Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Hello?” Avery Jane picked up the phone, wondering when Joshua Hughes would finish his shower. He should call back later; the constant ringing was quite annoying.

”Where’s Joshua? Who are you?” At the instant the call connected, Evelyn Yates felt a wave of joy, but upon hearing the clear, youthful, and sweet female voice, she felt as if struck by lightning. The voice was so familiar—yes, it was Avery Jane’s voice. She hadn’t seen Avery in months. Didn’t she leave secretly? Why was she back? Could it be she only pretended to leave to better hide her relationship with Joshua Hughes?

”Avery Jane, it’s you, isn’t it? You shameless woman, why do you keep clinging to Joshua...” The voice on the other end was crying and choking, loud and clear. Hearing Avery Jane’s voice nearly drove Evelyn Yates insane; she was enduring her pregnancy alone while Avery was with Joshua Hughes.

Avery Jane listened blankly to the call. Did she know this caller? She must be familiar with them, otherwise how could the other person recognize her voice immediately after just one ’hello’?

Before she could gather her thoughts, the phone was taken from her by strong hands. Joshua Hughes, dressed in a bathrobe, stood behind her. His robe was wide open, revealing a firm chest with droplets of water glistening on it.

The voice on the other end was loud, filled with sobbing and shouting. Joshua, frowning, was only a step too late. As he pushed open the bathroom door, he heard Avery Jane answer the call, and Evelyn Yates’s crying and speaking were crystal clear. Without hesitation, he hung up, hugging Avery: ”Don’t overthink it, Avery.”

His warm breath hovered low above her head, but Avery’s body remained cold.

”Who is she? Does she know me?” Avery questioned suspiciously, looking at Joshua. The phone rang even more frantically then. Joshua coldly glanced at the phone and flung it away. It struck the wall behind, shattering with a dull thud.

”She’s no one important, Avery. Don’t bother with her.” Sometimes, even someone as strong as him couldn’t stop these events from happening. What seemed simple always left him anxious, as if fate had ensnared her relentlessly. But he refused to let evil prevail; he meant to keep these troubles out of her world, leaving only him within it.

”Don’t lie to me; she knows me well. How else would she recognize me from a single word?” Avery stepped out of his embrace, retreating two steps back, warily watching him.

She dared not imagine if there were lies beyond the marriage certificate in the drawer. Could it be fake too? After all, he was so wealthy, capable of covering the sky with one hand.

Joshua’s heart ached. If she knew how her family used her for disgraceful acts, would she not be even more hurt? ”She’s a woman clinging to me, so naturally she knows you. She’s troubled you more than once. You’ve forgotten those unpleasant things, and I certainly don’t wish to mention them again.”

Joshua looked at the wariness in Avery’s eyes—that of an animal sensing danger, her whole being on guard.

”What’s her name? Don’t lie to me. What’s her name? Is her last name Yates?” Avery remembered Donna mentioning a woman named Evelyn Yates on the boat.

”Her name doesn’t affect our lives, Avery,” Joshua moved closer, intending to embrace her.

”Don’t come near me. Tell me who she is. Is she the pregnant woman?” Avery could no longer bear the doubts and pain. Today she needed answers, or she would go mad. She didn’t want to become an irrational, insane, jealous woman.

”Whether she’s pregnant has nothing to do with me, Avery. I’ve told you, if I have a child, the mother can only be you. Can’t you understand that? Do you still not believe me? Do I have truly no credibility in your eyes? Is this how you think of me?” Joshua’s deep eyes were filled with uncontrollable pain, like a starless sky, bleak and empty.

Painful words fell, and Joshua’s mouth held a faint smile, bitter and slightly disappointed, perhaps crestfallen...

He had given her everything, all of his emotions, yet this woman forever doubted his love.

Avery stared blankly at Joshua. She always thought him strong and unshakeable, but at that moment she saw powerlessness, indeed, powerlessness, disappointment, and disillusionment in his eyes.

Had she truly let him down?

The more afraid she was, the more she wanted to prove herself right.

Avery blurted, ”Then tell me if she’s pregnant, is she living in the Hughes Family? Is she your woman, and what am I then? Why do you hide so many things from me? Why did Donna say so, and the people at the company, why does she have your number, and why don’t you dare to answer?”

Avery’s words spilled out like little projectiles, leaving Joshua no breathing space. Why should he show that expression? Was she truly wrong?

”So you never believed me.” The coldness from Joshua felt like an ice storm spreading through the room, despite the warm air.

Joshua coldly untied his robe, stunning Avery. What was he going to do?

Seeing her frightened eyes, Joshua’s coldness quickly turned to obvious mockery: ”Don’t worry, I don’t like forcing women. If I wanted, there are plenty waiting to entertain me. None require my service like you do.” His words were like a powerful bomb, shattering her heart completely.

Joshua dressed himself in a shirt, trousers, and an impeccably tailored black suit, exuding the charm of a mature man. Avery’s tears fell heavily, like crystals on the carpet, silently. But she heard her own heart break, wanting to call him back, yet her voice vanished, unable to say a word. All she could do was watch as he, fully dressed, left with a freezing aura and a furious face, slamming the door behind him.

----------------------------------Dividing Line--------------------------------------

In the lavish club, Joshua sat in a private room, his anger like an erupting volcano. Did this woman have no heart? Didn’t she know what he had done for her? A single call, a few words, and everything he’d done for her was overturned. Could she not make room in her heart for him, even a little trust?

He took a swig straight from the bottle of the strongest vodka, not bothering with a glass, its piercing and rich fragrance spreading. The liquor traced his sensual lips, sliding down his rugged throat before landing on his collarbone. He’d undone a few shirt buttons, revealing a large, firm chest.

A Belarusian girl, youthful as the first flower of spring dew-kissed, entered his room—only the finest could be sent here. Shy and timid, she glanced at Joshua; it was her first day at work, and she relished giving her first time to a god-like man.

She watched the slightly dazed Joshua. How handsome he was—deep features, tall and muscular. The girl leaned in gently, ”Sir, let Natasha ease your worries...”