Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

Joshua Hughes’ eyes were terrifyingly crimson, lips pale, with hands clenched and trembling slightly. He was unsteady on his feet, his breathing pained to the point of almost not being able to breathe at all. His desolate gaze restrained intense pain as he stepped forward to push open the door, but Beckett Wright blocked his path: ”Do you think she wants to see you now? This is when she needs the most rest. I hope you can give her a little space. Once she’s well, you can come to her with whatever you want to say. If you truly love her, don’t make her upset at this time.” Each word pierced his heart like needles, yet every word was true. Now if Avery Jane saw him, she’d probably want to kill him, wouldn’t she? But he just wanted to see her, even if just for a glimpse.

He pushed Beckett aside and cautiously opened the door.

”Joshua Hughes, I have my retribution now, and this is the consequence of your unkept promise...” In the quiet hospital room, her voice had lost its former clarity and sweetness, becoming hauntingly cold.

Joshua’s dense lashes quivered, and he approached the bedside, gently caressing her hair, lowering his head, wanting to entwine his breath with hers, his voice hoarse: ”Avery, it’s not like that, it’s not...”

He had seen her angry before, and her refusal and defiance—not once had he felt she was so distant from him, nor had her words been so terrifying.

”Take your hand away.” As his warm hand nearly touched her cheek, it dropped dispiritedly, grasping the white bedsheet in disarray.

”Didn’t I make myself clear that day? Joshua Hughes, leave me, leave me, please...” Her face was pale, as if drained of her blood: ”If you want me, does it mean I have to give in? Why do you always act so self-righteously?” The hospital room, already warmed by spring, felt like an ice chamber; he was chilled from his heart to his limbs, numb all over, frozen to the bone. She was begging him, whatever she wanted, he could give, but this? He couldn’t agree to it even if it killed him; he told her he loved her, begged for her forgiveness, but she refused. The sharp pain was as clear and biting as if pricked by needles, worse than being shot through by bullets. His eyes roiled with intense emotions, as if he might collapse any moment...

Weary, she closed her eyes, the pain in her body and heart merging into the bitterest tears, trickling slowly from her eyes.

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

His brows furrowed tightly: ”Avery, don’t get agitated, just rest well...” He didn’t know what else he could do, what else he could say. If he took her home, with her temperament, she certainly wouldn’t eat or drink, wouldn’t speak again, holding back, saying nothing more, deeply taking in Avery Jane’s image as if imprinting this moment into his heart before walking out, his face marked by a cold and lethal demeanor that was almost suffocating.

Don’t force her, don’t force her now; her body is weak, leave, Joshua Hughes, leave quickly. He kept hypnotizing himself to move away those feet that didn’t want to leave her, disappearing into the corner of the hallway, watching Beckett carry her from the hospital room, leaving the hospital.

Joshua watched the scene with a look ashen as if turned to dust, his eyes moistening, ”Avery Jane, you must be well, wait for me to love you...”

On the top floor of the Hughes Clan Tower, Luis Hughes sat in Joshua’s seat, turning it. Indeed, the view here was the best. And he had every bit of confidence; Joshua Hughes had been too wild lately, neglecting company matters, and now all the shareholders had decided to support him, just waiting for the vote in the shareholders’ meeting ten days later. Finally, the Hughes Clan was about to change.

”Get out.” Luis sat on the swivel chair, enjoying the anticipation of being in this seat, when suddenly a cold voice echoed.

”Get out immediately.” The cold, curt roar had immense power, erupting abruptly in the large office.

Candid anger spread freely from brow to brow, dropping the temperature of the office by several degrees without any reservation...

”My dear big brother, recently you seem to have ladies close by; why not vent your frustrations properly?” Luis smirked, ”Everyone fears you, Joshua Hughes, but I don’t. No one dares provoke you, but I will. In ten days, I’ll make sure there’s no place for you to stand in the Hughes Clan. Since childhood, everyone outside knows the Hughes Family has two men, but the only one remembered is Joshua Hughes. When it comes to the Hughes Clan, it seems it’s all Joshua Hughes. But who knows? After all, he owns 30% of the shares; he’s the second-largest shareholder, next only to Joshua.