Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law-Chapter 538 My Heart Belongs to Someone (3)_1

Fortunately, her parents and younger brother were understanding and didn't force her to return to work at the Bluen Family company. The Horne Family could easily provide for both her and her husband.

"Just woke up from a nap. The little guy is still sleeping at this time, such a good boy," Julia responded to her sister's comment.

Although the sisters had become sisters-in-law, their relationship remained at the sisterly stage. Sometimes Julia felt grateful that their sisterhood had evolved into being sisters-in-law, as it saved her from having to navigate the in-law dynamics typical of other families. After all, in all the grand households, internal conflicts over inheritance, status, and profits were rampant. Sibling and in-law rivalries were countless, often infuriating the elders to no end.

Because of Julia's presence, the atmosphere in the Courtyard became more lively.

「James Horne's kitchenware company.」

「Inside the General Manager's Office.」

"James Horne, how did you come up with the idea of starting a kitchenware company? Can you even cook? If you can't, do you even understand kitchenware?" Rebecca Hughes's curious voice echoed throughout the office.

James raised his cold eyes from his work and glanced at her, responding indifferently, "You always have so many questions." He didn't know if his brain had short-circuited, actually letting Rebecca Hughes into his office.

Well, with Rebecca around, his days seemed to pass faster. He didn't have to think about his mother, or his brother and sister-in-law, whenever he was alone.

Though wild-natured, Rebecca was lively, and her presence could dispel the gloom. It was just that she always had too many questions, and he wasn't a man of many words. Sometimes he found Rebecca quite tiresome.

Rebecca walked to his desk, leaned on it with both hands, then slid half her body onto it. This pose was decidedly unladylike for a debutante, which caused James to frown. Unable to help his irritation, he picked up a file folder and knocked her on the head, saying coldly and indifferently, "Look at you, no propriety when standing, no propriety when sitting. I don't know how Uriel Hughes taught you."

"I like being natural; who cares about propriety?" Rebecca said, rubbing her head where he had hit her, but not changing her posture. Her bright and spirited eyes landed on James's indifferent yet handsome face. Her gaze was still one of pure innocence. Despite their many interactions, which had made them quite unusual friends, she saw James purely as a friend and had not shown any feelings beyond friendship.

"James Horne, just answer me once, will you? You never answer my questions. For example, you're twenty-nine and still don't have a girlfriend, not even a rumored one. Are you gay? If not, what kind of woman do you like? Let me see if I know anyone like that. How about I play matchmaker for you? Also, what about the question I just asked? Can you actually cook? Could you make a meal for me? I've grown up without ever eating a meal cooked by a man. My two older brothers won't even step into the kitchen."

Rebecca looked at James with an insistent gaze, as if interrogating him.

"I'm very busy," James said, lowering his head, unwilling to deal with her.

He felt that allowing Rebecca to be here was a huge mistake.

This gutsy young lady, who fearlessly drove her Red Devil through the streets and even raced him, always managed to cause a stir with her actions. No wonder members of Upper Class Society would get headaches at the mere mention of Miss Rebecca Hughes, preferring not to provoke her—she was just too unconventional.

He must be possessed, his brain short-circuited.

When he heard from his Secretary that Rebecca had come to see him, he immediately allowed her in, leading the Secretary to think she might be his girlfriend.

Girlfriend?

The only woman he would ever love in this lifetime was Julia!

"Excuses," Rebecca said bluntly, seeing right through his attempt to evade the question.

"You know it, yet you still ask. You're just asking to be snubbed," James couldn't help but raise his eyes and glare at her again. Her appearance shared many similarities with Julia's; perhaps that was why he kept interacting with her. But he was also very clear: Rebecca was Rebecca, and she and Julia Bluen were worlds apart—they'd never be connected, not in a million years.

Rebecca pouted and eventually sat down.

She quietly watched him process documents.

"I'm really envious that you can do what you like," Rebecca blurted out again after being quiet for less than a minute.

She loved medicine, had studied it, and had even been a doctor. Unfortunately, her eldest brother forbade her from practicing, absurdly claiming he was afraid she might accidentally kill someone. As if! She might be a bit scatterbrained in her daily life and a little careless, but at work, she was dedicated and professional. How could she possibly kill a patient? She'd only been a doctor for about half a year after graduation. It was so obvious her brother was just using it as an excuse to keep her at home like some demure young lady, and he was even more eager to marry her off now that she was just twenty-five.

Twenty-five, and getting married already? It seemed a bit early.

James ignored her, inwardly sniggering. Who was it that always said to do what you enjoy, regardless of what others think?

He had met her in the hospital and knew she was a doctor. Given her personality, she definitely wouldn't do things she disliked. Yet, she had still resigned. In that respect, he felt she talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. She hadn't managed to persist in doing what she enjoyed.

"James Horne, are you hiring here? How about I work for you?" Rebecca suddenly asked.

"Miss Hughes, my operation is too small to accommodate someone of your stature. Please look elsewhere," James replied coldly.

Rebecca pouted again and rolled her eyes at him.

Then, she quieted down again.

After sitting for a while, she stood up and turned to leave the General Manager's Office.

James thought she had left and didn't pay it much mind. He'd make sure she never showed up here again.

Unexpectedly, not long after, a steaming cup of coffee was placed before him, and Rebecca's voice reached his ears, "You seemed a bit tired, so I got some coffee beans from your Secretary. It's freshly ground and brewed. Have some to refresh yourself."

James couldn't help but look up, his cold gaze fixed on her for a full minute. For some reason, her care and consideration caused a slight ripple in the usually calm lake of his heart. Growing up, not many people had been genuinely kind to him, let alone kind without any ulterior motives.