CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135 IF HE MARRIED JULIA (4)_1

If he had married Julia, he would have cherished her to the heavens as well.

If he had married Julia...

James Horne thought gloomily.

"In seven more days, Glades and Julia will be back. I wonder if Julia is pregnant yet," the old lady said, immersed in her joy, oblivious to the turmoil in James Horne’s emotions.

What she wanted most now was to hold her great-grandchild.

She was too old. Even though her living conditions were excellent, one cannot defy fate. Who knew when the day would come that she would close her eyes, stretch out her legs, and be gone.

Hearing this, James Horne’s hands suddenly clenched into fists.

On his honeymoon, no official business could disturb Big Brother. If Big Brother found opportunities to be intimate with Julia, would she then...

His heart twinged with a sour ache.

This time, he knew very well he was jealous of his brother.

Later, the old lady kept talking, but James Horne no longer registered her words.

Afterward, he found an excuse to leave the Horne family villa. Just as he was leaving, Adele Horne happened to be returning home. Proud as a peacock, she shot him a cold snort before going inside. After leaving the Horne estate, he didn’t go to his mother’s apartment but instead drove aimlessly through the streets.

Without realizing it, his car had once again stopped in front of The Blue Moon Pub.

Sitting in the car, he coldly eyed The Blue Moon Pub.

Under the dark sky, the sign for The Blue Moon Pub flashed with multicolored neon lights. It was exceptionally dazzling and intoxicating; the facade alone was enticing enough to make one want to step inside and investigate.

Many cars were already parked out front—vehicles of all makes, resembling a car show.

Standing at the pub’s entrance were two handsome young men in waiter uniforms. Both were around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with fit physiques, serving as the pub’s greeters.

Their handsome faces bore professional smiles as they greeted everyone with the same warmth. Their good looks captivated many of the female patrons who came to drink and relax. Many affluent ladies and debutantes chose to relax here, largely because most of the servers were handsome young men.

Halton Hillraise, one of the owners of The Blue Moon Pub, was very astute. He knew that the money of affluent women was easier to earn. When women became infatuated with a man, they would spend lavishly—often more generously than men.

Of course, female servers were also indispensable, as there were many male customers too. These female servers weren’t exceptionally beautiful, but they possessed an inner quality. They were nearly all the same height and unfailingly polite, leaving guests no grounds for complaint.

After sitting for quite some time, James Horne eventually opened the car door and walked into the pub.

The ache in his heart, the sourness deep inside him, needed the numbing effect of alcohol right now.

In seven more days, the two people he loved most would return from abroad. Then, he would have to see them every day. Such days would be both a blessing and a torment for him.

A younger brother in love with his older brother, a brother-in-law in love with his sister-in-law... Just the thought of it made clear the painful conflict he was enduring.

Once inside the pub, he still chose the most secluded table to sit at.

He summoned a waiter and had them bring several bottles of liquor, then proceeded to drink alone.

"Brother James."

Suddenly, an extremely gentle and very familiar voice reached his ears.

"Brother James, what a coincidence, meeting you here." Orlando Evans, wearing a black autumn dress that made her resemble a black rose—sensual and mysterious—sat down opposite James Horne, feigning coincidence.

James Horne didn’t even look at her, concentrating only on his drink.

"Brother James, drinking alone is so dull. Why don’t I join you? I’ve been feeling awful too. I’ve been so frustrated these past few days that I ended up coming to a pub by myself. Alcohol really is a good thing." She poured herself a glass of wine and sipped it lightly, her coquettish eyes, tinged with sadness, occasionally flicking towards James Horne. "Only when I’m drunk can I forget Glades."

James Horne still ignored her. After she poured herself a glass, he picked up his own glass along with the bottle she hadn’t touched. He no longer wanted the one she had poured from. Turning around, he moved to a nearby table, making it clear he didn’t want to sit with her.

Orlando Evans’s expression darkened considerably. Glades Horne never gave me a proper look; that’s because he has the capital to be arrogant. But what capital does James Horne have to be arrogant? Does he really think he’s the Fourth Young Master of the Horne Family? He’s just an illegitimate son, living at the mercy of others. What right does he have to put on airs before me? I’m better off than him; at least I’m the daughter of a high-ranking official.

A vicious glint flashed in her coquettish eyes. Though fleeting, it lent a sinister chill to her beauty.

Orlando Evans didn’t try to sit at James Horne’s table again and resumed drinking by herself. However, she kept glancing at James Horne. Drinking the way he was, he was bound to get drunk. Once he was drunk, she could orchestrate a drunken indiscretion with him. Then, she could re-enter the Horne family’s sphere as James Horne’s woman.

However, she was also very curious. James Horne is usually so composed; why would he come to a pub to drink his sorrows away?

"Mr. Four, why are you here drowning your sorrows alone again?" Halton Hillraise suddenly approached and sat down beside James Horne.

"Your pub is open for business. Are you implying I can’t come in alone for a few drinks?" James Horne glanced sideways at Halton Hillraise and responded coolly. "Who says drinking alone is necessarily drowning one’s sorrows? I just craved a drink and came to your place to sit for a while."

Halton Hillraise smiled and shifted slightly, just enough to block Orlando Evans’s view of James Horne.

"Mr. Four, that woman behind me has designs on you. You’d better not get too drunk," Halton Hillraise said. As one of the pub’s owners, Halton Hillraise had long since cultivated sharp eyes; he could discern with a single glance the troubles or intentions of anyone who came to drink. It was merely that he chose not to get involved. Just as James Horne had said, he was open for business, not a meddler.

He had a rather good impression of James Horne and considered him something of a friend, which was why he kindly offered the warning. Although James Horne was an illegitimate son, his identity as the Fourth Young Master of the Horne Family was an irrefutable fact. Countless women dreamed of marrying into the Horne Family to become a lady of high society, and he didn’t want James Horne to be forcibly ensnared by someone.