At this moment, James simply said, "Fourth Brother." The words, perhaps echoing how she addressed him, told her that in his heart, she would always be his sister.

After speaking, James paid no mind to the complex emotions in the eyes of those around him. He simply carried Adele upstairs.

When James reached the second floor with Adele, Julia Bluen, who had been knocked unconscious, was just coming to. She walked out of her room and met the three of them there.

"Adele." Seeing James carrying Adele, Julia quickly approached, calling out with concern. James didn't stop; he continued carrying Adele further upstairs.

Julia ignored the throbbing pain in the back of her neck. She also didn't have time to confront her husband. Why did he knock me out anyway? She, too, was deeply worried about Adele and her safety. They can be anxious and rush to Adele, but as her sister-in-law, can't I do the same? Julia hurried after James, heading upstairs.

Just then, Glades also went upstairs. He saw his beloved wife hastily following James towards the third floor. He sighed softly to himself but didn't try to stop her. He knew that if he prevented her from showing concern for her sister-in-law, her guilt would only deepen.

He silently followed them to the third floor as well.

In the first-floor hall, everyone's mood was heavy.

Mila Anderson wiped away her tears non-stop.

Gian Horne silently embraced her. For the first time in their more than thirty years of marriage, they hugged each other during a crisis, offering mutual support.

The young masters were already handling the necessary arrangements.

After James carried Adele back to her room, he saw Julia follow them in. He gave Julia a long, searching look but said nothing. Then, he turned and left the room, leaving the two sisters-in-law alone. Outside the room, he saw Glades, who had silently followed. The brothers looked at each other silently, neither speaking a word.

The servants were still bustling about, preparing for the evening's Wine Party. Although they sensed something was amiss with their masters, the Eldest Young Master hadn't ordered them to stop, so they carried on with their duties.

"Let them talk," James finally said softly after a while.

"Go downstairs and prepare for the Wine Party tonight," Glades also said softly.

A brief silence fell, after which James nodded heavily. Passing Glades, he started downstairs. After a few steps, he turned back to Glades and said, "Brother, I will never hurt you or Sister-in-law."

After speaking, he turned and left once more.

Glades had his back to him the whole time and did not respond.

Regardless of whether James might try to break them apart or hurt them, Glades wanted James to accept another woman's love. Only then could James truly move on and find genuine happiness. He didn't want James to live his life in the shadow of his and Julia's happiness.

Inside the room, Adele sat on the bed with her head bowed, avoiding eye contact with Julia, who sat on the edge of the bed beside her.

"Adele." Julia tentatively took her hand. When Adele didn't pull away, Julia breathed a small sigh of relief. She had thought Adele would surely hate and blame her upon returning. "I'm so sorry, Adele. It was my carelessness. If only I'd remembered to lock the car doors, you wouldn't have..."

Hearing this, Adele looked up at Julia, her eyes swollen. Tears streamed down her face like pearls from a broken string. She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to pour out her grievances to Julia. In a hoarse voice, she said, "It's not your fault. It's because I'm a poor judge of character. But I... I never imagined it would turn out like this. When I received Orlando's call, I was genuinely happy. She was my only friend. After everything that happened to her—and my eldest brother was responsible for it all—I felt so sorry for her. When she asked me to meet, I agreed without a second thought. We've been friends for ten years. I was good to her, and she was good to me. She said she liked my eldest brother, and I helped her without hesitation, wholeheartedly wanting her to become my sister-in-law, even if it meant angering him. I thought it was worth it because we were friends. But how could she... how could she do this to me? If she hated me or wanted to scold me, she could have hit me, cursed me. Why did she have to destroy me..."

"Adele..." Julia embraced her shoulders tightly, weeping with her.

Julia understood her feelings at this moment. To be betrayed by the person she trusted most, her best friend—the pain was like having her heart gouged out by a knife.

"I don't even know who that man was..."

Adele turned her head, her tear-filled eyes fixed on Julia as she spoke in agony, "You know, right? I also yearn for love, to be loved. I've always hoped to find a man as good as my eldest brother, to be cherished and pampered by him, so we could live happily together. Now, I've lost the right to that happiness. What am I supposed to do? My body is defiled. Can I still find happiness? What am I going to do? Orlando, why did you do this to me?"

"You're not defiled, Adele, you're not. In our hearts, you'll always be pure. You can still find happiness. You deserve it, more than anyone. You'll definitely find a man as good as your eldest brother," Julia said tenderly, gently wiping away Adele's tears.

She should have told Glades when she first saw Adele with Othiel Evans. Who could have predicted things would escalate so quickly? But then again, even if she had said something, would it have made a difference? Everyone knew Adele's personality; if she was determined to associate with Othiel Evans, who could have stopped her?

"Adele, don't cry. It's all in the past now, all of it. Think of it as a terrible nightmare you accidentally stumbled into. The nightmare is over, and you're still you. Don't cry, don't be sad. It's all over," Julia said urgently, holding Adele tightly.

"Elder Sister-in-law!" Julia's comfort deeply moved Adele. She couldn't help but throw herself into Julia's arms and cry unrestrainedly.

After this ordeal, she finally understood that only her family truly cared for her. This sister-in-law... she had never been willing to accept her wholeheartedly. Yet, when she was in trouble, it was this very sister-in-law who showed her such concern. And the one she had considered her ideal sister-in-law in her heart? She turned out to be the one who harmed her. Heaven's mockery was too cruel.