Even if Glades Horne didn't take action, she wouldn't let Lily Garcia take any advantage of her.

Did Lily Garcia really think Julia Bluen was easy to bully? If Lily truly angered her, Julia would ensure Lily was the one humiliated!

"What shame does such a person have to fear? I've already let her off lightly by not throwing her into the Pacific Ocean," Glades Horne snorted coldly. What he couldn't stand most now was anyone trying to get between him and Julia Bluen. Just one Orlando Evans had caused so much trouble; if another mistress came along and harmed Julia, he would kill.

"You're hosting this Wine Party, why did you hide away on the top floor?" Julia Bluen left his embrace, loosened her hold on his hand, then raised hers to gently straighten his clothes. She smiled and complained, "You, you're just too handsome; it's practically a flaw by nature! And you're so outstanding too. It's like all the best qualities a man could have are concentrated in you. It's really no wonder they're tempted. In the past, when I saw you with my sister, I was envious too." Julia stopped speaking, a blush spreading across her face.

She was afraid that if she continued, Glades Horne might think that she had secretly fallen in love with him long ago. She used to admire her sister for having such a good boyfriend, but she never thought about snatching Glades Horne away. She regarded Glades Horne as an elder brother figure until their relationship suddenly changed. It shifted from that of a prospective brother-in-law and younger sister-in-law to husband and wife. As Glades Horne showered her with more care and attention, she slowly came to terms with reality. It was truly during their honeymoon that her heart was stirred, and she fell deeply in love with him.

Later, Glades Horne told her in person that he had always loved her; he just hadn't seen through his own feelings. So, she invested herself even more deeply into their relationship.

Hearing her words, Glades Horne's eyes lit up. The fury from his sister's accident, the ruthlessness shown when dealing with the mistress—all unpleasant emotions vanished in an instant. He smirked mischievously, stretched out his hand, and brought Julia Bluen back into his embrace, his gaze burning intensely at her. The flames dancing in his eyes seemed to set Julia entirely aflame. "Darling, I love hearing that. Turns out you've had your eyes on me for a long time."

He really did think of it that way.

Julia Bluen, her face flushed, pried his large hands off her, saying, "That's not true. I was just envious, nothing more. I didn't fall in love. Don't flatter yourself; I've been looking at your face for over twenty years now. I don't get infatuated like others do at first sight. But..."

She deliberately paused, leaving Glades Horne in suspense.

"But what?" Glades Horne asked with an indulgent smile.

"In my heart, you have always been the best man. Marrying you, I feel it's a blessing I earned from a past life. I'm very happy, very content, very reassured. Waking up each day and seeing you makes me feel as though I could face the sky falling down without a worry."

"Silly girl, if the sky falls, I'll be there to hold it up for you. Do you know why I'm so tall? It's so that when the sky falls, I can hold it up for you. With me here, I can't bear to let any accident befall you," Glades Horne tenderly rubbed her short hair, noticing it seemed to have grown a bit, yet she hadn't mentioned wanting to trim it.

"Darling, your hair has gotten a bit longer." Glades Horne tried twirling a strand of her hair around his finger; it could now wind around a few times. If she didn't trim it, it could grow long. She had long hair as a child but had sported a unisex short cut ever since. He really wanted her to grow her hair long again, specifically for him.

"Didn't you want me to grow my hair out?" Julia Bluen looked up at him with a teasing smile. Catching the fleeting joy in Glades Horne's eyes, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. It seemed her own efforts were still too little compared to his; she was merely willing to grow her hair long for him this one time, and he was already ecstatic. In the future, she resolved to love him twice as much, ensuring their love for each other was truly equal. "However, if we have children, long hair might get pulled by them."

"I'll hire a nanny. How could I bear to let our child tug at your hair? Especially since it's being grown for me," Glades Horne said lovingly and possessively.

Julia Bluen laughed and once again wrapped her arms tightly around his sturdy waist.

The couple stood atop the roof, the cold night breeze brushing against them. Though the air was chilly, their hearts were filled with love, making every moment feel as warm as spring.

After enjoying a moment of peaceful beauty, Julia Bluen remembered the men's necklace Adele Horne wore and mentioned it to Glades Horne.

Upon hearing Julia Bluen's words, Glades Horne's brows furrowed slightly. His eyes darkened in an instant, a sharp, cold glint passing through them. The hand holding Julia Bluen tightened noticeably, revealing that Adele Horne's situation also caused him immense sadness and pain.

"I will root him out! No one can bully a sister of Glades Horne!"

No matter how powerful the other party's background or influential their status, he would seek justice for his sister.

"Adele... I'm really worried about her."

"Tomorrow is still a day off. You should spend more time with her. She needs company and guidance most right now," Glades Horne said in a husky voice.

"I will. That's my responsibility."

Regarding Adele Horne, Julia still felt a sense of self-blame.

"You're not allowed to blame yourself anymore. Adele is already feeling bad enough. If you keep blaming yourself, she'll feel even worse. It's not your fault; it's understandable," Glades Horne emphasized, his voice laced with concern. Julia stayed silent.

After a good while, she sighed softly. "Even if I don't blame myself, I will do my utmost to take care of Adele, to comfort and guide her. Because I'm her elder sister-in-law, and an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I want to live up to that, whether she truly accepts me now or not. I believe that if I put in the effort, she will surely be touched and reciprocate."

It was just as her parents had earnestly taught her before she married: people aren't unfeeling like plants; they all have emotions. If you treat others well, they will treat you well in return. Even if, at first, your warmth is met with a cold shoulder, genuine sincerity over time will surely warm the coldest of hearts.