Chapter 1017 - 527: Does This Look Good Enough?

Imperial Garden

In the warm spring water, the enticing male body is vaguely visible, broad shoulders and rugged yet sexy lines exuding captivating masculinity. Joshua Hughes soaked in the hot spring, eyes closed, his thick eyelashes concealing all his thoughts. With his eyes closed, he seemed to see everything; those past fragments appeared before him like films shot on reel, carrying clear and detailed images. Back then, Avery Jane was naïve and beautiful; the moonlight that evening wasn’t as bright as this, everything seemed veiled with a layer of gauze. She gently removed her clothes; her perfectly proportioned and delicately boned body appeared even more mysterious under the hazy moonlight, like a goddess descending from the heavens.

It was right here, in this Imperial Garden, where he forcibly took Avery. No matter her painful pleas, her cries, he never stopped. Thinking of this, his heart felt like a bloodied, gaping wound; how could he have known that the reckless desire for possession was love? Because he loved, he couldn’t tolerate any man in her thoughts, couldn’t tolerate her thinking of anything else. Because he loved, he crazily wanted to confine her, thinking that would mean having her. Because of love, he used despicable means to keep her, deceived her, but in the end, it was all the same; no lie in the world can last long, no truth can remain hidden, no matter how hard you try to conceal it, to no avail. Fate is governed by fair and impartial forces, arranging human destinies without bias.

In the beginning, he could indulge in her exquisite body without restraint, enjoy her company, but now all the consequences have begun to unfold, just like now, when he’s alone, thinking of her with heart-rending pain, gut-wrenching longing, yet able to do nothing, absolutely nothing, at least not now. Now is the crucial time for her to recuperate her body, though he has a thousand impulses to snatch her back, bring her to his side, offer her the most precious supplements and the rarest of delicacies, but she probably can’t take a bite. She’d probably cry heartbreakingly upon seeing him, so he could only endure, endure with hardship...

Avery, I miss you, miss you dearly, so much that it aches even in the crevices of my bones. Do you miss me?

A bitter and helpless smile subtly emerged at the corners of his lips, so lonely.

How could she miss him? In her heart, he’s like a demon existing in her world; he’s the kind that wins possession by any means, a lustful man, even worse than that, because the impression he left her is simply too poor.

But who else could be blamed for all this? Blame his impatience back then, eating in such an unseemly way, leading Avery Jane to resist him so much. The more she resisted, the tighter he wanted to bind her, causing events by sheer chance and leaving him with a lifetime of regret.

The warm spring water couldn’t warm his cold heart. Rising from the pool, he donned his bathrobe and returned to the living room, where every place carried her presence, even this sofa where he now sat, he once forcibly took her here, all he thought at the time was to confirm she was his, hence the frenzied actions.

"Boss, the new Hughes Clan Building is fully completed and will officially start operations next month." Julian Carter sat on the sofa, sipping black coffee, speaking with a detached expression. Wanting a vacation now is impossible, he’ll have to be busy until the end of next month. During the company opening, all companies with business dealings with Joshua Hughes will send representatives to congratulate, and merely receiving and arranging security work will keep him busy until he’s worn out. So, before the busy period begins, he wants to take a break.

It’s uncertain whether the boss will grant this holiday. Ever since the lady boss left, the boss has been acting like a madman, devoid of reasoning and rules.

Seeing Joshua Hughes with an indifferent expression only fuels his anger. Calling him over merely to watch him soak in the spa? His lack of interest in women doesn’t mean he has an interest in men. Watching him soak in the spa serves no purpose, it doesn’t relax him, instead, it tightens his nerves. Joshua Hughes’s current coldness makes him unapproachable, and he works all day to the point of fatigue.

"Prepare a document to transfer eight percent of the new Hughes Clan shares to Eliza Bell’s possession," Joshua Hughes’s voice carried hoarse heartbreak, his eyes reflected a complex emotion Julian Carter couldn’t comprehend. Why free up eight percent? Perhaps he felt pity for the child, but such cold-blooded beings like Joshua, ruthless in business, why suddenly show compassion? It’s illogical.

"Boss, are you sure?" Given the market value of the new Hughes Clan’s eight percent, converting to cash would be a staggering sum; just giving it away? He’s increasingly unable to understand this boss’s actions.

Joshua Hughes glanced at him coldly, a look that nearly drove Julian mad, what does it mean? Disdain? Well, if you disdain me enough, why not fire me? Disdain while still employing my labor. Who could match the intellect or tactics of their boss?

Smoothing the swelling rage from his chest, he stood up; now he should find a lawyer, draft the documents, complete the notarization, and deliver them bright and early. Thinking of Eliza Bell, the sly yet alluring little fox, a sudden toothache stirred, his perpetually stoic expression flickered for a moment, looking odd yet intriguing...

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Deep within the park, inside the art gallery

Eliza Bell received a call early from Stony-faced Carter saying he was delivering something. Eliza Bell couldn’t suppress her smile; what could this guy possibly deliver? A small pink bow wrapped around a little thing for her to unravel? Too many lewd comics have clouded her mind with improper thoughts. Who would imagine Eliza Bell, the youngest, prettiest, most cultured collector, reading entirely explicit Japanese mangas at night? Mangas utterly devoid of propriety?

She closed the gallery specially this morning, wearing an off-white Hanfu with standing collars embroidered with silver thread waves, the cuffs and hem matching. Her attire bore no patterns, just grazing past her thighs, paired with loose, wide pale green silk trousers. Sitting cross-legged on a reed mat, the pant legs rolled up, revealing alluring milky-white calves, delicate and enticing ankles adorned with a silver chain anklet, appearing to be of some age. The ancient yet simple style had two bells, producing crisp sounds when walking, enchanting one to focus solely on her feet, a woman’s exceptionally beautiful feet.

Eliza Bell examined herself thoroughly; this should appear pleasing enough, right? He seemed to dislike overly modern women, this outfit decidedly different than before; he surely would steal a glance, wouldn’t he?

Her long, wavy hair casually twisted into a loose bun, strands of intentional disarray exuding sheer laziness and spontaneity. When the doorbell chimed downstairs, Eliza Bell’s smile widened; he was here...

The same crisp black suit, the same poker face, not a second look her way. What’s his preference? Such a man liking those outfits, gathered from mangas? Various sensual sailor uniforms, student attire, the immensely alluring kitten costumes?

He said nothing, facially stern heading upstairs; Eliza Bell shut the door, following him agitatedly. Despite it being her territory, somehow she felt like an intruder, tables turned. More importantly, he showed no notice of her attire; a complete blockhead...

What exactly does this woman intend to do? It’s broad daylight, even within the depths of a park. Although isolated, usually void of visitors, a sign outside says closed for a day; this attire isn’t suitable, isn’t it? The creamy silk garments appeared non-transparent, yet he noticed she wore no undergarments beneath, perfectly contoured beneath those wide clothes, subtly evident like blooming buds. Indeed, an utterly unprincipled woman. He masked his face, not allowing her to sense his erratic heartbeat or the bobbing throat.

As she moved closer, the crisp bells chimed from afar to near; she quickened her pace catching him, her fragrance faintly filling the air, like an invisible hand softly grazing his heart...

"This is from Mr. Hughes; it’s the proof of eight percent stock in his new Hughes firm, legally certified by his legal team. Mr. Hughes wishes for you to hold these shares until you locate your sister to pass them on." Julian Carter lowered his eyes, speaking expressionlessly.

"Why?" Eliza Bell was startled, why? She’d seen the news; Joshua Hughes resigned from all Hughes positions, his company formation wasn’t surprising, but why send eight percent of company shares?