Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Have we met before?” Avery Jane furrowed her brow, having no recollection of this man, yet his words suggested they might have met before.

”Maybe. Miss Jane, how did you get into the Hughes Clan?” Luis Hughes stretched out his long legs, looking every bit the entitled rich kid.

His life was always full of romance and adventure; he had everything from the moment he was born. So most of the time, he was just chasing thrills, various kinds, which naturally included women. The woman in front of him was as clean and clear as a student, utterly unlike the woman that night, who was extravagant to the extreme. He looked at Avery Jane with a playful gaze, sizing her up as if searching for traces of that night. Yet he couldn’t quite remember her, aside from how wild and seductive she was, the greatest thrill came from having Joshua Hughes’s woman.

”I... I’m not quite sure...” She certainly couldn’t say she had a concussion, finding it laughable and unconvincing.

Luis Hughes chuckled smugly, evidently aware she hadn’t gone through any interview or company procedures. Look at what Joshua Hughes was doing, placing his lover in the company without following any protocol, and even allowing her to attend such an annual celebration. Isn’t that using public resources for personal gain?

Of course it is. Whenever there’s something that can hit Joshua Hughes, Luis gets quite thrilled.

Such matters are trivial for Joshua Hughes, but if made into a story, they could get blown out of proportion.

”Care for a drink, Miss Jane?” Luis Hughes poured two glasses of red wine from the table, handing one to Avery Jane. He wondered why this woman wasn’t with his beloved brother, why she wasn’t upstairs.

When he recalled the scene from earlier, frustration stirred within him. That alluring beauty was an old acquaintance of Joshua Hughes; together, they went to the top floor, possibly reveling in pleasure at that very moment.

”I don’t drink,” Avery Jane warily eyed the mesmerizing dark red wine in the crystal glass, shaking her head in refusal, ”Do you have something else to discuss? If not, I’ll take my leave.” Being alone in a room with a strange man was never advisable.

”What’s the hurry? Are you eager to find my beloved brother?” Luis Hughes observed the woman before him; her skin was so white it seemed to glow, her lashes fluttering like butterfly wings out of fear or nervousness. The tall man’s aura was cold and ominous, advancing a step. Avery instinctively retreated, hitting the cabin door, biting her luscious red lips uneasily. What did this man want?

”I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Luis Hughes, Joshua Hughes’s brother.” This woman clearly had a poor memory, completely forgetting they had met before. Luis’s dark, jealous feelings began to ferment. Perhaps with Joshua around, he always felt overlooked and forgotten. It had been like this since childhood...

”Oh, he didn’t come...” Avery responded dully. By seniority, this man should be her brother-in-law, yet Joshua Hughes hadn’t mentioned this at all.

”Do you trust my beloved brother? Isn’t it foolish? He’s on the ship, happily enjoying the company of another woman, so he won’t come looking for you.” Luis Hughes traced a finger over Avery’s pale face, her skin like the finest silk, smooth and delicate. The sensation felt different from before.

Avery was frozen with fear, realizing what he meant by his words. He knew her connection to his brother. Even if unaware of their marriage, he should know they were dating. Why would he act so disrespectfully?

Moreover, he mentioned Joshua was also on the ship, yet she was unaware. She had absolutely no idea he had another woman here. Avery’s face turned as white as a wall. It couldn’t be true; he lied. Joshua had said he was working late at the office.

”No way, you’re lying.” Avery stubbornly lifted her face, glaring at him with anger. This man was truly detestable; even his gaze was unpleasant.

”Why would I lie? He’s my brother, you know. Just earlier, he took a stunning foreign beauty upstairs, but you can’t,” Luis Hughes smiled smugly, observing Avery’s increasingly pale face, even her rosy lips losing color.

”You’re so naive. How could he focus on just one woman? He’s Joshua Hughes. Don’t you know his past? Haven’t you heard he chooses a new partner every year? Haven’t you heard about his countless women? You’re just one among many, nothing special.” Luis watched the seemingly frozen Avery, noting how only black and white hues remained on her once charming face, her snowy skin contrasting with dark brows and eyes. He questioned whether the woman from that night was really her; something felt entirely different.

His long fingers slowly trailed down her cheek, and Avery abruptly reacted, forcefully pushing him away: ”I don’t believe it. He wouldn’t deceive me.” Her eyes showed hurt like a wounded little beast, and she refused to accept it.

Suddenly, the cabin was filled with broadcast, a gentle, pleasant voice announcing an upcoming women’s shopping event in the mall. Avery sprang into action, dialing her phone...

”I’ll bet with you. He won’t answer, and if he does, it proves he’s on the ship.” Luis almost whispered into Avery’s ear, finding the situation highly entertaining. Sometimes having too many women created dilemmas.

Her phone buzzed unanswered, sinking her heart to the rock-bottom, because he had never failed to answer her calls, never.

Joshua Hughes eyed the buzzing phone, recognizing Avery’s number. Yet he cursed the timing of such a broadcast right now.

Though the sound wasn’t loud, it was audible. He had planned to keep Avery from knowing he was on the ship, preparing meticulously for two days to surprise her during their first cruise under the night lights.

Resisting the urge to grab the phone, resisting the impulse to bring her up immediately, enduring until the broadcast ended...

”In a bit, when the broadcast’s over, my brother will definitely call you right away.” At this moment, Luis resembled a devil, slowly whispering next to Avery. He showed her Joshua’s betrayal truthfully—all he said was true without any lies.

Her scent was faint yet alluring, unlike the woman from that night, whose fragrance was strong and passionate. It was subtle enough to be barely noticeable, yet it overwhelmed the senses.

The broadcast was brief; soon the cabin returned to silence, and Avery’s phone rang joyfully. She hesitantly took the call: ”Hello...”

”Hey Avery, what’s up? I missed your call just now.” The voice on the other end was still deep and magnetic; it used to bring her comfort and warmth, speeding her heartbeat. But would he deceive her? Would he really?

”Are you still at the office?” Avery cautiously asked, pleading silently, ”Don’t lie to me, Joshua, don’t lie to me. Apart from you, I know no one else in this world.”

”Why? Missing me?” The faint laughter traveling through the airwaves, meanwhile, tears brimmed in Avery’s eyes, threatening to spill. Except for his pleasant, captivating voice, she heard seagulls calling and if attentive, the sound of the sea breeze. His laughter shattered her heart one piece, then another...

As Luis watched her break into tears, he smiled, took her phone, and sleekly swiped the screen, shutting it off.

”See, I wasn’t lying. My brother’s enjoying himself now, you shouldn’t interrupt him. He’s probably with Donna, having the time of his life.” Luis observed Avery, noting how disconnected she seemed from everything outside. Just like earlier at the casino, amidst decadence and luxury, she appeared like a serene white lotus blooming in a sinful place. Such purity and beauty, could it have been a mistake that night?

He saw her silently weeping, though no sound escaped; he heard it. Her heart seemed like a lake, full of sorrowful water...

Unexpectedly, her call ended abruptly; the long beeping sound lingered. Joshua felt an unexplained hint of dread; everything was suddenly off sync.

Something must have happened; Avery’s call came inexplicably, sensing her unrest, even a touch of unspoken sadness, something must have gone wrong.

Her silent sobs slowly escaped her subdued lips, yet Luis captured the scene in his ink-black pupils, leaving no trace behind.