Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Avery Jane’s face turned pale; she couldn’t believe her ears, yet she distinctly heard Emma White reporting to Joshua Hughes, who was monitoring her every move at any moment.

Her life had lost even the slightest bit of privacy.

She recalled two days ago when she fought hard for a bit of freedom, celebrating that she didn’t have to be tracked all day, finally having a little space to breathe. But he was one step ahead of her, reaching into every corner she could access, omnipresent.

She felt as if she was living in a scenario he designed, trying desperately to escape, believing she had fled a little, never expecting to hide behind a curtain and happily peeking out, only to find Joshua Hughes sitting beneath it. There he was, staring at her, with a giant screen in front of him broadcasting her current actions. He looked at her, curled his thin lips, smiling gently. But to her, it was a huge sarcasm, mocking her childishness and all her fruitless resistance.

Devastated, Avery Jane slowly turned around and walked away, realizing that besides her name, maybe her entire life was a lie, a lie crafted in splendid terms.

He used wealth and power to create a beautiful soap bubble, placing her inside. It looked colorful in sunlight, but it was a lie nonetheless, unable to withstand any storm.

Her love, her life, the Joshua Hughes she liked had always seemed like an unshakeable mountain in her heart, from which she gazed upon the surrounding beautiful scenery. But in these short few days, landslide and earthquake, her world slowly collapsed...

Sitting in the office, her face pallid, holding a cup of hot water, sipping little by little, trying to get a hint of warmth as her body felt unbearably cold.

”Avery, what’s wrong? Your face turned white so quickly,” Emma looked at Avery’s face, as if covered in a thin layer of frost on a winter day.

Avery lifted her eyes to look at her; ever since she regained her memory, Emma had been her most relatable friend. Though she had not shared everything happening to her, it wasn’t intentional concealment, as she herself was also in the dark. Now she began doubting whether Emma was placed beside her by Joshua from the beginning. Why would he do that? What was he hiding from her? Before she fell, there must have been a severe argument. Avery wondered what kind of argument would make Joshua so afraid of her remembering?

Feeling urgent, she dialed Beckett Wright once more, caring little for many other things.

”Beckett, has that person returned? The one who knows me for a long time?” Never had she wanted so much to remember the past; she wanted to tell Joshua what he feared, what was hidden in the darkness?

”She has returned, Avery, but didn’t you say you wanted to slowly search for your past yourself?” Beckett recalled Avery saying that outsiders’ descriptions are merely what they perceive, unable to represent her past ideas. Her past should be sought by herself to be fair to everyone. He thought Avery meant not everyone but only Joshua, as outsiders inherently associated him with being ruthless and unscrupulous. She didn’t want her life influenced by outsiders’ opinions of Joshua. But why did her thoughts suddenly change?

”Can I meet her?” Avery’s voice was gentle and appealing, with a hint of pleading, stirring a chord in Beckett’s heart. Whatever she wished to do, he wanted to help her achieve it. Even if they couldn’t love, doing something small for her would be worthwhile.

”Avery, I’ll arrange the time; don’t worry, and don’t overthink.” On the phone, a man’s voice was gentle and elegant, resonating with his persona.

Beckett put down the phone, looking at the drawing in his hand, a design for a brooch, with beautiful and graceful lines, like a magnolia quietly blooming on a branch. These lines appeared in his mind the moment he met Avery again. For emotions, he could only draw them with lines but couldn’t express them in words. This series differed from his usual designs, which were grand, elegant, noble, and stylish. However, this time, between simple lines, he sketched an intertwined heart, like a flower about to bloom, gentle and shyly enduring.

He named this series ”Spreading,” taking the homophonic sound of Avery’s given name, and expressing his heart that was spreading like tidal waves. Smart as Avery, she would surely understand; he was making the most moving declaration through his design...

”Angela, are you free? I have something to discuss with you tonight.” Beckett dialed Angela Scott’s number. Though he was insensitive to emotions, he couldn’t overlook the love in Angela’s eyes. He never intended to hurt others because unreciprocated love was very painful. As someone deeply affected, he understood Angela’s feelings. Yet, he never gave her a chance for illusions, simply because she was Avery’s good friend and once had significant ties with her. Therefore, as long as he could influence Grant Corporation’s advertising, he was willing to help her.

”Of course, I’m free.” Angela was driving home, a change reflecting in her life as her salary and bonuses were considerably impressive, proportional to her efforts. Now, she confidently faced Beckett. Receiving his call was still a surprise; though they met several times over the past year, mostly for work discussions. What’s the matter for tomorrow night? In the workplace, her numb heart started beating again excitedly after this call...

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Joshua Hughes picked up the phone, hesitating for a moment. How should he ask her? Invite her to dinner? Ask if she wanted his company? Or directly ask what’s wrong recently? Since when did he become so hesitant?

She disliked too many followers, and now that the Yates Family matter had settled, he wanted to offer her more personal space. But as he gave her a bit more, he realized he never truly understood Avery Jane. From initially being captivated by her beauty, to later her tolerance for love, and her stubbornness after losing memory, her personality slowly revealed bit by bit. Her little mind thinks a lot; she knows how to negotiate, strike deals, present terms when he feels most weak and hesitant before her, forcing him to concede. She has an apparent knack for grasping human psychology, like a talent. Perhaps it didn’t manifest before due to her youth or being intimidated by him; now she’s showcasing her intelligence, like an uncut gem reflecting dazzling brilliance from various angles in time’s polish, even more fascinating.

In love, both parties are in a tug-of-war, with the loser often being the one who cares more. Joshua smiled bitterly; he almost saw himself getting gradually ensnared by her, lacking any ability to resist. This tug-of-war of love seemed already determined before it began.

The call finally went through; without calling, his heart felt suspended in air.

:”Avery, where do you want to go tonight? I’ll pick you up after my engagement.” Joshua’s low voice came across the transmission, which once comforted her constantly, his inquiries always felt filled with care, which she appreciated. But today, she felt none of that; he monitored her every move, denying her personal time and space.

:”No need.” Avery rejected him outright.

:”It’s okay, I have nothing on tonight anyway.” Joshua was startled; she rarely spoke this way. Her mood was off today, as Emma said.

:”No, I said no means no.” Avery’s words hit him like a stone, leaving him unsure how to respond.

:”Avery, what’s wrong today? Are you unhappy?” Joshua asked gently, his voice full of indulgence.

:”It’s nothing, I just want to go out on my own, is that not possible?” Avery felt an inexplicable agitation, driving her to almost tear her hair out, her voice laced with displeasure.

She’d never responded like this before, never. Joshua’s strong body stiffened upon hearing her tone; her speed of change far exceeded his expectations...