As Glades Horne listened to her words, his heart filled with emotion and self-reproach. He had always emphasized his desire to give her a life of peace and happiness. However, ever since she married into the family, his mother had initially disapproved of her due to issues involving Ruby Bluen. If she weren't pregnant now, his mother's opinion of her wouldn't have improved so quickly. Yet, Julia had never resented his mother. Even when busy with work, she still pondered how to make his mother's life less boring. She hadn't found a solution yet, but he knew she was constantly thinking and paying attention. She completely put herself in his position to understand and care for his mother. Because of Orlando Evans, his sister neither acknowledged nor accepted Julia, always speaking to her coldly and even framing her, causing her to be wronged. But in her heart, Julia treated his sister as her own, feigning conflict on the surface while caring for her deeply. As for the old lady, it went without saying. Whenever Julia had time, she would accompany her. Ever since Julia discovered the old lady loved kumquat cakes, he had stopped buying them because Julia had taken over that task. She had always tried so hard, striving to integrate into his complex, large family. Even with Pheobe Rogers, that long-term mistress, Julia treated her with utmost courtesy for the sake of his brother, James Horne, not wanting to inflict further pain on him.

"Julia, it's been hard on you," Glades Horne said, his voice hoarse. His emotions were complex, but he was mostly touched.

"What's so hard about it? I love you, I'm your wife, and your family is my family. Of course, I have to work hard to ensure our family is harmonious," Julia Bluen said with a smile.

"I, Glades Horne, am truly fortunate to have married you," he said softly, his voice growing even hoarser.

Julia Bluen smiled and raised her hand, her delicate hand caressing his handsome face as she said earnestly, "Glades, I love you!"

Grasping her hand, he too spoke with deep affection, repeating words he had said countless times, each utterance deepening his love, "I love you even more!"

「Bluen Family.」

Ruby Bluen and her mother were preparing nourishing tonics to send to Julia Bluen the next day to support her during her pregnancy. Although Scarlett Taylor had instructed Julia to return to her maternal home for meals daily, where she would prepare nourishing soups for her, Julia was now pregnant. As her mother, Scarlett felt she still had to personally deliver some nourishing gifts to the Horne Family. This was a mother's concern and a gesture from the bride's maternal family. If the Bluen Family made no such gesture, the Horne Family might think Julia's maternal family was all talk and no action.

So, during the day, Scarlett Taylor had taken Ruby Bluen shopping for the entire day. Besides purchasing a large quantity of nourishing tonics, she also prepared various essential items for expectant mothers and infants.

"Julia is pregnant now. Ruby, if you can find a good man to marry, and your brother marries a good wife, then my heart will finally be at ease," Scarlett Taylor said while preparing a pregnancy gift for her younger daughter, not forgetting to worry about the happiness of her other two children.

"Mom, Marcel is a very good man. I'll be just as happy as Julia if I marry him," Ruby Bluen said, packing toys into a large bag. She seized the opportunity, while her mother was in a good mood, to once again plead her case for herself and Marcel.

Marcel's marriage application had been submitted, but it hadn't completed all the procedures and wasn't approved yet. Sovia Morris had also said that even if Marcel Horne's marriage application were approved, they still couldn't get married if her mother didn't hand over the household registration book. Unless she secretly went to her mother's room to steal the household registration book.

Scarlett Taylor's hands stiffened. She turned her head to look at Ruby Bluen and asked, displeased, "Ruby, besides Marcel, can't you consider other men? Marcel is good, but his mother detests you and considers you a girl who toys with men's affections. Ruby, Mom doesn't want you to marry into that family and suffer her ill-treatment. Marcel can't compare to Glades. Glades is very dominant and the head of Valence Group; he's the true leader of the Horne Family. Marcel, however, is a soldier and spends long periods at the military base. Even if he loves you very much and protects you, can he be by your side every day? Can you handle Sovia Morris's sharp tongue? Ruby, listen to Mom, break up with Marcel."

"Mom…" Ruby Bluen was about to reason with her mother when her cell phone suddenly rang. She quickly pulled it out and saw it was a call from Marcel Horne. She immediately stopped what she was doing and answered. However, with her mother nearby, she avoided saying Marcel's name, not wanting her mother to know it was him calling.

"Ruby, I'm waiting for you at Serendipity Cafe. It's Saturday, and I have the evening free to spend with you," came Marcel Horne's warm, deep voice, making Ruby Bluen's heart flutter with joy. A smile spread across her face as she eagerly replied, "Okay, I'll head out immediately. Wait for me there."

After hanging up, she turned to Scarlett Taylor and said, "Mom, something came up, I need to go out. I'll probably be back late tonight. If Dad asks about me when he gets home, just tell him I went to see Julia. The Horne Family is hosting a Wine Party tonight, aren't they? Say I went to attend that." Without waiting for Scarlett Taylor's consent, she grabbed her car keys and bag and rushed out, as if afraid her mother would stop her.

The Horne Family was indeed hosting a Wine Party—a matchmaking event—but no one from the Bluen Family was attending. Ruby Bluen's heart belonged to Marcel, and with Julia already married to Glades, the Bluen Family had no third daughter to send.

Ruby Bluen was merely looking for an excuse for her mother to use to deceive her father.

Her mother was somewhat turning a blind eye to her relationship with Marcel Horne, being more lenient than her father. Her father was stricter and disapproved of her going out to meet Marcel. If he found out she was now rushing off to date Marcel Horne, he would be absolutely furious.

It wasn't easy for Marcel Horne to get away. Their time together was precious; every second counted. Even if it was just for one meeting, she had to go.

"You're going to see Marcel, aren't you?" Scarlett Taylor stood up immediately, intending to stop her. Fortunately, Ruby Bluen was quick, and Scarlett could only chase after her. Hearing her mother's question, Ruby Bluen didn't deny it, merely pleading, "Mom, if you don't want Dad to glare at me and scold me again, please keep this a secret for me, okay?"

"Ruby… Your dad is back!" Scarlett Taylor reached the entrance of the Main House just as she saw Chris Bluen's car drive in. She stopped and called out to Ruby Bluen.