Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 385 - 366: Reunion with Old Friends

The originally vibrant and voluptuous former Mrs. Reed, after two years of imprisonment, had lost weight. She was now wearing a simple yet festive red sweater and a black wool skirt, with only light makeup on her face, and a faint smile at the corners of her lips. She appeared gentle, quite different from her past self.

If it weren’t for the fact that she had deeply impressed Sienna Thornton two years ago by hurting her, Sienna might not have recognized her at this moment.

Seeing Sienna Thornton in confusion, Sylvia Langley leaned over and whispered in her ear, "She was released from prison last month, and just a few days after her release, they remarried..."

Sienna Thornton: "..."

So, she wasn’t the former Mrs. Reed but the current Mrs. Reed.

Perhaps unhappy with their son remarrying his former daughter-in-law who had been in prison, Bianca Fordham and her husband were not looking pleased. When Zane Forrester’s family was chatting and laughing with Old Master Forrester, Bianca’s family kept stern faces.

After sitting for a while, everyone moved to the dining room for the meal.

Following the order of age and seniority, Old Master Forrester and Grandma Forrester led the way, with Zane and Bianca supporting them. Sylvia Langley and Mr. Reed followed behind, while Thomas Reed clearly was not keen on interacting with Mrs. Reed and had gone outside to smoke since earlier.

Sienna Thornton was holding hands with Simon Forrester, walking beside him towards the dining room, when Mrs. Reed suddenly caught up to her and said with a smile, "Lawyer Thornton, I know everything now. I’m sorry for hurting you so much two years ago."

Sienna Thornton was shocked; she never dreamed that someone like Mrs. Reed would apologize.

Perhaps seeing Mrs. Reed’s face reminded her of the time she had slashed her face, and Sienna clung tighter to Simon Forrester’s hand in fear, awkwardly saying to Mrs. Reed, "It’s okay."

Simon Forrester turned his head to look at them, casting a warning glance at Mrs. Reed, then raised his arm and wrapped it around Sienna, leading her towards the dining room.

The Forrester Family is a traditional Beijing aristocracy, with a chef and servants dedicated to meal preparations. Thus, on the day all of the Forrester’s children returned home, Old Master Forrester specifically instructed the chef to prepare both lunch and dinner very well.

At this time, an entire long table filled with dozens of dishes was laid out; most of them were luxurious Qing-era palace cuisine that Sienna Thornton could not have imagined or tasted elsewhere.

The Forrester Family is modest in appearance, but in terms of quality of life in aspects not visible to the public, they are sophisticated and luxurious, as always.

Everyone dined quietly and elegantly.

Suddenly, a young, clear voice came from the inner courtyard: "Grandpa Forrester, Happy New Year!"

Sienna Thornton thought the voice sounded oddly familiar and instinctively looked at Simon Forrester.

Simon Forrester smiled: "It’s that kid, Ronan Grant."

As they spoke, Ronan Grant had already run in.

Having graduated from college two or three years ago, Ronan was wearing a red sweater and faded light-blue jeans, with his hair styled in a Korean three-seven parting, and his bright smile revealed two shallow dimples, looking very youthful.

His mouth was sweet, offering New Year greetings to everyone individually. The originally solemn atmosphere became much more relaxed with his arrival.

He came over, saw the table full of delicious food, and joked playfully, "Wow! Grandpa Forrester, you guys have such a lavish lunch here. Can I eat here?"

He had been running around the Grant and Forrester households since he was a child, and Old Master Forrester cherished him like half a grandson, so he naturally ordered the servants to bring an extra set of tableware.

Ronan Grant then sat down next to Simon Forrester.

Sylvia Langley turned her head to glance at him and asked, "Did your aunt’s family come?"

Ronan Grant: "They came early! Even earlier than our family!"

Sylvia Langley glanced at Sienna Thornton and said to Ronan, "Really? After the meal, go home and invite your aunt and uncle to come over for tea!"

With these words, both Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton’s expressions changed. Especially Sienna, whose face turned pale at once.

Old Master Forrester stayed silent, probably curious about what kind of scene it would be when Quentin Thorne and Sienna Thornton, father and daughter, met.

Under the table, Simon Forrester clenched Sienna Thornton’s hand tighter, and Sienna rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb to show she was okay.

.

A perfectly good lunch was rendered tasteless for Sienna Thornton due to the prospect of the incoming Thorne family, and before others had finished eating, she excused herself to use the restroom and pulled Simon Forrester out with her.

Once they reached the outer courtyard, Sienna, slightly displeased, put her hands on her hips and asked sternly, "Why didn’t you tell me Mrs. Reed was coming?"

Simon Forrester glanced at the inner courtyard, scratched his head, and showed his own frustration, "I didn’t expect those two to reconcile either."

After standing for a moment, Sienna tugged on his sleeve and asked, "I don’t want to see anyone named Thorne. Shall we go out for a while? Maybe catch a movie or something."

"Okay." Simon Forrester took her hand again, and they headed back to the inner courtyard, planning to say goodbye to the elders before leaving.

.

Old Master Forrester and Sylvia Langley, understanding why the young couple wanted to leave early, tried to persuade them to stay, but Sienna Thornton insisted.

On Thomas Reed’s side, he thought Sienna couldn’t bear to see Mrs. Reed, who had once harmed her, felt guilty, and helped speak a few words for Simon and his wife.

Sylvia Langley grabbed Sienna Thornton and said, "I’ve even brought back the jewelry and wedding dress you’ll need for the wedding. You haven’t even looked at them, and you’re leaving already?"

Sienna Thornton explained, "We’re going to meet some friends, but we’ll be back in the evening."

Only then did Sylvia Langley let them go.

With their coats on and car keys in hand, Simon Forrester wrapped his arm around Sienna Thornton as they crossed the inner courtyard. Just outside the main gate of the inner courtyard, they ran into Ronan Grant, who was walking into the outer courtyard.

Upon seeing Simon Forrester, Ronan quickly shouted, "Cyrus! My uncle-in-law is here! And my cousin! Didn’t you ask me for her photo the other day?..."

At these words, everyone froze, and the atmosphere suddenly plunged into an awkward silence.

Understanding the picture-related matter all too well, Quentin Thorne quickly smiled to dissolve the silence: "Jules, Annie, Happy New Year. You two heading out?"

Simon Forrester nodded to him and Ian Grant standing behind him: "Uncle Thorne, Aunt Grant, Happy New Year."

Ian Grant reluctantly nodded back, not a smile to be seen.

Sienna Thornton stood expressionless and unaffected, her gaze drifting to Mina Thorne, standing behind Ian Grant, who bore some resemblance to herself.

Mina Thorne’s hands were tucked into her coat pockets, and she too remained expressionless. Having perhaps also noticed the similar features between Sienna and herself, a ripple briefly flickered beneath her calm and steady countenance.

At this moment, Sylvia Langley walked out from the inner courtyard, and upon seeing the Thorne family, she cheerfully stepped forward to greet them, exchanging New Year’s wishes and pleasantries.

Seeing that Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton had yet to leave, Sylvia Langley promptly approached Sienna, placing an arm around her shoulders and feigning seriousness: "You’re getting married soon, grown-up now. When guests arrive, you must learn to greet them rather than hiding away!"