The other party's gaze was entirely that of someone seeing Julia Bluen as prey.

He detested anyone looking at his wife with a hunter's eyes, regardless of their gender. No one was allowed to harbor the slightest designs on his wife; otherwise, he would be exceedingly inhospitable.

"Haha, Mr. Horne, Mrs. Horne, look at me. I got so caught up in talking that I forgot to introduce you. This is my youngest daughter, Silvia Baxter. She has just returned from studying abroad and is now learning the ropes of business by my side. I plan to train her to become my successor," Steven Baxter finally said with a smile, introducing his daughter to Glades Horne. A teasing glint was apparent in his eyes as he did so.

He had long heard that Glades Horne was incredibly fond of his wife and extremely possessive of her, not tolerating anyone, man or woman, so much as touching a hair on her head. Therefore, he deliberately didn't introduce his daughter, who was dressed in a masculine style, first. Instead, he let her stare at Julia Bluen, intending to make Glades Horne jealous.

"Mr. Horne, Mrs. Horne, hello." Silvia Baxter rose elegantly and extended her right hand toward Glades Horne, expecting a handshake. However, Glades Horne ignored her completely. Instead, he leisurely picked up the glass of red wine Silvia had poured for Julia Bluen and began to drink it.

He couldn't be bothered to shake hands with a woman who kept staring at his wife.

Not chopping off her hand was already him being polite.

Silvia Baxter wasn't angry or embarrassed. She turned to Julia Bluen. Then, Glades Horne caught from the corner of his eye that Silvia's gaze changed. It became exceptionally gentle, carrying an unusual spark as she smiled at Julia Bluen. Her extended right hand merely switched its target and did not retract.

"Mrs. Horne, hello."

When Julia Bluen received Silvia Baxter's scorching gaze—like that of a man looking at a woman—she felt a little uneasy. Nevertheless, she stood up just as elegantly and extended her right hand for a handshake. She smiled faintly and said, "Miss Baxter, you have a rather masculine demeanor. You're surely destined to be an extraordinary woman who commands great influence in the future."

Silvia Baxter's hand was slightly larger than Julia's. While both were women, some women's hands are naturally not delicate and slender; they might be larger than average for a woman, yet smaller than a man's. Silvia Baxter's hand was like that. As she grasped Julia Bluen's hand, her eyes lit up again. What a delicate, soft little hand! she sighed to herself.

She held on, reluctant to let go.

When she heard what Julia Bluen had said, she blurted out, "It's a pity you're not by my side."

"Wade Coleman!"

Hearing Silvia Baxter's remark, Glades Horne could no longer contain himself and called out in a low, deep voice.

Wade Coleman and another bodyguard, who were stationed outside the private room, quickly pushed the door open and asked respectfully, "Young Master, what is it?"

"Throw her out!"

Glades Horne glared at the woman still holding his beloved wife's delicate hand and instructed coldly. Then, he acted first, forcefully slapping Silvia Baxter's presumptuous hand away. He then pulled Julia Bluen's hand back, enveloping it in his own large palm.

"Mr. Horne..."

Steven Baxter was somewhat taken aback. Now I've really angered Mr. Horne.

"Mr. Horne, be a little more courteous... OUCH! That hurts!" Silvia Baxter cried out softly. But in the blink of an eye, Wade Coleman and the other bodyguard unceremoniously grabbed her, lifted her up, and threw her out of the private room.

Steven Baxter and the secretaries from both sides stared, their eyes wide with disbelief.

With the "female predator" finally thrown out, Glades Horne's mood improved significantly. He ordered Secretary Yang to continue.

"Mr. Horne, my daughter, she..."

"Mr. Baxter, let's discuss our business," Glades Horne cut him off with a cold statement. Steven Baxter could only chuckle awkwardly and offer a few more words of apology for Silvia Baxter.

Silvia Baxter, having been thrown out, stood outside the door as Wade Coleman and the other bodyguard returned to their posts guarding it. She felt disgruntled. However, the memory of that delicate, soft hand she had just held made all her dissatisfaction evaporate. It seems coming with Dad wasn't a waste of time after all, she thought.

"Glades..." Julia Bluen started to feel a little embarrassed. Her husband was always so domineering whenever it involved her, regardless of the occasion or the status of others, readily causing a scene. "How can we continue our discussion with Mr. Baxter like this?" she whispered. "Have Wade Coleman let Miss Baxter back in. A glance or two won't cause any harm."

Glades Horne pursed his lips and remained silent. His gaze deepened, and the chilly aura emanating from him grew more intense.

"Mrs. Horne, it's quite alright. My daughter needed to learn a lesson anyway," Steven Baxter said, not sounding upset. He was actually implying that Julia Bluen shouldn't plead for his daughter.

If her own father doesn't care, why should I get worked up about it!

Julia Bluen grumbled inwardly. She was well aware that she, too, intensely disliked the way Silvia Baxter had looked at her and held her hand. However, this was a business social occasion she was attending with her husband. As the wife from a prominent family, she had to outwardly display the magnanimity expected of her station.

If she weren't concerned about Glades Horne's reputation, her true personality would have compelled her to throw Silvia Baxter out as well.

Next, the discussion shifted to the official business of the contract renewal.

「It was evening again.」

Adele Horne hadn't gone to work that afternoon. She was resting at home, following the strict orders of her dear sister-in-law.

Mila Anderson seemed to have accepted Adele's decision to become an unmarried mother. After Adele's brother and sister-in-law had left, Mila no longer pressured her to have an abortion.

The Old Madam felt a mixture of joy and worry.

Her joy stemmed from the fact that Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen had finally registered their marriage that afternoon, becoming a legally wedded couple. The wedding would proceed as planned.