Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Don’t think about the past, Avery. The doctor says you shouldn’t strain your mind too much.” Joshua Hughes worried that this was just the beginning. Human memory is like a jigsaw puzzle; once you remember the first piece, the second and third will follow, gradually revealing the whole picture. So, he couldn’t allow the first piece of this memory puzzle to appear. Right now, she only had a vague feeling and hadn’t recalled anything. He must prevent all this. After Brian Yates finishes the call, he would be sent abroad, and no one from the Yates Family would remain in this city. He couldn’t take any risks.

”Do you know him?” Avery Jane pondered for a long time, lowering her head as she dared not look at Joshua Hughes. Her lips, pale as water, started biting unconsciously after asking the question.

”I do.” Joshua Hughes frowned as he watched her lightly biting her lips, then gently pinched her chin with his long fingers.

”I knew from the day I met you, Avery. He’s in the past now.” Joshua Hughes said quietly. It was because of Lucas Yates that he had met Avery Jane, so such words were not unwarranted.

”Avery, I just regret not meeting you earlier...” His deep voice was like a magical hand, gently soothing Avery Jane’s heart with a calming power.

Yes, that was his greatest regret. If possible, he would give anything to turn back time, to the year Avery Jane was fifteen, even to the night he first saw her. Then he wouldn’t have done so many things that he regretted and felt remorse for, but ultimately, wasn’t it true? Lost time could not be regained.

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Life had returned to its normal track.

In the office, Emma White scrutinized Avery Jane: ”Miss, you’ve taken four days off this month and have been late about five times. Aren’t you concerned about not getting your bonus?”

Was there a bonus? She wasn’t very clear, as she rarely needed to use money; really, she rarely needed it.

”Avery Jane, shall we go shopping in Sydney? There are lots of discounts at this time.” Emma White had been saving for this Sydney trip for a long time.

Avery Jane remembered the last time when even going to the mall wasn’t allowed by Joshua Hughes, let alone going to Sydney. He definitely wouldn’t agree. She shook her head helplessly.

”You really are... ugh, you’re infuriating! You’re completely under someone’s control. If your man doesn’t let you go, you don’t go. If, one day, he doesn’t let you work, are you going to sit at home all year waiting for him to come home from work to sleep with you?” Emma White was nearly rolling her eyes in frustration. Such compliant girls make people both angry and fond of them. Avery Jane was just that type. You really like her, but sometimes you wish you could shake her awake.

”I’m just not in need of anything.” Avery Jane was being completely honest, and Emma White had to admit that was true.

”So if you’re not going shopping, can’t we at least go out for a bit, Grandma?” Emma White’s face was nearly about to fall: ”Women who are too dependent on men never end well. Believe me, Avery Jane, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

:”But I can’t get out.” Lately, things hadn’t been very peaceful, with reporters tailing closely. Joshua Hughes kept a tight watch on her. How could he possibly let her go to Sydney?

”Avery Jane, look, hotels are offering discounts now too. We could stay in a room for cheap. Also, look at this...” Emma White opened the webpage, animatedly describing it.

Her heart was itching to try it. She only had Joshua Hughes in her world, and she wanted to see if she could survive without him. Would she be alright if she secretly went away for just three days? Ever since that photo appeared, her thoughts had been muddled, and she even suffered from insomnia, waking up in the middle of the night from dreams about those piercing eyes in the photo. When she tried calling back to find out more, the number had already become unreachable, a dead end. Sometimes it felt like everything was just a dream. That maybe, if she awoke suddenly, she’d find that life wasn’t like this at all, and that Joshua Hughes was merely a figment of imagination.

”I’ll figure something out.” Avery Jane whispered determinedly.