Only at this moment, as she regained consciousness, did she realize what had happened to her.

She felt so silly. Reflecting on it now, she guessed that it was Orlando Evans who had drugged her.

She couldn't believe it! She really couldn't believe it!

She believed she had treated Orlando Evans very well. All the designer clothes, brand-name makeup, and expenses from their shopping trips and outings were paid for with her money. Since they first met as classmates ten years ago, she must have spent at least ten million on Orlando Evans. Yes, sometimes she treated Orlando Evans like her personal servant, always at her beck and call, but that was just a habit. She never truly considered Orlando a servant. Orlando Evans liked her older brother. Even though Adele knew her brother wasn't interested in Orlando, she had still gone against her conscience to help Orlando pursue him.

And now Orlando Evans was trying to hurt her! Why? Weren't they the best of friends? Didn't Orlando say she wouldn't blame her? Why then was she harming her like this?

Too many questions and too much confusion muddled Adele Horne's usually simple heart, making it complicated. For a long while, she couldn't sort out the reasons.

Glades Horne had been holding her tightly the whole time, his handsome face tense, lips tightly pursed.

As they neared the Horne residence, Adele Horne suddenly stopped crying. She pulled away from Glades's embrace and wiped her own tears. Turning her head, she looked at Glades with her swollen, red eyes. Her hoarse voice uttered words that gripped his heart, "Big Brother, please don't tell Mom and Dad what happened to me, okay? I don't want them to be sad or worried about me. And also, don't let *her* know. She's pregnant now and can't get too upset."

Glades Horne pursed his lips, saying nothing, only gazing at her intently.

Her words made Glades's heart ache anew.

His sister had always been immature and inconsiderate. Yet, the words she had just spoken showed much more maturity and consideration for others. He wanted to feel happy because his sister had finally become sensible. But he couldn't, because she had paid for this maturity with her innocence.

That man... It's best I don't find out who he is. Otherwise, I'll definitely flay him and tear out his bones.

"Big Brother, will you promise me?" Adele begged hoarsely.

Glades still said nothing. The family had already found out everything. But in the end, he silently nodded.

He extended his hand, gently smoothing his sister's hair.

"I will definitely get justice for you!" Glades growled, his voice low and ominous, his teeth clenched.

Adele Horne opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately remained silent. Her restrained tears began to fall again. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly wiped them away and bit her lower lip, desperately trying to control the pain in her heart.

This experience had seemingly matured her in an instant.

She didn't even make a fuss. Turning her head, she looked out the car window, her body trembling.

Once more, a strong, warm hand pulled her into an embrace. Glades Horne said nothing, simply holding his sister close, offering silent comfort.

By the time they returned to the Horne residence, the sun had set. Deprived of sunlight, the land grew even colder. The frigid wind picked up, howling fiercely.

Upon hearing the car, everyone came out of the house to greet them.

Adele Horne tried her best to pretend nothing was wrong. Normally, she partied until the middle of the night before coming home, and the family never paid her much attention. But now, though it was only evening, the entire family had come out to greet them. The feeling of being cared for soothed her traumatized heart a little.

The soreness made her walk a little unnaturally.

"Adele." Mila Anderson came over and hugged her tightly. She had only managed to say her name before tears started to fall.

"Mom, I'm fine," Adele Horne said, trying to sound relaxed, but her voice, hoarse from crying, betrayed the profound suffering within her. For a girl who had never even been in love, such an incident was undoubtedly a devastating blow. Anyone would be in immense agony.

Mila Anderson gently pushed Adele away, about to ask something, but Glades called out in a low voice, "Mom," stopping her with a look. Knowing what her daughter had endured, Mila understood Glades's signal. She said nothing more, simply helping Adele into the house.

"Mom, I'm a little tired. I want to go to my room and rest." Facing her family's concerned gazes, Adele wanted to weep. But not wanting to deepen their worries, she held back her tears.

The pain and anger in her family's eyes told her they already knew what she had endured today. With such capable older brothers, how could they not know? I wanted to hide it from them, but how could I possibly succeed?

"Okay, Mom will help you to your room," Mila Anderson said, her heart aching as she fought back tears. Her daughter's newfound maturity and sensibility, displayed after returning from such an ordeal, made her heart ache even more.

Does a person really have to go through such trials to become sensible?

This precious child of hers had grown up thoroughly spoiled by them, which was why, at twenty-two, she was still so immature.

My daughter is still young, I thought. She can be doted on for a few more years. I'll help her pick a good man, and once she's married, she'll gradually mature. But now...

"Mom, there's no need. I'm really fine. I can go upstairs by myself," Adele quickly refused. Seeing her mother desperately trying to hold back tears, she feared she herself would break down and sob uncontrollably.

Suddenly, she felt light on her feet as someone lifted her up.

Looking up, she met James Horne's concerned gaze.

"Be good. Fourth Brother will carry you upstairs," James Horne said, his voice low. Though the words were simple, they clearly revealed his concern for her.

In the past, they had barely acknowledged each other, often treating one another as if they were invisible. She had even frequently mocked James with sarcasm. In her heart, she never truly considered James her brother, and she assumed he never saw her as his sister either.