Othiel Evans's eyes lit up. This strategy was indeed good, so he nodded in agreement.

The two of them continued to discuss their scheme.

「Horne Family's villa.」

In the courtyard, a new lounge chair had just been placed. It was for Julia, positioned right next to the one the elderly lady usually used to bask in the sun.

Between the two lounge chairs stood a small table. On it was a basket full of large, round, red, fresh apples, all washed clean. Next to the basket of apples was a cup of fresh milk that had just been boiled.

Julia was half-reclining on the lounge chair, holding a big apple in her right hand and nibbling on it.

The elderly lady watched her eat, her eyes crinkling with a smile. From time to time, her gaze would sweep across Julia's abdomen.

"Grandma, stop looking. Even if I eat all the apples in this basket and finish this cup of milk, my belly won't instantly get bigger, and your great-granddaughter won't be born right away," Julia teased, looking at the elderly lady with a playful smile.

The family was indeed too eager.

She had only recently gotten pregnant, but they were already thinking about the child's birth.

It wasn't like inflating a balloon that would swell up with just a bit of air.

If she hadn't been pregnant, she would have gone out by now—she wanted to find Rachel Bailey.

But now, she couldn't go anywhere. All her family members were treating her like a national treasure, cherishing and protecting her. Even when she walked, it seemed like they were watching her every step, fearing that if she lost her footing, the precious baby they were so eagerly anticipating would be lost.

Since it was Saturday, those who didn't have to work returned to the mansion.

The twin brothers had also arrived early, carrying large and small bags of children's toys. These included two child-sized Mercedes and BMW toy cars, suitable for children over five or six. Yet, the two, thrilled at the prospect of becoming uncles, had bought them already.

As for their aunts-in-law, Sovia Morris was still busy trying to prevent Ruby Bluen from being with Marcel Horne, so she didn't return today. Viola Hanley, however, did come. Their two paternal aunts had also arrived.

Being experienced, they mostly brought gifts of food, clothing, and other practical items.

It had only been an hour since Julia came downstairs for breakfast, yet the house was already stuffed full of all sorts of things. Just like yesterday, they had enough to open a department store.

"Haha, Grandma is just overjoyed," the elderly lady said, not the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she laughed even more joyously.

Julia shook her head, finding it all a bit much.

"Julia, did you drink the milk? Make sure you finish it. Drinking more milk during pregnancy can make the child's skin fair," Mila Anderson said. She was wearing an elegant, well-fitting suit and holding a tray of snacks, each one beneficial for pregnant women. Her voice preceded her arrival.

As soon as Julia heard her mother-in-law's voice, she felt an urge to run away.

Usually, her mother-in-law had been somewhat duplicitous towards her. In front of Glades, she was very kind, but behind his back, she was indifferent. Now, however, her mother-in-law treated her just as Glades did: holding her in the palm of her hand as if afraid she would fall, keeping her in her mouth for fear she would melt.

"Pregnant women often get cravings, so Mom prepared these snacks for you. Eat them whenever you like," Mila Anderson said with a smile, placing the tray of assorted snacks on the small table as she spoke to Julia, who had stood up.

Julia glanced at the snacks and quickly thanked Mila Anderson.

"Mom, Grandma, I'm going out." Just then, Adele Horne emerged from the house. She casually greeted Mila Anderson and the elderly lady before heading towards the parking lot.

After a few steps, she stopped and turned her head to look at Julia Bluen, hesitating to speak.

She had no money, and her car was also running out of gas.

She had only gotten up because Orlando Evans had called; otherwise, she'd still be lazing in bed.

Since that night, she hadn't been able to contact Orlando Evans for many days. Although Othiel Evans said he had ensured Orlando was settled, the Evans Family had collapsed. Orlando's parents were arrested, and all their family assets were seized. This was a devastating blow to Orlando, and Adele felt indirectly responsible.

But her cards were frozen. She couldn't even afford gas for her car. How could she possibly go and apologize to Orlando?

Right now, the only person who could, and dared, give her money was this sister-in-law she disliked. But the thought of humbling herself to ask Julia for money... she just couldn't do it.

Julia knew what Adele wanted to say. Smiling, she took the initiative to walk over. Seeing her approach, Adele Horne reflexively turned to leave.

"Adele." Julia quickened her pace. Because she moved a bit faster, her mother-in-law behind her shrieked, "Julia, walk slower! Adele, where do you think you're going? Didn't you see Julia calling you? Julia is carrying your nephew, and you're not stopping?"

At that, Adele Horne truly did stop. She turned her head and impatiently said to Julia Bluen, who had caught up to her, "You and I are destined to clash! You always take away the things I care about. Look, even my mom is on your side now." Despite her sharp words, she still glanced at Julia's abdomen and warned, "Walk slower. If anything happens to my nephew or niece, I won't let you off the hook."

Wow, nephew *or* niece?

Her sister-in-law was even more ambitious than her mother-in-law! Her mother-in-law hoped for a grandson from this first pregnancy, while her sister-in-law actually wanted her to have both a boy and a girl at the same time.

Outrageous!

The reactions of her in-laws to her pregnancy were all so over-the-top!

Julia thought with a mix of amusement and dismay.

"Here, take this. You can't go out without any money. Don't let your brother find out," Julia said, taking out all the cash she had on her—not much, just one or two thousand yuan—and quickly stuffed it into Adele Horne's hand, winking conspiratorially.

She only carried a little cash at home and didn't have her bank cards with her, so this was all she could give Adele. It might not even be enough for a single item of clothing for Adele, but it was better than being penniless.

"Cheapskate! I'm not a beggar, giving me so little. This will be gone after I get gas," Adele Horne grumbled, her expression unchanging, yet she quickly hid the money as if afraid someone else would see it.

Her older brother was inside, discussing the evening's banquet with their father and several other brothers. If he found out, she'd lose even this two thousand yuan.