He rubbed his nose, touched his mouth, and scratched his head. Simon Ruiz turned, walked back to the sofa, and threw himself into it with a sheepish grin. "Big Bro, I know when to leave. I won't be a third wheel."

He poured himself another glass of red wine and leisurely sipped it, his expression shifting to one of amusement. He was curious to see what kind of expression his mother would have once she learned that his Big Bro had gotten married. Of course, he would also be on the receiving end of a harsh scolding from her.

In fact, he too harbored a rebellious spirit and thought about resisting his mother's authoritarian ways. However, his capabilities were not as great as his older brother's, and since he couldn't break away from the Ruiz Family, he had always endured it. This was apparent from the fact that he dared to help his Big Bro steal their household registration book.

「Emperor hotel.」

In a luxurious and elegant private room, Glades Horne, dressed in a black suit, sat composedly and handsomely before the sofa set. The Secretary was to his right, explaining something from a folder to Steven Baxter, a man in his sixties, who sat opposite Glades. Julia Bluen was also in a black women's suit. The attire downplayed some of her feminine charm, lending her an air of greater competence.

She was there to accompany Glades on this social engagement.

Since the weather was cold and she didn't want to wear a dress, she chose to wear a suit too. It just so happened to match her man's outfit.

It had been three months since Julia Bluen's status changed from Glades Horne's prospective sister-in-law to his prospective wife, and she had already adapted to the identity of Mrs. Horne. The truth about the sisters marrying differently was also known to the outside world. However, she had never taken the initiative to accompany Glades on these social affairs, except for once when Glades dragged her along to meet Mr. Smith, one of Valence Group's top clients.

One primary reason Julia didn't usually accompany Glades was that he rarely attended such engagements himself. But what he did with the rest of his time every day, apart from being clingy with her, was a mystery.

In the afternoon, Glades mentioned that Steven Baxter, another major client of Valence Group, had invited him to the Emperor hotel for a meeting to discuss their contract renewal. Steven Baxter was not from T City but a wealthy man from another city, though he had deep ties with Valence Group; their collaboration dated back to Gian Horne's generation.

With Steven Baxter himself coming to discuss the renewal, Glades Horne, as CEO, had to attend personally.

Steven Baxter knew that Glades Horne was married. He had called Glades in advance, requesting that he bring Julia along. Glades was normally fiercely protective of his wife, so much so that another man merely glancing at her felt like his own flesh being cut. Yet, he surprisingly agreed without hesitation.

Steven Baxter was not like ordinary CEOs; he didn't have a bulging beer belly. Though over sixty, he remained fit. He also lacked the typical aloofness of other executives who often seemed unapproachable and rarely smiled. Instead, he was amiable and could chat freely with anyone.

He had also brought a secretary and another young man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties. This young man had very fair skin; Julia's complexion was considered fair, but she seemed less so in comparison. He was handsome, yet his attractiveness differed from Glades's. Glades possessed a rugged charm and a potent masculine aura, making him irresistible to women who would go to great lengths to capture his attention. In contrast, the young man's handsome features exuded a softer, almost androgynous quality. It leaned more towards the feminine, often leading people to mistake him for a woman.

He had a pair of sharp, jet-black eyes. From the moment Julia, arm in arm with Glades, entered the private room, this young man had been staring intently at her.

Glades tolerated it at first, as the man was a guest brought by an important client. However, as the other man continued to stare fixedly at his wife, Glades's jealousy flared. His handsome face, once bright, darkened to a stormy gloom. His piercing eyes glared at the man, as if he wanted to gouge those eyes out. If not for Steven Baxter, he would have already thrown the offensive guest out.

Absolutely outrageous! Daring to stare at *his* wife like that—Glades Horne's wife!

"Drink."

The young man seemed uninterested in the Secretary's explanation of the contract renewal; after all, their party also had a secretary. Instead, he poured Julia a glass of red wine, presenting it with a teasing, flirtatious smile. "Woman, red wine is best for you."

Damn it, courting his wife right in front of him!

Glades's handsome face grew even more sullen. Steven Baxter looked at him, somewhat astonished, and asked with apparent puzzlement, "CEO Horne, what's wrong?" Though his words conveyed inquiry, his eyes twinkled with mischievous amusement.

Glades didn't reply, merely continuing to glare coldly at the young man.

Julia pushed the glass of red wine towards Glades and then offered the young man a light smile. "I'm sorry, I'm pregnant and can't drink alcohol."

Upon hearing Julia reveal her pregnancy, the young man's eyes flickered with an unreadable expression before smiling. "Congratulations, Mrs. Horne."

Julia smiled back in thanks.

Suddenly, strong arms encircled her, pulling her into that all-too-familiar embrace, thick with possessiveness and the pungent scent of jealousy. Glades whispered a stern warning in her ear, "Don't you dare smile at him! Damn it, I want to throw him out!"

Julia let out a soft chuckle. She playfully pinched the back of Glades's hand and whispered teasingly into his ear, "Glades, why are you getting so worked up over nothing? Take a closer look; that's a girl."

Glades raised an eyebrow. A girl?

He quickly looked at the young man again and, this time, noticed the absence of an Adam's apple.

He'd been so consumed with jealousy at seeing someone stare so intently at his wife that it had blinded him to the fact that the person was a girl. But even if she was a girl, she had no right to stare at his wife like that!