"Alright, alright!" Simon Forrester impatiently interrupted Bianca Fordham, "Can we eat properly now? What’s the point of bringing that up?"
Old Master Forrester glanced at his daughter-in-law, who didn’t look too happy, and reminded Bianca not to ntion Ian Grant anymore. The elder was very superstitious to begin with and didn’t like openly ntioning death-related matters, especially things that might make his granddaughter-in-law uncomfortable.
Bianca Fordham smiled, unconcerned, and since she couldn’t ntion Ian, she turned to his daughter: "When we entered the mourning hall, I saw Chief Prosecutor Sutton’s son helping out. Does this an he’s committed to marrying Ian Grant’s daughter?"
Mr. Reed, who hadn’t spoken until now, said, "It seems so, they do make a fitting match."
Sienna Thornton thought of the tasks Ian Grant had entrusted to her and shook her head, unsure of what to say.
The al was rather painful for Sienna Thornton.
Not only had she just returned from Ian’s funeral, but the Forrester Family kept chatting about the Grants, which made it hard for Simon Forrester to steer the conversation away despite several attempts.
...
Leaving The Imperial Court Club, Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton headed straight to linda Linton’s place.
The passing of Ian Grant due to illness seed to have touched sothing in Sienna. As soon as she entered the house, she went to linda’s room to be with her.
The early June sunshine was lovely, and linda Linton’s room had a bay window that basked in the warm sunlight all afternoon on clear days.
Sienna Thornton spread a bath towel on the floor, resting her head on linda’s lap, while linda carefully cleaned her ears.
The gentle sunlight ward them, bringing back mories of similar warm weather during her childhood. Back then, she and linda would sit in the family courtyard, with linda similarly tending to her ears and sharing all kinds of intriguing stories or snippets about her biological father.
After leaving her hotown, years passed without seeing linda. During tough tis when she felt she couldn’t persevere, she’d think of those childhood days, the courtyard, and linda’s gentle care.
"Annie," linda softly patted her arm, "let’s switch sides."
Sienna snapped back to reality and turned over, groaning, "Oh my bones..."
linda chuckled and patted her rear, "Used to the mattress now, it’s hard to adjust to firm surfaces, huh?"
Sienna’s eyes twinkled with a new idea: "Why not have that step-son of yours install a tatami here? It’ll be nice for midday naps in the winter sun."
linda laughed lightly, playfully scolding, "Step-son, really? You’re so mischievous."
Sienna giggled, hugging her waist, "Your son-in-law! He always calls you ’our mom’ more than his own mother."
.
After linda finished cleaning the other side, Sienna dozed off comfortably, only waking up after dusk.
She reached for her phone beside her, checked it, and massaged her sore muscles before leaving the room.
linda and Auntie King were busy in the kitchen, while Simon Forrester lounged on the sofa watching a movie. Seeing Sienna, he waved her over.
Sienna obediently went to sit beside him, watching the movie for a while, before recalling the idea of installing a tatami in linda’s room. She asked, "I found those tatamis quite convenient in Yorai. I want to put one in my mom’s room, is it troubleso?"
Simon, eyes glued to the TV, replied, "Not troubleso. We can have mom stay at our place for a few days during installation."
"Then handle it."
"Alright."
.
After dinner, Sienna ntioned taking linda for a walk, so Simon stayed back to handle so work.
An hour later, Sienna returned, looking quite well. Since Ian passed, she had been thoughtful, but visiting linda’s had lightened her mood.
Simon noticed.
"It’s still the holidays tomorrow. Do you want to do sothing fun?"
"I plan to take my mom for dim sum, watch an opera, and then go shopping in the afternoon." Sienna began to undress for a shower, "Do you want to join us?"
Simon said, "I’ll go to the old house to accompany grandpa, and co over in the evening."
"Alright."
Simon closed his laptop, grabbing a clean towel and underwear from the wardrobe, and followed her into the bathroom.
He stood by the sink, applying shaving foam to his cheeks and chin, carefully shaving the stubble.
Sienna closed the shower door and began her bath.
They went about their individual routines, chatting in small talk—a simple, ordinary, yet warm accompanint.
...
...
...
"The actions of the counterparty regarding targeted dumping and differential tariffs clearly violate WTO rules, and we..." Sienna was in a eting with her subordinates when her phone started vibrating on the table.
Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was Mina Thorne. After considering for a few seconds, she set aside her materials, "Everyone, please wait a mont. I need to take this call."
She picked up her phone and left the eting room, closing the sliding door before answering, "Hello."
"Sienna..." Mina Thorne’s typically cool voice ca from the other end. Even addressing her as "sister" still carried a sense of aloofness.
Sienna asked, "What’s going on?"
"Seth and I plan to hold the wedding a hundred days after my mother’s passing. She entrusted the dowry arrangents to you before she left."
Sienna felt a bit surprised, not expecting Mina to move on so quickly. It had only been a month since Ian passed, yet she was already eager to discuss marriage.
However, she managed her surprise well, not letting Mina sense it.
She responded formulaically, "Yes, just let know when you need it. Notify two weeks in advance, and I’ll have Lawyer Caldwell start preparing."
"The dowry should align with the groom’s proposal, about two months from now."
"Alright."
Hanging up, Sienna stood for a while contemplating.
According to Ian’s will, Sienna needed to divide the assets jointly owned with Quentin Thorne before Mina’s wedding, transferring Mina’s rightful share entirely to her.
Ian likely feared that after her passing, Quentin—possessing all the assets—might remarry, potentially diverting Mina’s inheritance to another woman or children from another relationship...
Though Quentin treated Mina well, there was an inherent distrust, owing to three decades of an unhappy marriage.
The asset division demanded a clear separation—not just their savings and investnt returns, but also requiring the sale and division of proceeds from Quentin’s current two-story villa.
It all landed on Sienna’s shoulders.
Reflecting on it, Sienna felt both helpless and amused. She thought, Ian still wanted to trouble Quentin, ultimately leaving him without a house to his na.
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