She had her convictions, but she was also willing to change them when the situation called for it, not persisting in stubbornness. She wouldn't lose herself in his doting, and he was very satisfied with that.

Silvia Baxter was a prime suspect. However, since the kidnappers had all died and no leads could be found regarding the traffic accident, she ultimately left T City safely. Without any stain on her reputation, she temporarily returned to the Baxter family.

James Horne was in charge of the investigation and didn't take it lightly. Even if he couldn't uncover the truth immediately, he was determined to complete the task his elder brother had entrusted to him, even if it took his whole life. Because his concern for Julia was no less than that of his elder brother.

The incident seemed to have passed, but in reality, it lingered in everyone's hearts—an inescapable shadow. The potential threat had only temporarily subsided, not truly disappeared. The powerful mastermind behind the scenes was like a bomb, ready to resurface and explode at any moment, and no one knew when.

Glades Horne's care for Julia Bluen, his love and indulgence for her, grew day by day.

Ever since the incident, Wade Coleman had been fired. Julia pleaded that it wasn't his fault, but Glades Horne coldly dismissed him nonetheless. Glades had trusted Wade immensely, entrusting his wife and unborn baby to his protection, yet such a disaster had occurred. Not blackballing Wade from the security industry was already an act of mercy on Glades' part.

Wade had been with Glades Horne for some time and knew the young master's personality very well, as well as how much importance he placed on the young mistress. Thus, Wade held no grudge over his dismissal.

After Wade's dismissal, Glades Horne began selecting new bodyguards to replace him.

Glades Horne had insisted on driving Julia Bluen to and from work himself, but Julia refused. Accustomed to prioritizing his wife's happiness, Glades felt utterly helpless. He eventually had his covert bodyguards reveal themselves. They were now responsible for escorting Julia, with four of them accompanying her wherever she went. From then on, the young mistress of T City's foremost prominent family became the most valuable and high-profile lady in the city.

「Before they knew it, the year was drawing to a close.」

The approach of year-end also signified that the joyous day for two couples was near. The big day for Hansen Ruiz and Rachel Bailey, and Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen, was set for December 20th of the lunar calendar.

Fate brings people together from thousands of miles away; without fate, acquaintances remain strangers. Both couples had deep connections with Julia, as though fate had intertwined them through her acquaintance.

Julia was the happiest; one bride was her own sister, and the other was her best friend. She was family to both the grooms' and brides' sides. One moment she would rush to the Bluen Family to check if her sister's makeup was done. The next, she'd be back at the Horne Family to see if Marcel was all right, especially since he would be getting married in a wheelchair.

She was three months pregnant. Fortunately, it was winter and she wore thick clothes, so her slight baby bump wasn't noticeable. Her constant rushing back and forth, however, was frustrating her dear husband, Glades Horne, to no end.

"Oh, how could I forget about Rachel? I need to go to the Emperor Hotel to see how her makeup is coming along." Suddenly, Julia Bluen blurted out something else. Glades Horne, who was closely following and carefully guarding her and their baby, felt his handsome face fall in frustration. Please, my dear wife, can't you rest for a moment?

The Bailey family lived far from the city center, so they all came to the City District and checked into the Emperor Hotel. Rachel would depart from the Emperor Hotel for her wedding. Coming from a rural background, it surprised many that her family could afford the Emperor Hotel. However, considering Hansen Ruiz's wealth, people assumed the bride price given to the Bailey family must have been substantial.

No one knew that the Bailey family had transferred Hansen Ruiz's entire bride price into Rachel's name, keeping not a penny for themselves. Their stay at the Emperor Hotel was entirely at their own expense.

"Glades, take me to the Emperor Hotel to see how Rachel is doing. I'm really worried about her. You know how much Hansen's mother disapproves of their marriage. I wonder if Mrs. Ruiz will come to stir up trouble," Julia said, pulling Glades out of the Horne Family's Main House and heading outside.

"Julia, Julia," Mila Anderson and the grandmother called after her with concern.

Sitting in his wheelchair and dressed in a white suit, Marcel Horne couldn't hide his joyful smile. He watched his sister-in-law, who was also his bride's sister, bustling about more than anyone else. James Horne, who was pushing Marcel's wheelchair, felt a pang of concern similar to Glades', but no one noticed it in his eyes.

"Julia, don't run around anymore, think of the baby!" Mila chased after her, grabbing Julia's arm to dissuade her.

Caught up in the excitement, Julia had forgotten that she was pregnant. It was only when she heard her mother-in-law's admonition that she suddenly remembered the little one in her belly. And indeed, after rushing to and fro, she genuinely felt tired. But…