Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 269 - 266: Father

Quentin Thorne went to Raines Village only to find that though it and Linton Village belonged to the same county, there was a world of difference geographically.

Linton Village is under Crestfall Township in Wrayhaven County, and is not one of the poorest places in Wrayhaven County. It’s even somewhat picturesque, with mountains and streams, accessible by taking a bus and then a ride on a villager’s motorcycle. On the other hand, Raines Village belongs to Peachgrove Township, a remote, impoverished, and isolated area. To get to Raines Village, one must pass through several large mountains, and twenty-nine years ago, when private cars weren’t common, such a place was impenetrable. Even today, without a local guide, it is difficult to find one’s way in, even by car.

Quentin initially couldn’t figure out how Melinda Linton, pregnant back then, could marry into such a place. Inquiring further, he learned that the man who married Melinda Linton was so poor that he only possessed a thatched cottage. Because he was poor, ugly, and short, he couldn’t find a wife, so he asked people everywhere to introduce him to one. By chance, a woman from Raines Village who had married into Linton Village mentioned that Linton Village had an unmarried pregnant woman named Melinda Linton. Although she was pregnant, she was tall and beautiful, with fair skin. Since she was already pregnant, it meant she could conceive! The child, once born, could help with farm work, regardless of gender.

Thus, five months into her pregnancy, Melinda Linton was married off to Raines Village under the conspiracy of her family and the women of her village. On her wedding day, The Linton Family formally severed ties with her, creating a written document declaring they would have nothing to do with her for the rest of their lives.

Quentin Thorne did not know what feelings Melinda Linton held as she married another man while carrying his child, but he realized she had no choice. In such an environment and era, her best option to ensure survival for herself and the child she carried was to depend on a man.

In Raines Village, he also learned that the eldest daughter of the Raines Family, Sienna Thornton, made significant money outside and bought a house for her parents in town, allowing the whole family to relocate. The person sharing this information, as if letting him in on a secret, revealed that Sienna Thornton had been brought over as a stepdaughter by Melinda Linton. The Raines Family’s own children didn’t do well in school, but this stepdaughter, against all odds, excelled academically, even studying all the way in the United States.

When he asked about how The Raines Family treated their eldest daughter, the person was unwilling to elaborate, whether out of ignorance or reluctance to disclose.

.

On his way back to the city, Quentin’s emotions were mixed. Based on Sienna Thornton’s birth date, he was one hundred percent sure she was his biological child. He began contemplating how to acknowledge her, how she could reconnect with her ancestry without being harmed by the Grant Family, and take up the name Sienna Thorne.

Over the years, he had harbored guilt and gratitude towards Melinda Linton but no personal affection remained. He understood that Melinda Linton had her own family now, and he didn’t want to disturb her peace.

But during the investigation of Sienna Thornton’s background, he frequently thought of Melinda Linton, simply because too many years had passed. Even if he had kept Melinda Linton in his heart, it was impossible to rekindle the feelings from thirty years ago.

Now, his role was that of a husband and a father. He just wanted to care about his daughter’s future and personal life, to see his daughter find happiness. In this regard, he was like any ordinary middle-aged man, like any loving father.

-

"After I returned from Wrayhaven, I started paying attention to Annie’s every move. The first thing I did was have the legal association drop her case. I reviewed the investigation report from the legal association, the witness statements from the lodging case, and the trial records at the time. I had enough justification to have the case closed." Quentin Thorne said, "The issue stemmed from internal struggles at Vantage, which Annie became embroiled in."

Just as Simon Forrester was about to ask if he knew who at Vantage was responsible, someone lightly knocked twice on the six-paneled door. Simon Forrester looked back to see a tall silhouette appear on the pale door paper.

He glanced at Quentin Thorne, who shook his head, signaling him to say no more.

Simon Forrester rose to open the door and pulled Sienna Thornton inside, smiling, "What took you so long? I thought you fell into the toilet."

"The stars were beautiful tonight, and the magnolias in the courtyard smelled lovely. I stood there admiring the flowers and stars for a while."

"Do you like magnolias? Should we plant some on the balcony as well?"

"Sure."

"We’ll go to the flower market to pick out seeds tomorrow..."

Quentin Thorne observed their affectionate interaction with great satisfaction. After they finished chatting, he asked:

"Are you living together now?"

Sienna Thornton didn’t answer, blushing and lowering her head to drink tea.

Simon Forrester smiled, naturally draping an arm over the back of Sienna Thornton’s chair, "Yes, we’re currently living in a flat in the New District, but I’m already designing our future home for the wedding."

Quentin Thorne nodded and asked, "When do you plan to get married?"

Sienna Thornton: "Not that soon."

Simon Forrester: "As soon as the house is ready."

Once again, they spoke in unison.

Simon Forrester turned to look at Sienna Thornton, eyes filled with tenderness and love, "Not that soon? How soon is that? Is three months considered quick?"

Sienna Thornton playfully protested, "Three months is definitely fast..."

Simon Forrester immediately interjected, "I also think three months is quite fast, so let’s get married in four months. Four months is slower than three."

Realizing she had fallen for his trap again, Sienna Thornton angrily twisted his thigh under the table.

Simon Forrester’s expression exaggeratedly complained to Quentin Thorne, "Dean Thorne, see? She’s always using violence against me."

Quentin Thorne, also amused by them, chuckled with his teacup in hand, "From what I see, Uncle Forrester usually gives you much worse beatings than this, just endure it a bit more."

-

The dinner, which began with preoccupied minds, ended lightheartedly.

Quentin Thorne revealed his concerns to Simon Forrester and gained his understanding, so Simon Forrester no longer faced him with such defiance.

While paying the bill, Simon Forrester ran into a friend who also came to Cheney Manor for dinner that evening, introduced Sienna Thornton, and chatted for a bit.

Sienna Thornton, not wanting Quentin Thorne to stand and wait, suggested they go outside first.

Since it was her first time inviting Quentin Thorne for dinner at Cheney Manor, she dressed formally and gracefully: a sleeveless black waist-fitted dress paired with yellow Valentino stiletto heels.

At a height of 1.7 meters, wearing heels over ten centimeters high, and with her slim figure, she matched Quentin Thorne’s 1.85 meter height.

As they exited through Cheney Manor’s winding path and reached the main entrance, Sienna Thornton accidentally twisted her ankle and nearly fell to one side.

Quentin Thorne caught her in time and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"