He finally understood why people outside were so fearful of Glades Horne. It wasn't just his background, nor was it solely his business tactics, but rather the innate aura of cold nobility and dominance that he exuded.

"From now on, stay away from Julia!" Glades Horne squeezed out a warning.

It referred to Nicholas Coldwell's undying affection for Julia Bluen.

Nicholas Coldwell was taken aback, feeling a chill rise from the soles of his feet and permeate his entire body.

Glades Horne's words gave him the illusion that his persistent affection for Julia Bluen seemed to be known to Glades Horne.

Just how strong was this man's ability?

"If you are capable of fighting, then be prepared to fight," Glades Horne dropped the comment and strode past Nicholas Coldwell, heading outside, his words essentially challenging Nicholas Coldwell to a contest.

Proud to the skies and considering himself exceptional, Nicholas Coldwell, even with all his self-esteem, now realized that he was no match for Glades Horne, instantly harboring some resentment in his heart.

Why, despite all his efforts, could he not even compare to a single hair on Glades Horne's head? Even one of Glades Horne's fingers seemed more substantial than his own thigh.

A contest?

A hint of unwillingness flared in Nicholas Coldwell's eyes. A contest then! He refused to believe Glades Horne could really crush Cosmos as if it were an ant!

「Horne family villa.」

Mila Anderson returned home with a dark expression on her face.

In the morning, she had gone to the beach with Gian Horne; in the afternoon, just a short while ago, as if fate was not on her side, it started to rain. The couple had not planned to end their beach outing yet, but with a phone call from Pheobe Rogers, Gian Horne went to see Pheobe, leaving Mila to return home alone.

Pheobe Rogers was always so excessive. She had always liked to snatch Gian Horne away, and even now, when they were all older, she still liked to snatch him.

After more than twenty years, Mila Anderson had originally lost the desire to compete with Pheobe Rogers. After all, her son now had control over the family, and even Gian Horne wouldn't dare to be excessive in front of his son. But now, she felt very angry, very angry. It was such a rare occasion for a couple to go out for fun, and yet...

Back at home, in the empty hall, only the old lady was sitting there, wearing her reading glasses and looking at the newspapers. It was peacefully silent; the only sound was the old lady turning the pages of the newspaper, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

With so many people in the Horne family, no matter when she returned, she always saw her mother-in-law alone at home.

Mila Anderson didn't know what was so interesting about those newspapers.

The elderly lady spent her days either basking in the courtyard or sitting in the hall reading the newspaper.

Couldn't she feel bored or listless?

She herself was always out and about, playing cards or shopping, desperately spending money and still feeling bored to death.

The elderly lady wasn't without tedium or weariness, but she was old, in her eighties; she couldn't possibly gallivant about like the young folk. Even though she was relatively robust for her age, going out was still troublesome. A careless fall would not only cause her pain but also worry her children and grandchildren, wouldn't it?

Therefore, the elderly lady preferred to stay alone in the grand courtyard, soaking up the sun and reading the newspaper, waiting for Julia Bluen to come back and chat with her. Of all the people, it was Julia Bluen who was willing to sit with her and ramble on about this and that. The others might offer a few courteous words of concern before rushing off, but who else would sit beside her and engage in a heartfelt conversation like Julia Bluen? Although Julia Bluen now also had to work, and Glades Horne was very possessive of her time, the elderly lady never once held it against Julia Bluen in her heart.

"Madam, you're back. Where is the master?" Upon seeing Mila Anderson enter, the maid quickly stepped forward with a smile to take the rain gear from Mila Anderson and asked cheerily.

Noticing Mila Anderson's grim expression, the maid was a bit surprised. After asking, and before Mila Anderson could reply, she promptly took the rain gear and moved aside.

To the outside world, Mila Anderson was a picture of grace and nobility, exuding the air of a great lady, but when irate, she could vent her anger on the servants.

The maid had learned that the hard way, so she made a hasty exit upon seeing the dark look on Mila Anderson's face.

Perhaps Miss Adele's bad temper was somewhat inherited from Mila Anderson; it was just that Mila Anderson's bad temper was concealed, while Adele's was overt.

"Mom," Mila Anderson called out, ignoring the maid and not even bothering to reply, her heart full of rage and jealousy. She took a seat in front of the elderly lady, calling out in a tone tinged with grievance.

The elderly lady slowly put down her reading material and adjusted her glasses before looking at Mila Anderson. Not finding her son with her, she felt a certain understanding in her heart. She smiled tenderly. Her daughter-in-law had been wronged, but aside from offering comfort, there wasn't much she could do. Gian Horne's love for Mila Anderson was nothing compared to his love for Pheobe Rogers; in Gian Horne's heart, Pheobe Rogers's importance surpassed Mila Anderson's.

Alas, sometimes the marriages within wealthy families are like this. Even if legally the husband is still theirs, emotionally, he already belongs to someone else. And even if there is still some part of him left for oneself, who knows how small a fraction it is.

"What's wrong?" the elderly lady asked gently with a smile. "Did you enjoy your day out at sea today?"

"Mom!" Mila Anderson called out again, the look of grievance deepening on her face. "Gian went to Pheobe's place again."

"Sigh," the elderly lady sighed deeply and helplessly. "Haven't you become accustomed to it?"

She couldn't control her son's heart. Where he wanted to go, what could she do? Now that she was old, she couldn't manage too much. Even if she weren't old, she would find it difficult to prevent it. Just like twenty-odd years ago, she had tried to stop Gian Horne from seeing Pheobe Rogers, but in the end, didn't Gian Horne still have James Horne with Pheobe Rogers? Fortunately, Mila Anderson also had a son; otherwise, her life would be even more difficult now.

"But..." Mila Anderson's heart still ached; the pain had been accumulating for over twenty years.

"Adele is back; she's resting upstairs. I had the maid check on her. The fever has subsided, but she said she's still feeling a bit under the weather. Why don't you go up and keep her company? You're troubled, and the child is unsettled too," the elderly lady artfully shifted the subject. Adele Horne valued Orlando Evans's friendship so dearly and defended him so fiercely—wasn't it because Orlando Evans had accompanied her for a few years? As a mother, Mila Anderson doted on Adele Horne, wishing she could pluck the stars from the sky for her, yet in daily life, her care for Adele Horne just wasn't enough.