Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

"Where are Sir and Madam?" Julia paused, asking.

"Sir and the Eldest Miss are still arguing in the Study Room. Madam, the Young Master, and Mr. Marcel Horne are all upstairs. Miss Julia, Mr. Marcel Horne has returned. The Eldest Miss wants to be with Mr. Marcel Horne, but Sir opposes it; that's why they're quarreling," the Housekeeper briefed Julia on the situation.

Marcel Horne has returned?

Julia was slightly taken aback. Could that suitcase by the door be Marcel Horne's?

Marcel Horne has returned, Elder Sister is with him, and Father opposes it?

Julia exchanged a glance with Glades Horne, and the two of them headed upstairs.

Seeing the couple arrive, Scarlett Taylor hurriedly asked them to mediate the dispute.

"Mom, don't worry," Julia soothed her mother, then stepped forward to knock. However, a robust figure blocked her. Glades Horne had already positioned himself before the door. His strong hand raised, he knocked on the Study Room door—not too lightly, not too heavily—his deep voice carrying through the door into the room, "Dad, it's Glades."

He didn't mention mediating; he only solemnly announced his name.

The arguing voices inside the Study Room abruptly ceased.

Immediately, the tightly shut door opened. Chris Bluen's face was flushed with anger. Seeing Glades Horne at the door, he managed a faint smile. "Glades, you're here."

Ruby Bluen's pretty face was also flushed, with faint tear streaks still visible—a testament to the intensity of their argument.

"Dad, let's talk." Glades Horne glanced at Julia. Catching her pleading look, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes. Fleeting as it was, it was for Julia. He then looked at his brother. After they exchanged a glance, he entered the Study Room but asked Ruby Bluen to step out. What he and Chris Bluen discussed inside remained unknown.

Before long, Glades Horne came out, with Chris Bluen still sitting in the Study Room.

"Glades, how did it go?" Scarlett Taylor asked worriedly. She was truly afraid that Marcel Horne's return would disrupt their peaceful, happy home.

"Mom, don't worry. Dad will come around eventually," Glades Horne said, then looked at Leo Bluen and added, "Leo, Dad wants you to go back to the company first. He won't be going in today; he'll rest at home."

Leo Bluen said nothing and obediently left.

Glades Horne looked at his younger brother again. He walked over to Marcel Horne, and the two brothers stood face to face, their eyes meeting.

A moment later, Glades Horne unexpectedly punched Marcel Horne on the shoulder, then reproached him, "Why didn't you come home? Grandmother is going crazy missing you. She constantly laments that you're the only one not by her side. Go back first. Some things need to be taken slowly; they can't be rushed."

"Brother, I'm sorry," Marcel Horne said, his apology laden with much unspoken meaning.

"I've never blamed you." Glades Horne glanced at Ruby Bluen and continued, "You chose this path; you have to walk it yourselves. Outsiders can't help. No matter the obstacles, as long as you persist, you'll reach the end." After saying this, he patted Marcel Horne on the shoulder, then walked over to Julia Bluen and said gently, "Julia, stay here and keep Mom company for a bit. I have some things to take care of at the office."

Julia Bluen nodded and offered a few words reminding him to be careful on the road.

Hearing his wife's reminders, Glades Horne's features softened even more.

He finally understood why two people in love wished to be together. It was because only when they were together could one hear a loved one's caring reminders before heading out. Even a few short words could warm the heart. No matter when or where, or what one was doing, one would always be extra cautious. Someone was waiting for them at home; a woman who loved them deeply worried about them. Only their safe return could set their beloved's mind at ease. This, he realized, was the essence of true connection.

Seeing her younger daughter and son-in-law so affectionate, then looking at her elder daughter, Scarlett Taylor sighed inwardly.

Indeed, children of the same parents can have such different fates.

Glades Horne kissed Julia on the forehead before leaving.

While a small commotion had taken place in the Bluen Family, a minor episode also occurred in the Ruiz Family far away in A City.

A City and T City, both within Syrena, are quite far apart; a drive between them would take two days. However, both are bustling metropolises with booming economies and skyscrapers everywhere. Incessant chains of towering buildings rise like giant trees in the City Districts—so numerous that counting their floors would be a futile, neck-aching task.

Each city has its independent yet interconnected commercial worlds, each with its wealthiest individuals and leading enterprises.

In T City, the leading force in the business world and its wealthiest family is naturally the Horne Family. The family's wealth and prominence are awe-inspiring, and their five young masters are all paragons of society. In A City's business circles, the Ruiz Group is the most renowned. The Ruiz family has always been distinguished and influential; the Businessmen they cultivate invariably stand at the pinnacle of their respective fields.

This generation of the Ruiz Family hasn't produced any government officials. However, previous generations included high-ranking officials, so it's no exaggeration to call the Ruiz a distinguished family. The current head of the Ruiz Family is the 63-year-old Matthew Ruiz, CEO of the Ruiz Group. He married Ellie Wallace, eldest daughter of the wealthy Wallace Family from Dumbledore, and they have three sons and no daughters.

Their eldest son, Hansen Ruiz, appears gentle and amiable. A warm smile always graces his face, leading those unfamiliar with him to believe he's exceedingly easygoing. In reality, he is extremely arrogant. In his business dealings, however, he is ruthless. This has earned him the nickname 'the smiling tiger'—said to devour people whole without spitting out their bones, leaving his victims utterly bewildered.

Hansen Ruiz, as the eldest son with a natural talent for business, was groomed as the successor from a young age. Who would have thought he would prove so difficult to control? He wasn't willing to take over the Ruiz Group, instead choosing to strike out in T City, claiming he needed to gain experience. For a time, he turned T City's business world upside down. The mere mention of his name struck fear into people, who viewed him as a dangerous beast.

The Ruiz Family was well aware of Hansen's actions in T City but didn't intervene. They assumed he would eventually tire of his exploits—or of being seen as a venomous beast—and naturally return to take over the family enterprise. To their surprise, he joined the Valence Group. The Ruiz were also well aware of the Valence Group's considerable size; in fact, the two groups even engaged in cross-city collaborations. The Valence Group was involved in a wide array of industries, venturing into any sector that promised profit. Consequently, many companies across the nation's numerous cities had forged cooperative relationships with them.