Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

:”No, nothing.......” Eliza Bell stared unblinkingly at Avery Jane. Avery felt a bit embarrassed under the intense gaze, wondering if she had left a grain of rice on her lips after eating. She instinctively wiped her mouth but found nothing.

Years ago, to avoid upsetting her grandmother, her aunt’s photos were locked away in a box. She had only seen one photograph of her mother and aunt together. The girl in front of her seemed to have stepped out of that photograph, traveling through time and space to stand before her. Eliza’s heart was pounding uncontrollably. Could this girl be the one the family had been desperately searching for all these generations? She had tried various ways to find Luke Harringtons, but had hit dead ends. Now there was someone standing right in front of her; how could she not be excited?

Calm down, calm down, must stay calm........

Eliza took a deep breath, her face lit with a smile: ”Yes, I’m looking to choose a tie. Can you help me pick one?” Take it slow, there’s no rush. Although she wanted to just jump and grab her hand, asking if her surname was Harringtons and if her father was Luke Harringtons, she wanted to figure things out first. Too many people in this world look alike, and carelessly saying the wrong thing could cause unnecessary trouble. It involved eight percent of the Hughes Clan fortune, an astronomical sum, so caution was paramount.

:”Is it a gift? For your boyfriend?” Avery smiled softly. She had noticed the young woman immediately when she entered. Stepping towards the tie rack, Avery’s lips naturally curved upward, sweet and radiant.

:”Not technically a boyfriend, more like my man.” Eliza’s eyes, agile like a cat’s, flicked to the side. Julian Carter was the type of man impossible to date; always looking dismal, as if she owed him money, when in fact he owed her a passionate night. They might only have a physical relationship, as for anything emotional, they’d settle that after cementing the physical aspect.

”What kind of man is he?” Avery felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the girl, different from what she felt with Nora Thompson or Angela Scott. It felt like she’d known her for a long time; probably because the girl seemed lively and spirited, unlike Avery’s own quiet demeanor, which made her favor such vivacious girls.

:”Cold, like a block of ice, always with a poker face.” Talking about Julian Carter, Eliza always felt an odd mix of love and hate.

This type of man reminded Avery of Joshua Hughes’ assistant. As the saying goes, those who associate with ink become black, those with vermilion become red; Joshua Hughes’ assistant seemed to learn quite a bit from him. Thinking about Joshua Hughes made Avery’s heart ache; that man consistently invaded her thoughts, making her hurt, uncomfortable, yet she couldn’t help thinking about him, an agonizing feeling.

If it weren’t for that time she lost her memories, she’d probably still resent Joshua Hughes and never have any different emotions. During the time she forgot everything, he was a tender yet domineering lover—a period impossible for any woman to forget.

The store’s air conditioning made her shiver, quickly pulling her out of her thoughts, unable to be distracted at work.

Her face displayed a professionally sweet, gentle smile, as she quietly asked, ”How about this one?”

Her fair, delicate hand picked up a tie. It was entirely black with faint patterns, very elegant, cool, and tasteful.

”It looks great, that’s the one. Can you wrap it for me?” Eliza looked at the tie, a flash of how after some intimate moments, handing him this tie would surely bring a playful expression to his face.

”Miss, what is your name? You have excellent taste. Next time I come back, I’ll have you help choose again.” Eliza smiled as she watched Avery carefully wrapping the tie beautifully.

”My name is Avery Jane. It’s a pleasure to serve you again.” Still as gentle as water—how was such a woman selling in here? Are all men in the world blind? As a woman herself, Eliza felt she was strikingly beautiful, making hearts flutter, how had no man pursued such a beauty?

”Avery Jane?” Eliza’s heart sank somewhat; she wasn’t a Harringtons. After years of searching without success, living under a different identity wasn’t impossible.

”Avery Jane, it’s a nice name.” Eliza pondered how she could ask Avery if her father was missing three fingers, how to ask without seeming abrupt?

”Here is your tie and card.” Avery placed the wrapped tie into a bag and returned Eliza’s card. Eliza thought about asking but decided against it, avoiding potential trouble. Knowing such a person was here meant tracking her would be easy.

Holding the small bag, Eliza left the shopping plaza. She picked up her phone and dialed: ”Check on a person for me. She works at XXX Plaza, name is Avery Jane. I need details on her family members, quickly.” Inside, she couldn’t suppress her growing excitement. Her mother safeguarded that eight percent, advising her before death it belonged to others, not to covet it, to never reach for greed, and made her vow. If she could indeed find Luke Harringtons’ daughter, the burden on her shoulders would finally be lifted, making closure for her mother....