Simon Forrester hesitated for a mont before answering, "I don’t know his daughter, she’s basically a stranger. But I’ve heard so things about Aunt Grant from Gage Grant."
The person in his arms stirred and looked up at him, "Oh? Quickly tell , I’m listening."
Simon Forrester wasn’t fond of gossiping about people, especially elders. But given the special circumstances, with his beloved about to integrate into an unknown environnt, he had to prepare her ntally to avoid stepping on any landmines and smoothly get through the next two to three months.
"Aunt Grant is soone with a strong sense of pride and a lot of concern for appearances, and she’s quite jealous. Gage’s parents have a pretty large business, naturally, they’ve got fancy cars and houses. I’ve heard Aunt Grant envies this quite a bit and often makes sarcastic remarks about her younger sister’s family, implying that no matter how booming the business, they’re just lowly rchants. Her husband is a high official, and that’s what’s truly impressive..."
Sienna Thornton: "..."
After a mont of speechlessness, she remarked, "How can her worldview be so bizarre?"
Simon Forrester sighed, "If you can’t even get along with your own sister, who can you get along with? So when you go over there, just don’t bother with her, and definitely don’t provoke her."
"But my very presence is a provocation," Sienna feared a bit, "What if she poisons my food or sothing?"
Simon Forrester chuckled, "If she harms you, she’d face legal repercussions. Once she has a criminal record, her daughter’s background would be tarnished. Future promotions would be impossible due to that political review block. Even if she doesn’t care about others, she’d consider her daughter’s future. And since she cares so much about appearances, she probably won’t do anything to ruin her own family."
Sienna thought about it and agreed, dropping the matter. After cuddling with Simon Forrester for a while, she asked, "Do you think Director-General Linton did a political screening on when he asked to go over?"
"Certainly."
"What about a family like Felix Raines’, how’s that considered in a political review?"
Simon Forrester smiled, "Ordinary farming family, politically clean, quite good. Many places still welco the children of farrs."
"Why’s that?"
"They’re straightforward, hardworking, without ulterior motives..."
"But I’m not the traditional child of a farr, am I?"
Simon Forrester had his hands on Sienna’s back, massaging her back muscles casually, and replied seriously, "Deep down, perhaps you are?"
Sienna burst out laughing, twisting the muscles on Simon’s abdon with the hand that was around his neck, "A few hundred years ago, everyone was a farr, okay? Who’s more noble than whom?"
"You might have been farrs, but the Forrester Family wasn’t." Talking about his family history, Simon Forrester was quite proud, "My grandmother was a descendant of The Eight Banners. My great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and great-great-great grandfather, during the Qing Dynasty, all held high positions..."
"So how did it end up with you being down-and-out, not even securing a small post?"
Simon Forrester: "..."
.
It was Saturday the next day, and perhaps because she had to move to Quentin Thorne’s place in the morning, Sienna Thornton felt a bit anxious and didn’t sleep well, waking up early.
She got up as usual, made breakfast, watered the plants, cleaned the house, and did everything she needed to do before letting Simon Forrester drive her to the Thorne Family.
Quentin Thorne had ntioned coming to pick her up, but she didn’t want him to know the address of Simon Forrester’s apartnt, so she refused, saying Simon Forrester would take her over.
Simon Forrester drove her Maserati sports car to drop her off. Later, when he needed to return, he’d take a taxi and leave Sienna Thornton’s car behind.
Along the way, Simon Forrester held her hand as much as possible, repeating patiently, "Stay for ten days to half a month to keep up appearances, then find a reason to move back."
Sienna Thornton nodded absentmindedly, "How will we et in the future? After work, we’ll et up outside for dates?"
Simon Forrester thought for a mont and said, "Let’s do this, how about we et in the dormitory on the fourth floor of the design office after you start working? Just say you’re busy with work and have to stay late, co back later. We’ll have dinner in the dormitory, and I’ll send you back to Thornton’s place afterward."
Sienna Thornton agreed, "That’s a great idea! I can et you and avoid seeing Quentin’s wife. By the ti I return late, she’s probably already asleep!"
"Exactly."
With a way to avoid Aunt Grant, Sienna Thornton’s mood lightened a bit.
.
The Thorne Family Villa was on the outskirts near the old city, not close from the New District. It took nearly an hour, considering the slight weekend traffic.
Simon Forrester had been here before, so he knew the route well. Surprisingly, though Sienna Thornton had lived in Brimfield for many years, she’d never been to this area.
Looking at the historical villas fading behind their car, Sienna Thornton asked, "I thought they should at least live in a dium-grade area, why this old villa district?"
Simon Forrester focused on driving, smiling, "Don’t let the age of these villas fool you, many high officials live here."
"Then the feng shui here must be good."
Simon Forrester glanced at her, amused, "So superstitious at such a young age?"
Sienna Thornton wasn’t in the mood for jokes, so she didn’t respond, instead gazing out at the unfamiliar surroundings outside the car window.
The sowhat narrow road was lined with tall sycamore trees, their branches lush and arched into a half-circle above. The ground was dotted with golden sycamore leaves, a sea of gold.
Behind the sycamore trees were rows of townhouses, with gently sloping roofs, gray brick walls, exquisite lattice windows, and copper gates, giving off a deep sense of history.
This must be the house Quentin Thorne and linda Linton had described, one with its own garden indeed.
"Candy, we’re almost there." Simon Forrester called out to Sienna Thornton, "Quentin is waiting outside for you, see."
Sienna Thornton snapped back, instinctively sitting up straight, lightly clearing her throat, and looked ahead through the windshield.
Quentin Thorne, dressed in a dark woolen Zhongshan suit, stood at the entrance of a villa not far away, looking at them. As the car approached, his signature smile beca more apparent.
After all, they were blood-related, and seeing him smile eased Sienna Thornton’s tension considerably.
The car stopped outside the courtyard wall, and Sienna Thornton got out, going over to give Quentin Thorne a hug, "The wind’s so strong outside, why not wait inside?"
"You’re moving in, Father is happy. I didn’t sleep at all last night and got up early."
As Quentin Thorne spoke, white vapor ca from his mouth in the chilly November air.
He went to help Simon Forrester unload the luggage. Soon, Sienna Thornton’s 24-inch big suitcase and two 20-inch small ones were off the car.
Simon Forrester carried two suitcases, Quentin Thorne one, and Sienna Thornton followed them inside.
Inside was clean, as if renovated a few years ago.
The floor and furniture were cherry wood, the sofa beige, and the walls white, offering a sense of taste. While it couldn’t compare to the understated luxury of The Fenmore Villa, it still exuded charm.
Sienna Thornton quietly observed her new environnt, while Simon Forrester and Quentin Thorne were chatting over tea in the living room. She heard Simon Forrester ask, "Isn’t Aunt Grant ho?"
"Mina’s Mom probably went back to her maiden ho in Serene Lake."
Simon Forrester asked again, "What about Prosecutor Thorne?"
Quentin Thorne smiled, "Mina might still be sleeping, I’ll go call her." With that, he quickly went upstairs.
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