Although the Valence Group was inherited by the eldest son, each of the three young masters had their own companies and were influential figures. This was especially true for the third and fifth sons, who also held the status of being children of high-ranking officials. The fourth son, an illegitimate child, also had his own company. Marrying any one of them would be a marriage into a powerful family.

In the room, Julia Bluen gently pushed Adele Horne away. Adele had been crying in her embrace for a long time, and her unrestrained tears had nearly overwhelmed Julia. Almost an entire box of tissues had been used to wipe them away.

"Adele, stop crying," Julia soothed softly. Her slender fingers gently brushed the hair stuck to Adele's face and then straightened the collar Adele had pulled up. Julia's heart ached again. To her surprise, she noticed a men's necklace. Initially, she hadn't paid attention because Adele usually wore necklaces. Then she remembered Adele's jewelry had been confiscated. Thinking it was a gift from Othiel Evans, she angrily snatched the necklace from Adele's neck and exclaimed, "Why are you still wearing that pervert's necklace!"

A necklace?

Only then did Adele notice that, at some point, a men's necklace had been put around her neck. Since regaining consciousness, she had been in a state of shock and sadness, completely unaware she was wearing a necklace.

"Is it from that bastard Othiel Evans?" Julia assumed it was a 'love token' he had given Adele.

"He's never given me anything like this." Adele took off the necklace. She recognized at a glance that it was Cartier, a brand synonymous with expensive jewelry—something not just anyone with money could afford. When the two of them saw a pendant in the shape of the Chinese character for 'Black' hanging from the middle of the necklace, they exchanged a look.

This was left by the man who took Adele's innocence!

The same thought flashed through both women's minds.

In the next instant, Adele threw the necklace forcefully to the side.

However, Julia stepped forward and picked it up. The character for 'Black' must be the man's surname, she thought. With his surname, the investigation might be much easier.

Julia also pondered another issue.

The man apparently didn't know Adele's identity, but he must have felt something for her; otherwise, he wouldn't have left this necklace. It was likely a symbol of his own identity. But he vanished. Did he leave this necklace for Adele, intending to come back and find her later?

"Julia, throw it away—I don't want to see it!" Adele screamed hoarsely when she saw Julia pick up the necklace. The tears that had just stopped began to pour out again.

Once again, the blurry scenes flashed through her mind.

How dare he take my innocence when I was drugged? Did he think leaving a necklace was compensation?

Julia sat back on the edge of the bed, gently comforting Adele. "Adele, this is a token left by that man; we can't throw it away. With this, your brother will be able to find him," she said reassuringly.

"What good will it do to find him?" Adele yelled tearfully at Julia.

She was now like a startled bird; just thinking about the incident made her whole body tremble with unbearable pain. She wanted to act strong—she rarely cried—but she couldn't. She felt like a victim of a sudden, violent attack, terrified to face reality and the future.

She was already scarred in her soul.

Even if they found that man, could this shadow be erased? Could her innocence be restored? It would only bring her more shame.

She didn't want to face it anymore; she just wanted to escape it.

"Adele," Julia said sorrowfully, once again pulling her into her embrace. Adele's body, trembling uncontrollably with anguish, felt like a frightened little rabbit in her arms.

Julia tenderly patted her back, comforting her ceaselessly. She didn't want to discuss it further with Adele; it would only be like rubbing salt in her wounds.

After crying for a while longer, Adele gradually calmed down.

"Julia, I'm fine now. Go be with Glades. Isn't there a wine party today?"

"But..." Julia looked worriedly at Adele, who had calmed down, afraid she might do something desperate.

"I'm fine, I just want to be alone for a bit. And don't blame yourself too much; it wasn't your fault. Besides, you're pregnant," Adele reassured Julia. She stood up and led Julia towards the door. As she ushered Julia out, she deftly took the men's necklace back from Julia's hand.

"Adele..."

Julia wanted to say more, but Adele had already closed the door.

After ushering Julia out of the room, Adele leaned her whole body against the door and slid down to sit on the floor. She stared intently at the pendant with the character for 'Black' on the men's necklace in her hand.

Tears streamed down her face, but in her heart, she silently vowed: Damn you! One day, I, Adele Horne, will hunt you down!

After offering a few more words of comfort and reassurance through the door, Julia had no choice but to go downstairs.

The wine party downstairs was in full swing, filled with men in formal suits and women—elegant ladies and young socialites—in beautiful evening gowns.

Remembering she hadn't changed her clothes yet, Julia first returned to her own room to change into a fresh outfit before going downstairs to find Glades Horne.

As the wife of the eldest son of the Horne Family and the second daughter of the Bluen Family, she was cherished by both her own family and her in-laws. Her happiness and prestige were the envy of all women in T City.

Glades doted on his wife so excessively that if anyone dared to harm a single hair on his beloved's head, their entire family would suffer misfortune—this was a well-established fact.

The women who were jealous of Julia knew this. So, when she appeared, they could only offer flattery and try to curry favor, daring not to show even a hint of their jealousy.

James Horne was the guest of honor at tonight's wine party.