Nicholas Coldwell kept speculating about the relationship between Julia Bluen and Glades Horne. He thought of Julia as just a low-level employee at the company. Although she had a noble aura, if she were a wealthy young lady, how could she possibly have run off to work at Cosmos?
He had never inquired about Julia's family background, but he had given her rides home countless times. Each time, Julia would head for the crowded bus. How could a wealthy young lady possibly squeeze onto a bus? He concluded that Julia was just an ordinary working-class girl.
"Who is he?" Glades Horne stared straight at Nicholas Coldwell, asking Dio Powell, who stood before him.
"Young Master Horne, he is my little girl's groom, Nicholas Coldwell, the manager of my company's Planning Department," Dio Powell hastily introduced in a fawning manner. He then called over to Nicholas, "Nicholas, come and meet Young Master Horne." Dio Powell's tone, expression, and reverence were such that he treated Glades Horne as if he were an Emperor.
Nicholas Coldwell quickly walked over to Glades Horne. However, he didn't quite dare to look directly at Glades, who was even taller than him, because the dominant aura emanating from Glades made it impossible for someone like Nicholas, born into poverty, to withstand.
In Cosmos, Nicholas had always prided himself on his uniqueness. Usually solitary and proud, at this moment, he felt as humble as a tiny ant before Glades Horne.
"Young Master Horne, welcome to the ceremony. Your presence is truly an honor for us," Nicholas said. He very much wanted to show some backbone, but flattering words spilled out before his brain could process them. He even extended his right hand, intending to shake hands with Glades Horne.
"Are you Julia's boyfriend?" Glades Horne looked down at Nicholas Coldwell, his tone inscrutable; no one could guess how this would unfold. He didn't even glance at the hand Nicholas extended towards him, much less shake it.
Nicholas's face turned white. His outstretched hand became stiff, and he stammered, "Yes... Oh, no. No."
"One word. Is it or isn't it?" Glades Horne's voice grew even colder.
The Horne and Bluen Families were old acquaintances. He had grown up with the Bluen sisters from a young age. Now that he was Miss Bluen's fiancé, Julia was about to become his sister-in-law. He would not allow anyone to hurt Julia.
"I..." Nicholas's face flushed red, and he didn't know how to respond.
Diana Powell was also stunned by the sudden turn of events. Seeing Glades Horne pressing hard and Nicholas Coldwell at a loss, she quickly stepped in front of Nicholas. With a forced smile, she asked, "Young Master Horne, please forgive my presumption, but could you tell us your relationship with Julia?"
Glades Horne still stared at Nicholas Coldwell. Clever as he was, Glades had guessed the answer long ago. That girl, Julia, always insisted on being self-reliant. She had refused the Bluen Family's arrangements and gone to work at Cosmos, concealing her identity as the second daughter of the Bluen consortium from the outside world. This heartless man must have coveted the Powell Family wealth, abandoning Julia Bluen for Diana Powell.
Despicable!
Detestable!
Even he, the 'crown prince,' couldn't bear to hurt Julia Bluen in the slightest. Yet this heartless man, Nicholas Coldwell, couldn't recognize true value. He had actually abandoned a genuine heiress for Diana Powell, who wasn't fit to touch a single strand of Julia Bluen's hair!
A sinister yet mocking smile suddenly appeared on Glades Horne's lips, making everyone present's scalp tingle. He then wickedly asked, "Do you know who Julia is?"
Since Julia Bluen wouldn't let this heartless man know her true identity, he would reveal it for her. He would deal a harsh blow to this fortune-seeking scoundrel.
Scanning the crowd, his gaze finally settling back on Nicholas Coldwell, Glades Horne spelled it out, word for word: "Julia is the second daughter of the Bluen consortium, the precious youngest daughter of Chris Bluen, and my sister-in-law."
That single sentence struck like a bolt from the blue, stunning everyone.
Everyone stared at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.
This was especially true for Nicholas Coldwell and the Powell Family.
As soon as Nicholas Coldwell heard "Bluen consortium," cold sweat began to seep from his temples, and his body started to tremble slightly.
In T City, aside from the Horne Family, the Bluen Family was the wealthiest. Their fortunes, like those of the Horne Family, were astronomical and uncountable.
And the girlfriend he had discarded was actually...
Suddenly, Glades Horne stepped up to Nicholas Coldwell and mocked, "How does it feel? Shocked? Regretful?"
Nicholas Coldwell's complexion turned ashen.
"Young Master Horne..."
Dio Powell wanted to say something more, but Glades Horne turned and left, ignoring everyone present.
He was off to soothe his little sister-in-law.
Glades's cold departure pushed Dio Powell into an abyss. Having offended both the Bluen and Horne Families, could Cosmos still survive?
Nicholas nearly collapsed. He desperately wanted to shamelessly chase Julia Bluen out of the Church, kneel before her, admit his wrongs, and beg for her forgiveness, but he had lost the strength. Under the watchful eyes of everyone present and their speculative gazes, he didn't dare. He couldn't.
He understood Julia's personality. Even if he did chase after her, she would not forgive him. He had lost the chance to climb the social ladder with Julia Bluen, and he couldn't afford to lose Diana Powell, his current stepping stone.
Reaching out, Nicholas Coldwell firmly grasped Diana Powell's hand. Now, he could only cling tightly to this stepping stone.
After leaving the Church, Julia Bluen got into her car and sped off once again.
The prestigious Mercedes flew down the highway, where traffic streamed like a river and snaked like a dragon, but Julia Bluen didn't know where to go. No matter how strong she was, she couldn't remain indifferent to the emotional betrayal she had just experienced.
The car took turn after turn, nearly leaving the City District.
"Pleasant Goat, Beautiful Goat... Grey Wolf, Red Wolf..." Her phone rang again.
Julia Bluen slowed down. She fished out her phone with one hand, not looking to see who was calling, pressed the answer button, and brought it to her ear. "Hello," she said, her voice low and subdued.
"Julia, where are you?"
Glades Horne's deep voice, tinged with concern, came through the phone.
At this moment, hearing Glades Horne's affectionate and concerned inquiry felt as if he had handed her a thick, cotton-padded coat in the depths of a frigid winter, instantly warming her.