Outside the window, the slanting sunlight heralded the approach of evening, signaling that his workday was over.

To go home, or to wander? To face it, or to evade?

Suddenly, the low strains of "Secret Love Letter" began to play.

James Horne took out his phone and saw the caller ID: his mother.

Holding a cigarette in one hand, he pressed the answer key with the other, his voice deep, "Mom."

"James, it's been so long since you've come home for a meal with me. Come home for dinner tonight; Mom will make your favorite dishes," Pheobe Rogers's voice came through, filled with profound care for her only son.

When a woman becomes a mother, regardless of her status or social position, her love for her children is always heartfelt.

"Mom, I have a social engagement tonight; I won't be coming home for dinner," James said flatly. As he lied, his handsome face betrayed not a hint of guilt.

"Alright then. Take care of yourself, okay? Don't drink too much at your social engagement; it's bad for your health," Pheobe Rogers said, her tone unable to hide her disappointment.

James responded faintly, reminded his mother of a few things, and then ended the call.

He extinguished his cigarette, grabbed his car keys from the desk, turned, and strode out of the office.

Although there was still an hour left in the workday, as the General Manager, no one would dare question when he left the company.

Not long after, his Audi pulled out of the James Horne Kitchenware Company and onto the main road, heading towards Golden Kirin Garden.

「Half an hour later」

James returned to the Horne family villa.

After giving his family a cool greeting, he headed upstairs.

He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped; he saw Glades Horne, who was just about to come downstairs.

Glades had already changed. He was now wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, straight black trousers, and a black leather belt. The hem of his shirt was neatly tucked into his trousers, outlining his solid waist. His lustrous black hair was combed meticulously. The expression on his handsome face was coolly detached, his dark eyes twinkled with intelligence. His full lips were pressed into a thin line, making him look very cool.

"Big brother," James instinctively smiled. In his elder brother's presence, he was at his most insincere. But he had no regrets about this insincerity towards his brother, because only his brother had ever offered him warmth. His smile was something he willingly showed for his big brother.

"You're back." Glades Horne steadied himself. His deep eyes landed on James Horne's smiling face, which bore a seventy percent resemblance to his own. His gaze, sharp as a knife, slid inch by inch across James' face. Even someone as composed and cool-headed as James felt his scalp tingle under that gaze.

"Hmm, just got back. I figured it wasn't time for dinner yet, so I thought I'd go upstairs and take a shower first." James stepped aside to let Glades descend. As Glades took a step down, James also turned and headed downstairs.

"No social engagement tonight?" Glades turned his head to glance at him again, his tone neutral.

"Entertaining every day is tiring. I thought I'd take a break," James replied.

"Make sure to balance work and rest; don't tire yourself out. If you really can't handle it, hire an assistant," Glades said, his deep voice laced with subtle concern for James. This made James' smile widen even more. He felt that refusing to dine with his mother and declining social engagements had all been worth it.

"I'd like to, but I can't find an assistant as capable as Ruiz." The brothers had already walked into the main hall, but Glades didn't wish to sit there. Instead, he turned into the side hall next to it.

The side hall's decor was much like the main hall's, only the space was a bit narrower.

Sitting on the sofa, Glades picked up the TV remote, pointed it at the wall-mounted television, and turned it on. He then leaned back into the sofa. "If you dared to use Ruiz, I could let you have him."

James quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, smiling. "I don't have the ability to handle that smiling tiger. I'm afraid one day he'll outsmart me, and I won't even know how I died."

Glades smiled faintly. To James, he was like a god; a single smile could captivate the world. James was becoming obsessed, but he didn't dare show it, only gazing at Glades with hidden longing.

"What about Julia?" After retracting his infatuated gaze, James turned the topic to Julia Bluen.

Glades glanced at him, his tone unfathomable. "James, although Julia is two years younger than you, she is your sister-in-law. From now on, call her 'Sister-in-law'."

James felt a chill in his heart, a nagging feeling that Glades had perceived something. He returned Glades' gaze with a composed smile. "I've gotten used to calling her by her name. It's a bit awkward to change suddenly."

Yet, bitterness welled in his heart; his brother wasn't leaving him even a sliver of lingering hope. Calling Julia 'Sister-in-law'—the moment that title left his lips, it would be a constant reminder that Julia Bluen was now his sister-in-law, no longer someone he could covet. His brother was always so shrewd, always acting so subtly.

Actually, he should be grateful that he and Glades were true brothers. As long as he wouldn't harm Glades, Glades would absolutely not harm him; their fraternal bond would always exist. If he were anyone else still harboring such improper desires for Julia Bluen, given Glades' dominant nature, would he even still be alive?

"You'll have to get used to it. In this family, aside from Adele, Julia is the youngest. But she married me, and I am the eldest among you. If you don't call her Sister-in-law, she'll feel you're disrespecting her, bullying her because she's young. James, Julia is now the most important person to me. I want her to live happily by my side, without anything making her unhappy." Glades' words, while laced with doting affection for Julia Bluen, were also subtly extinguishing any lingering hope James might have for her.

"Big brother is really good to her," James said, smiling to mask the ache in his heart.

"She's my wife. Who else would I treat well if not her?" Glades replied, then stood up. "It's time for dinner. I'll go upstairs to get Julia. After dinner, we'll spend the night at our villa in Golden Kirin Garden." That place belonged only to him and Julia Bluen. There, they could be completely at ease, and it truly felt like home.