Yesterday, Ruby Bluen's escape from her arranged marriage had infuriated Glades Horne, to the point where he even refused to see Julia again. In the end, however, it was his grandmother who allowed Julia to go to the top floor to find him. Is that boy not angry anymore?
"It's Miss Julia," Uncle Ying confirmed once again. He was actually a bit puzzled. How could the Young Master bring Miss Julia back with him?
"Quick, instruct the kitchen to immediately stir-fry a plate of noodles!" The old lady, having regained her composure, immediately instructed Uncle Ying. "That girl Julia is crazy about noodles, especially stir-fried noodles. Be sure to add shredded mushrooms—without shredded mushrooms, she won't like them. Also, sweet and sour fish, sweet and sour ribs—prepare a bit of everything she loves to eat." It was as if she knew Julia's preferences like the back of her hand.
Uncle Ying smiled. "Old Lady, it's already prepared. I'll have someone bring it out now."
"Go, hurry," the old lady waved, urging Uncle Ying to quickly bring out the dishes Julia loved.
Uncle Ying turned and left the dining room. Just as he stepped out, Glades Horne walked in, holding Julia Bluen's hand.
"Grandma," Glades called out gravely.
"Glades, you're back! Oh?" The old lady turned her head. When she saw her proudest grandson holding Julia Bluen's slender, pale hand, her eyes immediately lit up as if she had seen a large box of glittering diamonds.
Catching the old lady's slightly surprised but mostly ecstatic gaze, Julia Bluen immediately withdrew her hand.
"You two?"
"Grandma, there's nothing going on between Glades and me," Julia hastened to answer.
But the old lady's face broke into a wide grin as she seized on Julia's words. "'Grandma?' Not 'Old Mrs. Horne' anymore? And 'Glades,' not 'Brother Glades'? Julia, do you still think you can hide it from your grandma? Could it be that you know? You two..."
"Grandma, it's time to eat!" Glades interrupted her. He gave his grandmother a profound and inscrutable look, and she, understanding the hint, said nothing more. She simply motioned for Julia to sit next to her but had Glades sit across from Julia.
Julia, though smiling, felt a flicker of confusion. Were there hidden meanings in Grandma's words just now? Grandma asked what I knew? What *did* I know?
She looked at Glades across from her; he said nothing, not even offering a hint with his eyes.
Julia's confusion was pushed to the back of her mind when Uncle Ying instructed the servants to bring out her favorite dishes.
「Meanwhile.」
After leaving the Bluen Family, Adele Horne drove her friend Orlando Evans to the Emperor hotel, chatting and laughing along the way. Adele even teasingly called Orlando "Sister-in-law," which made Orlando both shy and amused.
"Sister-in-law, I'll just call you that from now on. Don't worry, without the Bluen sisters, my big brother will surely turn his attention to you," Adele said, comforting Orlando and giving her a boost of confidence.
"Adele, I'm still worried. There are so many women out there who like Glades, I..." Orlando's expression turned solemn with worry. When she lowered her enchanting, seductive eyes, she appeared utterly pitiful.
Adele couldn't stand seeing her look so pitiful, as if she had suffered some terrible injustice. "What's there to fear? If one comes, I'll send her packing; if a pair comes, I'll send them both packing! In the Horne Family, apart from my big brother, everyone's afraid of me," Adele declared confidently. She spoke as if Orlando were already Glades's lawful wife and she, Adele, was helping her sister-in-law protect her marriage.
Reassured by Adele, Orlando gave a slight smile, a hint of triumph flashing in her seductive eyes. Ever since she'd developed feelings for Glades, Orlando had recognized Adele's influence within the Horne Family. That was why she had befriended Adele, enduring her unbearable 'young mistress' temper. Her true aim was to use Adele to get close to Glades and eventually secure her place in the Horne household.
Adele was only twenty-two and had just graduated from college. She didn't have a job, but it wasn't as if she needed one to survive. She spent her days idly, mostly hanging out with Orlando, plotting how to get Orlando into Glades's bed and how to spend all the money her brothers earned. She led Orlando into the Emperor hotel, picked her favorite Elegant Room, and, without even looking at the menu, directly ordered the waiters to bring all of the hotel's best and most delicious signature dishes.
Adele was a frequent patron of the Emperor hotel. The staff all knew this naive, spoiled, and willful young lady's temperament, so they quickly served the hotel's tastiest—and naturally, most expensive—signature dishes.
"My big brother was always good to Ruby Bluen, but that wretched woman didn't appreciate it and made him lose face completely. I'm sure he hates her to the core now. Consequently, he won't feel good about Julia Bluen either," Adele said between bites. "Orlando, they say the best time to swoop in is when someone's vulnerable after a heartbreak. You have to seize this chance, you hear? In any case, I've already decided you're my sister-in-law. No other woman even stands a chance!"
"But I've tried every trick I know," Orlando said, biting her lower lip slightly with a touch of embarrassment. She had once sneaked into Glades's room, but he had treated her as if she were invisible, simply picking her up and tossing her out. Fortunately, no one was outside his room then, or she would have died of embarrassment.
"Let's keep thinking; there must be a way," Adele comforted her. Her pretty eyes blinked as an idea suddenly struck her. She leaned in and whispered to Orlando, "You know what they say, 'Proximity offers the first advantage.' Orlando, why don't you move into my place starting today? That way, you can see my big brother every day. It'll be a huge advantage for you. Haven't you heard? Familiarity breeds fondness. Of course, making it happen will still be up to your own efforts."
Orlando contemplated for a moment, then her face lit up with a smile. "Adele, that's a great idea! Okay, I'll go home and pack my bags later, then find an excuse to move into your house. As long as I'm there, I won't let any other woman snatch Glades away from me! However, Adele, just waiting at home isn't enough. Glades has to go to work. Could you figure out a way to get me into Valence, perhaps as your big brother's secretary? That's the only way I can be with him constantly and nurture our bond."