Avery's Game Of Revenge
Chapter 170: Like She Deserved

Chapter 170: Like She Deserved

Avery was lying there.

Alone in the room and draped in a plush robe, her skin glowing with a dewy sheen, her posture loose and utterly relaxed. Her hair, slightly tousled from the massage, cascaded over the pillow beneath her head. Her lips were parted just enough to hint at the depth of her relaxation, and her lashes fluttered as if she were on the edge of sleep.

Archie felt his heart stutter at the sight.

For a moment, just a fraction of a second, he forgot why he was angry. His grip on the doorknob tightening as he berated himself... Focus, damn it.

"Archie?"

But then she blinked up at him, her gaze hazy with post-massage bliss, and instead of answering the unspoken question in her eyes, he exhaled sharply and stepped inside, jaw clenched.

"Enjoying yourself, I see."

"Hi," was her cautious greeting, her brows drawing together at the sharpness in his voice. She shifted on the massage table, the plush robe draped loosely over her, still basking in the warmth of relaxation... until now.

Her fingers curled slightly on the soft fabric as she studied him. The rigid line of his shoulders, the tight grip he had on his glasses as he adjusted them, the cool look in his blue eyes. Something was off.

"I asked for you when I arrived. The butler—Titus said you were busy and didn’t want any disturbance." When she got no reply, Avery proceeded to ask hesitantly, "You look angry. Did I... do something wrong?"

Archie let out a short, humorless laugh, stepping further inside and shutting the door with a deliberate click. "What do you think?" he countered, voice smooth but laced with irritation.

Avery straightened slightly, sensing the weight behind his words. "I don’t know," she admitted, her mind racing for what could have triggered this mood.

Archie exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "I texted you earlier today," he said. "Got no response. You must’ve been busy."

She nodded instantly. "Yeah. Today was extra hectic for me."

Archie tilted his head slightly. "Really? Must have been interesting. Anything you want to tell me?"

Avery’s posture relaxed at the question, thinking she understood now. Her lips curved into a small, eager smile as she stood and walked toward him, her robe cinched tightly around her waist. "Can you believe I ran into Steph today?" she said, excitement flashing in her eyes. "She was being bullied by Valentina, and..." her tone darkened, "I can’t wait for when I make her pay."

Archie’s expression barely shifted. He simply nodded. "Same." Then, after a pause, he added, "Did you meet anyone else?"

Avery’s heart skipped a beat as she considered telling him about Brian. But the memory of the last time Archie reacted to her running into Valentina—keeping her inside for two weeks—kept her lips sealed. If he found out about Brian, he might not punish her since it wasn’t her fault, but what if he decided she needed bodyguards? Or worse, kept her inside again?

Not now. She couldn’t afford that now. Not when everything was starting to go well.

She lifted her gaze back to his, forcing a smile. "No one. I didn’t make an appointment with anyone else so," she said smoothly.

Archie’s eyes sharpened. "Really?" His tone was deceptively calm, but the undercurrent of suspicion made her spine stiffen.

Keeping her expression light, Avery nodded, "I wouldn’t lie." Before he could press further, she quickly pivoted, tilting her head as she asked, "Why did you have me come here first, anyway? It’s late. The masquerade ball will be starting soon and—"

"I did send you a text saying we’d have our date here instead. It’s not my fault you didn’t read it," he cut her off.

Avery’s brows furrowed at that, as she took a small step back. His reaction was strange.

"What’s wrong? Did someone annoy you before I got here?"

He only shrugged in reply, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Avery huffed, shaking her head. "Well, since you’re not telling me, I’ll just go ahead and get dressed for the ball."

She moved to walk past him, but before she could, his hand shot out, gripping her arm and pulling her back to his front.

Her breath caught in her throat.

His hold wasn’t painful, but it was firm. Possessive.

Archie towered over her, and with his free hand, he adjusted his glasses, peering down at her with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, his gaze dipped lower, brushing over the edge of her bathrobe where her skin peeked out from. For a second, something flickered in his eyes, something dark, but he shook his head slightly as if forcing himself to focus. When his gaze lifted again, it locked onto Avery’s brown eyes.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, suddenly hyperaware of how close they were.

Archie didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted a hand, fingers trailing lightly down her face. The touch was soft, almost tender, but the cold edge in his expression made her shiver.

Then, in an eerily calm voice, he murmured, "I really did plan the perfect date for today, Angel. I wanted to be all gentlemanly and shit... like you deserve."

His fingers slipped lower, resting against her throat.

"But you just ruined it all."

Avery’s stomach dropped, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

"Archie, what are—"

"Don’t say my name." His tone was sharp, final.

Before she could react, he guided her backward, his grip steady yet unyielding. Her calves bumped against the massage table, and in one swift motion, he lifted her onto it, her robe parting slightly at the movement.

Archie didn’t pay the exposed skin any attention as he went on his knees in front of her, his hands wrapping around her ankle. A muscle in his jaw ticked as his fingers grazed the anklet she wore.

"You lost this... Where did you find it?" His voice was low, but the barely restrained anger in it sent a chill up her spine.

Avery stiffened.

Think.

Her mind scrambled for an excuse, anything that wouldn’t make this worse, and at the end, she settled on a lie.

"I saw Alice today. Apparently, she helped me find it at school."

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