The top floor had become Adele Horne's territory on New Year's Eve. Everyone else had their own plans, but she was left with no one to accompany her.

She had lived for twenty-two years, almost twenty-three. In her life, the only person who had ever accompanied her and left a profound impression was Orlando Evans. Thinking of Orlando, a pang of pain tugged at Adele's heart.

At the time of "that incident," she had resented Orlando. After several months, however, her hatred had suddenly dissipated. She felt that everything was her own fault, a result of her ignorance and poor judgment, which had allowed Orlando to use her for revenge. Orlando, too, had ended up with a ruined family and a shattered life because of her. Both of them had received the endings they deserved.

But she was still much luckier than Orlando. At this moment, at least, she could stand freely on the rooftop of her family's villa, admiring the night scenery. Fireworks bloomed across the sky, lighting up half the heavens. Even if the fireworks were fleeting, they burst forth with beauty, leaving an imprint in people's hearts, their brief existence not in vain. Orlando, meanwhile, was still in prison, deprived of freedom, likely without anyone to even visit her.

Inadvertently, her hand touched her lower abdomen. She had been pregnant for over two months. Although the baby was developing normally, its frame was still not as large as Julia Bluen's baby's. Perhaps it was because her morning sickness had been too severe; she couldn't eat properly, so the baby might not have received enough nutrients.

Adele had complex feelings toward the child in her womb. When she had decided to keep the baby, she began to pour all her maternal love into it. Yet, sometimes, when hurt by rumors and thinking of the baby's father, resentment would fill her. She didn't know who that man was. He had left behind a necklace, which Julia said meant he must have had some feelings for her. If so, why had he disappeared? She bore the burden of pregnancy and the sting of gossip alone. Did he even know?

Reining in her thoughts, Adele refused to dwell on the man she couldn't remember.

No matter what, the child was hers.

Even if that man appeared in the future, she wouldn't let him know the child existed.

New Century Gardens was a newly established villa district in T City. While it couldn't compare with Golden Kirin or rival Grand Court Gardens, it boasted a prime location. Nestled against hills and near water, it was also close to a national highway, making travel convenient, and not far from schools. It was the chosen abode of many families with children. Thus, the land was extremely expensive; a single villa could cost several million yuan.

Lush greenery, exuding opulence, characterized the villa district. The abundance of plants not only beautified the environment but also helped keep the air fresh.

The Hughes Family villa was located in New Century Gardens. They had moved there when the district opened, just over a year ago. Their old Hughes family villa, it seemed, was in the Suburb.

Rebecca Hughes, forced by her elder brothers to quit her job, was idle. After the New Year's Eve dinner, her two elder brothers had gone out to make business calls. So, she sat atop the wall surrounding her family's villa, hands propped beside her, gazing up at the dark expanse of sky.

The Hughes family servants were long used to her wild nature. They turned a blind eye to their young lady sitting on the wall, letting her be.

She wore a beige coat, black pants, and a pair of household slippers—not the warm, fluffy winter ones, but the summer kind. Her cute little feet were exposed to the air, and she occasionally wiggled her toes.

The Hughes family residence was surrounded by other houses. People and vehicles constantly passed on the road in front, and Rebecca greeted everyone she saw.

When her neighbors saw her like this, they would at most remind her to sit carefully and not fall, already accustomed to her antics.

A red Audi appeared in New Century Gardens, like a fiery dragon in the night, driving along the main road, dazzlingly conspicuous.

When Rebecca saw the car, her eyes lit up, but she murmured to herself, "Red, so eye-catching! But, sis likes it!"

SCREECH! The red Audi pulled up and stopped in front of the Hughes family home.

After parking, the driver didn't get out immediately. Instead, he stared, somewhat stunned, at Rebecca, who was sitting atop the wall. Her legs were swinging back and forth. Though she was looking at the car, her expression was relaxed and carefree, as if she were a fairy untroubled by worldly matters. Under the streetlight, her delicate, makeup-free features glowed, revealing her natural beauty. Indeed, she was quite beautiful, a true ingénue; it was a pity her behavior lacked refinement.

"James, is that you? Why is it you, driving a red Audi?" Rebecca called out from the wall, somewhat puzzled, after getting a clear view of the man in the car. "You're so cold and uncommunicative. Red is for the vivacious and unrestrained; it really doesn't suit you. Why don't you switch to black? Or is your coldness just a façade, while your heart is actually passionate and unrestrained?"

Had James Horne come to the Hughes family home looking for her?

With his usual cold demeanor, James stepped out of the car and shut the door. He leaned against the car, his gaze fixed coldly on Rebecca.

Rebecca let him stare, then stood up.

James immediately raised his eyebrows, a flicker of worry in his eyes. He was probably worried she would fall.

But he didn't move. He remained leaning against the car, watching Rebecca, a sense of annoyance stirring within him. He didn't understand why he had come here.

After the New Year's Eve dinner at home, he had declined invitations from friends, yet he hadn't known where else to spend the long night. There was no room for a third wheel like him in his eldest brother and sister-in-law's loving world. And he hadn't wanted to go back to his mother's house.

So, he had driven aimlessly. Upon passing New Century Gardens, he had decided to enter. When he did, the security guard at the entrance had asked who he was looking for. After a moment's thought, knowing the Hughes Family villa was here, he had casually said he was looking for Miss Hughes. The security guard registered him and let him in.

After standing up, Rebecca carefully walked along the wall to the gate, grabbed the wrought-iron gate with both hands, and then nimbly climbed down.

Seeing her land safely on her feet, James couldn't help but say in a low voice, "Don't you find this embarrassing?" A young lady of your status, sitting on walls and climbing gates? Your unrestrained actions have devoured any trace of elegance. It's hard to imagine how those two brothers of hers in the Hughes family raised their sister.