Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 205 - 203: Looking Forward to Next Year

The scent of the night filled the air like a soft net enveloping everything. Everywhere you looked was dreamlike and enthralled.

Simon Forrester held Sienna Thornton in his embrace, pulling up a thin blanket to cover her smooth, beautiful body.

He lowered his head to kiss her brow and eyes, smiling contentedly, "I’m already looking forward to next year’s birthday."

Sienna Thornton, eyes closed, her breath slightly erratic, "Is Young Mr. Ford satisfied with his birthday gift?"

"Very satisfied," he murmured as he caressed her wrist, "You’ve worked hard."

"As long as you’re satisfied." She rolled out of his embrace, laid on the pillow, her voice gradually fading, "I’m tired, going to sleep now... Happy birthday, baby..."

-

The next day, Sienna Thornton went to work with two dark circles under her eyes. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Rochelle Linwood noticed she didn’t look well and thoughtfully brought her a cup of coffee.

Sienna Thornton stood in front of the desk, took a light sip of the coffee, while arranging the materials on the table, she instructed, "Rochelle, get the things ready. I’ve scheduled a meeting with the Ministry of Commerce at ten, you’re coming with me."

"Okay, Mr. Thornton."

Rochelle Linwood went out, closing the door behind her.

Sienna Thornton took out a small round mirror from the drawer, intending to check her face, when someone knocked on the glass door outside. Seeing it was Steven Chapman, she personally got up to open the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Thornton," Steven Chapman said politely, "I heard you’re heading to the Ministry of Commerce soon?"

"Yes, I already submitted the lawsuit and related materials for ’oil well pipes’ to the Ministry of Commerce before. They want some additional information, so they asked me to go over for a meeting today."

Steven Chapman nodded, "Do you need me to go with you?"

Sienna Thornton smiled, "If Mr. Chambers isn’t busy, I’d be more than happy."

"Alright then," Steven Chapman glanced at his watch, "Let’s take my car, we’ll meet in the garage shortly."

"Okay."

At nine twenty, Sienna Thornton and Rochelle Linwood brought the materials and took the elevator down to the garage.

As the elevator doors closed, Rochelle Linwood asked, "Mr. Chambers usually doesn’t handle export matters, why is he coming with us this time?"

Sienna Thornton slightly raised her chin, watching the continuously changing numbers on the elevator door, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips, "Perhaps because he thinks given my position, I’m not imposing enough to represent Forrester to meet with the Ministry of Commerce."

"He’s quite bureaucratic."

"It’s like this everywhere."

The elevator doors opened and Sienna Thornton walked out first.

The ten-centimeter stiletto heels tapped on the cement floor of the garage, making a rushing rhythm of taps.

Sienna Thornton, dressed in a black suit, paired with a cream-white shirt, cuff sleeves turned up to reveal a sliver of white, and a crescent-shaped opal brooch pinned on her blazer’s lapel, for meeting the Ministry of Commerce.

She looked both steady and sophisticated.

Rochelle Linwood, watching her leader walking ahead, sighed inwardly: Sienna Thornton is truly both beautiful and capable. Above all, she has a grand personality and vision, never ambiguous or indecisive. Such a woman is destined for great achievements.

They waited by the Audi for a moment, and soon Steven Chapman arrived, by himself.

He gestured for Sienna Thornton to get in the car.

Out of courtesy, Sienna Thornton sat in the passenger seat. While fastening her seatbelt, she remembered that Simon Forrester had once threatened her not to ride in Steven Chapman’s car again.

How childish.

The black Audi drove out of the garage towards the city center.

Leaving after nine, the rush hour was over, and Sienna Thornton and her team arrived smoothly at the Ministry of Commerce by nine fifty-five.

The External Trade Department and the Treaty and Law Department received them, the meeting primarily aimed at the oral supplement to the materials Sienna Thornton had submitted earlier.

The staff from the Treaty and Law Department said, "Over the past few years, the Ministry of Commerce of The M. Republic has initiated several antidumping measures against Chinese steel products, involving billions of dollars. We’re also planning to send a formal consultation request to the World Trade Organization soon, so your materials are very timely."

Sienna Thornton nodded, "If there’s anything else you need us to provide, please feel free to contact me... or our Mr. Chambers." Saying this, she handed over her business card with both hands.

Steven Chapman quickly handed over his business card as well.

As they were about to leave, a deputy director of the Treaty and Law Department came over with a secretary, and upon seeing Sienna Thornton, warmly greeted her, shaking her hand, "I heard Lawyer Thornton was coming over, so I rushed over to see you. How have you been lately?"

Sienna Thornton smiled and shook hands appropriately with him, "Director-General Linton, hello, hello. I’ve been alright recently. I switched to Forrester Group." She briefly explained why she was at the Ministry of Commerce today.

Director-General Linton immediately instructed the on-site staff to ensure they properly handle the Forrester case.

Sienna Thornton seized the opportunity, quickly introducing Steven Chapman to give him face. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The group chatted for a few moments, just about to leave, when Director-General Linton called Sienna Thornton aside, lowered his voice, and asked, "Lawyer Thornton, my team is short-staffed recently. Would you have any interest in working with the Treaty and Law Department?"

Hearing this, Sienna Thornton instinctively glanced at Steven Chapman, standing not far away, considered for a few seconds, and politely declined, "The project I have at Forrester isn’t finished yet, so I can’t for now. If I need it in the future, I’ll contact you."

Director-General Linton didn’t press further, but was also unwilling to forgo such a promising candidate as Sienna Thornton, patting her shoulder, he chuckled, "You make more in a company, but in the Treaty and Law Department, it’s about social status. Consider it seriously, anytime you’re welcomed!"

Sienna Thornton smiled, nodded, and shook hands with Director-General Linton one last time, "Okay, thank you, Director-General Linton."

The group left the Ministry of Commerce, got in the car, and drove out of its courtyard.

Steven Chapman said, "Mr. Thornton, I didn’t know you had a personal connection with Director-General Linton. Did he mention anything about our case’s success rate?"

Sienna Thornton didn’t expect Steven Chapman to straightforwardly inquire about her private conversation with Director-General Linton, indeed as people get older, they tend to be bolder in speaking and acting.

She chuckled, relaxedly saying, "Director-General Linton said his team is short-staffed and asked if I’d like to work over there."

"Mr. Thornton, you can’t leave Forrester," Steven Chapman remarked sentimentally.

Whether he meant it or not, Sienna Thornton, known for liking misdirection, feigned indecision, "I can’t stay at Forrester forever, and now with such a good offer, I’m really tempted. I’ll discuss it with my mentor."

Steven Chapman didn’t ask further, but seemed in a good mood, with a faint smile on his face.