CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97 LOVE, HEAVY AS A MOUNTAIN (5)_1

Scarlett Taylor secretly pulled Julia Bluen aside into the Side Hall. Julia’s female cousins-in-law and aunts also followed them into the Side Hall, where the women gathered around Julia, who was seated on the sofa.

"Julia," Scarlett Taylor said as she sat down, pulling her daughter into her embrace. Her voice was a bit excited but couldn’t fully conceal her concern.

"Mom," Julia Bluen hugged her mother back and smiled. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. Glades treats me very well, and the people of the Horne Family are also good to me. I’ll be okay."

"Julia, is Glades really good to you? He’s not just putting on an act, is he?" one of Julia’s aunts asked softly, glancing toward the main hall now and then, afraid her words might be overheard by Glades Horne.

When they learned of Ruby Bluen’s escape from the wedding, they were all terribly worried, fearing that they would anger the crown prince and affect the Bluen Family’s future business prospects. Even though the Bluen Family held significant assets and was considered the second wealthiest family, if Glades Horne wanted to bring them down, it was certainly possible.

Looking around at her relatives, Julia Bluen couldn’t help but laugh. "Why do you all find Glades so terrifying? He’s not as terrifying as you imagine. You’ve known him for so many years. Do you still believe what outsiders say about him?" Glades Horne did have an unfathomable presence and was decisive in his actions. He could be very stern at times, but he wasn’t an unreasonable person. Moreover, he wouldn’t take his anger out on the Bluen Family just because her sister had run away from the wedding. After all, the Horne and Bluen families had been friends for generations.

In her eyes and heart, Glades Horne was a good man, and no matter how the outside world depicted him, it couldn’t change her perception of him.

"It’s because of your sister that we’re afraid of him. Haven’t you seen it in novels and TV shows? Many men seek revenge just like that," one of Julia’s female cousins-in-law chimed in.

"Well then, let me tell you now, Glades will absolutely not take his anger out on the Bluen Family because of my sister’s actions. You can rest assured. And I won’t have any problems at the Horne Family. Glades is incredibly good to me." Julia Bluen defended her man. She felt uncomfortable that Glades, who was such a good man in her heart, was constantly misunderstood by her own relatives.

"Glades has always been good to you, and Mom trusts that he won’t harm you. However, Julia, your mother-in-law..." Scarlett Taylor was worried that Mila Anderson would take her frustration out on Julia, and also about Adele Horne, who clearly harbored hostility toward her daughter.

"Mom, you and Dad already taught me what to do before the wedding. Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to improve things," Julia Bluen said. She reached for a chocolate wrapped in golden foil on the coffee table, unwrapped it, and gently put it in her mouth. After finishing it, she picked up the stemmed crystal fruit platter from the coffee table and started eating the pistachios in it.

Scarlett Taylor and the others exchanged glances and chuckled, finding the situation a little amusing.

They no longer questioned whether Glades Horne’s affection was real or feigned. Instead, they took turns whispering advice into her ear about the great responsibilities of being a daughter-in-law and a wife. Julia didn’t refuse to listen; she simply listened as they spoke, all while continuing to eat her pistachios.

By the time their mouths were dry from talking, she had finished shelling all the pistachios on her plate.

"AH!"

Julia Bluen suddenly let out a low cry, startling Scarlett Taylor and the others.

In the main hall, Glades Horne was chatting with Chris Bluen and others when he heard Julia’s cry. He shot up from his seat and strode quickly towards the Side Hall. Seeing Julia holding the crystal fruit platter with a "what have I done?" look on her face, his heart tightened. He rushed forward and asked with concern, "Julia, what’s wrong?"

Julia Bluen held out the empty crystal fruit platter to him.

Embarrassed, she said, "I binged on the pistachios, and now the whole plate is gone."

Only then did Glades Horne notice the coffee table was covered with pistachio shells.

"These things can cause ’heatiness’; you shouldn’t binge on them. You! If no one reminds you, you just keep eating. What a little glutton," Glades Horne said, a mix of exasperation, fondness, and helplessness in his voice as he gently tapped her nose. Then he turned to Scarlett Taylor behind him and asked, "Mom, do we have any mangosteens at home?"

Scarlett Taylor nodded. "There are some in the freezer."

Glades Horne turned and walked out. He returned with two mangosteens from the freezer, sat down beside Julia Bluen, and personally peeled the tough rind for her. Handing one to Julia, he said, "Mangosteens can reduce ’heatiness.’ Eat a couple. But don’t eat too many; they can cause constipation if you overdo it."

Julia Bluen stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

Seeing this, Scarlett Taylor and the others chuckled quietly.

Time flew by, and soon it was nearing evening.

Glades Horne and Julia Bluen had to return to the Horne family home.

Chris Bluen and his wife, Scarlett Taylor, walked them out of the Main House. Scarlett Taylor repeatedly reminded Glades Horne that when they went on their honeymoon tomorrow, he must protect Julia well and take good care of her. She also admonished Julia that, as a wife now, she should always consider Glades’s feelings and not just think of herself.

"Mom, rest assured, I’ll take care of her," Glades Horne soothed his mother-in-law in a warm, steady voice.

"Mom, I will," Julia Bluen also replied.

For the first time, she felt her mother was getting old because she had started to nag.

In fact, all mothers share this common trait: as their children grow up and they themselves age, they always love to admonish their children about one thing or another. In their eyes, even if their children lived to be eighty, they would still be their babies, always needing parental care and reminders. It’s a natural instinct.

"Sis, Brother-in-law, let me be the first to wish you a happy honeymoon! Make sure to email us from every country to let us know you’re safe, okay? And hey, if you meet any pretty foreign girls, remember to send a photo back. I’ll fly across oceans to woo them!" said the twenty-four-year-old Leo Bluen. He had a somewhat irreverent air and spoke up boldly to Julia and Glades Horne.

"Alright," Glades Horne said, laughing as he patted Leo Bluen’s shoulder. "If she meets *my* standards, we’ll pack her up and bring her back for you, how about that?"

Everyone else burst out laughing.

"Alright then, it’s getting late. You two should head back," Chris Bluen said with a smile.

The couple bid farewell to everyone and then, escorted by their relatives, left the Bluen family home.

The marriage alliance between the Horne and Bluen families had officially concluded.

It was a perfect ending.