"Julia," Glades Horne began, "Don't push me away again in the future, okay?"
The real trigger for his rage was when she pushed him away as he tried to embrace her. He was afraid that she no longer trusted him. He couldn't bear her pushing him away. He was afraid of losing her!
Julia Bluen fell silent. At the time, she had simply wanted to face her mother-in-law herself and didn't want to make things difficult for Glades Horne. It was a bit hard to guarantee that she would never make such a move again. She had a stubborn personality and liked to handle everything herself; although he was there, he often took care of her problems for her.
Her silence made Glades Horne panic once again. He urgently grasped Julia's face, his own almost pressing against hers, a look of growing panic in his intense gaze. Seeing this made Julia feel incredibly reluctant to let him be disturbed. He was always so composed, unflappable. When had panic ever appeared in his eyes?
"Okay, I promise you," Julia said, unable to bear seeing him panicked; it gave her a feeling of heartache. "No matter what happens in the future, I won't push you away."
Having received her assurance, Glades Horne finally took a breath of relief. Stroking her face, he apologized to her again in a hoarse voice on behalf of his mother.
A small hand rose, and Julia said warmly, "We are husband and wife. I don't like to hear the words 'I'm sorry' from us anymore. I can understand my mother-in-law's fierce protectiveness for her daughter; my own mother would do the same. Glades, don't be angry with your mother. We aren't parents yet; we can't fully understand her feelings. Besides, didn't you punish her?" At the end, she smiled playfully. "Fortunately, I control my own finances." There was a tone of relief in that sentence.
After Adele Horne was lured away by her, Orlando Evans had been sitting alone in a corner of the pub, drinking by herself. She had an excellent tolerance for alcohol; despite drinking for so long, she showed little sign of drunkenness. Her sensual red lips were always curled in a cold sneer, making her look as devilish and malicious as a demon.
At this moment, the Horne Family must be in total chaos thanks to that idiot Adele, right? Mrs. Horne regarded both of her children as precious treasures. If she saw Adele coming home with a face as swollen as a pig's—and beaten by Julia Bluen—Mrs. Horne would surely be furious and consequently hostile toward Julia. After being involved with the Horne Family for so many years, Orlando Evans had a clear understanding of Mrs. Horne's personality. Whoever was kind to her children, she would be kind to. Anyone who bullied her children, even the slightest bit, would see her retaliate fiercely. She was a mother with a fierce protective spirit, like a mother hen.
She couldn't believe Glades Horne would truly fall out with Mrs. Horne over Julia Bluen. If he dared to, haha, that would be even better! Then outsiders would say that Julia Bluen was a woman of ill omen, causing strife in a family that had been harmonious before her marriage. In due time, with the help of public censure, Julia would undoubtedly become distressed. When people become exasperated, they tend to argue. Perhaps Julia and Glades would quarrel. If they fought enough, their marriage would surely end. Truly an ingenious plan! Adele Horne, her very good friend, was really quite something! She had given Orlando Evans the perfect opportunity to use her to concoct such an ingenious plan right away.
But... Orlando Evans also felt a degree of fear. To proceed according to her plan, she had to ensure that Adele Horne wouldn't betray her. Thinking of her good relationship with Adele, Orlando Evans hoped Adele wouldn't expose her. Besides, with Mrs. Horne's protection, Glades shouldn't dare to do anything to Adele, right?
Orlando Evans's numerous assumptions made her underestimate Glades Horne's love for Julia Bluen.
In the pub, as the night deepened, the crowd swelled. Orlando Evans, having had her fill, decided to leave.
Just then, Jonathan Allen appeared in front of her with his men.
Glades Horne had only given Jonathan Allen half an hour. He had mobilized all his Mafia Society resources to find out who Orlando Evans was and where she could be found in the shortest possible time. Glades had said that if Orlando resisted being kidnapped, she had to be brought before him, even if it meant breaking her limbs. From these orders, Jonathan Allen understood that Glades was decidedly hostile towards Orlando. Naturally, he would not be courteous to her either. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Are you Orlando Evans?" Jonathan Allen appeared like a devil in the night, dressed all in black, even wearing black sunglasses. His presence was threatening. Though not particularly tall, as soon as he stood before Orlando, she was startled by his cold ruthlessness.
"Who... who are you?" Orlando couldn't help but take several steps back, fearfully looking at Jonathan and the unmistakably menacing men behind him. Her mind vaguely recognized the man before her, but due to her fear, she couldn't immediately recall his identity.
Many in the pub recognized Jonathan Allen; they were somewhat prominent themselves. Known as a big shot in the Mafia Society, those with some status were familiar with him. Seeing him arrive with his men, no one dared to approach or inquire.
Orlando Evans did not confirm her identity, but her question told Jonathan Allen that she was the person he was tasked to capture.
Without any politeness, Jonathan Allen gestured broadly and coldly commanded his men, "Tie her up and take her away!"
Kidnapping? The word flashed through Orlando's mind.
Jonathan's men rushed forward at once. Orlando desperately resisted and screamed for help, but no one came to her aid. No matter how she fought, they showed no pity or tenderness, swiftly tying her up. When they said "tie," they truly meant it. They somehow produced a hemp rope and tightly bound her hands, which were like white jade. They tied knots so firmly around her wrists that even the slightest movement caused her pain. Because of her resistance, her hair became disheveled, and as they pulled on it, the pain brought her close to tears.