This was the punishment from Heaven for her past, and now, she accepted it.

The old lady saw through Adele's subtle intentions. She didn't say anything, only felt a deep ache in her heart.

After the grandmother and granddaughter sat in the courtyard for a good while, Adele finally helped the old lady back into the house.

Julia only had time to go shopping with Adele after lunch. Although Adele had waited all morning in vain, she was still very happy.

The two sisters-in-law left the Horne family villa under the protection of four bodyguards, accompanied by several of the Horne family's female cousins. Previously, Adele hadn't gotten along with these cousins due to her bad temper. They all avoided her, viewing her as a demon and keeping as far away as possible, as if she were a scourge who brought misfortune to anyone she encountered. Now, having learned of Adele's ordeal, they all felt sympathy for her. Upon quiet reflection, they realized Adele wasn't inherently bad.

It's just that in such prominent, wealthy families, which appear infinitely glamorous, there is often very little genuine familial affection. Relatives might care for and love you, but they definitely wouldn't offer consistent companionship. Growing up in such an environment, never receiving the care and companionship one craved, some, like Adele, could only resort to extreme measures, using an unpleasant temperament to draw their family's attention.

She was surrounded by all sorts of young ladies from wealthy families, yet she had no true confidantes. Only after ten years of companionship with Orlando Evans did Adele consider her a close friend, only to discover that the person she trusted most was the one who hurt her deepest. After suffering such a profound betrayal, Adele's temperament changed drastically. While everyone was moved and relieved by this change, they also felt a deep sense of sorrow for her. It seems that for a person to grow, they must always pay a heavy price.

The price Adele would pay was her entire life—a cost so heavy it made others unwilling to look at her with their former disdain.

The group arrived at the Pedestrian Street on Mansion Front Avenue, chatting and laughing as they browsed through the shops. Except for Julia, the other female cousins and Adele loved shopping. In every store, they would buy anything that caught their eye, regardless of whether they needed it, swiping their cards until their hands ached.

"Oh, Young Madam Horne, what a pleasant surprise to run into you here!"

As the group entered a lavish jewelry shop, a few wealthy socialites who were selecting jewelry immediately dropped what they were looking at and approached Julia, their faces wreathed in smiles, their enthusiasm surpassing even that of the store clerks.

"Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Cheng," Julia greeted the socialites with a polite smile.

These women were all wives from prominent and wealthy families; their husbands were either businessmen or politicians. Usually, with nothing better to do, they would arrange to go shopping together. Since their husbands were adept at making money, their role as wives was to spend it.

Julia was very young, but as the young madam of the city's foremost prominent family, her status was distinguished. Though these women were old enough to be her mother-in-law, they lavished Julia with excessive flattery.

"I was wondering why the magpies were chirping so much today! It turns out it's because I was going to meet Young Madam Horne," said Mrs. Wang, who, having once played cards with Mila Anderson, was quite familiar with Julia.

Everyone knew that pleasing Young Madam Horne would surely earn them a favorable look from Glades Horne. Their husbands frequently urged them to get closer to Julia, hoping to attract the Valence Group's attention. However, Julia was discreet. She was always accompanied by bodyguards, with Glades Horne, or sticking close to Hansen Ruiz's new wife, or otherwise engrossed in company affairs, making it rare for these women to encounter her.

When they had no specific reason, they didn't dare to just show up at Julia's company. Now that they had encountered her by chance, they spewed all sorts of flattering words. Listening to them, Julia's smile became somewhat strained.

Adele Horne and the other female cousins, however, watched with undisguised mockery in their eyes, naturally aimed at the socialites.

"Young Madam Horne, what are you looking to buy? Would you like me to make some recommendations? I'm a regular at this shop. Come, look! This necklace is noble and magnificent. It would make Young Madam Horne look even more beautiful and captivating." As Mrs. Cheng spoke, seemingly anxious that Mrs. Wang might steal Julia's attention, she affectionately grabbed Julia's arm to lead her to the necklace. However, just as she took Julia's hand, a bodyguard stepped forward and said in a cool yet polite tone, "Madam, please refrain from touching our Young Madam."

Huh? Mrs. Cheng was momentarily stunned, her face flushing with embarrassment, and she quickly, if resentfully, let go of Julia's hand.

Julia, being kind-hearted, turned and gestured for the bodyguard to step back. She then smiled at Mrs. Cheng, indicating that she shouldn't mind, and voluntarily went with Mrs. Cheng to look at the necklace. It was a multi-layered necklace, glittering with jewels, and carried an exorbitant price tag—far too expensive for an ordinary wealthy woman to afford.

Julia was instantly captivated by the necklace. However, upon seeing the price, she discreetly masked her admiration, feigning only mild interest. I could afford it, but I don't want to spend a fortune on just one necklace. My current status is already conspicuous enough. If I wear this exorbitantly priced necklace, it will likely attract even more envious gazes. Forget it; I'd better not be so ostentatious.

"RETCH—"

Just then, Adele Horne suddenly started to vomit again.

She quickly covered her mouth and, with practiced ease, found the store's restroom and rushed inside. Sounds of her retching soon emanated from within.

Julia quickly followed her into the restroom, gently patting her back and asking with concern, "Adele, are you alright?"

The female cousins noticed the socialites exchanging knowing glances, their eyes glinting with gossip. Having experienced such things themselves, they were all too familiar with what this kind of vomiting implied. It's all over. It's all over, they thought.

The female cousins felt that Adele's condition could no longer be concealed. These wealthy socialites, idle and prone to gossip, would spread the news like wildfire. It would likely take less than three days for everyone in Upper Class Society to know.

Sure enough, Mrs. Long stepped forward, smiled at one of the female cousins, and asked pointedly, "Is Miss Adele... expecting? We haven't heard anything about Miss Adele being in a relationship, have we?"

That cousin's expression turned stern. She retorted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking? Adele doesn't even have a boyfriend, so how could she possibly be pregnant? Adele has a cold, a severe one."

"That can't be right," Mrs. Wang interjected, picking up on Mrs. Long's insinuation. "Judging by Miss Adele's appearance just now, she didn't look like someone with a cold at all. It must be morning sickness from pregnancy, don't you think?"