Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Today, we’re preparing foie gras in its most perfect form, heated to 35°C, when the fat begins to melt, creating a texture so delicate it makes you want to scream.

Yet this man being here completely disrupts her enjoyment of the gourmet delight.

Her face flushes slightly, and she teasingly blames him, while Joshua Hughes looks at Avery Jane with a heart full of affection.

Joshua softly kisses her cheek, murmuring, ”No one will hear.”

This man is truly bold. Avery’s little face turns away in annoyance; she doesn’t want to see his smug expression. At the company, he’s always in a suit, appearing untouchable and unassailable, but who could have imagined he’s like this in private?

So shameless, she no longer knows how to describe him.

Suddenly, a woman’s terrifying and shrill scream pierced the air outside the tent, accompanied by the swift footsteps of bodyguards. Awakened by the unexpected noise and commotion, Avery broke free from the man’s intricate web of heat and **, asking, ”What happened?”

They lifted the curtain, and a black-clad bodyguard, expressionless, caught the snake at its vital spot. Its black-and-white striped pattern was extremely prominent, and it was highly venomous, a creature that should never appear at sea.

Nearby, a nurse was nearly terrified to the point of collapse. She had merely come out to retrieve Miss Donna’s dinner, but narrowly escaped being bitten by the poisonous snake hiding in the newly delivered giant bouquet. Fortunately, the bodyguard was very quick; otherwise, the snake’s sharp little teeth would have pierced her leg or ankle, and without antivenin prepared on the ship, she’d perish on the vast sea. Thinking of this, the nurse’s legs couldn’t stop trembling, and the bowl of porridge on her tray had already spilled onto the ground, splattering everywhere...

The snake was sealed in a bag and thrown into the sea. Two other bodyguards, without needing orders, had already entered Joshua’s room to conduct a thorough check. If there was one snake, there might likely be a second one or a third one. This snake didn’t just appear out of thin air or originate from the ship; someone definitely brought it on board, and it was this afternoon that the snake was set loose. But who did it?

Joshua observed everything intently. Only a few people were on this top floor: four bodyguards, one watching Luis Hughes, leaving only three. The nurse and Donna had no chance to bring the snake up, and Avery certainly couldn’t. So, it must be among these three bodyguards.

”What’s the matter?” Avery stepped out, and Joshua smiled faintly, ”It’s nothing, Avery. Let’s go back inside.” From now until they disembark, her safety must be his utmost priority. Not only the three bodyguards, but everyone on this ship is suspect. They couldn’t have carried a snake when accompanying him, which means someone brought the snake onto the ship and discreetly handed it to one of these three.

The sense of conspiracy slowly wafted through the air, carrying a nauseating scent...

Who would benefit from his demise? Certainly, those in the Hughes Family who’ve always wanted the chairman position. But what about someone wanting Avery dead? The Yates Family? They don’t seem to have the nerve yet. So, who else? All the suspicious individuals ran quickly through Joshua’s mind as he held Avery’s hand and walked into the room. Two bodyguards had already inspected the room, yet they were now the most dangerous ones.

Joshua inconspicuously checked the sofa, then pulled Avery to sit down, his eyes starting a meticulous search, leaving no stone unturned. He could notice if anything had been displaced even slightly, though the two had just entered. If one of them had set the snake loose, they certainly wouldn’t make another move in front of others. However, caution was still necessary. He couldn’t allow Avery to take any risks, nor himself.

”Avery, you rest for a while. I have something to handle. Don’t leave this room, understand? No matter who comes, don’t open the door.” He smiled, but his eyes were serious. Avery had rarely seen Joshua in this manner. She thought there might truly be something urgent and nodded, picked up the remote, turned on the TV screen, and began to watch.