Last time Ruby Bluen ran out to see Marcel Horne, she happened to be caught by Chris Bluen. Ruby lied, and as a result, when Chris called Julia, the matter was exposed. After Ruby returned home, father and daughter had another big fight.

As soon as Chris got out of the car, he saw Ruby hurrying over. His face darkened immediately, and he quickly advanced several steps to stop Ruby, his face full of questioning. He asked sternly, "Ruby, where are you going? You're becoming less and less presentable, running like that. Are you going to see Marcel Horne again? Can't you listen to mom and dad for once? No matter how good Marcel is, he's not right for you. You're not allowed to see him anymore! Dad had Uncle Gong help you find a super good man, as good as Glades, definitely better than Marcel Horne."

"Dad, you're back. Are you tired? Thirsty? I'll help you inside; I'll pour you some water," Ruby didn't answer but rather responded with questions, the look of urgency on her face instantly swept away, as if she wasn't about to run out but was the obedient daughter coming to greet her father.

Chris was not fooled and still firmly held her hand, not allowing her to run away.

A few days ago, he heard from his wife that Sovia Morris had made a scene. If it hadn't been for Glades Horne coincidentally visiting at the same time, who knew to what extent Sovia would have gone? Sovia even cursed at his precious younger daughter, which made him dislike the idea of his eldest daughter marrying into the Horne Family even more.

Yes, he knew that Marcel was a good man, but no matter how good a man is, if his family looks down on his daughter, he wouldn't like that man anymore. Did they think his daughter was unloved, unwanted, free to be insulted as they pleased? He refused to believe that, aside from Marcel, his daughter couldn't marry a good man.

Even if he couldn't find someone better than Marcel, he would rather support his daughter for a lifetime than let her take abuse from Sovia Morris.

As a father, his heart ached too.

"Alright then, Dad really is tired, and thirsty too. Help Dad inside, yeah." Chris looked at Ruby with a smile that was not quite a smile, thinking, Girl, I'm your father. Do you think you can fool me? To be tricked by you once is an accident; to be fooled twice would simply make me a fool.

Ruby then helped Chris towards the house.

Scarlett Taylor stood at the front door, watching the father and daughter nervously. Seeing Ruby's attitude change, she slightly relaxed, thinking her husband still had a tight hold over their daughter.

Seeing that Ruby was indeed helping him into the house, Chris also relaxed, believing Ruby's change was due to fear of him.

As father and daughter walked and talked, after advancing a dozen meters and nearly reaching the door, Scarlett came forward. Only then did Chris release his tight grip on Ruby's hand, stepping forward with a warm smile to stand in front of his wife.

This couple truly loved each other; Chris had never strayed in decades, remaining consistently faithful to Scarlett.

Seeing her parents face to face, Ruby carefully, imperceptibly bent down to slip out of her high heels and then turned around, running desperately toward her car.

"Ruby..."

When Chris and his wife realized she was running away again, Chris turned to chase after her, but given his age, he couldn't catch up to Ruby. After a few steps, he stopped, watching angrily as Ruby got into her car and sped away from the villa.

Sighing heavily, Scarlett walked up to her husband, saying with a sigh, "Chris, our daughter has grown up; she has her own thoughts and persistence. Let's not interfere too much. I believe Marcel will protect her. Sovia Morris, considering Julia, probably won't go too far."

Chris didn't say a word, only staring fixedly at the entrance of the villa, his thoughts unknown.

Ruby pressed hard on the gas pedal, driving fast, fearing her father might chase after her in his car.

She was extremely tense.

If her parents kept obstructing her, her future with Marcel would become even more difficult. Now, just meeting each other was so hard, let alone getting married—would her parents lock her up?

Regardless, she was determined to persevere.

She believed that the sun always shines after the rain.

「Serendipity Cafe.」

Marcel Horne was still in his military uniform. Because it was night, he had more free time. As soon as he was off duty, he went to find Ruby, so he hadn't even changed out of his uniform.

Everyone in the unit knew that he and Ruby Bluen were in a passionate romance, and he had even filed a marriage report. They were deeply understanding about him going out in the evenings.

His leadership had talked to him as well because his father had put pressure on them, hoping they wouldn't agree to his marriage with Ruby Bluen. Fortunately, Chief Qiu was full of integrity. Although he had talked to Marcel, he wasn't swayed by Marcel's father and said that as long as Marcel didn't regret it, the leadership would approve it.

He was truly grateful to his leadership from the bottom of his heart.

And he was truly displeased with his parents' actions.

He was thirty years old. Didn't he have the right to freely choose a wife?

Now that he had his leadership's support, he didn't need to worry about his parents' side. What worried him was the Bluen Family, because if Scarlett Taylor didn't hand over the household registration book, it would be difficult for them to get married.

Two steaming cups of Blue Mountain coffee sat on the table, one in front of him and the other in front of the empty seat across, which he had ordered for Ruby Bluen. He thought, by the time Ruby arrives, the coffee will be just cool enough to drink.

As time ticked by, Ruby Bluen hadn't shown up beyond the time he had anticipated, and his heart began to clench. He took out his phone and dialed Ruby's number.

The call connected, but Ruby Bluen didn't answer, causing his heart to race even more.

Could it be that Ruby's parents were not letting her out to meet him?

A faint sadness swept through Marcel Horne's deep-set eyes. He didn't understand why fate was so cruel to both him and Ruby. After having missed so many years, they had finally opened up to each other with love, only for their parents to jump out in opposition. Now, even a simple meeting had become difficult.

Seeing that Ruby Bluen was not picking up the phone, he hesitated for ten seconds and then dialed the Bluen Family's number.

"Marcel, I'm sorry, I'm late."

The Bluen Family's phone had just connected when Ruby Bluen's voice came through. Marcel Horne quickly hung up and looked up. Ruby Bluen was walking briskly into the cafe, carrying a pair of high heels in her hand. He was puzzled and looked down at her feet—she was in socks but had no shoes on.