Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

She had snuck in to send Rachel Bailey away, not daring to let Hansen Ruiz know.

The call was from Julia Bluen.

Julia Bluen felt it was abnormal for Rachel Bailey not to have arrived at Emperor yet after so much time, which was why she called to check. She feared something had happened to Rachel Bailey. Seeing that the call went through, Julia's heart settled a bit. Once Rachel Bailey answered, Julia immediately asked with a laugh, "Rachel, you're not walking, are you? Didn't you say you were leaving early? It's only a half-hour drive; you should have arrived by now. It's been almost an hour."

"Julia, I'm busy right now. I'm afraid I won't be able to join you. You go on with your work," Rachel Bailey replied with a laugh, though her smile sounded somewhat forced, as if strained.

As Rachel Bailey's close friend of three years, Julia was all too familiar with her laughter. Noticing it sounded unnatural this time, she immediately asked with concern, "Rachel, what trouble have you run into? Do you need my help?"

"'I'm fine. You don't need to help me. I have to go now." Realizing from Julia's words that her own laughter had given her away, Rachel Bailey hurriedly hung up.

She didn't want Julia to know the predicament she was in.

Looking at the handset now emitting a BEEP-BEEP-BEEP busy signal, Julia, sitting at her office desk, furrowed her brows. Rachel had never abruptly cut off their conversation like this. What made her so urgent this time? And her laughter sounded so off; what exactly had happened to her?

Julia decided to call Rachel Bailey again, but to her surprise, Rachel's phone was turned off.

Her heart lurched. Rachel Bailey must be in serious trouble.

Throwing down her pen, Julia couldn't stay seated. She stood up, grabbed her car keys, picked up her bag, and walked out of the office, bypassing her desk.

"Ms. Bluen, are you heading out?" Just as Julia left her office, she bumped into Vice President Li, who had come to see her. Vice President Li asked knowingly.

Julia nodded, then asked, "Sister Li, did you need to see me for something?" Vice President Li was a self-reliant, confident woman who had climbed her way up from the lower ranks. Julia respected her greatly, no longer addressing her as Vice President Li but as Sister Li, like others did, to show her recognition and respect.

Vice President Li handed an invitation to Julia, saying, "Ms. Bluen, this is an invitation to a trade fair in the neighboring city. It's held annually, like the Canton Fair. Though not as grand, it's well-suited for our company." Emperor produced toys, so participating in either the Canton Fair or this trade fair was beneficial.

Previously, Vice President Li had always attended. However, the company's ownership had changed this year, so she wanted to check with Julia whether she should attend again or if Julia would go instead.

Julia took the invitation and read it carefully. "Sister Li, I'll go with you. We'll need you to prepare more of our products for the exhibition," she said. She had just taken over the company and didn't know the products well enough to field customer questions alone. Vice President Li had been with Emperor for many years, starting from a junior position, and knew every product inside out. With Vice President Li accompanying her, Julia could also learn a few things.

After speaking, she handed the invitation back to Vice President Li, indicating that Vice President Li should take it, as Julia was merely accompanying her; Vice President Li was the principal attendee.

Vice President Li took back the invitation, smiling lightly and nodding. "Don't worry, Ms. Bluen, I'll prepare everything." Ms. Bluen still relies on me, she thought, a wave of relief washing over her.

A company was like an ancient imperial court: a change in ruler meant a change in courtiers. Even though Vice President Li had been at Emperor for many years and was highly regarded by the previous General Manager, Julia was different; Julia was the true boss. If she didn't earn Julia's approval, she couldn't stay at Emperor.

Seeing Julia's respect for her and that she was still consulted on matters, Vice President Li's worries finally eased. To be honest, one grows attached to a place after working there for a long time, and she didn't want to leave Emperor.

Julia hurried out of the company, got into her black Mercedes, and drove towards Betra Street.

Rachel Bailey was still in the Emperor hotel. Alwin Ruiz's wife, as domineering as Hansen Ruiz himself, had wanted to forcefully drive Rachel Bailey out of T City when she refused to accept her five-million-yuan check and leave voluntarily. However, Floyd Thomas had persuaded her against it. When Alwin Ruiz's wife saw Rachel Bailey answering the phone, she grew extremely anxious, worrying Hansen Ruiz might call her. So, as soon as Rachel Bailey hung up her call with Julia, Alwin Ruiz's wife, on the pretext of not wanting Rachel Bailey to contact Hansen Ruiz, forcibly took her phone and turned it off.

At that moment, the two women were still sitting stiffly in the luxurious room, deadlocked, each displeased with the other.

Rachel Bailey hadn't expected Alwin Ruiz's wife to be not only domineering but also somewhat unreasonable. This kind of wealthy, powerful lady is the type to truly pressure others with her status, not at all like Julia, who is more down-to-earth.

"Ms. Bailey, I'll give you another million, for a total of six million. Will you agree to leave?" Alwin Ruiz's wife stared at Rachel Bailey, her tone already quite impatient and tinged with hostility.

"Ma'am, I've already said, the problem isn't with me. What's the use of relentlessly pressuring me?" Rachel Bailey didn't yield an inch. She was poor, but she wasn't someone to be bullied. If Alwin Ruiz's wife hadn't tried to pay her off, she might have left anyway, just to draw a clear line with Hansen Ruiz. But with Alwin Ruiz's wife offering money, if she left, she'd be branded as someone after Hansen Ruiz's money. So, she didn't want to fulfill Alwin Ruiz's wife's wish, didn't want to be looked down upon or cast as greedy.

In her heart, though, she was starting to feel resentful towards Hansen Ruiz. It was all his fault! But then again… it seemed she had been the one to seek him out first. Oh, what a mistake! Calling Hansen Ruiz for help that first time—that was the mistake. If anyone was to blame, it was herself.

"Floyd Thomas," Alwin Ruiz's wife called softly but firmly, gesturing for him to approach. She whispered something in his ear, and Floyd Thomas's expression turned hesitant, though he didn't dare object.