Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 194 - 192: Thick-Faced and Black-Hearted

Sienna Thornton spent a bit of the morning confirming her work plans for the coming week and had a meeting with the tax team, and before she knew it, it was already noon.

Coming out of the meeting room, she returned to her office to grab her meal card and was about to head downstairs for lunch when she suddenly saw Thomas Reed getting off the elevator, heading toward her office.

She quickly grabbed her meal card and went out to greet him: "Master, how come you have time to come by today?"

Thomas Reed chuckled, glanced at the office behind her, and asked, "Is it convenient to have a chat?"

"Of course." She stepped aside, inviting Thomas Reed into her office.

The two sat in the reception area, and Sienna Thornton poured Thomas Reed a glass of water. After he thanked her, he asked, "Are you getting used to it here?"

Sienna Thornton smiled: "Quite used to it."

"I heard that Jules proposed to the board to offer you a 20% tax bonus, so your income here should be more considerable than at Vantage," Thomas Reed said.

Sienna Thornton didn’t respond, just smiled and nodded.

Thomas Reed glanced around the office again and added, "The environment here is better than at Vantage. If you find joy in doing your work here, staying long-term is good too." There was no hint of genuine happiness for Sienna in his tone.

Sienna Thornton wasn’t sure of his intentions with these words, afraid he might be probing her.

Thinking of Bianca Fordham and Steven Chapman’s attitudes, she gritted her teeth and said with a straight face:

"Because of the ongoing investigation by the bar association, no law firm is willing to accept me, at least not until the investigation concludes. My last month at Vantage, I was forced to hand over all pending cases, which was five months ago. You know, as a lawyer, being out of touch with legal cases for half a year is equivalent to killing ta. So joining the legal department at The Forresters was a last resort and a temporary transition."

Her speech was layered, well-organized, and logically coherent.

Thomas Reed’s face changed as he listened.

He came today mainly to subtly remind Sienna to leave The Forresters, but hearing her words left him speechless.

Not to mention that he always hoped to be with Sienna, just the fact that she was his favorite apprentice, and as her trusted mentor, he bore significant responsibility for her current predicament.

At least regarding the bar association’s investigation and her plummeting reputation in the legal industry, he should shoulder much of the blame.

Indeed, how could someone almost unable to survive in Brimfield’s legal circle find a good job? This must be why she joined The Forresters. She isn’t happy there, is she? Given her capabilities and skills, working in a corporation is underutilizing her talents.

Thomas Reed’s complex expression did not escape Sienna’s scrutiny.

She seized the opportunity: "Last month, I sold my apartment and used all the money to pay off the bank loan. After paying my sister’s tuition, I only have five thousand left. My mom and sister are now in Brimfield, and I have to worry about living expenses and rent for the family. So it doesn’t matter where I work now, I just want to make money quickly. At least I need to buy a house. Once my financial situation is sorted out, I will return to pursuing my ideals. I’m sorry, Master, for disappointing you, but I really have no choice."

Her tone was sincere and earnest. Thomas Reed was taken aback hearing this. He didn’t know she used her small apartment for loans, let alone that she sold it and ended up penniless.

"If you’re struggling financially, why didn’t you ask Jules or me for help?" He knew well that Sienna wouldn’t do such a thing, yet he couldn’t help but ask.

Sienna gave a bitter smile: "You know I’m used to fending for myself."

"Ah, you child..." Thomas Reed sighed deeply, getting up while patting her shoulder, "I understand your situation now. I’ll talk to Mr. Chambers about it."

When he mentioned Steven Chapman, Sienna followed the topic to probe: "Mr. Chambers is very good to me and supportive of my work. He knows I’m your apprentice and now has entrusted me with managing the litigation, non-litigation, and tax teams. I plan to tackle those export dispute cases with The Forresters next. What do you think?"

Her tone was humble, just like when she was Thomas Reed’s obedient apprentice, always seeking his advice, which made him feel like he still had control over her work-wise.

Thomas Reed felt gratified, his demeanor relaxing significantly: "Alright, you’re short on money now. Handle the tax cases quickly, resolve your financial issues, and then leave The Forresters as soon as possible to do what you love."

With that, he prepared to leave.

Sienna stood up: "Master, I have two favors to ask."

Thomas Reed paused in his steps and turned around: "Go ahead."

Sienna feigned hesitation, then after a moment, said: "I don’t want to make my relationship with Young Mr. Ford public for now. Could you keep this confidential for me?"

Thomas Reed didn’t even think twice before agreeing: "No problem!"

He was happy to comply, as he wished for nothing more than for the world not to know about Sienna’s relationship with Simon Forrester or whatever it once was.

Sienna nodded: "And one more thing, I heard that the bar association’s investigation into me was initiated by someone within Vantage. Do you have any leads on who it might be?"

As she spoke, she looked intently at Thomas Reed, not missing any subtle emotion on his face.

Thomas Reed’s expression remained unchanged, he said calmly: "Someone sent anonymous materials to the bar association. I haven’t seen those documents, so I’m not sure who’s behind it. But I heard you had some conflicts with Lawyer Chandler before. I’m investigating this and will let you know when there’s a result."

After speaking, he gave her a deep look, then left.

Sienna Thornton put away her gentle demeanor and smile, her eyes instantly turning cold.

She turned around and sat back in the executive chair behind her desk, rhythmically tapping the table with her right index finger while gazing out at the gray-blue sky, lost in thought.

Now that Thomas Reed has lowered his guard, things are developing in a rather ideal direction.

Next, on the surface, she was busy working for The Forresters to handle the product restrictions due to unilateral trade barriers from importing countries. Behind the scenes, she needed Rochelle Linwood to get all import and export contracts from The Forresters. With both tasks underway, the mission would soon be completed.

-

Before getting off work, Sienna Thornton was called for a meeting in Steven Chapman’s office.

Steven Chapman mentioned that Thomas Reed had instructed him to fully support Sienna Thornton’s work at The Forresters, ensuring everything went smoothly during her tenure there.

When mentioned that her role at The Forresters was merely transitional, Steven Chapman seemed quite pleased, his enthusiasm visibly increased.

This conversation dragged on for over an hour.

Simon Forrester called her repeatedly, and Sienna Thornton took a moment to step out and answer one. Upon hearing she was detained for a meeting by Steven Chapman, The Jealous Forrester on the other end got jealous, threatening to rush over to The Forresters immediately. After Sienna coaxed him, he complained about buying groceries but losing the mood to cook, deciding to go on a hunger strike that evening.

Sienna Thornton found it both amusing and exasperating, telling Steven Chapman there was an elder at home waiting for her to cook, and elders shouldn’t go hungry.

Steven Chapman immediately agreed upon hearing this. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Thus, Sienna Thornton hurried home, only to hit the evening rush hour, getting stuck in traffic for a long time, and didn’t arrive home until after seven.

Upon entering, the living room and dining room were empty, but there was the fragrant smell of food wafting through the air.

What happened to the plan to fast and skip cooking?

Sienna Thornton smiled wryly, changed into slippers, walked to the dining table for a look, and saw a full spread of four dishes and one soup, still steaming.

"Honey? Are you here?" she called out a few times, receiving no response, and went to look in the room, hearing the pattering of water in the bathroom where Simon Forrester was showering.

She went to change into loungewear, washed her hands, and took out the utensils to set the table.

Not long after, Simon Forrester came out, towel in hand, drying his hair, dressed in a white T-shirt and gray cotton sweatpants, looking clean and youthful.

Upon seeing her, he immediately got jealous: "What’s up with Steven Chapman? Yesterday he drove you home, and today he’s keeping you behind for a private meeting. He’s had all day but has to wait until off work to hold this meeting?"

Sienna Thornton hurriedly explained Thomas Reed’s visit earlier that day and mentioned the content of her meeting with Steven Chapman, at which point The Jealous Forrester finally calmed down and sat down to eat.

Halfway through eating, he suddenly chuckled, "I noticed you’re quite adept at the art of office politics."

Sienna Thornton laughed too, "Just let everyone think I’m a bookish nerd."

"Exactly, that protective facade helps you accomplish big things."

The two chatted playfully for a while, and after finishing the meal, Simon Forrester cleaned the kitchen and dining table while Sienna Thornton went to shower.

After showering, she came out to find Simon Forrester busy in the study, so she took a towel and a hairdryer to the living room, drying her hair while watching TV.

After a while, Simon Forrester’s tablet, placed on the coffee table, suddenly lit up.

Sienna Thornton casually picked it up for a glance and saw someone had mentioned him on Weibo. She swiped to open his Weibo, and it was an official account of SY that had mentioned him.

Feeling bored while drying her hair, she clicked into the official account to browse.

Most posts were promotions about SY’s design projects.

She scrolled down, pondering whether the official account had publicized the completion of the homestay at that time.

As she scrolled, she suddenly saw a more casual Weibo post.

The date was two days before National Day, during the time Simon Forrester went on a business trip to The Northeast.

A few pictures clearly depicted a celebratory event, featuring Jack Hawthorne, Logan Lockwood, Harrison Rowe, Simon Forrester, and some unfamiliar men.

Simon Forrester was holding a wine glass, engaged in conversation, with a faint smile on his face, looking somewhat aloof—completely different from his current clingy demeanor.

Sienna Thornton opened the images one by one, appreciating Simon Forrester’s demeanor while socializing.

Seconds later, her gaze froze on the last photo.

Her breath caught.