Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”What are you doing here?” Joshua Hughes quickly strode over, his tall figure exuding an intense presence. He looked at Avery Jane, whose complexion had a faint grayish tint, like a pearl covered in dust. She curled up small and helpless in the chair, her face showing signs of tension. He pulled Donna away from the settee, grasping Avery’s small hand, which was chilling to the touch, as if even the dazzling sun outside couldn’t warm her.

”What did you say to her?” He questioned, as when he had just gone downstairs, Avery had been quite happy. But not long after, she was now sitting there in a daze, like a little statue. Joshua held her cold little hand.

His severe gaze carried criticism and anger, chilling to the point of being terrifying, causing the surrounding air to plummet rapidly. He had never been like this before. Donna was so frightened by Joshua’s stare she thought her heart might jump out of her chest. She had never seen him this angry before, and she subconsciously took a step back, her mouth trembling speechlessly...

The man’s thin lips were tightly pressed, his rebellious chin tensed even more. This vacation was originally intended to make her happy, yet so many bothersome things had arisen. Now her mood was certainly not good, and she was unwilling to tell him what had happened.

There was a fire kindled in Joshua’s eyes, spreading uncontrollably from the depths of his gaze, enveloping his being, making every drop of his flowing blood scream to harshly deal with the inconspicuous woman.

Her silence and his anger burgeoned like large bubbles, filling the space, inducing a suffocating feeling, with not a bit of air circulating...

Joshua stood up, his face turning ashen with fright. He was about to take a step forward when he was stopped by a pair of gentle, cool little hands...

”I’m fine.” Her eyes were slightly red, the hint of a mist, her voice weak and feeble.

She clearly had something on her mind, yet she forced herself to hold on. That phrase ”I’m fine” made Joshua’s heart skip a beat irregularly. He turned his head, his gaze tender and affectionate: ”Avery, whatever she said doesn’t matter. I can explain anything to you, anything at all, okay?”

After speaking, he embraced her petite body, breathing in the subtle fragrance emanating from her pores.

The more he spoke in such a manner, the more she couldn’t help thinking. The faint mist in her eyes finally congealed into large shimmering tears, falling down, tugging at one’s heart.

She...” Avery stopped herself mid-sentence. She wanted so much to ask Joshua if what Donna said was true, if he was already the father of a child, but she ultimately never asked.

”I wasn’t doing anything, just chatting with her...” Donna looked at Joshua, whose gaze seemed like he intended to put her to death. He moved toward her, slowly picking up Donna’s hand, applying pressure gradually, gradually until Donna could almost hear her slender hand bones creaking, as if ready to shatter at any moment: ”Joshua, it hurts so much...” Cold sweat oozed from Donna’s forehead, the nearly bone-cracking pain causing her voice to tremble. She looked at Joshua in disbelief. Even if the passion from before was gone, they were once lovers, yet he was ruthless, nearly breaking her hand.

Avery saw the anger in Joshua’s eyes. He cared about her feelings. No matter what, this was at least somewhat comforting. She knew Donna would stop at nothing, trying to sow discord with her words, but it was hard to endure. Since Joshua wasn’t there, she thought she could command Donna to leave. It was laughable. It was Donna who couldn’t see her own position. Joshua’s reaction, however, was beyond Avery’s expectations. His ruthless gaze was violent, like an impending storm. She could feel Joshua’s concern and anger, like an unstoppable storm.

”Joshua... how could you treat me this way... we were once so in love...” In pain, Donna wept bitterly. She had never suffered such grievances, let alone physical pain.

Risking her life, she continued speaking. His grip tightened, and Donna could no longer withstand it. Her bones seemed to have cracked, the pain piercing...

”Remember this...” Joshua spoke word by word, his thin lips like icy bullets hitting the ground: ”Never speak of the past again. That was merely youthful indulgence, it is over, and signifies no emotion. I’m not letting you off due to old feelings, but to avoid unnecessary trouble between our companies in cooperation. If you persist in your ways, I can cancel our cooperation. Adam would surely be curious why business suddenly ceases. Ultimately, it would be your loss. Understand?” His cold words brimmed with threat, his gaze warning her.

He suddenly released Donna’s hand. She was in such pain she had no strength, collapsing on the carpet. Her beauty and confidence had always been her pride, like an angel’s wings making her shine, but those wings were brutally torn by the ruthless man, her confidence and dignity crushed before another woman, leaving no room. Donna couldn’t even gather her scattered sorrow. She forced herself up, suppressing the urge to hysterically erupt, restraining herself from pushing Avery into the ocean, returning to her room, and shutting the door...

Avery sat on the settee, head down, long hair flowing like seaweed, adding to the allure of her small face. Her dazed state was as pitiful as a doll in a shop window. Joshua sat down, ”Whatever she said, don’t believe her. She lies, not for the first time.” Donna was a liar, a fact evident during their cohabitation, so he could imagine how she exaggerated their past relationship.

Avery bowed her head lower, remaining silent, not even glancing at him. If not for her breathing and warmth, Joshua would almost think she didn’t exist. Lately, she seemed to spiral into her world, and he worried, wondering if the forgotten pieces of her past were gradually returning, eventually piecing together all memories. That day he feared most. With her temperament, she would never overlook the past to be with him.

Avery knew her random thoughts were futile, but she couldn’t pretend she was oblivious, that she hadn’t heard anything. That would be too self-deceptive.

”Joshua Hughes, would you deceive me?” Avery lifted her head, staring into Joshua’s profound eyes, sparks seemingly flickering, enchanting and tempting...

”I wouldn’t deceive you. Even if I did, Avery, believe me, it would be to make you happier.” Joshua pressed his forehead against hers, speaking softly. His voice lingered long in the air.

Avery pushed him away: ”I can’t tolerate deceit, Joshua Hughes. The worst thing you must tell me. If we genuinely love each other, we cannot dwell in deceit. That’s terrifying.” Her confident tone showed no hesitation.

Joshua feared her discovering those matters most. They weren’t merely unsavory, they were extreme cruelty. Reflecting now, he wondered what demons drove him to such lengths, merely to keep her beside him, deploying a method she could never forgive, entrapping himself.

”There’s one thing you must answer honestly. If you lie, I’ll never forgive you.” Avery bit her lip. She had resolved to trust him. As long as he spoke, she wished to believe it.

Joshua pressed his lips together, looking at Avery. What would she ask? Her past or any memory like Lucas Yates that made him uneasy?

In his life, Joshua had handled many difficult situations, none as challenging as now, his heart uneasy as Avery’s small mouth opened and closed, speaking...

”Do you have a child?” Avery didn’t know where to begin, but if she didn’t ask clearly, she’d feel stifled.

Joshua looked at Avery, secretly relieved. Fortunately, he could honestly answer this question. Maybe she’d heard some rumors. Donna was connected with some company executives and might know some socalled secrets. So this was why she was unhappy. He found the question somewhat laughable.

Donna truly couldn’t keep idle, stirring up trouble wherever possible. Perhaps he shouldn’t have saved her; letting her perish would have been best. What was the Maitland Group compared to his woman? He wouldn’t need restraint.

Thinking that, a hint of cruel smile tugged at his lips. If Donna saw it, she might be frightened sick?