"Your words are getting sweeter and sweeter," Julia said, a flirtatious twinkle in her eye, exuding charm with every glance.

"Only for you," Glades said. As he spoke, he was already leaning over Julia.

"Be careful with the baby."

"Mm, I need to communicate with our daughter first. In the future, Mommy will still be all Daddy's," he said assertively, unwilling to share even a tiny bit of his wife, not even with their own baby girl.

"Aren't you the one who loves babies the most? People say that once women have children, they start neglecting their husbands..."

He said commandingly, "I forbid it!"

Forbid it? Forbid what?

Julia, momentarily dizzy from his commanding and urgent warning, couldn't immediately grasp his meaning. She asked naively, "Forbid what?"

"You're forbidden from neglecting me! No matter what, I must always be first—in your heart and in your eyes!" Glades growled. He was terrified that his beloved wife would neglect him for someone else—even if that someone was the baby they both cherished and eagerly awaited.

HEE HEE...

A laugh like tinkling bells escaped Julia's lips.

"I've never seen a man as domineering as you, getting jealous over your own child. Aren't you afraid of turning sour from it all?"

"I happen to like being sour," he retorted.

"One of these days, I'll prepare a grand feast of pickled dishes for you, until you're thoroughly soured..."

As the night deepened, so did their affection.

「The rooftop.」

James Horne was sitting beside the swimming pool, staring into the inky sky. His lips were pursed, his expression a mixture of desolation and melancholy.

The sound of familiar, steady footsteps behind him instantly dispelled his desolation and loneliness. He turned his head toward the sound, an instinctive smile appearing on his handsome face as he called out, "Big Brother, you're not asleep yet?"

Glades Horne said nothing, his handsome face impassive as he sat down beside James.

"Big Brother, would you like something to drink?" James asked, still smiling.

Glades pursed his lips, tilting his head. His dark eyes scanned James's face, which bore a striking resemblance to his own. His gaze was impenetrable, his lips pressed into a thin line. The chilling aura he naturally exuded made James inwardly shiver. Had he done something wrong? He carefully searched his memory. His most audacious act had been at the Church, where he had stolen a few extra glances at Julia.

"You reek of alcohol, and you still want to drink?" Glades asked, his lips curving slightly, his cold voice carrying clearly.

"I..." James didn't know what to say.

"How are things with Rebecca Hughes?"

Rebecca Hughes? Who's that?

Hearing his big brother's question, it took James a moment to recall who Rebecca Hughes was. When he finally remembered, he hastily explained, "Big Brother, I'm not interested in her. Please don't try to play matchmaker."

Glades pressed his lips together even more tightly. His eyes turned darker, deeper, his gaze piercing James like two sharp swords, sending a chill to his very core.

"So, you're interested in Julia. That means you're interested in your big brother's wife, correct, James? You should know that you can't hide anything from your big brother. You're surrounded by people, yet only Rebecca Hughes seems to have caught your attention more than a few times. That girl might be a bit of a tomboy, but she's straightforward. James, I will always be your big brother, and Julia will always be your sister-in-law. You figure it out. I don't want Mom coming to our home every day to cause a scene, complaining that we don't care about your future."

"Big Brother..."

James exclaimed in alarm, his eyes resolute. "Big Brother, rest assured. Starting tomorrow, I'll make sure Mom doesn't come to our home to cause trouble anymore."

He said "our home"; in his heart, only a home that included his big brother was truly his home.

Glades said nothing, merely gave him another profound look before standing up and walking toward the stairs. After taking a few steps, he paused. Without turning back, he said coolly, "If you want the family inheritance, I can give it to you."

"No! Big Brother, I don't want it! I'm very satisfied with my own finances. I don't want any family inheritance!" James exclaimed, jumping to his feet in panic and hurriedly trying to explain.

If he had wanted the Horne family inheritance, he wouldn't have refused Glades's financial support when he started his own business, choosing instead to build it from scratch.

He had known since childhood that his big brother was exceptionally talented and formidable. To be worthy of being his big brother's brother, he had always strived to be just as outstanding and strong.

This was also why he had repeatedly resisted his mother's provocations, unwilling to become his big brother's adversary.

"James, I'm speaking from the heart. I hope you can find true happiness." At his brother's alarm, a flicker of emotion crossed Glades's eyes. Leaving only that sentence behind, he then disappeared from James's sight.

When he came down from the rooftop, he saw Julia Bluen leaning gently against the stairwell railing, apparently waiting for him.

Seeing him, Julia smiled softly. He quickly walked over and scooped her into his arms. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and chided softly in his ear, "I really don't like it when my dear husband isn't beside me in the middle of the night. As for James... don't push him too hard. Let nature take its course."

"Okay," he agreed without a second thought.