of lightning in her mind reminded her of that man, with mocking black eyes. One night’s exchange, was it worth it?

In facing such a predicament, could she still stand before him and firmly speak of her beliefs, her beliefs about love?

”It’s all about ability; Miss Lisa put in the effort, so she naturally got something in return. There’s nothing to be sorry for,” Avery Jane, normally quiet in the company, sitting in the most unnoticed spot, unexpectedly spoke with such frankness.

Lisa’s previously triumphant face naturally darkened.