Billionaire Defiant Wife

Chapter‌ ‌181:‌ ‌Provocation‌ ‌

Avery sizes the maid up. Though the maid's legs are a little shorter and her waist a little thicker, she's about the same size as Ruby. "Can you change into some of these clothes right now?" Avery asks.

"Do you mean me?" the maid asks in disbelief.

"Yeah, what's your name?" Avery asks. "You seem like a nice girl. If I ask Andrew to assign you to be my personal maid, will you do that?"

The maid nods without hesitation before remembering to answer the question. She smiles brightly, "My name is Alice Channing, by the way."

When Alice emerges from the living room wearing her new clothes, Andrew's mistresses stop and stare at her. Ruby circles her slowly, taking in the luxury watch and designer clothes. The emerald studs in Alice's ears are almost as large as a cat's eye. Ruby sniffs disdainfully, "Someone still smells poor even if she's changed into fancy clothes."

"It's better than smelling desperate," Avery says.

"So what?" Ruby asks with a shrug. "At least I'm not the type of woman who goes around two-timing her man."

"Careful, Ruby," Avery says, "You're starting to sound jealous, too."

"What are you talking about?" Andrew asks, descending the stairs.

He's changed into casual clothes, and his hair is slightly tousled. He smiles at the women and radiates rakish confidence. The women immediately straighten up, tossing their hair and thrusting their chests forward. Avery rolls her eyes at the lack of subtlety.

"We're talking about the outfit Alice is wearing," Avery says. "Do you like it?"

"Mr. Clifford, we're discussing the fact that this maid got changed during working hours," Ruby says. She sniffs and shoots a wicked glare at Avery. "I was just saying that I think it's quite unprofessional. I don't care that Avery asked her to do itthe maid is your employee, and she needs to respect the rules of your house."

Andrew slips a hand into his pocket and continues descending the stairs. He doesn't seem to have heard a word, Ruby just said. He barely looks at the women as he walks up to Avery. "You said earlier that you wanted to see the grounds and garden," he says. "If you want, I can show you around now."

Avery lifts her chin and shoots a defiant look at Ruby. "Can I take Alice with me?" she asks.

Andrew smiles and bends down to whisper in Avery's ear, "Whatever you want, beautiful."

Avery pats Alice on the shoulder. Avery has heard that punishments in Andrew's household are often severeservants are regularly fired for breaking even the smallest rules. What's more, Andrew has a nasty temper, and more than one servant has left the house covered in vicious bruises.

"Wait, Mr. Clifford!" Ruby calls out, but her screams go unheard by the duothey're already halfway to the garden.

Though Avery wants to hate everything about the mansion, she has to admit that the ground is stunning. A vast green lawn spreads out behind the house, and a mighty oak tree shades the Eastern wing of the mansion. A rustic rope swing hangs from a tree branch and sways slightly in the breeze. In the distance near the forest, an artificial lake shines blue in the rare sunshine.

Birds chirp peacefully, but Avery soon hears a different type of squawking. Ruby and the women have rushed to one of the mansion's many balconies, and they're jostling each other for a position at the railing. They push each other and complain. 

Avery ignores them and allows Andrew to lead her across the lawn. They stroll in silence, and she tries to enjoy the earthy smell of freshly cut grass. But the breeze carries the women's high-pitched voices, and she can't help but hear their whining.

"Want to go riding?" Andrew asks, out of the blue. 

Avery hesitates. On the one hand, riding is supposed to be dangerous for pregnant women. On the other, it could be a good opportunity to escape. Avery looks back at the gloomy mansion and the miserable women, and she makes her decision.

"I'd love to," she says. She looks him straight in the eye and lies, "I just don't know how."

Andrew flashes her a brilliant smile, "I'm a great teacher."

"I don't know about that," she says, feigning nervousness. "I wouldn't want to take any unnecessary risks with the pregnancy. Maybe if I could see you show someone else, I'd feel more confident."

"What do you have in mind?" Andrew asks.

"What if you teach Alice?" Avery suggests, "If you do well with her, I'll trust you to teach me."

Andrew nods and leads her to the stables. The warm smell of hay and horse instantly greeted her nose, and she smiles to herself. It's been a long time since she's been riding, but she used to enjoy her time in the stables. Andrew directs her to a rustically paneled room, and a servant brings her a crisply ironed riding outfit. 

Avery pulls the white breeches on and buttons the black jacket over her shirt. She places a velvet-covered helmet on her head, and she straps elbow guards and knee guards onto her arms and legs as an extra precaution. The servant returns and leads her on a tour of the stalls. Eventually, she chooses a large white mare. Though it's big, the servant promises her the most docile animal in the stables.

She meets Andrew outside the paddock. He's dressed all in black, and she has to admit he looks handsome and debonair. He's holding a black stallion by the reins, and Alice is already sitting in the saddle. Avery looks at Alice and frowns. The maid is trembling with fear in the saddle. If she shakes any harder, she just might fall off.

"Get on your horse, and I'll teach you first," Andrew says. He glances up at the terrified maid and shrugs, "See look, she's a natural. She can ride on her own."

Avery insists, "If you can't teach her, how can I trust you to teach me?"

"It's okay, Miss Peters, I can ride on my own," Alice says.

Avery shakes her head. "No, you have to show me your skills first," she says to Andrew. "I know that you're a good rider, but I want to see if you're any good as a teacher."

She wants to distract Andrew while she learns more about the stables and riding paths near the mansion. The maid looks quite sexy in the tight breeches, and Avery hopes Andrew will enjoy riding behind her. Andrew pouts, but he turns around and gracefully swings himself up into the saddle. He settles behind Alice and takes the reins in one hand. He places the other hand tightly around her waist.

He spurs the horse forward and takes it in a large, slow circle as he demonstrates the basic techniques for Alice. When they're out of Avery's earshot, Andrew leans over and whispers in Alice's ear. Avery hopes it's sexual, but she suspects it's probably a threat. 

Avery guides the white mare across the lawn and away from the stables. When she turns and looks back at the stables, she sees Andrew's mistresses swarming out. They've all changed into riding outfits, and they're all leading horses. Avery recognizes Michelle Cindy in the lead. She's shorter than the other woman, and her expression is livid. Avery stops walking to allow the women to pass, but they fan out and form a line blocking her way.

"I heard you're pregnant," Michelle says by way of greeting. 

Avery doesn't reply. She knows that Michelle harbors a deep and jealous hatred, and she's not interested in getting into a catfight. 

"I wonder why Andrew is interested in a shoe someone's already worn," Michelle says.

Avery runs her fingers through the horses' silky mane. "Charming as ever, Michelle," Avery says. "But then, you'd know all about worn shoes, wouldn't you? You have quite the reputation, you know."

"I'm not as bad as you," Michelle says. In order to match Avery's height, Michelle has to stand on her toes. She looks ridiculous poised on tiptoe. "Does Andrew know who your bastard child's real father is? Do you even know?" she asks with a spiteful look at Avery's stomach.

"Well, I know it's not yours," Avery says. "Mind your own business."

Michelle takes her gray horse firmly the reins, slips her foot into the stirrup, and swings up into the saddle. She pulls on the reins, and the horse rears up on its hind legs. It's forelegs slice through the air, and it neighs with fury. With a swift motion, its forelegs slam onto the ground, leaving two deep holes in the grass. It's easy to imagine what such strong legs would do to a human skull.

The white horse Avery holds whinnies and pulls on the reins in fear. Avery is scared the horse will hurt itself, and she drops the reins. Michelle yanks her horse's reins again, and the animal circles around and charges toward Avery. Its hooves kick up clouds of grass, and its horseshoes glint in the sun. The other women laugh sourly.

"Imagine thatMichelle is an incredible rider!" Ruby exclaims. 

"I heard she learned from that bodyguard," replies one of the women, her voice dripping with innuendo. "He's Andrew's, right-hand man. His riding skills are superb if you know what I mean."

Avery turns to grab her mare, but it's galloping across the lawn. She watches it disappear into the woods. She turns around just in time to see the gray horse rearing again. Its hooves move menacingly through the air, and its eyes roll wildly in its head. Avery subconsciously covers her belly and takes a step back. Michelle smiles with grim determination. Avery wonders if the other woman really means to kill her. 

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