Then, she closed her eyes again, her body leaning over and falling into his embrace.

"Julia, we're home," Glades Horne said softly, holding her as she leaned in.

Julia murmured but continued to sleep.

Glades Horne chuckled indulgently, then carried her out of the car. The moment they stepped out, the cold air hit them, making Julia Bluen shiver. She burrowed deeper into Glades Horne's embrace.

She was so drowsy.

"Glades... Cold..." Julia Bluen muttered in her sleep.

Semi-conscious, her hazy eyes barely open, she pointed at the car. "Let's go back in the car."

Glades Horne couldn't help but laugh. He gently poked her red lips. "Julia, we're home. I'll carry you into the house. It's heated inside, so you won't be cold."

"I know."

Julia Bluen suddenly opened her eyes completely, her consciousness seemingly clearer.

「Seaside」

Rebecca Hughes couldn't sleep. She was so upset she couldn't sleep, so she drove alone to the seaside.

What's so wrong with her being a doctor? Her directness was for everyday life; she was quite serious about her work. At least since she became a doctor, she had never made a mistake, and patients had a good impression of her. Why on earth did Uriel Hughes, her older brother, take away her right to work? Why force her to stay at home and cultivate some lady-like aura just so she could get married sooner? Get it straight, big brother, you aren't even married yet! As your younger sister, what's the rush for me?

Before she even reached the shore, she picked up a few small stones from near the beach and hurled them forcefully into the distant sea, venting her frustration.

Little did she know someone was sitting on the beach. Rebecca Hughes hadn't noticed them until she threw the stones. Just as she threw them, the person, for some reason, stood up, and one of the stones happened to hit them on the head.

Oops, trouble again! Rebecca Hughes quickly ran toward the beach, chiding herself. Why would I throw stones for no reason? She was used to being tomboyish and was surprisingly strong. If that person hadn't been in the way, her stone would have definitely reached the sea.

The man, hit on the back of the head by Rebecca Hughes's stone, hadn't expected an ambush. He whirled around sharply and saw Rebecca Hughes hurrying over. His coldly handsome face instantly grew even more somber, his deep eyes flashing with a light much colder than the current air temperature.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it! Huh, why is it you again?" Rebecca Hughes blurted out as she clearly saw the man's face. She couldn't help but chuckle. "I thought I was the only one who couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. Turns out you, Fourth Young Master, are the same. It's quite a coincidence. The last time I ran into you, my shoe hit you, and this time, a stone I threw hit you. Does it hurt?" As Rebecca Hughes spoke, she rummaged through her pockets and this time, pulled out a small bottle of medicine.

"Thankfully, I have some medicine with me this time," Rebecca Hughes muttered to herself. She was acting quite different from when James Horne had seen her the second time. At the hospital, she hadn't spoken much and had seemed rather serious.

Rebecca Hughes uncapped the bottle and handed it to James Horne, smiling. "Pour a little out and apply it where the stone hit. It'll stop hurting soon and won't leave any lingering problems."

James Horne didn't take the medicine she offered, merely staring at her with a chilling gaze. The back of his head throbbed where the stone had struck, though after rubbing it, the pain lessened.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"And why are *you* here?" Rebecca Hughes retorted. Seeing he wasn't taking her medicine, she screwed the cap back on and sat down on the sand, completely unconcerned with her image. She displayed none of the poise expected of a young lady from a wealthy family. No wonder the two young masters of the Hughes Family are so eager to marry her off. Keeping her at home really is a handful.

After sitting down, Rebecca Hughes also took off her black, high-heeled, knee-high boots. In winter, these kinds of boots are the warmest.

James Horne looked down at her actions, his cold eyes largely expressionless.

Neither answered the other's question.

Not only did Rebecca Hughes take off her boots, but she also removed her socks.

James Horne couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. It was the first time he had seen a young lady from a wealthy family take off her shoes and socks in front of him. Usually, the young ladies he encountered meticulously maintained their image, terrified that the slightest misstep would ruin their elegant demeanor.

Rebecca Hughes, however, was completely uninhibited, marching to the beat of her own drum and indifferent to others' opinions. She played with the sand with her bare feet, occasionally grabbing a handful and tossing it into the sea.

James Horne averted his gaze, letting her be.

He turned and walked away, not intending to stay with Rebecca Hughes any longer.

"Fourth Young Master, leaving already?" Rebecca Hughes called out to his retreating figure, tilting her head.

James Horne didn't stop walking, nor did he answer her.

"If I hadn't heard you speak before, I'd really suspect the esteemed Fourth Young Master of the Horne Family was mute," Rebecca Hughes prattled on at his back. "Honestly, talking more doesn't hurt anyone; it only occasionally offends a few people. If everyone were as quiet as you, what would mouths be for? Aren't they for talking and eating?"

James Horne continued on his way, completely ignoring her chatter.

"Fourth Young Master, are you really leaving?" Rebecca Hughes's laughing voice followed him again. "Aren't you worried a girl like me might run into trouble out here alone?"

Afraid of trouble? Yet she dares to come to the beach in the dead of night? James Horne snorted internally.

"Fourth Young Master, before you go, could you do me a favor and get me some water and bread?" she called out. "I plan to sit here until dawn and watch the sunrise over the sea. Although, I heard it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I probably won't see a sunrise."

James Horne couldn't help but quicken his pace toward his car.

His car was parked in a very secluded spot, far from Rebecca Hughes's. No wonder she thought the beach was empty. This Miss Hughes is truly unbearable. Like a wild child. Such a chatterbox, she's almost like Tang Sanzang from 'A Chinese Odyssey.' Whoever can put up with her, he'd personally congratulate them.

Rebecca Hughes saw him quicken his pace and knew he couldn't stand her. She didn't mind, though, just smiled self-deprecatingly before turning back to gaze at the sea.

She knew others found her annoying. But she didn't care. Life is short, just a few decades. There's no need to worry about every little thing. Living each day happily is what matters, so this trip to the mortal world isn't in vain.

Soon, Rebecca Hughes was the only one left on the silent beach.

The sea breeze ruffled her long, waterfall-like hair. It was cold, but she didn't feel it. Of course, she wasn't cold; she was wearing several layers of thick clothing. She stood up and tentatively dipped a foot into the seawater. It was as frigid as ice water. Finding it far too cold, she abandoned the idea, returned to her spot, and put her socks and boots back on. Then, hugging her knees, she rested her chin on them and quietly watched the sea.