"Okay, that's the plan. Just get through these next few days, and my brother won't force me to go to the company anymore," Adele Horne said, looking gratefully at Orlando Evans. "Orlando, you're really smart."

Orlando Evans smiled. "You're my friend. Of course, I want to help you when I see you're in trouble. The only downside is you'll be uncomfortable for a few days." Her method was for Adele Horne to turn the air conditioning in her room to its coldest setting tonight. It was almost early winter. While the days weren't very cold yet, the nights became particularly cool, making air conditioning unnecessary. If Adele Horne left the air conditioner on all night without a blanket, she would surely catch a cold. Once she caught a cold, she wouldn't have to go to work. Glades Horne couldn't possibly force a sick person to work, could he? She just needed to be sick for a few days. By then, Glades would hopefully forget about it, and Adele would escape the fate of working at the company.

"It's fine. A few days of discomfort is a small price to pay to avoid going back to the company. Come on, let's go shopping." Temporarily relieved from her predicament, Adele Horne immediately dragged Orlando Evans shopping.

「The night was cool as water.」

Glades Horne and Julia Bluen were in their new home in the grand garden estate. Julia had just taken a hot bath and walked out of the Bathroom. When she didn't find Glades in the Bedroom, she grabbed a dry towel and began wiping her freshly washed hair, searching for him.

"Ruby, are you okay? I'm sorry, Adele was too impulsive. I've already scolded her," Glades Horne said into his phone from the balcony, his left hand in his pocket and his right holding the cell. He was talking to Ruby Bluen.

"I'm fine; I've already put ice on it. By the way, Glades, please don't tell Julia," Ruby Bluen requested from the other end. She understood Adele Horne; Adele disliked both her and her sister. If Julia found out Adele had hit her, they would surely argue, and Ruby didn't want this incident to deepen their feud. Besides, no matter how unreasonable Adele was, she was Glades's only sister. If the conflict between Julia and Adele intensified, Glades would be caught in the middle, which would be difficult for him too.

Glades Horne was silent.

After a moment, he responded in a low voice, "I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now." Glades then ended the call; the conversation had lasted less than five minutes.

Actually, even without Ruby Bluen's reminder, the members of the Horne Family who knew Adele Horne had hit Ruby chose to remain silent and not let Julia Bluen know.

After all, harmony at home leads to prosperity in all matters.

Currently, Adele Horne had issues with Julia Bluen. Julia, on the other hand, didn't really have any problems with Adele; she was just parrying whatever came her way. If Julia knew Adele had hit Ruby Bluen, she would be upset. This might lead to a real conflict with Adele, disturbing the peace of the Horne Family.

Just as he ended the call, Glades Horne heard footsteps behind him. It's Julia, he thought.

He calmly put his phone away, tucked both hands into his pockets, and stood straight, silently observing the nighttime scenery of the Courtyard.

All the streetlights in the Courtyard were lit, and the dark canopy of the sky seemed to spread out above. In the darkness, there were spots of light, and within the light, darkness—everything appeared somewhat dreamlike.

As he looked at it all, his thoughts drifted. When he bought this villa, it was just a shell; he had meticulously planned and designed everything himself. He had always intended to create the best for Ruby Bluen, ensuring she would be happy and comfortable. But his mind seemed to have a will of its own; in the end, all the designs were tailored to Julia Bluen's preferences.

That was why Julia Bluen had liked this place the moment she first stepped inside.

And he was incredibly grateful that everything had been designed according to Julia's preferences.

All that effort and time had ultimately been for the woman he loved most. Fortunately, he had a chance for a fresh start, saving him from regret. Every time he thought about these things, his love for Julia Bluen deepened. He wished he could give her the entire blue sky, to have the whole world share in her laughter.

Julia Bluen walked to his side and tilted her head to look at him. She noted the serious expression on his face, his gaze fixed on the Courtyard, and his lips pressed tightly together. He must be deep in thought, she realized.

Turning her head, she also looked toward the Courtyard.

Nothing seems to have changed; it's just like it was a month ago, she mused.

The Pavilion was still quietly situated there. The stone table and chairs beneath it remained undisturbed in their tranquil positions. The light inside the Pavilion shone brightly, allowing her to see everything beneath it clearly from the balcony.

"If the space were a bit wider," Julia Bluen said suddenly, her interest piqued, "we could dig a lotus pond next to the Pavilion and fill it with lotus flowers. Then, in June, when the lotuses are in full bloom, sitting under the Pavilion to admire their beauty as they emerge pure from the mud—that would be quite charming."

"That's a good idea. I can have someone turn that lawn into a lotus pond," Glades Horne replied, turning his head to gaze at her, his dark eyes shimmering with profound love.

"But I'd also be sad to lose the lawn," Julia Bluen said, a touch of regret in her voice. "Everything here is designed so well and suits my taste perfectly. I only want to add things, not lose anything."

Glades Horne pressed his lips together.

Seeing him press his lips together, Julia Bluen lowered the towel she was using to dry her hair and said, a slightly tart tone in her voice, "I know everything here was designed for my sister, but now I'm the one living here."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Julia Bluen froze.

She was actually jealous of her sister!

She... Did that mean she had developed feelings for Glades Horne? Her relationship with Nicholas Coldwell had ended just over a month ago. Had she already fallen in love with another man, even if he was her husband? Wasn't this happening too fast?

"Are you jealous?" Hearing the tartness in her voice, Glades Horne was actually delighted.

"Jealous? How do you even spell that?" Julia Bluen retorted, glaring at him.

Glades Horne then gazed at her deeply again.

Even though she was used to his intense gaze, Julia Bluen still felt a shiver run through her. She couldn't help but say coquettishly, "Please, stop looking at me with those soul-stirring eyes."

"I just like looking at you with soul-stirring eyes," Glades Horne replied, stretching out an arm and pulling her into his embrace.