CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 474 ANNOYING MOTHER-IN-LAW (1)_1

Valence Group.

Weary from the phone calls, Glades Horne leaned back into the black swivel chair, his handsome face slightly grim. He rotated in the chair, back and forth. The situation was becoming increasingly bleak.

His warnings were effective to some extent, but he could only warn a select few.

The uncomfortable gossip spread like a virus—all of it reaching his ears.

He knew very well that the rapid spread of rumors was partly because the Horne Family was too wealthy, and he was too formidable. Many people who appeared respectful to the Horne Family were actually filled with jealousy. The current gossip surrounding Adele was just an opportunity for them to vent their envy.

He had just made a call to Adele Horne.

Adele’s voice was relatively calm, which somewhat relieved him.

Hansen Ruiz and Rachel Bailey had just married the previous day. He didn’t feel it was right to disturb his capable assistant, so he dealt with these matters single-handedly.

The day, which should have been filled with joy, only brought him fatigue, and for the first time, he realized that he was not omnipotent.

「 」

At the same time, Julia Bluen, feeling guilty, arrived at Valence Group.

It was she who had taken Adele shopping when they encountered those idle gossipmongers. Even though these events were inevitable, she still felt that perhaps, if she hadn’t taken Adele shopping, then maybe...

That afternoon, she had no mood to work.

Anxious and distressed for her sister-in-law, she went to Valence Group.

This was her second visit to Valence Group. The first time she came, even though she was already Glades Horne’s wife, the ceremony had not yet taken place and the employees were not aware of her status as the CEO’s wife. This time, as she stepped out of the car, everyone recognized her identity.

Even without obsequious flattery, a respectful demeanor was evident.

Stepping into the elevator, she hurriedly pressed the button for the sixty-eighth floor.

Four bodyguards stood silently behind her. They were like four mountains, steadfastly protecting her, never letting down their guard even inside Valence Group. Trained professionally with strong ethics, the bodyguards always anticipated threats others might overlook while protecting Julia.

Julia went from feeling uneasy about their presence to becoming accustomed, even frequently chatting with the bodyguards as if they were friends.

The ride from the first to the sixty-eighth floor didn’t take long, yet to Julia, it felt like an eternity—so long that her heart began to grow impatient.

"What’s the latest gossip? How did Adele react? What about the reaction of the older generation?"

Turning her head, Julia asked a barrage of questions.

The four bodyguards first remained silent, then simultaneously reached for their phones and began making calls.

After a moment, one bodyguard replied, "Mrs. Horne, there’s no new gossip; it’s just the same few rumors circulating."

Another bodyguard added, "Adele looks pale with pain in her eyes, but she is strong. She isn’t making a fuss and even went out alone in the afternoon for a walk in the residential garden, smiling in the face of rumors."

The third took over, "The elder Mrs. Horne is sighing a lot. She says that the Horne Family has had too many issues lately, giving the impression of an unlucky streak, and thinks it would be good if the remaining young masters could marry soon to counter the bad luck with some joy. The old master is very angry. He’s blaming the madame for failing to guide Adele properly, leading to her current situation. The madame was also very angry and argued with the old master. Afterward, he stormed out of the house."

The fourth bodyguard’s response, though not directly answering Julia’s questions, was also about the rumors: "All the young masters, affiliated young masters, and affiliated young misses have made full use of their connections to suppress the gossip. Mrs. Horne, there’s no need to worry too much. Gossip comes and goes quickly. Once there’s a new topic, everyone will forget about Adele’s incident and stop talking about it. The best response to rumors is silence, quietly waiting for the storm to pass."

Hearing the bodyguards’ words, Julia felt somewhat relieved. She couldn’t help but smile wryly at the thought of the old lady’s constant concern over her grandsons’ matrimonial prospects. Pheobe Rogers claimed that the Horne family didn’t care about James Horne and wasn’t concerned about his personal life or marriage. However, she was actually very wrong; at least the old lady cared a great deal and was very concerned.

And as for her father-in-law and mother-in-law... Julia’s expression darkened. Her father-in-law, with his chauvinism and vanity, probably felt this scandal had disgraced him, so he directed all the blame toward her mother-in-law. It seemed Glades’ retaliation was justified. After all, when her father-in-law’s finances were locked for that month, he had been much warmer toward her mother-in-law, seemingly showing regret. If only she weren’t a junior member of the family, Julia truly wanted to advise her mother-in-law to let go and divorce her husband. It would spare her so much heartache. A man whose heart isn’t with you, even if you manage to keep him by your side, will only bring you torment. He might treat you with respect but not as his wife. He could be kind to you, just without love.

The sixty-eighth floor arrived.

"Mrs. Horne, what brings you here?" Secretary Yang, upon looking up, saw Julia Bluen stepping out of the elevator with four bodyguards. Julia’s pretty face was tense, resembling Glades a bit. Her red lips were pursed into a thin line, and though usually gentle, she now exuded a chilly air. Her tall figure, dressed in a professional suit, projected sharp efficiency, and her every move suggested an air of control. Flanked by the four bodyguards in black, she, like her husband, exuded an aura of royalty.

"Is Glades in?" The impatience Julia felt in the elevator was immediately reined in as she asked Secretary Yang with serene elegance.

Secretary Yang responded with a smile and a nod, "The CEO is in his office. Would you like me to take you there?" As she spoke, Secretary Yang took the opportunity to closely examine Julia, observing her blossoming features, sparkling eyes, radiant lips, and short hair as dark as ink. Julia’s tall figure was fuller due to her pregnancy, which added to her womanly allure.