Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

”Julian, women are not that difficult to handle,” Joshua Hughes slowly said, looking at Julian Carter’s poker face that was beginning to show displeasure.

If he hadn’t known him for such a long time, Joshua would have suspected Julian had issues with his sexual orientation. Ever since they’ve known each other, no woman has ever moved Julian. When they used to party wildly, the women they sent were top-notch, yet he didn’t even want to take a glance. This man really is an anomaly.

Who knows whom he’s saving himself for?

Julian glanced at Joshua, putting on a faint smile.

He knew what Joshua was thinking. However, he had never met a woman who made him want to commit seriously, maybe he’ll never meet such a woman in his entire life.

Even though he disliked dealing with women, he still had to handle tasks assigned by the boss.

Following the name given by the boss, he quickly found the owner of that name.

Wearing a dark suit, a dazzlingly white shirt, and a long, tall silhouette, he stood at the entrance of the ancient art gallery.

His slender fingers slowly slipped into his trouser pocket, touching the note written by Joshua Hughes. He frowned as he glanced around. In such a quiet park area, there’s actually such a place. If not for finding someone, he probably would never have taken a walk in the park in his lifetime.

The entire building was constructed of glass, two floors, nearly 2,000 square meters, hidden among tall trees. The entrance was a stone bridge, and in the shallow pond, several goldfish swam leisurely, while purple water lilies seemed neither open nor closed. As he reached the glass door, he was stopped. ”Sir, this gallery is only open for visits on Monday afternoons from three to five o’clock.” The message was clear, no entry allowed.

How could he wait until next week? Julian spoke softly, ”I’m looking for Ms. Eliza Bell, this is my business card.”

The doorman here was surely someone who knew their stuff. The reputation of the group printed on the business card was enough to make anyone tremble. He glanced at this cold, stern man and headed inside. After a short while, he ran back out, smiling warmly as he invited Julian inside.

”Miss Bell is on the second floor, please head upstairs.” Julian coldly glanced around the large exhibition hall, filled with exquisite jade, porcelain, and paintings — they actually seemed to have some substance.

The second floor was also entirely made of glass, surrounded by specially crafted bamboo blinds hanging quietly. The space was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood; a copper incense burner with cloud patterns emitted strands of white smoke. On the tea table, a set of tea utensils was displayed, and the person brewing tea had delicate, jade-like wrists. Slowly, she raised her eyes, showing an indescribable charm, ”Looking for me?”

Her voice was peculiar, akin to the subtle white smoke rising from the table, mesmerizing and captivating.

Joshua Hughes, that guy, even knowing that Julian disliked dealing with women, still assigned him such a task. From a certain standpoint, although Joshua was generous, he wasn’t exactly a considerate boss. Julian cursed bitterly in his heart but could only nod.

”Are you here representing the Hughes Family?” The woman seated on the mat raised her eyes to look at Julian. ”Please, have a seat.” She smiled; this woman was far from simple. Though she seemed soft, she was indeed very shrewd.

”It’s Joshua Hughes, not the Hughes Family.” Julian maintained his usual poker face, cold and expressionless.

”Is there a difference? Isn’t the entire Hughes Family currently under Joshua Hughes’s control?” White smoke rose in front of her, and her words floated over like wisps of smoke.

”It’s different. Miss Bell, since you know about the Hughes Clan, you must be aware there’s eight percent of shares circulating outside.” Julian was always straightforward in his actions. Since Joshua Hughes had given him this name, she must be related to that eight percent.

Eliza Bell’s slender fingers picked up a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, her eyes flashing with a hint of mischief. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen him. Abroad, during one financial annual meeting, she saw him in the same neat, clean attire, displaying the same cold sternness, commanding all bodyguards in low tones. That day, attendees were all financial giants, yet he didn’t lose to anyone, directing the entire venue orderly.

She had kept a watchful eye on Joshua Hughes at that time; he seemed vicious and intimidating. Yet, this man was not influenced by Joshua at all, occasionally reporting in low tones, always receiving Joshua’s approval. A person who could independently handle matters outside for Joshua was naturally not to be underestimated.

”Have some tea.” The newly brewed tea’s faint fragrance relaxed the woman’s brow and eyes.

Julian sat on the mat, holding the teacup and sipping, indeed it was top-quality tea leaves. The woman opposite him smiled even more alluringly. Since he was here, she would surely entertain him properly.

”Since you could find me, I might as well tell you honestly. That eight percent is indeed with me.” As Eliza Bell poured him tea, she slightly leaned forward, revealing her beautifully crafted collarbone.

Julian Carter didn’t expect her to admit it so directly; the light in her eyes seemed sharp enough to pierce.

”What if we want Miss Bell to give up these stocks?” Since it had come to this, there was no need for more useless talk, and Julian spoke very directly.

”I said they are in my hands, but that doesn’t mean they belong to me. I am merely their custodian,” she smiled, even more alluringly.

A trace of confusion flashed in Julian’s cold eyes; the sunlight outside filtered through the bamboo blinds, outlining his rugged features.

”It’s a long story, but I don’t tell it for free.” Eliza Bell continued making tea, not looking up at him; one must focus when brewing tea, so it can be fragrant and flavorful.

Julian watched her, a cold smile curling inwardly at his lips; sure enough, women are greedy. ”How much do you want?” Solving problems with money was the simplest.

Eliza Bell looked up, her smile blooming beautifully like a flower, almost blinding.

”I don’t want money.” Compared to Joshua Hughes, she was far off, but she didn’t need more money.

His eyes were clear as water but cold as ice. He wondered what conditions this woman would propose. The Hughes Manor was full of antiques and paintings; did she want some of those? He quickly weighed this in his mind.

With that smile aimed at him, had it been any other man, he would have already succumbed. But this man showed no sign of wavering at all. Just what was his heart made of?

”So, what do you want?” He didn’t like this woman at all; she was arrogant and constantly flaunting her charms, completely mismatched with the ancient treasures beneath her. Who would have thought a woman dealing in antiques could be so provocative? He secretly disdained. Making demands of someone like Joshua Hughes was foolish and ignorant.

”You.” The woman across from him still wore a playful grin, but what came out of her mouth left him thunderstruck, his face taut as he stared intently at her lips, undeniably saying those two words. There was no mistake, and instantly, his gaze turned so cold it could almost freeze.

”You heard correctly. Spend one night with me, and I’ll tell you everything about that eight percent.” Her laughter blossomed like flowers in the spring breeze, her distinctive voice lingering in the air.

This woman was absolutely insane.

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This was the first time Joshua Hughes had ever seen Julian Carter so outraged; no matter how many life-threatening situations he’d faced before, he’d never frowned. It made Joshua often question whether he was even normal. But today, after returning from a trip, Julian was shouting in his office.

”She’s a lunatic, a lunatic. If you want to know, go ask her yourself.” Joshua Hughes was even better looking, and that guy could handle it, just perfect.

:”What happened exactly, Julian?” Joshua was curious; what kind of woman could provoke such a fiery reaction from him? Women who deal in collectibles should be quiet and composed; how could she provoke his assistant to such an extent?

:”Those stocks are indeed in her hands, but they’re not hers. She’s just a caretaker.” Despite his anger, he had to state the facts. Julian lit a cigarette, taking a hard drag. Never in his life had he been so humiliated, almost fleeing in disgrace. The mere thought of that woman’s seductive smile made his skin crawl. She looked like a goddess, but was truly a lunatic.

:”So, whose are they?” The person holding those shares was deeply tied to the Hughes Family. He was also curious about the person whom Grandfather had allocated those shares to decades ago.

:”She wouldn’t say; she made a condition.” Julian spoke through gritted teeth. That damn woman had seriously wounded his male pride. Did he seem like a man who would sell his body? Did he look like one? He tried hard to suppress the turmoil of anger within him; he needed to calm down.

:”What was the condition?” He was sure it wasn’t about money because if it were about money, Julian wouldn’t be this infuriated.

:”She, she......” Julian hesitated, his face flushed with sudden heat. He truly couldn’t bring himself to say it. Just how desperate for a man was Eliza Bell?

At their first meeting, she actually had the audacity to ask him to spend a night with her.