Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 219 - 217: Kind and Warm

After the game ended, Sienna Thornton quickly put on her boots and ran to the room where Simon Forrester used to sleep. She tidied up her appearance before coming out.

Seeing that she even reapplied her makeup, Simon Forrester frowned slightly: "We’re just going to the neighbor’s house, why did you apply such bright red lipstick?"

"We’re going to see the Dean of Court G! Of course, I need to look presentable!" she said, reaching out to adjust Simon Forrester’s coat collar. After making sure both of them looked fine, she intimately linked arms with Simon and headed towards the outer courtyard.

Just as they opened the door, they bumped into Old Master Forrester, who was coming back from a bird walk with Uncle Grant. Simon Forrester greeted him: "Grandpa, we’re going to visit Uncle Grant’s house. I heard Ronan Grant’s uncle has arrived."

"Dean Thorne is here?" Old Master Forrester chuckled, "Then you should take Sienna along, introduce your wife to Dean Thorne, and make an impression."

"Got it, I understand."

Hearing Old Master Forrester refer to her as Simon Forrester’s wife, Sienna blushed and said, "We’ll be leaving now, Grandpa," and walked happily out with Simon, arm in arm.

Upon leaving the gate, she pinched Simon Forrester’s arm: "Even Grandpa knows I should make my presence known to the Dean, and you almost didn’t take me."

Simon Forrester winced in pain and exclaimed, "Ow! I never said I wouldn’t take you. I was just planning to go after finishing the game."

"Still making excuses..."

Amidst their playful banter, they arrived at the next-door Grant residence.

The red gate was wide open, and Simon Forrester led Sienna inside.

Uncle Grant was hanging his birdcage in the outer courtyard. Seeing them come in, he warmly greeted, "Rex, you’re here? Come in and take a seat."

Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton both wished him, "Happy New Year, Grandpa Grant."

Uncle Grant smiled warmly, "Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!" As he spoke, his sharp eyes scanned Sienna Thornton’s face briefly and he smilingly asked, "And this is Old Forrester’s granddaughter-in-law, Miss Thornton, right?"

Sienna blushed and smiled, greeting again, "Happy New Year, Grandpa Grant."

"Wonderful, this young lady is really pretty, just like my granddaughter!"

Being constantly shouted at by his four grandsons and one grandson-in-law gave Uncle Grant a headache. In his lifetime, he longed for a few more well-behaved granddaughters, so now, meeting the beautiful and charming Sienna Thornton, his tone turned notably gentler. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

He warmly invited Sienna inside, barely acknowledging Simon Forrester, who was already familiar with the house.

The layout of the Grant residence was similar to the Forrester family, a three-section courtyard, passing through the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard for receiving guests.

Ronan Grant was in the yard smoking and playing on his phone. Seeing Simon and Sienna approach, he quickly discarded his cigarette butt and came over: "Rex, didn’t you say you weren’t coming?"

Simon Forrester gave a slight nod, saying, "I brought your sister-in-law over for a walk."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Grant immediately understood Simon Forrester’s intention and warmly invited them, "Come into the hall for some tea. My niece Minnie is here too, all youngsters together have lots to talk about!"

"My cousin and brother are out! Not here!" said Ronan Grant.

The "brother" he mentioned is Uncle Grant’s little grandson, Gage Grant. Simon Forrester grew up playing with him and also with Tobias Blackwood, though Simon Forrester was two years younger than them and left for studying abroad early, so they haven’t been together much these years.

These young people, born in traditional courtyards, are descendants of affluent yet low-profile aristocratic families. They grew up together and stayed close during their school years, but as their boisterous adolescent years passed, they each arrived at life’s crossroads.

Some were determined to continue the family legacy, pursuing political or law degrees in college, entering important sectors smoothly after graduation; others followed their passion, studying abroad, eventually excelling in their chosen fields.

The Grant scions fell into the former category, while Simon Forrester belonged to the latter. Thus, their paths naturally diverged over time, but they never drifted too far apart. Whenever anyone faced trouble, a word brought them all back together.

When Ronan mentioned Gage, Simon Forrester casually asked, "What’s your brother been up to lately?"

"Oh, what else? Flirting with girls, I heard he’s chasing a pretty doctor lately..." Before he could finish, Uncle Grant gave him a light slap.

Ronan yelped and turned to his grandfather: "Grandpa, that’s domestic abuse, you know? I could have Ms. Thornton file a lawsuit against you!"

Uncle Grant, exasperated, pointed at Ronan: "How did I end up with two such unruly kids? Y’all are going to be the death of me on New Year!"

As they reached the doorway of the hall, a hearty and deep laugh echoed from inside, and a gracious middle-aged gentleman strode out from the inner hall: "Who is Ronan planning to sue? Tell your uncle!"

Ronan scurried behind him to hide.

Uncle Grant discarded his disgruntled expression, put on a smile, gently guiding Sienna up the steps, and introduced, "This is Old Forrester’s granddaughter-in-law from next door, a lawyer here to visit."

He then introduced to Sienna Thornton: "Miss Thornton, this is my eldest son-in-law. He works in the judiciary, quite similar to your field!"

Sienna beamed, bowed to Quentin Thorne, and politely said, "Happy New Year, Dean Thorne. I’m Sienna Thornton, pleased to meet you."

"Miss Thornton, a pleasure to meet you." Quentin Thorne extended his hand for a firm, concise handshake.

Sienna retracted her hand, feeling a warm sensation both in her palm and heart. Dean Thorne’s touch was as amicable and comforting as his demeanor.

By then, Quentin Thorne had already stepped down the stairs personally, greeting Simon Forrester with a handshake: "Rex, hasn’t it been years since we last met? Before I knew it, you’re married."

Simon Forrester offered a polite smile: "Uncle Thorne, it has indeed been many years. You still look as young as back then."

As the sun began setting, its orange glow spread across the sky, enveloping the entire courtyard.

Sienna Thornton stood under the corridor, lowering her gaze to Simon Forrester and Quentin Thorne bathed in the sunset’s glow. It suddenly struck her how familiar this moment felt, almost like a scene repeatedly conjured in her dreams, or perhaps one she had witnessed directly before.

She suddenly felt a sense of confusion, uncertain if this was reality or a parallel universe.

"Shall we go in?"

Simon Forrester’s soft call brought her back to reality; he had already taken her hand at some point.

Sienna gathered her senses, glancing around the courtyard, now devoid of anyone.

"They all went inside; let’s go in too," Simon Forrester whispered.

Sienna nodded, holding his hand as they stepped into the inner hall.

The Grant family’s inner hall was similar to the Forrester’s, mostly furnished with ancient, valuable mahogany Ming and Qing furniture, exuding a strong sense of history.

Quentin Thorne sat on a wooden sofa cushioned with red silk, expertly rinsing tea utensils with one hand, the other casually resting on his knee, appearing relaxed and at ease.

He gestured for Simon Forrester and Sienna to sit down.

They sat across from him.

Soon, two cups of faintly steaming white tea were placed in front of them.

Quentin Thorne picked up a white jade tea cup, took a sip of tea, his sharp eyes observing Sienna Thornton seated opposite him through the gentle steam wafting between them.