Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

"It was her who hit me!" Adele Horne cried, adamantly accusing Julia Bluen.

When she heard James Horne questioning her, she immediately shot him a fierce, warning glance. She knew James's feelings toward his older brother and Julia Bluen weren't normal, and she had always helped him keep this secret. If James dared to provoke her, she vowed to spill the beans and ensure the matriarch would kick him out of the Horne Family!

"Anyway, since Eldest Brother was there, he'll naturally clarify everything when he returns. I don't believe Sister Julia would hit someone," Henry Horne said thoughtfully.

"I don't believe it either," Harry Horne echoed.

The twins' mother, Viola Hanley, glanced at the matriarch without taking a stance.

The matriarch kept her lips pressed tightly shut, letting Mila Anderson, her daughter, and Sovia Morris voice their grievances while quietly waiting for her beloved grandson to return.

Adele Horne saw her brothers siding with Julia Bluen. Thinking of her own beloved brother, Glades, she felt terrified inside. Yet, she had been instigated by Orlando Evans to carry out this plan with reckless abandon, even swelling her own face. Now, she was in a predicament with no easy way out.

Fortunately, with the entire family present, she believed they would protect her from her brother's wrath.

Thus, she stubbornly let the situation unfold, unaware that her actions were hastening the downfall of the Evans Family and pushing herself further into an abyss of suffering.

"Madam, the Eldest Young Master and the Young Mistress have arrived," the housekeeper, Uncle Ying, reported to the matriarch after Glades Horne drove Julia Bluen's Mercedes into the courtyard, with Julia beside him.

At the news of Glades's return, the hubbub in the hall instantly ceased, as if no one knew how to speak. Even Adele's sobbing diminished significantly.

Only Mila Anderson's expression remained quite unsightly. The matriarch nodded, and Uncle Ying and Aunt Mei took their places behind her.

At that moment, the Horne Family's hall felt like the grand hall of an ancient noble mansion, where everyone gathered to deal with an offending family member.

Feeling insecure, Adele shifted her position to sit next to the matriarch. Compared to her mother, her grandmother was more capable of quelling the rage Glades might unleash.

Soon, Glades Horne's steady footsteps could be heard from outside.

Perhaps from long habit, the matriarch could tell by the sound of Glades's approach that he was returning like a brewing storm. A flicker of shrewdness crossed her wise old eyes. Her peripheral vision caught her granddaughter's frightened expression before a sly glint returned to her gaze.

Astute as she was, how could her granddaughter possibly deceive her? If her granddaughter wanted to cause a scene, then she would let her. A little commotion might be good. It would allow her cherished grandson to vent his anger on the whole family, ensuring that no one would dare wag their tongues, stir trouble, or frame her favorite daughter-in-law again.

Adele thought she could rely on the matriarch for protection, unaware that the matriarch, in all her cunning, was actually planning to let Glades unleash his fury on the entire family.

Glades Horne entered the hall, pulling Julia Bluen with him.

Seeing the room full of people, Glades Horne's handsome face became an unreadable mask, his expression inscrutable. His sharp eyebrows were drawn together above his deep-set eyes, making it impossible to guess his thoughts. His lips were tightly pursed. He had changed back into a tailored black suit, radiating an unspoken authority.

Julia Bluen was also startled. Adele Horne had made a complaint, and it brought all the family members back? Was the slap she gave really that serious? Serious enough to warrant such a gathering to accuse her? Adele Horne had cursed at her; shouldn't she have fought back rather than tolerate the abuse?

She had always known the Horne Family was complex, a large household. Having grown up with Glades, she thought she understood the Horne family members somewhat and believed she could navigate such a large family freely. But at this moment, she suddenly felt she had overestimated herself. In such a large family, amidst rapidly changing dynamics, many variables could arise that were beyond her control.

An indescribable dismay filled her heart.

Regardless, she now had to face whatever came her way.

When Glades Horne saw Adele Horne was no longer crying, his handsome face grew even more enigmatic. His gaze, tinged with a chilling iciness, swept harshly toward Adele, who didn't dare lift her head or meet his fierce stare. Julia Bluen, on the other hand, was utterly astonished. How could her light slap have caused Adele Horne's face to swell so severely?

Could Adele Horne have hit herself and then framed her?

"Julia, did you hit Adele?" Mila Anderson demanded, her gaze cold and unfamiliar as she stared at Julia Bluen.

"Yes." Julia Bluen admitted it without fear.

She had indeed slapped Adele Horne and wouldn't deny it.

At her words, everyone exchanged stunned glances. Julia Bluen really hit Adele Horne? Even the matriarch was somewhat surprised.

"Grandma, listen, she admitted it herself—" Adele Horne immediately clutched the matriarch's arm, about to cry, but was cut short by a crisp slapping sound. Mila Anderson, consumed by anger, had stood up and fiercely slapped Julia Bluen across the face.

The entire hall fell deathly silent in an instant.

Adele Horne's face turned a ghastly white.

After slapping Julia Bluen, Mila Anderson saw her son's handsome face instantly darken and his hands clench into fists. She froze. She had heard her daughter-in-law admit to hitting her daughter. Overcome with sympathy for her daughter and blazing anger, she had slapped Julia. Only now did she remember that her son doted on Julia Bluen to an extreme, allowing no one to harm even a single hair on her head.

Fear instantly appeared on Mila Anderson's face.

"Mom!" Glades Horne advanced on his mother, his expression dark. His tall, handsome frame emanated an intense chill, as potent as hundred-proof liquor. He first pulled Julia Bluen into his embrace, tenderly caressing the side of her face that Mila Anderson had struck. It was already swelling from the heavy blow.

Julia Bluen's eyes were also filled with coldness. Her mother-in-law had struck her without even trying to find out what happened. Was she someone to be bullied so easily?