Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Evelyn, this is the Hughes Clan. You were chosen according to the Hughes family rules. What does she count for? At most, she’s just Joshua Hughes’s mistress, and to put it bluntly, just a woman for a man to toy with. Don’t worry, take good care of your pregnancy. As long as you can safely give birth to a boy this time, won’t the Hughes Clan then be under your control?”

Harper Johnson comforted her daughter while pondering whether to have a word with Madam Hughes.

Perhaps she should also move into the Hughes residence, so she can keep an eye on Avery Jane. If there’s any sign of trouble, it must be eradicated at the root—a threat to her daughter’s position is unacceptable.

”But mom, I’m so scared. Just now, Avery Jane was carried in by Joshua; she didn’t take a single step on her own. Mom, do you think she might also be pregnant?”

Evelyn Yates shivered as she voiced the doubt in her heart.

”Don’t worry, Evelyn. Even if she’s pregnant, whether she can safely give birth is another matter.”

Harper Johnson’s eyes gleamed with a malicious light, like a poisonous snake spitting out a red tongue, making one’s heart shiver with fear.

”Just remember, only you are the legitimate, though yet-to-be-married, daughter-in-law of the Hughes. That woman can only work as your servant. I’ll move to the Hughes residence tomorrow, and stay with you until your child is born.”

If Avery Jane were truly pregnant, it would be the greatest threat to Evelyn. This must be prevented at all costs.

After finishing the phone call with her daughter, she immediately dialed Grace Roe’s number.

”Madam Hughes, sorry to disturb you so late.”

Harper Johnson said ingratiatingly. There are many matters she relies on Madam Hughes for, so she must handle this with caution.

”Just say what you need to say. You’ve already called. I heard Joshua is back.”

Grace Roe had just received a call from the Hughes family butler, confirming Joshua’s return.

He indeed brought that woman back, even carried her in. Thinking of this made Grace Roe frown slightly.

This son always disregards others’ opinions.

With so many eyes and ears in the old estate, everyone is trying to pry into his life, so behind even a minor servant could be a relative from a branch of the Hughes lineage directing them.

Isn’t he just handing over leverage to others like this?

”Then you surely know Joshua brought that woman back, right?”

Harper Johnson believed Madam Hughes probably knew more about Joshua bringing Avery Jane back than she did.

”Please get to the point; it’s late.”

Grace Roe really disliked speaking with such a greedy and terrifying woman.

”Don’t say it like that. I’m merely thinking that we both are considering the children. It’s so hard being a parent, isn’t it? How can I bear to watch Evelyn tearfully endure her pregnancy day after day? It’s not good for the child, don’t you agree? I only thought we should join forces to make that woman leave.”

Harper Johnson paused; her last words were uttered lightly, softly, but they left a deeply uncomfortable feeling.

”I can’t reason with Joshua. He’s very unhappy about today already. You know how hard it is being a parent, too, so please, Mrs. Yates, don’t make things difficult for me. The children have their own fate, and if it’s not meant to be, there’s nothing more I can do. Moreover, didn’t Joshua already agree? As long as she can deliver a Hughes child, the Hughes won’t mistreat her. It’s fine. Men like Joshua having women outside isn’t unusual. You’d better teach your daughter how to win a man’s favor; that’s what matters most.”

Grace Roe wanted to curse, truly wanted to curse, but she couldn’t bring herself to say such words.

What she said today might be the harshest words she’s spoken in her life.

She was truly tired of Evelyn Yates’s mother. She even started thinking maybe it was a mistake from the start—knowing what her mother was like, yet still allowing her into the Hughes’ old estate to attend that bride selection banquet.

Hopefully, Evelyn is a good girl, or her son’s marital happiness might be destroyed by her hands.

”What’s this about? They need to have a good life for us parents to be at ease, right? Tomorrow, after Joshua leaves, I hope you will accompany me to the Hughes household to support Evelyn and intimidate that woman. She’s only someone for Joshua to play with while Evelyn is pregnant. I’ve even found a young girl, clean and pure, for him. You should take a good look tomorrow. Also, I hope I can stay at the Hughes mansion with Evelyn until the child is born. I hope you can manage this too. It’s late, and I won’t disturb your rest any longer. If you don’t have time tomorrow, I’ll bring some reporters to the Hughes household in the afternoon. You wouldn’t want me to reveal past matters to others, would you? Alright, goodnight.”

Harper Johnson triumphantly hung up the phone before Grace Roe could respond.

This woman might be at her command her entire life because she’s overly concerned with others’ opinions. Such women are easy to manipulate.

Grace Roe trembled with rage. What does this woman think she is?

To keep threatening her into doing things?

But Joshua, you wouldn’t understand. Mom made a deal with that detestable woman for your sake. You’ll never know it was all for you.

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”I don’t want to see anyone. Could you have someone bring my meal here? I don’t want to leave this room.”

Avery Jane watched the man as he removed his suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his sensually muscular chest. He was looking at her while undressing.

Joshua Hughes realized she seemed to be hiding herself again, even deeper than before.

”Why? Do you want to be invisible, Avery?” Joshua Hughes removed his shirt and approached, bare-chested.

”You’re just asking the obvious.”

Avery Jane lowered her head, her long eyelashes casting a seductive shadow over her eyes.

This man is detestable. He clearly knows about her relationship with Evelyn. He knows she doesn’t want to meet these people. He knows Evelyn wishes she could devour her, yet he still brought her back regardless.

”What are you afraid of?” Joshua Hughes unbuckled his belt, pulled down the zip of his trousers, and took them off.

He embraced Avery Jane, enjoying the closeness, feeling her soft body and her faint fragrance.

”I don’t want any accidents to happen, so the best way is not to meet her, not to make anything she can eat, no physical contact whatsoever.”

Avery Jane hoped he would understand her reasoning.

If any accident happened to Evelyn while she was at the Hughes estate, she would inevitably be implicated. Hence, she could only choose to stay away, hoping to wait until Evelyn safely gave birth.

”It’s okay. Any accident is her own matter. Even if you intentionally play with her to death, it’s fine. It’s on me, and I allow you to kill her, including the child in her belly. As long as it makes you happy.”

Joshua Hughes kissed her on the cheek; her fearful and helpless appearance was truly endearing. If killing Evelyn could make her happy, then let that woman die—what’s there to regret?

”Avery Jane, what are you afraid of?” Joshua Hughes held her soft body on his legs, gently stroking her shoulder. What was she afraid of?

Was she afraid he couldn’t protect her?

Afraid he would hurt her for Evelyn, that lowly woman?

Is that how terrifying he is in her eyes?

”Anyway, I just don’t want to go downstairs, don’t want to meet her.”

Her breathing became slightly rapid, yet she struggled to maintain a calm demeanor.

This man slowly slipped his hand into her clothes. Today, he wasn’t impatient like usual, not frantically driving her to her limit.

Today he was different, peculiar.

”As you wish, as long as you’re happy.”

Joshua Hughes let out a low chuckle. This little ostrich thought by burying her head in the sand, the woman downstairs wouldn’t trouble her?

Perhaps when the real trouble comes, she would naturally seek him out.

Joshua Hughes’s fingers traced upward, playfully exploring the softness and smoothness of her skin.

There was a large fireplace in his room that had been lit before he returned.

The Hughes’ old mansion was built against a mountain, the air heavy with damp and cold.

But his bedroom was as warm as spring. The fire crackled inside. Avery Jane felt a bit overheated, unsure if it was due to the fireplace or the man’s touch...