"Glades, I'm fine, I'm fine," Julia quickly responded in a gentle voice, doing her best to soothe his emotions. She was still here, unharmed.

He began to ask Julia Bluen about the cause and the details of what had happened.

Julia recounted the incident's cause and progression. After finishing, she fell into deep thought before murmuring to herself, "Glades, do you think it could have been Silvia Baxter? But why would she do that? And the way she looked at me always made my skin crawl. If it weren't for Mr. Baxter, and him being one of your biggest clients, I wouldn't want to see her at all."

While holding Julia Bluen, Glades Horne reached for his phone and called Hansen Ruiz.

"Silvia Baxter is the younger daughter of Steven Baxter and is twenty-seven years old. Steven Baxter has no sons, and his daughter, possessing a temperament akin to a man's, has been raised as such since childhood."

Glades Horne had barely connected the call when Hansen Ruiz, as if guessing what Glades wanted to know, shared the information he had gathered about Silvia Baxter.

"When Silvia Baxter was studying abroad, she used to associate with dubious individuals and joined a powerful organization. However, it's impossible to ascertain which one," Hansen Ruiz continued. He added that, aside from being a wealthy heiress, Silvia Baxter was likely involved in underworld activities.

Hansen Ruiz strongly suspected Silvia Baxter was behind the plan to abduct Julia Bluen. Silvia's background and the organization she joined made her audacious enough not to fear Glades Horne.

However, she hadn't anticipated Glades Horne hiring bodyguards skilled in concealment to protect Julia, causing her plan to fail.

As for why she attempted to abduct Julia, Hansen Ruiz speculated it must have been due to Julia's beauty.

Fortunately, his Rachel had a very safe appearance, so he didn't need to worry too much. It seemed, after all, that it was better to marry a wife with less striking looks.

Glades Horne remained silent. After listening to Hansen Ruiz's report, he hung up. His eyes grew darker and colder, his lips pursing tightly.

What Hansen Ruiz had guessed, Glades naturally guessed as well.

Besides Silvia Baxter, who else in T City would dare orchestrate such a plan to abduct Julia Bluen? The city's underworld was managed by Jonathan Allen, who showed immense respect to Glades Horne, even referring to him as his "Big Brother." With Jonathan Allen around, no one from the criminal world would dare touch a single hair on a member of the Horne Family.

Silvia Baxter was not from T City, and the people she hired were likely not locals either.

She was not only audacious but also remarkably composed.

After the incident, she even dared to appear before them, feigning ignorance and innocence.

While Steven Baxter applied his cunning to legitimate business dealings, Silvia Baxter, having associated with such organizations, possessed unfathomable cunning and audacity.

"From now on, you are not to see her again!" Glades Horne held Julia Bluen tighter, his voice low and husky.

He couldn't stand the thought of any man desiring his Julia, let alone a woman.

And Julia tended to lower her guard around women—which was precisely why she had fallen victim today.

"Remember, your company no longer has any connection to the Valence Group. You don't need to give anyone leverage over you for their sake," Glades Horne instructed gravely. "Steven Baxter is a shrewd man; he definitely knows what kind of person his daughter is. I believe he wouldn't offend the Valence Group because of her."

Indeed, Steven Baxter was one of the Valence Group's most important clients. The annual mutual benefits between them were measured in the billions. Businessmen prioritize profit; no one would deliberately offend such an advantageous partner.

"It's because I thought of her as just another woman... Glades, is my appearance too 'unsafe'? Should I get plastic surgery?" Julia Bluen climbed onto Glades Horne, batting her apricot eyes and teasing him.

This girl...

Her playful remark instantly dispelled the heaviness in Glades Horne's heart.

With a swift move, he flipped her onto the bed. Staring deeply into her eyes, he said in a low, husky voice, "As long as I'm here, even if you were as beautiful as Chang'e, the goddess in the moon, I could protect you. So, my Julia, there's no need for you to endure the pain of cosmetic surgery."

Julia smiled faintly. "Thank you, Glades." She had thought he might force her to quit her job and stay home to focus on her pregnancy. She never expected him to hold back and not use this as an excuse to make her stay home.

Glades Horne's eyes flickered. He exhaled softly, then sat up and drew her into his embrace. "Actually," he said, "I truly wish you would stay home and focus on your pregnancy, without working anymore. But I know you wouldn't agree, Julia. I don't want to make you sad or unhappy. I'd rather bear more myself, as long as you're happy."

His life's principle was simple: Love her, pamper her, give her the world!

To say Julia wasn't moved would be a lie.

Standing before him, she readjusted his necktie. Then, Julia made a decision. "After the New Year," she said, "I'll stay home to focus on the pregnancy. As for the company, I'll visit once a week. With so many managers, I'm confident they won't let it fall apart."

Glades Horne didn't speak; he simply pulled her closer into his embrace.

He was thrilled with her decision.

He always knew she was a very understanding wife.