Ivan Horne and Jimmy Horne, the pair of cousins, were already three and a half years old. Both boys were equally handso and adorable. Although young, Ivan was the elder of the two and possessed a noticeable steadiness for his age. Jimmy, while not as impulsive as Adele, was incredibly playful. He loved climbing high and low, rummaging everywhere, and turned the Horne Family’s five-story Main House upside down daily. This left the servants, who had to clean up, complaining bitterly. If Ivan joined in the mischief-making, it would only give the servants an even bigger headache.
Hansen Ruiz’s daughter, Camila Ruiz, resembled him, had Rachel Bailey’s eyes, and was remarkably articulate for her age. Now three years old, she was even more beautiful than as a newborn. However, hers was the kind of beauty that grew on you, becoming more apparent with prolonged acquaintance.
Rachel Bailey often brought her to visit the Horne Family, so Camila grew up alongside the Horne family’s two little "Demons."
Perhaps because Julia and Rachel were good friends, Ivan and Camila also shared a strong bond. Ivan was very protective of Camila, treating her like his own younger sister. Jimmy, on the other hand, took an instant dislike to Camila. Whenever she visited, he would pick a fight with her, ranging from minor quarrels to full-blown brawls. Once Camila stepped into the Main House, wherever she sat, Jimmy wanted to sit; whatever toy she played with, he would try to snatch away. If she played with Ivan, Jimmy would be there to ss things up. He constantly kept an eye on her, ready to oppose her at every turn.
The adults often remarked that the two were like door gods posted on the wrong doors—destined adversaries from a past life.
Ruby Bluen had also given birth; impressively, she had fraternal twins—a boy and a girl—who were now two years old.
Sovia Morris, doting on her grandchildren, had moved back from the military dical compound to live in the Horne Family Mansion once more.
The relationship between Mila Anderson and Gian Horne hadn’t improved in the slightest. Gian made a great effort to salvage the marriage, but Mila was adamant about getting a divorce, declaring that what’s done cannot be undone.
If it weren’t for the sake of the elderly matriarch, Mila would have moved out of the Horne Family residence long ago.
The old lady was now eighty-nine years of age. Despite appearing to be in good spirits, she was actually ill, afflicted with various ailnts common in the elderly. Under Glades Horne’s planning, Valence Group had opened a hospital. Thanks to its ethical dical practices and highly skilled doctors, the hospital attracted a vast number of patients daily—so many, in fact, that they were likened to a school of carp crossing a river. This success further elevated Valence Group’s financial power, centing its dominant status.
The old lady went to her family’s hospital for treatnt every day.
Doctors had confidentially inford Glades that the old lady had, at most, two years to live—or, in the worst-case scenario, as little as half a year.
The old lady was also aware of her fate. Her biggest worry was her eldest son, Gian Horne, who was over sixty and facing divorce. She knew Mila still lived in the Horne Family residence primarily for her sake, and also because Mila couldn’t bear to leave little Ivan.
However, children and grandchildren have their own fortunes, and so things were simply beyond her capacity to worry over.
Julia was filial, making ti every day to chat with her grandmother-in-law and sotis taking her out to lift her spirits. Witnessing her granddaughter-in-law’s devotion, the old lady had also learned to let go, putting her anxieties aside to enjoy her remaining years fully.
Over the past three years, the most heart-wrenching situation involved Jas Horne.
Jas Horne, now thirty-two, had gone to the Hughes family residence three years prior to apologize to Rebecca Hughes. That very day, he asked her to be his girlfriend. Rebecca had always held a fondness for him, but it had remained platonic, so she rejected his request. He didn’t give up. He felt that because he had seen her bare upper body and behaved inappropriately, he had to take responsibility, even if she forgave him. He persistently "pursued" Rebecca for a year before she finally agreed to be his girlfriend.
But even now, though they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, their relationship hadn’t progressed any further.
Rebecca had gone from regarding him as a good friend to deeply falling in love with him. She had already waited for him for two years, yet he never ntioned marriage. Moreover, he always kept a certain distance from her, at most holding her hand or giving her a hug.
His heart was still with Julia; it was just hidden beneath his relationship with Rebecca, whom he used as a shield against his family’s speculations.
He was especially fond of Ivan Horne. Glades Horne, Ivan’s own father—a man who doted on his son but even more so on his wife—showed Ivan less than a third of the affection Jas did. This truly highlighted the depth of Jas’s love for the boy.
He loved Julia, and therefore, he loved the son she bore.
At this mont, the elderly lady was sitting on a rattan chair placed on the walkway of the front courtyard. She loved watching her great-grandchildren play.
Although the temperature outside was very cold, it didn’t bother her.
Thoughtfully, Aunt i brought her a thick, small quilt and draped it over her to ensure she wasn’t too cold.
"WAH WAH... Mummy, Billy Horne is pulling my hair!" Suddenly, Jimmy Horne yanked a handful of Camila Ruiz’s tied-up hair, causing her to cry out in pain. Not to be outdone, she then pounced on Jimmy. The two of them scuffled for a mont before stopping, with no clear winner or loser.
After pulling Camila’s hair and getting into a fight, Jimmy—dressed in a black children’s suit—didn’t run away imdiately. Instead, he stood in front of Camila, made faces at her, and imitated her crying.
"Camila." Ivan, also dressed in a stylish children’s suit, pulled Camila behind him protectively. His deep black gaze settled firmly on Jimmy. It was uncertain if this was because his eyes so closely resembled Glades Horne’s or for so other reason, but whenever he fixed his gaze on soone, it exuded a sense of oppression. He was just a child, barely over three, yet he already possessed such a commanding presence.
"Billy," Ivan rely called out, saying nothing more.
Billy Horne, who feared neither heaven nor earth, stopped making faces and imitating Camila’s crying after Ivan called his na. After rolling his eyes a few tis, he turned and walked over to the elderly lady, snuggling into her embrace.
Up on the top floor, Glades and Julia, along with Hansen Ruiz and Rachel Bailey, stood beside the railings, looking down upon the scene unfolding in the courtyard. A resigned yet doting smile lingered on the lips of both couples.
They were all too familiar with Billy always bullying Camila and Ivan always protecting her.
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