CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 355 NATIONAL TREASURES AREN’T EASY TO BE (4)_1

Learning that Julia Bluen was pregnant was news that left his emotions most intricately tangled. He was happy for his elder brother and for his sister-in-law. But deep within, a pang of pain surged through him. That abnormal, secret crush, those suppressed feelings that couldn’t be erased, caused him unbearable heartache. The two people he loved the most—one was about to become a father, the other a mother—how could his heart not ache? Still, he took action.

He returned to his villa and silently brewed a pot of nourishing soup for Julia Bluen, not having anticipated that his family would have so many supplements prepared for her already. Being looked down upon within the Horne Family, he had learned to fend for himself from an early age. His culinary skills far surpassed those of Glades Horne and were on par with Julia Bluen’s. By the time he carefully brought the pot filled with nourishing soup back, he discovered his soup had become just one among many. He dared not say much, even fearful that everyone would find out, so he quietly placed the soup he had stewed behind the others. Actually, he felt a profound sense of loss in his heart.

She was already his brother’s wife, and his brother was the true head of the household. Outside, she received everyone’s attention, and naturally, back at home, she garnered the family’s care as well. His brother doted on her so much; his care for her certainly wouldn’t be lacking. And his own care for her, he feared, would forever fail to catch her eye, never to enter her heart. With so many people preparing nourishing soup for her, and his status destined to keep him from being too conspicuous... How could his heart, after loving for so many years, not feel lost?

At the long dining table of the Horne Family, just as Scarlett Taylor might have prepared, dishes of all sorts were spread out. Today was an exception, however, featuring all of Julia Bluen’s favorite dishes, unlike the usual varied spread. In front of her usual seat were five pots of nourishing soup, all specifically for prenatal nutrition; it was practically a soup competition.

Without question, these five pots of soup were stewed by the grandmother, Mila Anderson, Sovia Morris, Viola Hanley, and James Horne.

All sorts of tonics and gifts piled up in the hall. It was practically like setting up a shopping mall.

Seeing such a scene, Julia Bluen was overwhelmed and wanted to find a hole to hide in.

"Julia, you’re back! You had me worried to death. Why are you so late? Don’t you usually get off work around eleven? The company is yours; nobody will say anything if you leave early. From now on, leave at eleven and come home earlier for dinner. You’re pregnant; you can’t go hungry," Mila Anderson said as soon as she saw Julia Bluen and Glades Horne walk in. She quickly came forward, nudging Glades Horne aside to warmly take Julia Bluen’s hand, speaking a string of caring words.

Pushed aside by his own mother, Glades Horne suddenly felt neglected, as if Julia Bluen’s pregnancy had nothing to do with him. After all, he was the main contributor, wasn’t he?

"Let’s not talk too much now. Wash your hands, and let’s eat," the grandmother said with a smile, waving her aged hand. Everyone immediately escorted Julia Bluen and helped the old lady walk towards the dining room. They had all gone hungry waiting for Julia Bluen to come home for dinner.

The men all walked behind. The women were brimming with enthusiasm, leaving the men squeezed to the side. Even Glades Horne, the father-to-be, got nudged aside, let alone the others.

Julia Bluen had the hardest time during the meal. Everyone served her dishes, pushing the soup they had stewed in front of her as if they thought she had an insatiable appetite, afraid she wouldn’t get enough to eat.

Five pots of soup—how could she possibly finish all of them?

In the end, she could only take two sips from each pot. As for the dishes everyone served her, she couldn’t finish those either; she was already partly full from eating at her mother’s home.

Eventually, Glades Horne issued an order, telling his family members not to stew so many nourishing soups for Julia Bluen, as it would overwhelm her. Besides, it wasn’t yet time for such heavy nourishment.

The family members exchanged glances. Most of those present were parents themselves and knew Glades Horne’s words made sense. However, this first child of the Horne Family’s current generation was very important to them. They verbally agreed with Glades Horne, yet they secretly planned to stew soup and send it to Julia Bluen’s office in the future.

Facing in-laws likely to pay lip service while doing their own thing, one could only imagine how lively Julia Bluen’s days ahead would be.

After the meal, the elders stuffed red envelopes into Julia Bluen’s hands, leaving her baffled.

Of course, the elders’ red envelopes weren’t filled with a mere thousand or several hundred dollars like those from ordinary households. Instead, each contained a card. The PIN for each card had been standardized and was written on the back of the envelope, derived from Glades Horne’s and Julia Bluen’s birthdates.

Each card held a sum of at least one million dollars. Gian Horne, whose bank account was frozen, had borrowed money from his two sisters. Glades Horne’s two aunts, both affluent ladies, were generous, each giving five million.

"This..." Julia Bluen looked at Glades Horne in astonishment, then at everyone present, not understanding why they were all giving her red envelopes.

"Julia, you are continuing the Horne Family line. As elders, it is natural for us to reward you," the old lady said, laughing heartily. The red envelope she had given Julia Bluen contained the deed to a Jewelry Shop she owned, one that was doing quite well.

Julia Bluen’s hand, holding the red envelopes, instantly stiffened.

She was pregnant and having a child because she loved Glades Horne, and Glades loved her. She was willing to have his child. It was the most natural thing in the world and a way to deepen the affection in their marriage. It didn’t require monetary rewards; that would make it seem as if she were pregnant for the money.

She returned all the red envelopes everyone had given her. Looking at them seriously, she then expressed her thoughts in a stern and righteous tone, which made everyone feel a bit embarrassed.

It was their habit, really, with no other deeper implication. But their habit was abruptly checked by Julia Bluen, and everyone turned to look at Glades Horne.

"Julia is right," Glades Horne said, firmly siding with her. When his family had habitually started giving Julia Bluen red envelopes, his gaze had darkened and his handsome face had clouded over. However, before he could speak, Julia Bluen had already taken action.

Her words warmed his heart. She was absolutely right. Their child represented a deepening of their love and its continuation. If it were tainted with money, the meaning would be entirely different.