Chris Bluen quickly nodded with a smile and pulled Scarlett Taylor to sit down on the sofa.

"Madam," Chris and his wife greeted the old lady with a smile. Although the Horne and Bluen families had finally become in-laws, Ruby's return had once again raised unresolved issues back to the surface, waiting to be dealt with.

"Mm," the old lady responded indifferently, glancing at Ruby and then at Glades Horne, who looked as tranquil as the clouds and breeze. She then said to the maid, "Mia, come with me for a walk outside." She, an old woman, didn't intend to interfere in the young people's affairs.

Mila Anderson sat back on the sofa with a look of outrage. Sitting next to Gian Horne, her fiery eyes were fixed fiercely on Ruby, making Ruby feel uncomfortable all over, as if her whole body was pricked with thorns. She had been prepared for their anger. It was she who had wronged Glades, and they had the right to be angry with her.

So Ruby stood bravely in front of Glades, no longer avoiding him and facing the man who was once her fiancé, and now her brother-in-law.

"Brother Glades, I'm sorry," Ruby sincerely apologized.

"Sorry? Do you think a simple 'sorry' is enough?" Mila's sharp voice rose again.

"Mother!" Glades gave his mother a serious look, silencing her rage. Unable to vent her anger, Mila sat there glaring at Ruby and even looking dissatisfied when she glanced at Julia.

"Glades, why don't you have a private talk with my sister," Julia turned to Glades and said trustingly.

She also saw how haggard her sister looked. Her sister had run away from the wedding for Brother Marcel, yet only she had returned. Marcel must not have accepted her love. She suspected a large part of the reason lay with Glades and hoped he and her sister would talk properly to resolve any potential unresolved feelings.

"Julia!" Mila couldn't help but shout again. She abruptly stood up from the sofa and quickly approached the sisters. Pointing at Ruby, she said to Julia, "Who is she? She's your sister, yes, but don't forget she was Glades' childhood friend for over twenty years, his true love for eight, and was engaged to be married to him! Are you really comfortable letting them be alone together again? Aren't you worried that Glades still has feelings for her?"

At this moment, Mila seemed entirely concerned for Julia's sake.

She feared that Glades wouldn't be able to forget Ruby, and that Ruby's return would affect Glades and Julia. In her heart, anyone could become her daughter-in-law, except Ruby. She would never let the woman who had hurt her son stay by his side for the rest of her life.

"Mother, I trust Glades." Julia firmly believed that Glades would not hurt her and would not get back with her sister.

"You..." Mila was so angry she didn't know what else to say.

"Mila, let them talk alone. It's their matter; don't interfere," Gian Horne interjected, stopping Mila from continuing her fiery tirade. He had noticed the apologetic and embarrassed expressions on the faces of Chris and Scarlett—their friends and now in-laws.

Glades turned sideways, his head lowered, his dark eyes intently locked onto Julia's face, showing relief and deep affection.

"Half an hour. Wait for me on the top floor."

Then, addressing Ruby, Glades said, "Ruby, come to my study. We need to talk." His cool voice reached Ruby's ears as he led Julia upstairs.

Julia snapped back to reality when she reached the turn in the staircase.

"Just remember, wait for me on the top floor. I'll be there in half an hour, so don't let your little head run wild with thoughts, okay?" Glades stopped on the second floor and gently told Julia, releasing her hand as he spoke.

"If I were the type to let my imagination run wild, would I let you talk to my sister alone? I would have been glued to your side already." Julia joked in response with a playful smile.

Glades laughed.

"I'm heading to the top floor to wait for you," Julia said generously, giving Glades a high-five like a buddy. She then continued on her way, escorted by Glades' indulgent gaze. After she climbed a few more steps, she turned back to Ruby, who stood not far behind Glades, looking heavyhearted. "Sis, whatever's troubling you, you can tell him. He's always been generous to us sisters. He can help you."

After making a playful face at Glades, she trotted up the stairs.

Glades watched her until she was completely out of sight, his gaze lingering, reluctant to turn away.

"Julia is very happy. Thank you, Brother Glades," Ruby said, having observed the happiness between her sister and Glades. She sincerely thanked him for not taking out his anger on the Bluen Family and for still being so good to her sister, just as before.

Glades pressed his lips together in silence and turned to walk to his study, with Ruby following.

The second floor was very quiet. With the exception of Julia, the rest of the family were downstairs. Only the footsteps of two people could be heard: one steady and powerful, the other crisp and somewhat sharp.

Once in the study, Glades walked straight to the desk and sat in the black leather chair, while Ruby sat down on the sofa opposite the desk.

"Speak. You have half an hour," Glades said indifferently, his eyes piercingly fixed on Ruby.

"Brother Glades, I'm sorry." As Ruby began, she repeated her apology.

Glades pursed his lips and didn't respond.

"I..." Receiving his penetrating gaze, Ruby felt slightly uncomfortable but still bravely continued, "I don't love you. I love Marcel."

Glades's lips twisted into a mocking smile, still without a word in reply.

Now she was telling him that she didn't love him.