Avery's Game Of Revenge
Chapter 168: Returned Her Anklet

Chapter 168: Returned Her Anklet

Taking a slow breath, she jerked her shoulder out of his grip and lifted her chin. Some of the anger, unavoidable and raw, seeped into her eyes as she met his gaze.

"And so?" she asked, voice sharp and unwavering. "You put your hands on me just to get my attention, Mister?"

Brian visibly stiffened, the hand in his pocket tightening around the diamond anklet nestled within it. His brows furrowed as he swept his gaze over the woman in front of him once more, searching for something, anything, that would differentiate her from the Avery he used to know.

He had arrived behind her minutes ago, and even though he had only seen her back, the resemblance to Avery had been so striking that his breath had hitched. For a split second, he had nearly turned on his heel and walked away. But then logic kicked in. It was impossible... Avery couldn’t be here. And even if by some miracle she was, she should be the one afraid, not him.

That thought had been enough to root him in place, even as the growing crowd around him cast curious glances in his direction. He forced himself to stay put, resisting the temptation to step closer and eavesdrop on her phone conversation. Doing so would only draw attention, more than he already had. He could see people discreetly raising their phones, angling them toward him, recording. The last thing he needed was to look like some desperate stalker.

"Hello?" Her voice jolted him back to the present.

Brian’s chest tightened. The woman’s voice... it was nearly identical to Avery’s. The same soft lilt, the same familiar cadence that sent an uneasy chill down his spine.

Then their eyes met. Brown. Just like Avery’s.

Every instinct screamed at him that this couldn’t be real. And yet, standing before him was a woman who was everything he remembered about Avery, down to the last haunting detail.

Except for one thing.

The look in her eyes right now.

She had paused briefly when she first turned, her reaction understandable, after all, he was staring at her, and he wasn’t exactly an eyesore. But she hadn’t faltered when she walked past him, nor had she looked even remotely startled when he placed a hand on her shoulder. Instead, she had shrugged it off without hesitation, meeting his gaze head-on with defiance rather than fear.

That was all the proof Brian needed that this wasn’t Avery.

And yet, he couldn’t walk away just yet. Not until he was completely sure. He had come too far to let uncertainty creep in now.

On the other hand, Avery was practically frozen in place, her heart hammering against her ribs. She wanted to move—m, she should move. If she just kept walking, ignored him, and pretended she hadn’t heard, then maybe—just maybe—this moment would pass.

But she couldn’t.

Looking into his eyes now, she couldn’t stop Stephanie’s words from earlier from echoing in her head.

And she realized that she had never actually liked Brian, not in any real, romantic, or physical way.

He had just been... appropriate. Handsome, polite, seemingly kind. And most importantly, they had shared the same goal.

Realizing how strange it would seem if she just stood there in silence, she forced herself to say something, anything, to break the moment.

"Move it, perv," she snapped, folding her arms. "What, never seen a woman this gorgeous before? Are you gonna start drooling next?"

Even she was surprised by the words tumbling from her lips, but they did the trick. The burst of forced confidence steadied her, allowing her to hiss in annoyance and turn away.

But before she could take more than a step, Brian reacted.

Snapping out of his daze, he reached out, fingers wrapping firmly around her arm before she could escape.

"I... uh... I’m sorry, Miss," he said hastily, his grip tightening just enough to stop her. His eyes searched hers, an unreadable emotion flickering in them.

"You just... You look familiar."

Avery rolled her eyes at that.

"Come up with something original, will you? Of course, I look familiar. The entire country despises me because I supposedly resemble some Avery McCallum. What, did she kill your family member, too? Then go dig up her grave and have her arrested or something!" She huffed, arms folding tightly across her chest. "How many times do I have to say this? Stop chasing after me! Do I need to get plastic surgery to change my looks after I was already born with a gorgeous face?!"

Despite her heated words, she kept her voice low, aware of the lingering stares from passersby. Taking a bold step closer to Brian, she lowered her tone to a warning whisper.

"Listen, Mister, leave me alone and go about your business, or I’ll sue you for harassment."

Brian couldn’t help it. He laughed.

Avery stiffened, her irritation flaring at his reaction. "What’s so funny?" she snapped, though she already knew what he was laughing at.

Brian shook his head, his amusement evident as his lips curled into a smirk. "Apologies, Miss. It just became crystal clear that you really have no idea who I am."

Sue him? Brian Walker? A nameless actress like her, who wouldn’t even land a background role if not for the fact that her face bore a resemblance to Avery McCallum?

His laughter only fueled Avery’s frustration, but before she could lash out, he reached into his pocket and retrieved something small and glimmering.

"Actually, you dropped this," he said smoothly, holding up the delicate diamond anklet. "I just wanted to return it. Sorry if I wasn’t straightforward about it earlier."

Avery’s breath caught.

She knew that anklet.

It was the one Archie had given her. The one she thought she’d lost... on set, in class, somewhere she couldn’t remember.

How the hell did it end up in Brian’s hands?

Slowly, her gaze lifted to his, only to find him watching her closely, dark eyes brimming with unspoken calculation. Swallowing her unease, she forced a smile and extended a hand.

"Thank you. I’ve been looking for—"

"You’re welcome," Brian interrupted smoothly, pulling the anklet just out of her reach.

Avery arched a brow.

He merely smiled. "I can help you put it on."

Before she could protest, he crouched down, fingers working deftly as he fastened the anklet around her ankle.

Rising to his full height, he met her gaze with a knowing smirk.

"You’re welcome," he repeated.

Without another glance, he turned and walked away, leaving Avery standing there, rooted to the spot.

She remained still for nearly a full minute, staring blankly ahead, until the vibration of her phone snapped her back to reality. Blinking, she pulled it out and saw a message from Jodi, asking about Alice’s response.

Shaking off her lingering thoughts, she typed out a quick reply while making her way toward the entrance. Once inside the lobby, she hit send, slipped the phone back into her pocket, and subtly scanned her surroundings. Satisfied that no one was watching or following her, she headed straight for the presidential elevator.

As the doors slid shut behind her, she pulled out her phone again and dialed Alice. The call was answered almost immediately, and Alice’s enthusiastic voice filled her ear, confirming that they had the green light to use the private jet for their trip.

☆♡♡♡☆

The sleek, luxurious car glided down a secluded road, dense trees lining both sides like silent sentinels. Alice and Jodi leaned slightly toward their windows, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings before Alice finally spoke up.

"Uh, girls, this doesn’t look like the way to the hotel we booked. Ava, did your friend change our accommodations too?"

Avery frowned, her confusion mirroring Alice’s. She had only told Alice about a friend who had offered them a ride on his private jet, and that alone had been enough for Alice to agree without hesitation. The driver had been waiting for them at the airport, and now, thirty minutes later, they were on an isolated stretch of road, heading toward an unknown destination.

"He didn’t mention anything about changing our lodge," she said, turning to Jodi with a raised brow. "Did he say anything to you?"

Jodi simply shrugged. "Nope, but they own plenty of properties around here. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s putting us up in a private villa or something."

"But we’re not here for—"

"We’ve arrived, ma’am," the driver’s voice came through the partition, cutting Avery off.

Jodi glanced out her window, then shot Avery a knowing look. "Told you. A villa."

Avery exhaled, her unease deepening. "We’re leaving soon anyway. Why did we have to come here first?" she muttered under her breath.

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.