"Mom, Sis, are you both all right?" Julia Bluen sat between her mother and sister, asking each of them in turn.
She put her arm around Ruby Bluen's shoulder, encouraging her, "Sis, hang in there. I'll always support you!"
Ruby Bluen nodded bitterly. She felt that the future with Marcel Horne was still full of thorns. In the past, Marcel had refused to accept her, and she had thought that was their biggest problem. However, it turned out that was just a minor issue. The current major problem was that both sets of parents couldn't accept their relationship.
"Glades, you know a lot of people. Could you send out invitations for Ruby, asking elites from all circles to attend a Wine Party at our place? It will give Ruby a chance to meet them and make new friends," Scarlett Taylor suddenly instructed Glades Horne.
She had always let her children's love lives develop naturally. However, Sovia Morris's interference had angered her, and she now found herself supporting Ruby and Marcel. Yet, she worried that with such a formidable mother-in-law, Ruby's marriage would be fraught with disputes, putting Marcel in an impossible position. That's why she suddenly wanted Ruby to consider arranged dates.
"Set it for three days from now. I don't believe my Ruby can't get married without Marcel." These were words spoken in anger; everything Scarlett said was just out of frustration.
The Bluen sisters exclaimed in unison.
"Mom, I've set my heart on Marcel for life, and I'll marry no one but him. Unless he marries someone else, in which case, I will stay by your side and take care of you for the rest of my life." Ruby held firm to her love for Marcel. For his sake, she had endured countless sorrows and reached this sorry state, constantly being criticized and insulted. The misunderstandings between them had finally been cleared up, but countless storms still lay ahead. Yet, she was determined to grit her teeth and move forward. She didn't want her mother, who had always been compassionate, to hinder her progress like other mothers might.
"Mom, Sis has already given so much to get to where she is today. We should be there to support and encourage her, not make things harder," Julia also tried to reason with Scarlett.
Scarlett glanced at her elder daughter, then at her younger daughter, and finally turned her gaze to Glades Horne. Glades simply pursed his lips and stayed silent. He didn't dare interfere with something his wife disapproved of. Besides, he supported Marcel and Ruby too. He even had a bit of self-interest in the matter. He feared that if Ruby were unhappy, Julia would blame herself, thinking she had stolen her sister's happiness. If Julia felt guilty, it would make him suffer as well. So, he supported them wholeheartedly.
"Ruby." Scarlett sighed heavily, hugging Ruby sympathetically into her arms. "I just can't bear to watch Second Madam Horne insult and accuse you like that," she said, distressed. "Marcel is her precious son, but you are my precious daughter too. It pains me as a mother to hear her accuse you like that."
The Second Madam was fiercely protective of her son, and Scarlett, also a mother, was just as fiercely protective of her daughter. How could she bear to see her own child bullied?
"Mom, I'm sorry. I've been an unfilial daughter, making you worry and causing you distress," Ruby said, tears welling up as she heard her mother's words. A mother's embrace was truly the warmest.
Scarlett patted her back, silently comforting her.
Julia also felt a lump in her throat, lamenting her sister's rocky path to love. Compared to herself, she felt a hundred, even a thousand times luckier. Since she and Glades had registered their marriage, apart from occasional cold looks from her sister-in-law, no one dared to trouble her much, mainly out of respect for Glades.
Glades stepped forward, pulling Julia up into his embrace. He stared at her meaningfully, silently telling her not to cry.
What a dominant man! But she liked it, Julia thought.
After comforting their mother and sister, the young couple left the Bluen residence. Julia had a meeting with a client at three in the afternoon. This was a new client, and securing a deal would mean a new customer for Valence Arts. Everyone knew that Valence Arts had separated from the Valence Group. Although the new owner was the wife of the Horne Family's eldest grandson, people were still hesitant about collaborating with Valence Arts. Even long-standing customers had their doubts. Since Julia took over the company, no new customers had been acquired. She placed great importance on the afternoon meeting.
Sitting in the car, Julia leaned against the door, creating some distance between her and Glades.
Glades's deep eyes were locked on his wife, taking in her every move to distance herself.
This time, he knew the reason. It was his warning and rudeness to his Second Aunt.
Glades moved closer to her, but she shifted further towards the car door. His eyes held a smile. Where else could she possibly move? he mused. The car door is shut tight; she's bound to end up in my arms. Still, he leaned his handsome face close to Julia with a good-natured demeanor and asked softly, "What's the matter?"
"It's nothing," Julia glanced at him and then turned to look out the window. So many emotions were swirling inside her.
The bodyguards drove swiftly, and the scenery outside flashed by like lightning. She tried to capture some beautiful sights, but couldn't.
She's clearly upset but still says it's nothing, Glades thought. For more chapters visıt 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩
Glades chuckled softly, then pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist, letting him hold her.
Julia pursed her lips, not responding.
"You're not allowed to ignore me!" Glades laughed mischievously, his smile tinged with triumph. He was now devoid of his earlier dominance, exuding a roguish charm instead.
"I'm not," Julia denied.
"You say you're not, but you didn't even respond when I called your name."