Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Joshua Hughes’s eyes were terrifyingly bloodshot, his pale lips trembling slightly, and his whole body felt unstable, his breathing turning painful, so painful that he almost couldn’t breathe. A desolate look in his eyes suppressed intense pain as he stepped forward to push open that door, but Beckett Wright blocked his way: ”Do you think she would want to see you now? This is the time she needs rest the most. I hope you can give her some space. Wait until she’s better; if you really love her, don’t come now to upset her.” Every word felt like a needle piercing his heart, yet every word Beckett said was true. If Avery Jane saw him now, she’d probably want to kill him, right? But he just wanted to see her, even if it was just a glance.

Pushing past Beckett Wright, he cautiously opened the door.

”Joshua Hughes, I’ve been punished; this is the result of you breaking your promise...” In the quiet hospital room, her voice lost its usual clarity and sweetness, becoming chillingly cold.

Joshua’s dense eyelashes fluttered once; he moved closer to the bed, gently stroking her hair, wanting to blend his breath with hers. His voice was hoarse, ”Avery, it’s not like that, it’s not...” He’s seen her angry before and seen her refuse and resist, but never had he felt she was so far away from him, never had her words been this frightening.

”Take your hand away.” His warm hand almost touched her cheek when it helplessly fell, clutching the white bedsheet.

”Did I not make it clear that day? Joshua Hughes, leave me, just leave me...” Her face was pale, as though drained of all blood. ”Do you think that because you want me, I must agree? Why are you always so self-righteous?” The hospital room in spring had warmed up, but he felt like he was in an ice cellar, chill creeping from his heart to his limbs, his entire body numb and cold to the bone. She was begging him; anything she wanted, he could give, but this? He would rather die than agree. He said he loved her, begged for her forgiveness, but she wouldn’t have it. The sharp pain was as clear and piercing as a needle prick, more painful than being shot. His eyes were filled with intense emotions, his entire being seemingly ready to collapse at any moment...

She closed her weary eyes, the pain in her body and heart turning into the bitterest tears, slowly seeping from the corners of her eyes.

She hadn’t even had the chance to embrace the happiness of motherhood before losing the right to be a mother, in just an instant...

Joshua’s brows tightly furrowed, ”Avery, don’t get agitated, just rest...” He didn’t know what else he could do or say. If he took her home, with her temperament, she wouldn’t eat or drink or even speak much more. With effort, he suppressed himself and said nothing more, gazing deeply at Avery Jane, as if trying to etch that look into his heart, then walked away. The cold sternness and killing intent on his face were almost suffocating.

Don’t push her; now is not the time to push her. Her body is very weak now. Leave quickly, Joshua Hughes, leave quickly. This mantra nudged him to step away from her when he didn’t want to, hiding in the shadows of the corridor, watching Beckett Wright carry her out of the hospital.

Joshua’s face turned ashen as he watched that scene, his eyes moistening. Avery Jane, you must be well, wait for me to love you...

On the top floor of Hughes Clan Tower, Luis Hughes sat in Joshua Hughes’ chair, rotating it, finding that indeed, this position offered the best view, which he quite liked. Besides, he was fully confident; Joshua Hughes had been lost in his frolics lately, neglecting company affairs, and now all the shareholders had decided to support him, just waiting for the stockholders’ meeting and vote in ten days—Hughes Clan was finally changing hands.

”Get out.” Luis Hughes, sitting in the swivel chair, enjoying the sensation of the seat, suddenly heard a cold voice.

”Get out now.” A cold roar, carrying immense power, abruptly exploded in the large office.

Icy anger spread unrestrained from his brows, ungrudgingly lowering the temperature of the entire office by a few degrees...

”My dear brother, recently held by beauties, why not relieve some fire?” Luis curled his lips. Everyone fears you, Joshua Hughes, but I don’t. Nobody dares provoke you, but I insist. In ten days, I’ll make sure you don’t even have a place to stand within Hughes Clan. From childhood to adulthood, the outside world knows Hughes Family has two men, but the only one remembered is Joshua Hughes. Speaking of Hughes Clan, it always sounds like Joshua Hughes, but who knows? After all, he also owns thirty percent of the shares, making him the second-largest shareholder, only after Joshua Hughes.

Looking at Luis, whose features bore some similarity to his own, Joshua Hughes felt unparalleled loathing. He was the evidence of his mother’s infidelity, and his existence constantly reminded him of the humiliation his father suffered back then.

With lips sharp and pressed with power, Joshua spoke lowly, ”Do you want to walk out yourself, or be carried out?” He undid the buttons of his suit and loosened his tie, unbuttoning two shirt buttons to reveal a rugged collarbone. Then he removed the cufflinks, rolled up his shirt sleeves to reveal his deeply bronzed muscular forearms. Luis watched as he approached step by step, those beastly crimson eyes unlike usual, diminishing his earlier arrogance a few notches.

His mind was full of the recent scene, Beckett using his coat to wrap Avery Jane, carrying her out of the hospital. His heart bled, leaving a trail. He recalled the doctor’s words at the hospital: severe malnutrition, anemia, and extreme fatigue were enough to claim that child’s life. Then that wretched woman today had pushed her just like that, utterly extinguishing his hope. The icy blood coursed through his body, almost turning his veins to ice, while the fury in his heart was like an unquenchable inferno, burning ever brighter. This agony between ice and fire made him want to kill, wanting to ruthlessly eliminate these wretched, unpleasant people once and for all...