Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Yesterday, he changed her clothes while she was sleeping.

”Avery, come here.” Joshua Hughes looked at her as she stood up; the bright sunlight cast on her delicate skin. The sea breeze gently blew, under the oversized robe was her graceful and exquisite figure, her cloud-like hair denser and softer than seaweed, cascading over her shoulders. Her small face shone with a glowing, charming radiance.

He often felt jealous of Lucas Yates. Although he was a dead man, he was the first to discover her beauty. Many of her firsts were given to Lucas Yates, even her first heartbeat.

He hated himself for not meeting Avery Jane when she was fifteen, for solving her urgent problems, and slowly getting closer to her. Then at seventeen, her boyfriend wouldn’t be that dead man, and her first kiss would certainly be his. He could even imagine how sweet and heart-stirring it would be, a tiny girl like a blossom blooming in the night, closing her eyes as a gentle and refined boy softly pressed his lips against hers like the breeze.

Just thinking about it drove him mad; he had already missed her past, so her future could only be his...

”What do you want to eat?” There seemed to be a lot on the table, emitting a fragrant aroma. Joshua Hughes walked over and hugged her petite figure. Beneath his thin fabric, she could feel his solid, flowing lines and searing warmth, even his powerful heartbeat.

”Whatever...” She slightly curled up, the warmth of his breath touching her cheek.

”Anything, then how about eating me?” Joshua Hughes chuckled softly, his arm around her waist gradually tightening, gently kissing her forehead. The sunlight on the sea was so intense it couldn’t be avoided. She could see the deep, dark gaze in his eyes, where a small flame seemed to flicker...

”Your skin is so tough, what’s there to eat?” His words were double-edged, and Avery Jane retorted unhappily.

Joshua Hughes looked at her pouting lips and pulled her to sit down. The most important thing now was to feed her well.

Avery Jane sipped the soup in small mouthfuls, finally easing her empty stomach.

There was a variety of foods, and Avery Jane somewhat suspected whether this man could do magic, with so many delicious dishes enticing her to try them all. However, her stomach didn’t cooperate; she couldn’t eat that much.

”After eating, I want to find Emma White and talk to her. She must be worried sick, and we also planned to shop around the mall on the ship.” Avery Jane mused about how they came together, wondering why she slipped away alone. It was quite inconsiderate.

”I’ll go with you.” Naturally, he couldn’t let her know what happened yesterday on the deck, but she was definitely in danger. Only by keeping her under his watch could he be at ease; he couldn’t even trust the bodyguards, though those few were the most loyal and brave.

Yet when it came to her matters, he just couldn’t rest assured with others handling it.

”Weren’t you saying not to let people know? What does it mean for you to go down?” Avery Jane mumbled indistinctly while eating her seafood rice.

”I regretted it. I heard many people confessed to you, hmm?” Joshua Hughes’ eyes showed a dangerous glint. Such a tempting little thing, placed in Hughes Clan Tower, truly wasn’t wise.

”Of course, they don’t know I’m already married. Look, there’s not even a ring. By the way, Joshua Hughes, don’t I have a wedding ring, or are you afraid to wear it?” Avery Jane put down the spoon, stretched out her pale, slender hand and shook it in front of him, empty.

”You won’t wear it.” Joshua Hughes lightly bit her hand; Avery Jane withdrew painfully. She refused to wear it? It was probably because they were in a hidden marriage, not even wearing rings, and his hand was bare too.

Of course she wouldn’t wear it. If she were clear-headed, how could she agree to wear it?

Even if he presented her with the world’s most beautiful and pure diamond, she would disdain it.

Joshua Hughes felt a faint pain in his heart, watching her happily eating her meal. How long will such beautiful days last? He wondered...

”Actually, I told them I have a boyfriend.” Avery Jane saw the deep, enchanting glow in his eyes dim. Was he unhappy?

”Really, I told them, and I didn’t accept their gifts, chocolates were given to others. I didn’t eat them. I didn’t go on dates, and the movie tickets were returned to them.” Avery Jane put down the spoon and seriously said, ”Besides, how can you accuse me? What about you? You messed around with that woman in the office, and I still haven’t properly punished you.”

Avery Jane suddenly felt something was off. She was so dedicated, while he was constantly caught up in scandals. Why did it seem like he was still blaming her? It was truly turning things upside down.

Joshua Hughes, seeing that she was about to get entangled in those past events that were hard for him to explain, placed a small cheesecake in front of her: ”Have some dessert.”

”Don’t think you can buy me off with cake. I still feel there’s something wrong with you.” Avery Jane picked up the cake and took a bite. The rich creaminess and delicate texture almost made her eyes narrow with delight.

”Avery, my situation is different from yours.” Joshua said helplessly.

”What’s so different? I wasn’t caught in the act like you.” Avery Jane recalled that day’s events feeling unhappy, as if even the delicious cake couldn’t comfort her wounded heart.

”Of course, it’s different.” Joshua looked at Avery Jane, a smile playing on his lips.

”I know I can resist any outside temptation, but you’re different.” His words were full of confidence and the power to command the entire world: ”I can promise you forever, Avery, can you do the same?” His gaze was intense, as if it could burn.

”A man’s promise is the most untrustworthy in the world. From ancient times to the present, how many women have died because of a man’s vows? Don’t talk about forever, I can’t promise that.” Avery Jane didn’t know why she blurted it out instinctively. For a moment, her soul seemed to have flown out of her body, darkness filling her vision as she heard a woman’s mournful and painful wail: ”Why say forever, you deceived me, you’re a liar......”

Joshua Hughes watched as Avery Jane’s hand holding the small silver fork suddenly paused, her eyes unfocused, her expression becoming confused and pained, like a child lost without a path.

”Avery, Avery........” He stood and approached her, yet she didn’t notice, her eyes blankly staring at the distant sea.

Joshua Hughes became instantly alert. Had she heard these words before? Was she recalling the past? Did Lucas Yates once ask her for a promise of forever? He squatted before her, gently clasping her cold, soft hand, warming it in his palm.

”Avery, what are you thinking about? Why are you in a daze?” His voice was light and gentle, more tender and affectionate than the soft sea breeze.

Avery Jane’s distant and drifting thoughts were slowly pulled back by his voice. She looked at the man before her, so close, so familiar. They had shared such intimate and passionate nights, such thrilling lovemaking. Yet at this moment, she began to feel that this man was somewhat unfamiliar.

Meanwhile, in another corner, inside a guest room on the cruise ship.

The midday sun was intense and very warm, but despite the bright light, all the curtains in the guest room were drawn, not a trace of air could get through. Footsteps on the floor were light yet disorderly, breathing heavy and erratic, not at all steady.

”What did you see exactly?” A low woman’s voice came from the room, indiscernible in age, with anxiety, confusion, and a bit of fear.

”Forgive me for being blunt, Joshua Hughes is already entangled with the most grievous ghost, very soon he’ll lose his sanity, then he’ll slowly head towards destruction and death. It’s a blind ghost........” Another man’s voice, eerie as an ancient, deep well dried up for a millennium, void of any human warmth, with a tone as calm and unwavering as a mirror.

”So what to do? What to do?” The voice trembled, the fear revealing the owner’s emotions.

”First, we must remove the ghost clinging to him, then I will perform another ritual for him, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and peace. But the ghost is attached to the one he loved most in life.......” The man’s hoarse voice was accompanied by cold winds, making one feel chilly even in such sunny weather.

”But how to get rid of it?” The woman’s voice began to tremble, and not even the beautiful sunshine outside could stave off the inner fear.

”We need to first remove the body the ghost is attached to—before that body’s life force fades away, the ghost will fly out, seeking a new host, and that’s when I can capture it and seal it, preventing it from ever harming anyone again. But it must be within three months to rid that woman, otherwise, there will be no more opportunities......” The room at the bottom level of the cruise, home to the most staff members, was unnoticed by the people coming and going, tightly shut in the corner.

”Then I leave everything in your hands.........” The voice carried some sadness and helplessness.

The afternoon sunlight gradually weakened, and the wind began to rise over the sea. Oppressive clouds started gathering on the horizon, advancing like countless troops and horses, and the good weather seemed on the brink of a storm. It was destined to be an uneasy journey, fate entangling everyone together, offering not a moment of peace.