Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law-Chapter 676 Handling (1)_1

Adele Horne laughed and admitted her stomach was genuinely growling, so she didn’t hold back. Besides, they were old classmates; she wasn’t going to be overly polite with him. When she opened the lunchbox, she paused in surprise—the dishes inside were all her favorites.

It turns out her nemesis, the class monitor, actually knew what dishes she liked.

After a brief pause, she started eating as if nothing were amiss.

"People always change," she said.

Regarding the rumors that had once swirled wildly about her, Adele Horne was now calm and composed. So many years had passed. Except for the man whose face she couldn’t recall but who remained etched in her heart—a man she told herself she resented—she had gained perspective on everything else. Her feelings had faded, even towards Orlando Evans; she now felt she was the one who had harmed him.

Now, with her son by her side and family who truly loved and cared for her, she was content.

"I heard you... had a son?" Gio Coleman asked cautiously, broaching the sensitive subject.

"Yes, he’s almost four years old now, a very naughty little boy." Mentioning her son, Adele Horne’s face lit up with a mother’s radiant love.

Gio Coleman’s eyes flickered; for an instant, a pang of sympathy showed in them.

He didn’t start eating immediately. Holding his chopsticks, he looked at Adele Horne, then glanced around her small office, which wasn’t as spacious or bright as his own. The Coleman family’s business was in manufacturing shoes and handbags. Their company had also been in T City previously but later relocated its main operations to other towns, though they still maintained an office in the City District.

After returning from abroad, Gio Coleman, this "sea turtle" scholar, had been placed by his father as Assistant to the General Manager in their family company. His position was similar to Adele’s, yet his office was far grander than hers.

The same age as Adele Horne, he wasn’t yet dating. At twenty-six, he was only beginning to learn the ropes of the family business; marriage could be postponed, as he was still young.

His parents didn’t pressure him either.

"Why don’t you work at your family’s Valence Group? Any management office there is better than this one," Gio Coleman asked with a smile, elegantly starting his meal.

"I’m scared of my brother. Besides, he’s not as kind-hearted as my sister-in-law. He’d have me at Valence serving tea like a gofer, offering a monthly salary of three thousand yuan. Unlike my sister-in-law, who directly made me an assistant. Even though it’s just an assistant, at least it has ’assistant’ in the title, which is better than being a gofer," Adele Horne chuckled.

The Valence Group wasn’t a place one could enter merely through connections; they valued real ability. She lacked such skills before, so if she had joined, aside from being an errand girl, there was truly nothing else she could have done. Even now, with work experience, she didn’t want to go there. She liked it here.

"Your sister-in-law... she’s so fortunate. Since I’ve returned, the main things I’ve heard about are the Horne family’s affairs. It’s so captivating, like a long-running TV series! First your brother’s story, then yours, one thrilling episode after another," Gio Coleman chuckled, his smiling eyes often inadvertently resting on Adele Horne’s pretty face.

He had never imagined that this once-fiery girl would now be wearing such a mature, professional suit and sitting across from him, interacting so amicably.

If I hadn’t heard she’d completely changed, I might not have dared to see her. The old Adele, if she knew I’d come looking for her out of curiosity fueled by gossip, would definitely have smashed my car to bits.

Adele Horne just smiled and continued eating. She was now immune to so-called hearsay; whatever people said could hardly hurt her anymore. She had withstood the most embarrassing gossip—what else was there that she couldn’t endure?

"Are you very busy?" he asked.

"Some issues came up at the company today," Adele Horne replied succinctly.

"Then, I’m not disturbing you by being here, am I?" Gio Coleman teased her with a smile.

"It’s alright. At least you brought me something to eat."

"What’s that supposed to mean? We’re old classmates meeting after many years, and you’re making me sound like a delivery guy," Gio joked. Adele didn’t notice the deep satisfaction in his eyes, pleased that she was willing to eat the meal he had brought for her.

"Adele." Julia’s voice suddenly sounded. She had also packed lunch for Adele. When Glades Horne had bundled her into the car, they had gone to the Emperor Hotel. When Julia realized her sister-in-law hadn’t appeared at the hotel today, she worried Adele might get too busy and skip eating, so she’d packed a meal to bring over.

She still had to deal with matters at the sweet dumpling shop. Because she had refused to let Glades Horne interfere, she needed to go back to the company to get her own car and drive to the shop.

Pushing the door open, Julia entered smiling. But she stopped short when she saw a man in her sister-in-law’s office. The two of them were eating, and the man was beaming, his gaze fixed on Adele.

Julia froze for a moment. Then, realizing she was being a third wheel, she quickly offered an embarrassed smile. "Oh, sorry to interrupt! Please, you two continue. I’ll just head out," she said, turning to leave.

When did Adele get a boyfriend? And to think she kept it a secret even from me, her close sister-in-law! Julia mused. Still, the man seems nice. Quite nice, actually.

"Sister-in-law, this is my old classmate, Gio Coleman," Adele quickly explained.

Seeing Julia’s overly cheerful smile, Adele knew she had misunderstood.

If I don’t clarify now, I’ll definitely be grilled by either my sister-in-law or Mom after work today, Adele thought. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Julia stopped in her tracks. An old classmate, huh.

She turned, smiled at Gio Coleman, then walked over to Adele, handing her the packed lunch. "I was worried you might be hungry," Julia said, "but it seems my concern was unnecessary." She glanced at Gio again. She’d heard before that he and Adele used to be rivals. She hadn’t expected him to visit Adele.

"Adele, I have to run; there’s something at the company I need to handle. You and Manager Li can manage things here," Julia said, not probing into the situation between Adele and Gio. After handing over the food, she smiled at Gio and left Adele’s office.

Once they finished lunch, Gio, knowing Adele was busy, exchanged phone numbers with her before leaving the Valence Toy Company.

Adele Horne didn’t give Gio’s visit much thought, figuring it was just old classmates catching up. She had no idea that Gio would later be considered a fierce love rival by her future husband.

「Emperor Hotel.」

Noah Reyes had gone out himself, hoping to find ’her’ or at least stumble upon her by chance, but his search had been fruitless.

Feeling somewhat dejected, he arrived at the Emperor Hotel and booked a room directly on the eighteenth floor. Now, he stood alone by the window, a drink in hand, sipping slowly as he gazed at the streetscape below.

He spotted Glades Horne’s luxurious car. Although it was far off, not many people drove Rolls-Royces. Besides, he had memorized Glades Horne’s car long ago, so he recognized it instantly, despite the distance.

He also saw Glades Horne leading a woman into the hotel. He couldn’t make out her face, nor did he have much interest in her appearance. In his mind, apart from *her*, all other women were meaningless. He didn’t even understand why he was so infatuated with *her*. It had just been a fleeting, intoxicating encounter, hadn’t it? But reality was full of such unknowns, such inexplicable things.