CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80 A DIFFERENT KIND OF ROMANCE (4)_1

Seeing this, she knew it was time for her to launch a full assault.

She secretly instructed her friends that if she was with Nicholas Coldwell, they should show him warmth. However, if he was alone with them, they should give him the cold shoulder, making him realize that to advance his position, he had to be with her.

Sure enough, Nicholas Coldwell began to understand.

With her consideration and care, Nicholas Coldwell slowly and imperceptibly began to distance himself from Julia Bluen, growing closer to Diana. However, Nicholas Coldwell truly had feelings for Julia Bluen and couldn’t bear to end their relationship abruptly. That was why he had kept his affair with Diana a secret from Julia Bluen.

It was only after they became intimate while sober that they acknowledged their mutual desire, each taking what they needed from the relationship. Having lost her virginity, Diana was unwilling to remain hidden any longer. She resolved to snatch Nicholas Coldwell completely away from Julia Bluen. After all, she, Diana Powell, was a daughter of the Powell Family and the successor to Cosmos Group. Hence, she suggested marriage. She thought Nicholas Coldwell would hesitate, but to her surprise, he confessed he had fallen deeply in love with her and no longer held any love for Julia Bluen. He agreed to marry her and even promised he would cherish her for a lifetime, making her the happiest woman in the world.

In truth, she knew Nicholas Coldwell couldn’t let go of Julia Bluen. But women are easily swayed by sweet words, and after his persuasion, she believed him.

When they were deciding on a wedding date, Nicholas Coldwell told her that since he had been in love with Julia Bluen for three years, he didn’t want to embarrass her face-to-face, so he kept the wedding date a secret from Julia. When it was time for the wedding, Nicholas Coldwell coaxed Julia Bluen into taking a few days off to rest. This was right when the Finance Department was particularly busy. Julia Bluen had been working overtime until eleven or twelve each night, so his words made her believe he was being considerate and caring. After finishing her demanding work, she immediately asked her director for a few days off to rest.

Who would have thought...

The thought of it made a fresh wave of jealousy toward Julia Bluen surge from the depths of Diana Powell’s heart. That damn Julia Bluen! She turned out to be the second daughter of the Bluen Family consortium. She rarely appeared in Upper Class Society and wasn’t recognized by anyone without a particularly distinguished status. Diana Powell always attended Upper Class Society wine parties and other social events, but she had never seen the true face of the second Miss Bluen. The revelation struck her dumbfounded.

「Over in T City, the sky was still overcast, with no rainbow appearing after the earlier rain. Not long after, it began to rain again.」

Seeing it start to rain again, Glades Horne suddenly changed course. He drove towards Garden Homes, not to take Julia Bluen to the Bluen Family villa, but to their own marital home.

He parked the car in the garage and got out with Julia Bluen. Taking off his coat to shield her from the rain, he hurried with her toward the Main House.

He rushed inside, somehow found an umbrella, then pulled Julia back out with him.

Where was he taking her in this rainy weather? Julia Bluen was a bit curious.

Glades Horne remained silent. As they stepped out of the Main House’s front door, he opened the umbrella, putting his arm around Julia as they walked.

"Where are we going?" Julia Bluen finally couldn’t help but ask.

"Do you see over there?" Glades Horne asked. He was holding her as they stepped out of the villa’s main gate, pointing towards the man-made lake and several small hills beside it.

Julia Bluen looked in the direction he was pointing, then turned back to look at him, asking cautiously, "Don’t tell me you’re taking me mountain climbing? It’s raining." Even though the developers of Garden Homes had built concrete stairways on its small hills, making climbing manageable even in the rain, this weather simply wasn’t suitable for such an activity.

Glades Horne gave her an approving look.

Julia Bluen groaned. "Only you would think of going mountain climbing in the rain." On rainy days, she loved nothing more than staying in her room, sitting on her bed with her laptop, watching movies, playing games, or chatting on QQ.

"Don’t scorn a rainy mountain trek; it gains its charm through the misty peaks."

Julia Bluen was left speechless.

Glades Horne’s way of thinking was always beyond an ordinary person’s grasp; no one could ever fully understand his intentions.

Glades Horne, who usually doted on Julia Bluen, pampering and indulging her, for the first time disregarded her reluctance. He insisted on pulling her toward the man-made lake, holding the umbrella over them.

It was raining and nearing evening. The tree-lined paths around the man-made lake were almost deserted; any people they saw hurried past.

Weeping willows grew near the water’s edge. Though it was autumn, a recent rain had washed the dust from their branches and leaves, making them appear as lush and green as in early spring. The rain was gentle, creating a misty ambiance. Raindrops splashed onto the lake’s surface, sending out concentric ripples. The stone benches provided for rest had also been washed clean by the rain, revealing their smooth marble surfaces.

The man-made lake was surrounded by several small hills. The trees on these hills looked even more lush and green in the misty rain. From a distance, the misty landscape resembled a spring scene, as if the rain had swept away the desolation of autumn. Yellowed leaves had been blown from the trees by strong winds before the rain. Now, they were either washed toward the foothills or pressed into the mud by the downpour, destined to become fertilizer. Although they were fallen leaves, not petals, the sight brought to mind the verse: "Fallen blossoms are not unfeeling things; they turn to spring soil to nurture more flowers." Adapted, it would be: "Fallen leaves are not unfeeling things; they turn to spring soil to nurture more flowers."

Julia Bluen, initially skeptical, felt her doubts slowly dissipate at the sight of the rain-swept scenery.

Rainy days occurred in every season, yet she had never paused to quietly appreciate the scenery they brought.

Glades Horne, still holding her, walked to the foot of a small hill. It was mostly planted with pine trees, many of them several years old. Their trunks were as thick as two wrists clasped together, varying in height but all flourishing with dense foliage and bristling with cones. Cleansed by the rain, their clusters of pointed needles seemed even sharper and greener.