Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law
Chapter 21 What’s Going on (1)_1

Chapter 21: Chapter 21 What’s Going on (1)_1

Many people say that marriage is not easy to maintain. Within it, there’s not only the world of two people but also many peripheral individuals who seep in, such as the husband’s family members—inevitable contacts. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, the relationships between sisters-in-law (married to brothers), and the relationships between brothers’ wives are all subjects to learn and puzzles to solve. In prestigious families, these relationships resemble those in ancient imperial palaces, where various forms of contention and struggle unfold subtly in the shadows.

Julia Bluen didn’t want to dwell on it. After all, if soldiers came, she would deploy generals; if floods arose, she would build dams. She believed Glades Horne would provide her with a stable life.

「Twenty minutes later.」

Old Mrs. Horne was the first to finish her meal. She walked out of the dining room without anyone’s assistance and then called for Uncle Ying to help her upstairs.

After everyone else had eaten and drunk their fill, they left the dining room one after another.

Adele Horne affectionately took Mila Anderson’s arm and cooed, "Mom, Orlando Evans’s parents are very busy, and she’s lonely at home by herself, so I invited her to stay at our house for a while. You don’t mind, do you?" While speaking, she didn’t forget to shoot a fierce glance at Julia Bluen. Her eyes signaled that as long as Adele was around, even if Julia Bluen married into the family, she wouldn’t let Julia live peacefully.

Julia Bluen caught the challenge in her eyes. She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her red lips, and returned Adele Horne’s look with one that clearly said: I’m waiting!

That almost made Adele Horne jump in irritation.

Mila Anderson glanced at Julia Bluen, then at Orlando Evans, who was following behind Adele Horne. Orlando Evans returned a gentle and apologetic smile. After a moment of thought, Mila said, "The two of you are classmates and best friends, and we have plenty of guest rooms. If you want to stay, then stay. It doesn’t matter for how long."

"Thanks, Mom."

Adele Horne gave Julia Bluen another smug look. We’ve already got the marriage certificate, so why should I be afraid of you, this flashy pest, intruding upon the household?

Julia Bluen met Adele Horne’s glare with a light smile. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes, sparkling with amusement, fixed on Adele, her gaze conveying her silent retort: Bring on more pests; I’m not afraid. One bottle of insecticide will handle them all!

Suddenly, a strong hand snaked across, possessively encircling Julia Bluen’s slender waist. Glades Horne’s masculine scent, laced with a faint cologne, assailed her nostrils. His low, magnetic voice then rang out, tinged with domineering protectiveness, "Adele, you keep staring at Julia. Planning to cause trouble? From now on, unless it’s something important, I want you to maintain a three-meter distance from Julia."

How could he not be clear about the character of his own sister, with whom he shared a mother?

That utterly shameless Orlando Evans is looking for an excuse to move in; I can guess with my toes that it was my sister’s suggestion.

Julia Bluen was already his lawfully wedded wife. Even if she weren’t, he would not allow anyone to bully her!

"Big Brother!" Adele Horne choked out in frustration.

Glades Horne paid her no mind, wrapping his arm around Julia Bluen and guiding her toward the sofa. However, Julia Bluen did not wish to sit. She subtly broke free from Glades Horne’s grip around her waist, tilting her pretty face up with a soft smile. "Glades..." She almost called him ’Brother’ again, but recalling Glades Horne’s words, she quickly swallowed the word and continued, "I’ve been out for quite a while. I think I should head back now..."

"Grandma, Grandma!" Suddenly, two robust voices called out from outside, interrupting Julia Bluen. It was the voices of the Horne family’s Third Young Master, Henry Horne, and Fifth Young Master, Harry Horne.

Henry Horne and Harry Horne were twin brothers. Originally, one should have been the Third Young Master and the other the Fourth. However, Phoebe Rogers also gave birth to James Horne at the same time. James arrived just three minutes before Harry, who, resigned to his fate, became the Fifth Young Master. All three young masters were twenty-eight years old. They had each ventured out to start their own businesses and were now considered new elites in the Shopping Mall.

Old Mrs. Horne had three sons and two daughters in total. This villa was the ancestral home, left for Gian Horne and his family to live in. His two younger brothers had moved out with their own children. It was only during festivals and holidays that everyone would gather here.

"Grandma, we’re here!" Henry Horne and Harry Horne entered, each pulling a suitcase, calling out loudly as they walked in.

Following behind them was Gian Horne’s sister-in-law (his third younger brother’s wife), Viola Hanley, also dragging a suitcase.

It looked like this mother and her sons had returned to freeload.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, we rushed here as soon as we got Mom’s call. Are our rooms ready?" Though in her early fifties, Viola Hanley, the wife of a government official, had maintained herself exceptionally well, appearing to be only in her thirties. Dressed in designer clothes and wearing a gentle smile, she exuded an air of graceful nobility. This clearly set her apart from Mila Anderson—also a lady from a wealthy family—placing Viola on an entirely different level.

Gian Horne and Mila Anderson looked at each other in confusion. Why did Mom call the members of the third son’s family over?

"Grandma, Grandma, we’re here!"

Before everyone could regain their composure, more voices came from the courtyard.

"Mom, Mom, what’s going on? Why did you call us all to come live here? Did something happen? Big Brother, Sister-in-law, is something wrong with Mom?" Gian Horne’s two sisters arrived in a hurry, accompanied by their husbands and children, all dragging suitcases.

Seeing this scene, everyone in the room was dumbfounded.

Julia Bluen had said she wanted to go home, but upon seeing this scenario, her curiosity was piqued. She couldn’t help but stand there, ready to enjoy the unfolding drama. What is Old Mrs. Horne planning?

"Hehe, it’s good that everyone is here." While everyone was still stunned, Old Mrs. Horne came down from upstairs, assisted by Uncle Ying.

"Mom."

Old Mrs. Horne’s children quickly went over to her. The two daughters, being the most considerate, rushed forward to take their mother from Uncle Ying’s arm, helping her down the stairs and to a seat on the sofa. Julia Bluen voluntarily moved aside, not blocking the way.

As soon as Old Mrs. Horne sat down, she reached out and pulled Julia Bluen to sit beside her. Smiling warmly at Julia, she said, "Julia, it’s already dark. Driving at night isn’t very safe, so don’t go back. Just stay here for the night."

Before Julia could answer, Old Mrs. Horne continued, "Our house is quite large, and we have many guest rooms. However, since they’ve all come, the guest rooms will be full. Julia, you and Glades have already registered your marriage, and the wedding is just a few days away. So, why don’t you two just squeeze in together? Glades’s room is the largest, and his bed is big too. You two should be fine; it won’t feel cramped."