Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Avery Jane opened the wardrobe, and sure enough, the colorful clothes were perfect for the sea trip. She picked out the simplest one: a white off-shoulder T-shirt that exposed most of her shoulder. Underneath, she wore a fluorescent green bikini. The thin green straps on her pink-and-white shoulder made people want to tear them off with red-eyed envy.

This year’s trend favored short tops, so the T-shirt wasn’t long, slightly showing a slender, soft waist. Paired with tiny shorts, sitting low on the hips, a little extra bending of the waist would showcase a peach-like, perky behind. Satisfied after looking at herself, she picked up a comb to tidy her long hair and applied a touch of lip gloss to her lips.

If Donna went for mature and sexy, then Avery would opt for youthful and radiant. In this aspect, Donna couldn’t outshine her. Age was something no one could change, no matter how well they maintained their skin’s smoothness or their body’s lightness. However, the marks time left on a woman were sometimes visible, sometimes invisible; they didn’t show outward but were undoubtedly present. Though relying on her youth to win might feel like an unfair advantage, how dazzling was Donna anyway?

Not to mention their secret marriage—no one was aware of their relationship. Donna herself even had a fiancé, and the way she looked at Joshua Hughes made Avery feel uneasy.

She opened the room’s door; the morning sun was gentle, absent yesterday’s gloom. That woman got up even earlier, sitting at the long banquet table having breakfast. Upon seeing Avery, she assumed the hostess role, warmly inviting, ”Miss Jane, come join us for breakfast, don’t be shy.”

Avery couldn’t help but mutter inwardly, ”Shy my foot.”

Joshua Hughes wasn’t on deck; Avery glanced around: ”Are you looking for Hughes?”

Donna’s lips curled into a proud smile: ”He’s next door in the small meeting room working; don’t disturb him. I’ve had someone bring him coffee.”

Avery sat down. The banquet food was abundant, with a delicate toaster displayed, nearby a chef carving smoked meat. Bacon and sausages sizzled fragrantly on a skillet. Finished, the chef served two perfectly toasted slices of bread with alluring fried eggs and jam on a large platter, presenting Avery a warm glass of milk: ”Miss Jane, Mr. Hughes instructed that you like fully cooked eggs, slightly hot milk—please instruct me for any further needs.”

”Thank you.” Avery nodded her thanks, flashing a smile that seemed to outshine the sun itself. The chef couldn’t help but marvel—Mr. Hughes indeed was wealthy, having two women aboard, each prettier than the other.

In the small meeting room, the man in front of the computer had bloodshot eyes. The ship’s manager cautiously accompanied him all night, guzzling black coffee to stay alert, answering Joshua Hughes’s constant queries. Joshua nearly screened all registered employees on board—totaled 923—but herein lay the issue: a total of 925 people were aboard.

Two extra individuals weren’t among the company’s selected outstanding employees, yet here they were. The Hughes Clan chartered this ship without accommodating guests, yet the onboard tally at registration, as well as room assignments, recorded 925, excluding Joshua Hughes and his personal bodyguard.

Single and double rooms numbered in the hundreds; he couldn’t search due to the sheer volume. Those two lacked identity registration yet carried Hughes Clan’s outstanding employee invitation cards. Clearly, the Clan had a traitor wanting him gone. With someone’s reach this far, their authority must be significant. Having ruled out external adversaries, it’s time to cleanse internally.

”Also, Mr. Hughes, I recall encountering a peculiar individual,” the ship manager suddenly remembered an incident.

”Tell me.” Joshua Hughes raised his crimson eyes toward the ship’s manager.

”Shortly after boarding, I patrolled the second-floor deck, as it housed the most occupants. I saw a girl questioning a middle-aged man about his department, claiming she’d never seen him before; he peculiarly muttered non-stop like chanting, while wearing black Buddha Beads, unsuited for a job at your major company.” The manager recalled the man’s appearance, still finding it hauntingly odd.

”What appeared to be his age?” Joshua’s voice was steady and powerful, offering reassurance.

”He seemed around forty years old,” the manager estimated, feeling confident of the man’s age.

Joshua mused, contemplating which department could harbor such a person; clearly, he couldn’t be part of Hughes Clan. Despite envied compensation, tension was undeniably high—a major floor mostly employed young people, save for a few senior cleaning staff.

Opening the database, he found two janitor photos: ”Could it be these two?” Joshua queried solemnly.

”No, he’s quite skinny, with odd eyes—able to see yet seemingly blind. Eerie.” The manager swiftly dismissed, recognizing the peculiar individual.

That confirmed it—most likely it was him. Cleverly hiding amid dense second-floor lodging; yet his wits failed him for that area favored youth, his daytime shelter essential lest found quickly.

Orange candy, snakes—his doing; something else might emerge within days. Regardless, Joshua prepared to endure, ready to play until the game ends in disaster.......

Having sorted it all out, Joshua Hughes gazed outside at glorious sunshine; it wasn’t too early—the young woman should have risen by now. Last night he stayed up late—it was damnable; were it not for this mess, he’d indulge in endless passion with Avery Jane. Unfortunate ambition tarnished the retreat; whoever’s hand lurks in shadow would soon meet its fate—harsh retribution awaited.

”How long have you stayed with Hughes?” Donna jealously watched Avery’s creamy-white almost translucent skin brimming with youthful tenderness, her eyes flaring with envy.

”He didn’t tell you?” Avery munched perfectly toasted bread covered in tangy jam, appetizingly.

”Hughes wouldn’t disclose; he wished to shield me from other women. Our separation was a misunderstanding.” Donna sipped milk, striving for sustenance and recovery.

”Indeed, Joshua said you fled, thinking him a pauper.” Avery chuckled at Donna—what did she imply? A sign that Joshua still cared? Was secrecy to avoid hurt? No, Avery thought Joshua didn’t harbor such notions—Donna was self-deceived.

”Miss Jane simply fell for Hughes’s monumental wealth, unmatched by any rival?” Donna bit her lip, exposed revelation slightly embarrassing, especially voiced by Joshua Hughes’s current woman.

”I don’t know.” Avery watched Joshua Hughes approach, a captivating smile gracing her exquisite face. Unsure if his wealth drew her, likely not, lacking a shopping impulse, being frugal—why chase wealth?

This man’s charm surpassed any monetary lure—his mature masculinity entrancing women, their gazes inevitably shifting toward him.

”Joshua Hughes, did I fancy your wealth initially?” Avery queried as he reached the table, sitting beside her.

The sprite—what was she wearing? White skin revealed vastly; his warm hands encircled her slender waist, firmly massaging: ”So if my wealth binds you, I’d delight knowing money contains you.”

Beneath the table, her long legs stirred, Joshua’s deep, dark eyes swirling with sparks—temptation gnawed, yet today’s priorities prevailed, demanding focus.

”If not wealth, what drew me? Dominance, and bullying.” Avery sipped warm milk, complaining. Her body’s touch disregarded propriety, despite daylight.

”Avery, only you enjoy me troubling; you fancy the teasing, huh?” His murmur, audible solely to her ear, reddening Avery’s face. This man—did he consider Donna and the nurse non-existent? Close proximity, words awkwardly intimate....