Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

His tie was scattered on the sofa, his suit was on the floor, and his shirt was tossed on the coffee table. It seemed he had ruined someone else’s good time. Scanning around, there was no sign of Avery Jane, but it surely couldn’t be another woman.

Joshua Hughes poured two glasses of ice water from the fridge, walked straight over, and heavily placed one of them on the coffee table, then tilted his head back to drink the other.

It’s the coldest weather, is he showing off his good health? Alexander King disdainfully glanced at the man with the sour face: ”You can’t just leave Adam Matt hanging there, and there’s Donna, I’m almost pestered to death by her; she calls a dozen times a day asking where you are.”

Alexander couldn’t just start by asking about Avery Jane’s matter, so he found something else to talk about first.

”Tomorrow we’ll start to formally sit down and discuss all the details, as for that woman, she has nothing to do with me.” Joshua shrugged indifferently, grabbed his shirt from the coffee table, and lazily put it on.

”Wasn’t she your first love? Isn’t there even a trace of nostalgia?” Alexander showed no interest in the ice water: ”Bring me a cup of hot tea.”

Joshua directly ignored his request: ”First love?”

A cold voice emanated from his nasal cavity, was it really?

Perhaps back then he did like her a bit; the passionate, sexy, beautiful mixed-race girl, the brightest scene on campus. Even now, Donna remained dazzlingly beautiful, but he completely lacked interest.

”Indeed, he’s a callous man.” Alexander laughed inwardly, thinking Donna surely wouldn’t let Joshua off that easily. Her pestering skills were top-notch.

”What have you been busy with these two days, renovating the house?” Alexander looked around Joshua’s house; he had been there before, but it wasn’t like this. This time, all the furniture was changed, even the curtains were different; the beige main tone complemented with white appeared noble and cozy. This wasn’t Joshua’s style; he was changing for someone else? Truly unbelievable.

The door to the inner room was opened, Avery Jane stood embarrassed at the doorway, timidly waving at Joshua.

Joshua walked over quickly: ”What’s the matter, Avery?” His voice was gentle and pleasant.

”I can’t use the switch in the bathroom.” Avery Jane sheepishly lowered her head, admitting she couldn’t figure it out, having fiddled with it for a while but to no avail; she was truly questioning whether she had lived here before.

Joshua led her back inside, and after fixing it, he bit her ear playfully: ”Won’t wait for me to shower together?”

Avery Jane glared at him furiously, pushing his tall frame out and slamming the door. Joshua heard the lock click from inside.

He secretly chuckled to himself, fool, what’s the use of locking the door? If he truly wanted to do anything, there was no hurry, time was on his side.

Returning to the living room, Alexander had already made himself a cup of tea and was sipping it slowly, indicating he had no intention of leaving.

”Was that Miss Jane just now?” Alexander always felt something was odd, although he couldn’t pinpoint what; clearly Avery Jane, yet somehow different.

”My wife.” Joshua’s simple three words echoed like thunder, leaving Alexander dumbstruck.

”Joshua, when did you get married? Why didn’t I know?” How could he be unaware of this? Especially if it was Avery Jane, the Hughes Family wouldn’t easily agree to this.

”She doesn’t want others to know, so outsiders are unaware too.” Joshua didn’t want to elaborate further; some things were useless to discuss too much, even with a good buddy.

Alexander fell silent, sipping tea, though his mind couldn’t fathom it—wasn’t Avery Jane always trying to escape?

Why marry Joshua at this moment?

Things seemed to be getting more complicated, making Charlotte wary; it appeared Joshua was genuinely moved this time. If anything happened to Avery Jane, Nora Thompson absolutely couldn’t withstand Joshua’s wrath. He had decided to defy the entire family for this woman, otherwise he wouldn’t call her his wife, much less give her the status of a wife.

The two discussed this proposal; the funds involved were indeed substantial, requiring extraordinary caution. He, the Hughes Clan, and the Maitland Family were all extremely meticulous.

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A two-story red brick building hidden in a small bamboo grove, furnished with antique sandalwood furniture, pastel bowls, silver-trimmed ivory chopsticks, every detail exuded royal elegance.

”The chef’s grandfather here used to be a cook who came out from the Imperial Palace, making authentic official cuisine.” Alexander sat in the modest private room, introducing to Nora Thompson. Such girls generally don’t like too crowded places; having spent years abroad, she probably had her fill of Western dishes, as none of the best restaurants here are as authentic as abroad. So he brought her here.

”Try it, even the candied fruit here is homemade.”

The pre-meal eighteen dishes strictly adhered to the old rules handed down over years, though now the show isn’t as grand as before, just small bites, even the pickled sour plums only had two pieces, the plate as small as a shallow teacup at most.

Americans indeed are particular about dining, and here it is showcased to the fullest, where not only the color, aroma, and taste are exceptional, but even the dishes holding the food are extraordinarily exquisite.

”I don’t eat shark fin.” In the official cuisine, shark fin is always the main event, but she doesn’t like eating that thing; it’s too bloody to bear.

”Didn’t order that.” Alexander smiled at Nora; it’s the first time they can sit down properly to enjoy a meal, shark fin would just spoil the mood.

The dishes are few, but each is extremely exquisite.

Nora seemed to be eating happily; she is truly a peculiar person. In the employee cafeteria, she would eat such a simple work meal very earnestly, and she treats this elaborate food the same way.

”Today I went to find Joshua, and indeed Avery Jane was with him; they are already married.” Alexander spoke only after he watched her finish the last mouthful of soup with focus.

Nora raised her head, looking at Alexander: ”Impossible, he’s lying.”

Her tone was very certain. Avery Jane deeply loved her deceased husband; it was impossible for her to marry Joshua Hughes.

Unless that person wasn’t Avery Jane.

”Avery Jane’s identity was long since canceled; she no longer really goes by Avery Jane.” Before leaving, she had arranged all of this, Avery Jane had changed her identity.

Nora’s mind turned rapidly, how could it be? Avery Jane wanted to escape from that man so much; how could she suddenly change her mind and marry him?

”You can help her cancel everything under the radar, Joshua can help bring everything back; there’s nothing he can’t accomplish.” Nora underestimated Joshua Hughes; such matters are child’s play to him.

”But, Avery Jane wouldn’t agree to it.” Nora still insisted on her opinion: ”Are you sure you saw Avery Jane?”

”Of course, I wouldn’t mistake it, but somehow there’s something peculiar.” This feeling can’t be easily described, it just feels odd. Yet clearly standing there was her; that girl is easy to recognize, stunningly unforgettable.

”Frankenstein? Do you think Joshua Hughes might have done something to her?” Nora suddenly spoke seriously, her mind suddenly conjured the image of Avery Jane lying in a laboratory with her skull opened.

”Silly, you’ve become dumb from reading books, how could it be possible.” If it were true, first he’d take her away, then brainwash her.

Yet his little wife was truly amusing, how could she even read comics? He thought Nora would only read those profound, hard-to-swallow philosophy books, and some highbrow, obscure languages, even reading Japanese comics was indeed somewhat astonishing.

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:”I want to see her tomorrow, how can I arrange to meet her?” Currently, she can’t reach Avery Jane by phone, doesn’t know where she lives, she’s genuinely worried.

Alexander had a helpless expression; he really couldn’t help, it’s evident Joshua Hughes is protecting Avery Jane like a mother hen with chicks.

:”Don’t mess things up yourself, I’ll find a way to help you inquire properly.” Rather than let Nora mess up on her own, he’d do this matter himself, at least the target would be less prominent.

:”Can I trust you?” Nora looked into Alexander’s eyes, asking seriously. Can she trust him? This man is an unrepentant cold-blooded deceiver.

Hughes Clan meeting room

Everyone sat in the meeting room for a long time; even the coffee on the table seemed to have been changed multiple times; the negotiation was still at an impasse.

Following the signing of intents comes the discussion of all the details of the merger case, including the redistribution of profits after completion, which must be completed at this time. Hence began lengthy negotiations; all meeting participants knew if they conceded even a bit now, later on, the division of victory fruits would present astronomical differences.

Adam Matt represented his whole family behind him, so he was not sloppy at all. This time, even his fiancée served as his special assistant, it must be said that besides being beautiful, Donna also possesses considerable commercial acumen.

Donna looked at Joshua Hughes, his brows remained calm, without any ripple, while both sides’ personnel confronted fiercely.

His gaze carried a slight coldness, a touch of softness.

This feature appeared rarely in Joshua Hughes, almost never seen even by her. Upon coming here, she already knew of Joshua Hughes’ noble and ancient family, knew he had a woman living in the grand castle of the Hughes Family.

But all this was not intimidating; according to the information she received, Hughes didn’t like that woman much, so her chances were significant.