Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 473 - 451: Fu the Jokester (13th Update)

While driving, Simon Forrester glanced over and chuckled, "What I mean is, your grandfather was just a minor official. There’s no way he could have any big mansion. In this regard, he’s not as impressive as your grandmother, who made significant contributions in the field of physics and could secure an old villa from Braden University."

Sienna Thornton increasingly felt something was off, pinching his thigh and gritting her teeth, asked, "What do you mean by that? I feel like you disrespect my family?"

Simon Forrester changed his expression from her pinch, yelped, and with one hand on the steering wheel, tapped her thigh with the other, "How could that be? I’m just telling the truth..."

Sienna withdrew her hand but shook her head.

It’s really funny when you think about it, how the Thorne Family with political backgrounds looks down on the business-oriented Forrester Family, while the Forrester Family feels the Thorne Family ultimately comes from humble farming roots.

She used to think Simon Forrester was different from the few snobs in the Forrester Family, but now it seems fundamentally similar.

But she wouldn’t be bothered by this, after all, nobody’s perfect. As long as Simon’s feelings for her are sincere, how he views the Thorne Family’s history is his own business.

Back when he went with her to Wrayhaven and Raines Village, he didn’t say anything even though he knew she came from such a poor place with vampire-like in-laws, he never looked down on her.

Thinking about it this way, maybe his disdain for the Thorne Family is just a baseless resistance stemming from the Thorne Family looking down on the Forrester Family, something born out of pride and family honor?

Having understood this, Sienna no longer fussed over Simon’s sharp tongue earlier.

.

Quentin Thorne’s Audi indeed turned into the villa area behind the old Braden University campus.

Simon Forrester felt quite smug, "I told you I was right, didn’t I? I probably know the Thorne Family’s history better than you do."

Sienna slapped his thigh lightly, "You’re such a busybody!"

Simon laughed, "Isn’t this just neighborhood gossip? I only heard my grandfather mention it in passing before, didn’t care much until I knew you were Uncle Thorne’s daughter. So I had to keep an eye on it. It’s all out of care and interest in you! It’s the same logic as ’beating means loving, scolding means caring’!"

Sienna was left speechless.

She thought Simon Forrester could be quite sharp-tongued sometimes, always liking to banter with her, and she usually couldn’t get the better of him.

Feeling a bit frustrated, she muttered, "Even though I’d heard that the grand men of Brimfield are particularly good at verbal sparring, finding out my own man is like this, I’m quite helpless about it. Your dad and Thornton aren’t like this at all, yet how are you so verbally sharp?"

She said it, yet Simon seemed quite proud?

Probably being called "my own man" perked him up.

He grinned, "Nonsense! You think we promising young men of Brimfield are this enthusiastic with just anyone? It’s only with our own woman, get it? You should pay attention when Thornton and your mom are together, I feel he’s also quite sharp..."

They both fell into a comfortable silence at this point.

Seeing that Sienna’s mood had gone down, Simon Forrester almost wanted to slap himself, wondering why he had to bring that up.

He quickly changed the subject, "It’s quite rushed today, I didn’t think of a suitable gift for your dad, so I just brought out a painting I got from my grandfather, should be okay?"

"What painting?"

"Jasper Quill’s ’Picture of Longevity’, isn’t it quite fitting?"

Even Sienna, who had no knowledge of Chinese paintings, knew how valuable a masterpiece of Jasper Quill would be.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Why give that? Thornton can’t hang it at home. If someone sees it, they might think he’s corrupt."

"Corruption my ass!" Simon was a bit annoyed, "The ’Picture of Longevity’ was something I bought at Sotheby’s Azure Harbor auction in 2015 for my grandfather, all the invoices are there. Who dares say Thornton is corrupt, I’d be the first to show the invoice. What? As a son-in-law, I can’t give my father-in-law a painting? Where’s all this idle gossip coming from?"

Sienna noticed he was getting emotional.

Indeed, the last time he talked about giving a watch, she stopped him. Now for Thornton’s birthday, he probably struggled to get the painting from the old house, but nonetheless, it showed thoughtfulness to give this fitting "Picture of Longevity". At this moment, filled with enthusiasm, he didn’t get her praise or gratitude, instead, he was met with her worries, which understandably stirred emotions.

Sienna understood Simon’s desire to show off in front of Quentin Thorne, feeling a bit guilty for what she said earlier.

She tried to appease him by touching his arm, thinking he wouldn’t respond, but unexpectedly in a split second, his right hand, freed from the steering wheel, grabbed her hand and rubbed it against his face.

Looking at his handsome and imposing yet tense profile, she was about to explain when he spoke, "I listened to what you said, but I’m definitely giving the ’Picture of Longevity’. As for how to handle it, doesn’t Thornton have any ideas? Is he someone who lets idle gossip truly get to him? Don’t you worry about these things all day."

This man does indeed have a strong self-healing ability.

Sienna giggled, pinched his face, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright! I won’t stop you, go give it to him yourself."

Simon Forrester kissed her hand near his lips, "That’s better!"

.

The car drove past the old Braden University campus and entered the nearby villa area.

The houses here appeared even more historic than where Quentin Thorne stayed, yet there was a sense of warmth.

With grey-white stone walls, rust-stained green iron gates, and bluish-grey steps at the entrance. Everywhere were green plants like the happiness tree, and the walls were covered in brown vines. Some villas had wicker swings and flower frames at their doors.

Sienna thought, summers here must be both cool and poetic. The living environment of intellectuals is indeed different.

The Audi stopped in front of a standalone villa surrounded by large trees in the middle of the villa area. Simon also parked the car nearby, turned off the engine, and got out. He took a long, flat black nylon bag from the trunk and slung it over his shoulder. Sienna knew it contained the expensive Jasper Quill painting.

She linked her arm with Simon’s, following Quentin Thorne into the villa, through the yard, and into the main house.

Quentin Thorne called out "Mother", and a maid wearing an apron came running out from the back of the living room with enthusiasm, "Dean Thorne, you’re here? Professor Langley is in the study, I’ll call her out."

"No need, let her work." Quentin Thorne shifted to introduce, "This is my eldest daughter, and this is her fiancé, Mr. Forrester."

The maid greeted Sienna and Simon cheerfully, "I’ve heard Professor Langley mention you both, please have a seat."

Quentin Thorne indicated to her to continue her work, while he sat down with his daughter and son-in-law for tea.

Simon Forrester timely handed over the framed painting, "Uncle Thorne, happy birthday to you, wishing you health and a long life!"

He didn’t say anything superficial, just a few simple words that resonated deeply with Quentin Thorne’s wish to live many more years.

Quentin Thorne was quite happy, receiving the painting, he casually glanced down and upon recognizing the signature, his pupils immediately constricted.

He cautiously looked at the painting from a distance, appreciated it for a good while, then took a closer look at the signature, studied it repeatedly, and by the time he raised his head to see Simon Forrester again, a full half-hour had passed.