James Horne hurried downstairs, intent on explaining to his elder brother. He didn't want the family fortune, nor did he want Rebecca Hughes. Yes, he loved Julia, and he loved his brother. However, his once-improper feelings for his brother had gradually transformed into deep respect, while only his love for Julia remained undiminished. He knew he shouldn't continue to love her, but matters of the heart weren't as simple as choosing to love or not.

His love for his brother and sister-in-law had persisted for so many years. Even if he forced himself to let go, he wouldn't be able to do so quickly, not to mention...

He had only walked a few steps when he saw his elder brother affectionately and tenderly lift Julia Bluen into his arms and walk away. Instantly, his legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead, and his gaze dimmed.

Only when that affectionate, picture-perfect couple disappeared from his sight did he suddenly return to his senses.

Turning around, he went back to the poolside. The pool water still shimmered with an emerald glow in the cold winter night. It never snowed or froze here, so the pool water always remained a vibrant green.

The turmoil and pain in James's heart were almost unbearable. It felt as if millions of ants were gnawing at it.

With a sudden leap, he plunged, fully clothed, into the swimming pool.

The icy water struck him like a barrage of knives and swords, instantly overwhelming him. He shivered violently from the cold, his teeth clenched tight.

The shock of the icy water also jolted him back to reality.

Looking up again at the black sky, it was always so vast, yet he felt as if no part of it belonged to him.

Julia...

Rebecca Hughes?

His elder brother's words echoed in his mind. How is Rebecca Hughes?

Unconsciously, his hand reached up to his head, which had been struck twice by the woman named Rebecca Hughes.

That woman, aside from a personality that was a bit hard to take, was actually quite alright.

He had given her a second glance. On their third meeting at the beach, he had even fulfilled her request. He must have been crazy, as if possessed, to run to a 24-hour store in the middle of the night to buy her water and bread.

But he felt no love for her in his heart.

If he could easily fall in love with a woman, he wouldn't be soaking in the swimming pool right now.

He sighed heavily. Thinking of his second brother's wedding day, he climbed out of the pool.

When would his own wedding day come?

In a few more days, it would be the New Year. After the New Year, he would turn twenty-nine, beginning his approach to thirty. He was getting old.

A frigid wind blew, and James immediately sneezed.

Collecting his chaotic thoughts, his handsome face resumed its usual impassivity as he took steady steps away from the rooftop and returned to his room.

「The next day.」

Since the New Year was just a few days away, all the major companies were preparing for their annual leave.

Of the six companies under Julia Bluen's name, five were still busy. The exception was the Trading Company; while it was showing some signs of improvement, it currently had no new orders, so she planned to let the employees start their annual leave a bit earlier. The other five companies, however, remained bustling. This was especially true for the Toy Industry Company. After Julia took it over, it not only maintained its previous strength but had also secured even more orders, meaning the workers often had to work overtime late into the night.

This was the company that gave Julia the greatest sense of accomplishment.

So, she habitually visited the Toy Industry Company first each day before going to the others.

Bright and early, she left her room feeling refreshed.

Just as she stepped out, she heard a series of sneezes coming from upstairs. She raised her eyebrows slightly. Who caught a cold? Why hadn't anyone called Dr. Lei?

Dr. Lei was currently staying in a Guest Room on the first floor of the Horne Family's Main House, readily available to attend to Marcel Horne at any time.

Today was also Ruby Bluen's first day as a Horne Family daughter-in-law.

Julia found the thought slightly amusing. Would her sister call her "Sister-in-law"?

Heh, probably not. And she didn't want her sister to call her that anyway.

Sisters marrying into the same family—relationships could certainly get a bit complicated. At her parents' home, she was the younger sister; in her husband's family, however, she was now an elder sister-in-law.

Sneezing, James made his way downstairs.

His impulsive dive the previous night had led to this: despite his usual robust health, he had caught a cold, complete with a runny nose, sneezing, and a slight fever.

It seemed that even the strongest constitution couldn't withstand the harsh winter cold.

"James, have you caught a cold? How did that happen? Were you out very late last night? You should get Dr. Lei to prescribe you some medicine quickly," Julia said. She was standing on the landing of the second-floor staircase when she saw James coming down. Realizing it was he who had the cold, and remembering the previous night, she felt a pang of sympathy for her brother-in-law.

They had all grown up together. Even though she and James didn't interact much, seeing him sick still stirred a feeling of sympathy in her, because there weren't many people in this household who genuinely cared for him.

"Julia..." James began, his expression softening at the sight of her and the sound of her concerned voice. But he'd only uttered her name when he saw his elder brother, Glades, striding purposefully towards Julia, looking dapper in a bespoke suit. Before Glades even reached her, his possessive hand was already encircling Julia's waist. Glades's sharp, dark eyes swept towards James first, compelling James to awkwardly amend his greeting to, "Sister-in-law." Then, he quickly added, "Good morning, Brother."

Glades gave a slight nod.

"Don't try to act so tough next time. Go downstairs and have Dr. Lei prescribe you some medicine," Glades said, his arm around Julia. His tone was cool, yet his words held an undertone of concern for his brother. However, the unspoken implication in his words sent a shiver down James's spine. James was certain Glades hadn't returned to the rooftop after descending the stairs last night, yet his brother had clearly guessed he'd jumped into the swimming pool.

His elder brother...

Before his elder brother, he would always be the little brother needing protection.

At this thought, a sudden warmth surged through James. After all, his brother's feelings for him had, in fact, never really changed.

With such care from his elder brother, he was truly content.

"Yes, I was just about to go downstairs to see Dr. Lei," James replied, his expression visibly brightening as the iciness on his handsome face melted away. He smiled at his brother and sister-in-law before heading downstairs ahead of them.