CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92 THE FIRST DAY AS A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW (5)_1

James Horne turned and calmly responded, "Aunt, you said that yourself."

Mila Anderson snorted coldly and called to Julia Bluen, "Julia, come here, to Mom’s side."

In front of her romantic rival, Mila Anderson made it clear that she was Julia Bluen’s mother-in-law.

"Did you bring these?" Mila Anderson asked, her expression turning frosty as she saw the gifts Phoebe Rogers had brought in Julia Bluen’s arms. She then fixed her gaze on Phoebe Rogers.

"Big Sister, I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so I couldn’t attend the wedding. However, I still needed to send a wedding gift. I’m better today, so I brought it over. It’s nothing expensive, just a small token of my regard." Phoebe Rogers always knew what to say to whom.

"Even if you were the picture of health, you wouldn’t have been able to attend my son’s wedding," Mila Anderson said, cutting through Phoebe Rogers’s pretense.

Phoebe Rogers smiled sheepishly.

"Julia, go inside and get my checkbook," Mila Anderson suddenly instructed, turning to Julia Bluen.

"Okay." Carrying the gifts, Julia Bluen went into the house and soon returned with Mila Anderson’s checkbook.

Mila Anderson took the checkbook, quickly wrote a figure on a check, then tore it out and stuffed it into Phoebe Rogers’s hand. "For James’s sake, I won’t refuse your gifts," she said coldly. "Consider this money payment for them. Those gifts can now be considered my wedding present to my son and daughter-in-law."

With that said, ignoring the change in Phoebe Rogers’s expression and how inscrutable James Horne became, Mila Anderson pulled Julia Bluen with her and entered the house.

Julia Bluen witnessed for the first time the tumultuous undercurrents between romantic rivals.

In this era, it was common for rich men to go astray, with countless wealthy heirs keeping numerous mistresses. Even if they couldn’t bring them home, they would support them elsewhere. These mistresses would often make unannounced visits to challenge the legitimate wife. Such occurrences were widespread, a societal issue that couldn’t be eradicated. Since it was unavoidable, how these relationships were managed depended on the individuals involved.

"Julia, remember, as the wife of a prestigious family, you must be presentable in public, adept in the kitchen, able to handle rivals, and skilled at managing finances," Mila Anderson instructed Julia Bluen as she pulled her into the house.

"Mom, for my wife, being presentable in public and skilled at managing finances is enough," Glades Horne interjected. He had suddenly appeared, his robust frame moving past James and his mother, Phoebe, to follow Mila Anderson and Julia Bluen. He spoke up immediately upon hearing his mother instructing his beloved wife.

No one knew how long he had been back. A shadow of gloom covered his handsome face, hinting at an impending storm. His eyes, which had been gentle all day, had reverted to their sharp, eagle-like gaze, now seemingly tinged with suppressed anger.

Seeing him return so suddenly, Phoebe Rogers felt a bit embarrassed.

Phoebe Rogers didn’t know if it was Glades Horne’s naturally oppressive aura or his intimidating status, but while she wasn’t afraid of Mila Anderson, she harbored a certain dread towards Glades. She shamelessly visited the Horne Family daily, but always chose times when she knew Glades wasn’t home.

"James, take care of yourself. My mom made plans to go shopping with someone, so she’s already headed back." Phoebe Rogers had been about to follow Mila Anderson and the others into the house. But when Glades Horne emerged from behind her like a specter, striding past her into the house with a sullen expression and a frosty tone, she felt too embarrassed to go in. She quickly spoke to James Horne and then turned to leave.

James Horne glanced at Glades, who had his back to them, his own expression unfathomable. He then turned and followed Phoebe Rogers towards the courtyard.

Glades Horne walked over to Julia Bluen and put his arm around her shoulders. This gesture was meant to reassure Julia that she would absolutely have no romantic rivals.

As for being adept in the kitchen, he didn’t require that of her; they had chefs at home. Even though he cherished the meals she personally cooked for him, he didn’t want her to exhaust herself. The part about handling rivals could be completely dismissed. There would be no room for any third party between him and Julia—no male interlopers, no female ones.

Ever since childhood, he had witnessed his mother’s suffering due to his father keeping a mistress. In public, she was the esteemed Mrs. Horne; in private, a pitiable woman yearning for her husband’s return. His father began the affair when Glades was merely three. He could only imagine how his young mother had endured those long years raising him. From the moment he understood, he vowed that if he fell in love, he would marry her and remain exclusively devoted to her for life. He would never be unfaithful, never subject his wife to the agonizing loneliness his mother had endured. He could swear it on his life.

Mila Anderson stopped, gazing deeply at Glades Horne and then at Julia Bluen. After a long moment of silence, she turned without a word and went back to her card game.

"Sister-in-law, where did you go? Adele has been lucky; she’s already won a few rounds from us," the second Mrs. Horne of the Horne family said with an elegant smile. She glanced at Glades and Julia, and then at Phoebe Rogers and her son, James, who were turning to leave.

Mila Anderson had just gone to the entrance of the Main House, having Adele Horne fill in for her at the card table.

"I didn’t go anywhere. I was just teaching Julia how to capture Glades’s heart," Mila Anderson replied lightly, as if Phoebe Rogers’s visit hadn’t affected her at all.

"Hehe, Sister-in-law, you’re worrying needlessly. Our Glades is definitely a man of deep affection. Look, all these years, women have been chasing him in droves, but you’ve never seen him give any of them a second glance. He was always destined to be a son-in-law of the Bluen Family," the third Mrs. Horne added with a laugh.

The three sisters-in-law chatted and laughed, completely ignoring Phoebe Rogers, who visited the Horne Family daily. Seeing Phoebe leave, none of them uttered a word to ask her to stay.

「Ruby Bluen had caught a cold.」

She felt heavy-headed and was running a high fever. She had probably gotten chilled from hiding on the top floor to cry alone last night.

Her head was pounding, she felt dizzy, and she was in extreme discomfort. Suddenly, she longed for her mother. When she was a child and felt unwell, her mother would hold her, stroking her hair with those tender, maternal hands and cooing softly to comfort her.

"Mom..." In her drowsy state, a large, pitying hand touched her forehead. It felt just like her mother’s loving touch, a sensation she craved deeply. Groggily, she reached out, grasped the hand tightly, and murmured, "Mom, I’m sorry... Mom... I miss you..." As she spoke, tears streamed from her tightly closed eyes.