But now she was also Mrs. Hansen Ruiz, bearing the title of Mrs. Ruiz, the Valence Group's chief assistant's wife. If she were too stingy, it would embarrass Hansen, and she couldn't bear to see Hansen embarrassed, even though Hansen himself didn't care.

"Who asked you to spend your own money on gifts? Didn't I give you a black card with no spending limit?" Hansen Ruiz felt helpless about his habit of calling his young wife by her full name, but he had accepted it.

"The second day of the New Year…"

"I'll accompany you to your mother's house."

"Should we visit your family too?"

"If they don't welcome you, then it's not a home." Hansen's expression darkened. Even though it was fleeting, Rachel Bailey could tell he disliked her mentioning the Ruiz Family. But that was his real home. Even though he had moved to T City to live independently long ago, she still felt it was because of her that he didn't return to the Ruiz Family.

"But…"

On the first day of the New Year, everyone was accustomed to getting up early. Of course, many also stayed up all night on New Year's Eve, only going to sleep when others woke up.

The elders of the Horne Family got up earlier than usual, and all gathered at the Mansion.

Glades Horne's two uncles and their wives had all returned.

However, Mila Anderson, avoiding everyone's notice, quietly took Dr. Lei to the Backyard. He was still staying with the Horne Family over the New Year.

Dr. Lei had also just gotten up and was still yawning; after all, he had some age on him, unlike the younger folk.

"Madam, is there something you need?" After yawning, Dr. Lei glanced at Mila Anderson with a bit of embarrassment and then asked curiously.

Mila Anderson took out a New Year red envelope she had prepared in advance and handed it to Dr. Lei, smiling. "Dr. Lei, Happy New Year! I wish you all the best. This is a New Year red envelope for you."

Dr. Lei chuckled and tried to decline, but in the end, unable to refuse, he accepted it.

As the Horne family doctor, he received quite a few red envelopes from the family heads every New Year, so he was used to it. After exchanging some New Year greetings, Dr. Lei got back to business.

"Are you asking about the Young Madam?" Everyone in the Horne Family knew about Mila Anderson's concern for her first grandchild. If Glades Horne spoiled Julia Bluen to the heavens, then Mila Anderson was the one most anxious and terrified of Julia Bluen metaphorically falling from that height.

Mila Anderson nodded, a smile still on her face.

She had calculated the days. Julia Bluen had been pregnant for exactly three and a half months now, so the baby's gender could already be determined. Dr. Lei frequently took Julia's pulse, and Mila wanted to learn the gender of the baby in Julia's womb directly from him.

"It has been over a month since I last took the Young Madam's pulse, Madam. Back then, the fetus hadn't even fully formed yet," Dr. Lei said, almost chuckling. He understood Mila Anderson's anxiety.

For prominent families, heirs were what mattered most. Women who married into such families, much like concubines in ancient imperial harems, found their standing elevated by their sons. If their firstborn was a son, it was like taking a tranquilizer, securing their position within their husband's family.

"Then, take Julia's pulse for me later," Mila Anderson replied instinctively.

Dr. Lei chuckled and reminded her, "Madam, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Even just taking a pulse is seen by many as akin to a doctor's visit. Many people dislike seeing a doctor on this day, considering it unlucky."

Reminded by him, Mila Anderson felt a bit embarrassed.

"Madam, how about this: I'll take the Young Madam's pulse after the third day of the New Year," Dr. Lei suggested after some thought.

Mila Anderson considered it and agreed that would have to do.

Thus, on the first day of the New Year, the two of them reached an agreement to determine the baby's gender.

「Two hours later.」

Several cars exited the Horne Family's villa, drove out of Golden Kirin Garden, left the City District, and headed towards the suburbs.

「The outing began.」

Glades Horne's group of close friends had also been invited and showed up.

Months after her marriage, Julia Bluen once again saw the straightforward Helen Griffin.

But this time, Helen Griffin seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was always sitting alone in a corner, looking at Julia and Glades Horne with envious eyes, or staring at Hansen Ruiz and Rachel Bailey.

"Glades, what's wrong with your close friend Helen Griffin?"

Out of curiosity and concern, Julia looked at Helen Griffin, who sat in a distant corner, and asked Glades Horne. They had parked their cars on a large grassy field in the countryside, which was bordered by many large trees. Helen Griffin was sitting under one of these trees, holding a fallen leaf and mangling it as if it had deeply offended her.

Glades Horne casually glanced at the distant Helen Griffin, then towards Edo Hanley nearby. As usual, Edo was wrapped up with a beautiful, voluptuous woman, displaying public affection, though his gaze would inadvertently sweep towards Helen Griffin.

"Probably heartbroken," Glades Horne said indifferently, withdrawing his gaze.

He never paid much attention to his friends' emotional lives.

Julia didn't ask any further.

A while later, Edo Hanley went over and sat next to Helen Griffin. The two friends, who usually bickered yet were surprisingly in sync, talked about something no one else could hear. In the end, Edo pulled Helen into his embrace as if she were a beloved woman, and Helen quietly leaned against his chest. They continued to speak, but no one knew what they were saying.