Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 491 - 469: Shifting Status

Old Master Forrester was sitting on pins and needles, eagerly hoping for the engagement ceremony to end soon, when Lawyer Caldwell, who had already prepared the bride’s dowry, suddenly asked Quentin Thorne in front of everyone, "Thornton, do you need me to review these property transfer documents from the groom’s family?"

The Forrester Family’s faces instantly turned even gloomier!

The guests quietly anticipated Quentin Thorne’s reaction.

Quentin Thorne glanced at Thomas Reed standing behind Old Master Forrester and said with a smile, "No need, these documents were prepared by Attorney Reed from Vantage, there should be no issue! Vantage is one of the top ten comprehensive firms in the country and wouldn’t make such a basic mistake."

The phrase "top ten" starkly highlighted the gap between Prosper Law and Vantage. Everyone knew that Prosper Law ranked first, and Vantage, in the top ten, seemed far from Prosper Law’s level.

The guests all understood that this was Quentin Thorne subtly reminding Bianca Fordham that his daughter was a partner in the country’s top-tier firm, which made it clear where they ranked compared to her son’s firm.

Bianca Fordham pulled a face, yet Thomas Reed appeared relatively composed, seemingly unfazed by Quentin Thorne’s words.

Though Thomas Reed was somewhat lacking in matters of the heart, his business acumen was indeed commendable, a fact Lawyer Caldwell was utterly confident in, so he didn’t pursue the matter further, merely saying, "Then I will put these documents away for now, and review them later with Miss Thorne, contacting Attorney Reed if there are any issues."

Thomas Reed nodded politely, saying nothing more.

Thus, the two locked suitcases containing the betrothal gifts and two locked suitcases containing the dowry were securely closed and adorned with bright red "Double Happiness" characters, for Sienna Thornton to take inside and keep safe.

Before these four cases were put away, someone from the Forrester Family reminded Old Master Forrester that it might be appropriate for the families of the couple and the newlyweds to sit together for a photograph with the betrothal gifts and dowry, a suggestion that was met with a glaring look from Old Master Forrester.

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After the engagement ceremony, everyone moved to the nearby State Guesthouse for a meal. Five tables were set, entertaining all the guests who came to help today.

The dishes served today were the same as those on the day of the return banquet, providing an opportunity to taste-test. If today’s guests offered feedback on inadequacies in the menu, there was still time to make improvements.

The newlyweds and both sets of parents sat at the main table. The bride’s family appeared quite happy; after all, it was a joyous occasion. However, the Forrester Family’s expressions were rather unpleasant, especially Old Master Forrester, who frowned, lost in thought, occasionally engaging in forced cordiality with Quentin Thorne.

Simon Forrester couldn’t bear it and leaned toward Old Master Forrester’s ear, whispering, "Today is my big day, with your sour face, anyone would think you disapprove of this marriage."

Old Master Forrester glanced at his grandson with a reproachful look, but said nothing. As he turned back to Quentin Thorne, his face donned the usual smile.

At the table, the conversation turned to the newlyweds moving to live in The Fenmore Villa after marriage. Suddenly, Grandma Forrester said haughtily, "In the Forrester Family, the custom is that after marriage, the bride must live in the old residence. Only after she has children, can she live separately. But every weekend, she must return to the old residence to spend time with the elders."

Sienna Thornton nudged Simon Forrester’s waist, using her eyes to ask: Why didn’t you mention this?

Simon Forrester understood, blinking to indicate "I’ll handle it."

He turned to Grandma Forrester and said, "I’m not used to living at the old residence; every time I sleep there, I have nightmares. If you want us to live there until we have kids, do you not want us to have children?"

On hearing this, Grandma Forrester almost fainted from anger, "Jules, how can you speak like that? That’s the family rule, and it’s not your first day knowing it."

She then gave Sienna Thornton a sharp glare, her mouth full of pointed sarcasm as she asked her grandson, "Is it you who doesn’t want to live in the old residence, or is it your partner? If it’s your partner, we can discuss it further."

Before Simon could respond, Old Master Forrester interjected, "Enough! What rule or no rule? Who talks about rules with young people these days? If Jules and his partner want to live by themselves, let them. Why drag them into this?"

Grandma Forrester looked at her husband in disbelief, "This rule was set by your Forrester ancestors, not me. Why are you arguing with me? As a bride of the Forrester Family back then, didn’t I have to go through the same? Are you siding with your granddaughter-in-law now? Do you remember what you said when your daughter-in-law wanted to live separately?"

Sylvia Langley, caught in the crossfire, awkwardly laughed and quickly tried to comfort Grandma Forrester, "Young people today are different from when I was their age. Father-in-law is getting on in years and knows about keeping with the times! Breaking old traditions is a good thing, let’s not discuss this today..."

She didn’t finish speaking before Grandma Forrester snorted, no longer willing to listen.

Old Master Forrester’s stance was clear. He chose to amend his boundaries and the Forrester Family rules to indulge this granddaughter-in-law.

Why? He was still reeling from the shock of the Thorne Family’s dowry this morning.

He had initially thought that the Thorne Family’s strength lay in Quentin Thorne’s influence in the political sphere. Though his Forrester Family couldn’t match that, they were at least wealthier.

But now...it’s hard to say who actually has more money.

Anyway, once the initial shock wore off and he regained his composure, Old Master Forrester quickly readjusted his attitude toward Sienna Thornton and the Thorne Family.

Yet, Grandma Forrester, who has endured years to become matriarch, wasn’t about to let it slide. They are all daughters-in-law of the Forrester Family; why should Sienna Thornton receive special privileges, while she and Sylvia Langley were tightly bound by Forrester Family rules back in the day?

The old lady bottled up her anger all the way back to the old residence.

Old Master Forrester surely knew what his wife was upset about, but his own mood was lousy too, so he couldn’t spare the energy to console the old lady.

The family entered the old residence one after another. Feeling a bit unwell, Old Master Forrester took some medicine and was about to call his children and grandson into the study for a talk when he heard Bianca Fordham loudly in the living room, "What do you mean? The Thorne Family not accepting shares in the Forrester Group is your business! You promised me, so now you must keep your word!"

Hearing this, Old Master Forrester hurried into the living room to find his daughter, her face flushed, pointing at his grandson.

He walked to the main seat in the sitting area, his gaze sternly assessing everyone present, asking, "What’s going on with the share transfer agreement?"

Bianca Fordham now stayed silent.

Zane Forrester also kept quiet.

Old Master Forrester turned toward his grandson, "Jules, tell me! What’s going on? How did you convince your aunt and your dad to agree to the share transfer?!"

Simon Forrester smirked, nodding his chin toward Zane Forrester, "Ask them."

Bianca Fordham and Zane Forrester still remained silent, and Old Master Forrester guessed that the two of them must be held at bay by something in Simon Forrester’s hands, making him even angrier and more anxious!

He called over his wife, asking what she knew about the situation.

Grandma Forrester, being a straightforward person who must speak her mind, also disapproving of the Forrester Group’s shares being given to Sienna Thornton and hoping the deal falls through, was eager to spill the beans. So, when Old Master Forrester inquired, she certainly wouldn’t hold back, saying, "Leo’s property investment failed, and he owes the bank a lot of money. Jules promised to help him manage it, but only if Bianca agreed to the share transfer proposal!"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Forrester clutched his chest, his face turning a shade of pig liver red from anger, nearly having a stroke.

Seeing this, Simon Forrester got up quickly, intending to fetch medicine for Old Master Forrester. But Old Master Forrester shouted, "Jules, sit down!"

Seeing the old man’s vibrantly strong voice, Simon Forrester knew he was alright, so he sat back down.

Grandma Forrester’s words carried such weight that Old Master Forrester took a while to calm his emotions before addressing Bianca Fordham, "How much exactly does Leo owe the bank?"