Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Mr. Hughes, I really don’t know, I just got back to the studio. I’ve already sent someone to the live broadcast room to stop the program, so I’ll be responsible for blocking some of the information...”

Joshua Hughes’ eyes were cold and murderous, fury rising within him, his fists clenched tight, creaking with strain. He must shut the mouth of that Yates Family woman completely. The words from the TV still echoed; he cared not for the accusations against him, but for her, whether she saw that TV interview.

Any provocation might remind her of the past, and if she truly remembered, he feared she would slip away from him forever...

The chill in Joshua Hughes’ eyes was enough to make one’s heart tremble: ”What is Miss Jane doing?” After returning from Sydney, she seemed to catch a slight cold, not feeling well, so she took leave to rest at home these days.

”Miss Jane hasn’t come out of the bedroom.” Joshua’s eyes were bloodshot. Was she curled up in bed watching TV?

In a flash, such an image drained the color from his handsome face, leaving it pale. He dared not think further. Suppressing the fierce pain in his heart, the car sped fast, like a stream of dark light, arriving at the apartment building below. Locking the car, he strode into the elevator.

Upon entering, the bodyguards retreated. He walked to the bedroom door, gently pushed it open; inside, the air was still warm, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. He slowly walked in, the long-haired carpet absorbing the sound of his footsteps.

On the capacious bed, the petite woman still slept, her long lashes casting enchanting shadows across her closed eyes like little fans. It seemed she sensed him, for she slowly opened her eyes, the clarity of which seemed veiled in a sheer mist. This sight made Joshua breathe a long sigh of relief.

He moved to her side, braced an arm by her, and gently kissed her forehead: ”Why sleep so long, not even getting up for lunch?”

”Tired.” Her playful tone, along with the lightly blushed cheeks, made his heart tremble fiercely.

Luckily, she had been sleeping all along, thankfully, she hadn’t watched TV, unaware of what transpired half an hour prior that had driven him mad. She had no clue, it was such a relief...

”Are you blaming me for being greedy?” He cradled her lightly, burying his breath in her soft hair, where the faint fragrance calmed the storm in his heart instantly.

Avery Jane’s sweet, melodious voice held a fatal allure: ”It was insane.”

Even she was embarrassed to recall those two days in Sydney, mostly spent in bed; she was so exhausted that shopping or strolling was out of the question.

Joshua chuckled lowly, hugging her tighter. By now, the television broadcast should have stopped. Regardless, he would encase her in his world, barring her from hearing or seeing anything that might upset her. He caressed her cheek: ”Change clothes, I’ll take you out to eat.”

Avery Jane shook her head: ”I’m fine at home, I don’t want to move, my legs are still sore.” She bowed her head slightly, embarrassed; his fervor was overwhelming.

”Why did you suddenly come back?” Avery wondered, noting it was his busy time, unexpected for him to return like this. Recently, his affairs were numerous; at this time, he should’ve been handling business.

”It’s just that you hadn’t gotten up, I got a bit worried, so I came back to check.” Joshua held her, lazily leaning against the bedhead. He liked her resting on his chest, the complete trust and reliance filled him with immense satisfaction.

Under his insistence, she got out of bed, ate a little, though unclear if it was breakfast, lunch, or tea.

----------------------------Divider--------------------------------

”Luis, you’re crazy, he’s your big brother.” Grace Roe looked at her younger son in shock. This was all her fault. If she hadn’t been so selfish back then, if she had chosen to live out her days with Joshua, would these fraternal conflicts have never happened?

”Has he ever treated me like a brother? Never. And have you ever treated us equally in your heart? Never, you favored him, loved him more, didn’t you?” Luis retorted coldly while sitting on the sofa, watching his mother’s agitated state.

”Luis, I’m begging you, please stop fighting your big brother, okay?” Grace pleaded bitterly beside him.

”In your heart, are you saying I can’t match up to my big brother, is that it?” Luis looked at Grace indifferently, speaking coolly.

”What exactly do you want?” Tears welled up in Grace’s eyes as she clutched onto her younger son, caught between her two sons, feeling every choice was wrong.

Joshua wouldn’t say a word to her, nor heed her advice, whereas Luis, once obedient, now seemed changed. What had happened, could Avery really be an ill omen? Since she moved into the Yates Family, their business declined year by year, and later her husband died. Now she was bringing misfortune to the Hughes Family.

”Give me that five percent, mom. Anyway, the Hughes Family will be mine in the future, my son is the rightful future leader of Hughes Clan, not even Joshua can change that. I just want it a bit sooner, he’s been in that position for many years, it’s time for a change.” Greed flickered in Luis’s eyes. If Joshua Hughes could do it, so could he—even better.

”That belongs to Joshua; I will not give it to you.” Tears slowly fell from Grace’s eyes. It was meant to be Joshua’s, but he never once mentioned it to her. If he’d asked, she would have given without hesitation, but he never bowed his head to her, never asked for anything; he held her in contempt as a mother.

”Do you know who holds that secret eight percent of Hughes shares?” Luis asked indifferently, watching tears streaming down her face. Playing the good son for so many years brought no benefit, so he wouldn’t continue...

Back then, the Hughes patriarch, Joshua’s grandfather, divided the shares clearly under the witness of a team of lawyers at his deathbed. The shares they held would differ little; with a couple of shareholders on his side, he could dethrone Joshua at board meetings. If Joshua disregarded the long-held family rules, replacing him wasn’t impossible.

Apart from the five percent passed to Grace as dowry, an untraceable eight percent was in another’s possession, a person who never showed up, but owned eight percent of Hughes Clan shares.

If he could win this person’s support, he could contend against Joshua.

”I don’t know either; when he made his will, we had no idea.” Grace frowned. This person must wield great influence over the Hughes Family to hold so many shares, yet she couldn’t tell who it was.

Luis chuckled coldly. Counting on his mother to side with him seemed impossible. He had to find his own solution. Joshua grew increasingly domineering; if he didn’t seize power, he’d live under his shadow his whole life.