Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike

Chapter 651 - 622: Collecting Evidence (Part 1)

"What?" Sienna Thornton hurriedly opened the file bag, carefully examining its contents, then asked again, "What did my grandmother say?"Simon Forrester looked at her: "She said if you want to go to the Grant Family to seek justice, she’s willing to accompany you as a witness."

Sienna Thornton’s hand, holding the letters, suddenly fell down. She sighed helplessly, her shoulders slumped, lost in thought.

Simon Forrester moved closer, sat beside her, and embraced her shoulders, silently keeping her company.

The two of them sat quietly for a while, then Sienna Thornton continued to read the letters. Quickly, her breathing became rapid, her hand holding the letters started to tremble, and eventually, her whole body began to shake violently. All the letters in her hand were thrown away, their yellowed and brittle paper scattered everywhere, some landing on the coffee table, others on the floor...

Simon Forrester held her tightly in his arms.

She wept silently, shaking her head, mumbling: "In those letters, it seemed like my mother and the Thorne family were like animals trapped in an iron cage awaiting slaughter. The Grant Family used both threats and inducements, implicitly threatening the Thorne family that if my father was not kept under house arrest, my grandparents would lose their jobs and even face big troubles... The Grant Family also listed various benefits of my father marrying Ian Grant..."

Simon Forrester had heard some of these things from Old Master Forrester. It seemed that after Ian Grant’s death, Old Master Grant missed his daughter so much that he would confide a few words to his friends, regretting that he shouldn’t have forced Quentin Thorne to marry Ian Grant back then, which led to Ian’s depression and illness.

When it involved matters concerning his granddaughter-in-law’s family, Old Master Forrester asked a few questions along with the conversation, only then realizing the Grant Family had used many inhumane means to pair Ian with Quentin Thorne.

Simon Forrester had known about these things earlier but didn’t tell Sienna Thornton, fearing it would be too much for her to handle.

But in this world, there are no secrets. Eventually, what needs to be known will be known.

"It’s all because of the Grant Family that I became an illegitimate child!" Sienna Thornton cried out, holding him, "My mother and I suffered so much! I want the Grant Family to apologize to us! I don’t want to be an illegitimate child... My mother is not a mistress either... sob sob sob..."

Initially, she could accept her identity as an illegitimate child calmly because she didn’t know the truth back then, so she accepted! And endured! But now, knowing she could have grown up in a normal family with a normal identity, the identity of an illegitimate child became unbearable for her! It’s like a sharp knife stabbing her heart! Especially after being publicly insulted by Mina Thorne today, she felt even more indignant!

Simon Forrester, feeling pained, also had tears well up in his eyes.

He held his emotionally shattered wife tightly, gently patting her back, and soothingly said, "Yes, they must apologize!"

Sienna Thornton cried in his arms for a while and gradually calmed down. Wiping away her tears, she said calmly, "I know which law firm my cousin works for. After finding his home address, I want to make a trip back to Z City."

Before Simon Forrester could ask her "what’s your plan," she said again, "I want to talk to his mother. If possible, I hope to persuade her to tell me what happened back then and record it. Once I gather these pieces of evidence, I’ll demand justice from the Grant Family!"

Everything sounded fine, but Simon Forrester wasn’t sure if they would be willing to risk offending the Grant Family to provide evidence. Yet, he didn’t want to discourage Sienna Thornton; perhaps she’d come up with better ideas while dealing with these matters.

He suggested, "There are only a few days left of the holiday. If you’re set on this plan, it’s best to act quickly. I’ll accompany you back to Z City then."

...

That night, Simon Forrester managed to find out his cousin’s home address and called Sylvia Langley to book the earliest flight back to Brimfield the next day, to help at Fenmore Hill with the kids, while he and Sienna Thornton planned to leave for Z City by noon the next day.

The following day, Sylvia Langley arrived earlier than expected, so Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton set off for Z City earlier as well.

They arrived at a high-end community in Z City around three in the afternoon. After parking the car across the street, Simon Forrester took a few packs of nice cigarettes, two bottles of red wine, and some gift boxes of supplements out of the trunk.

Sienna Thornton stepped forward to take them, and he handed her the lightest pack of cigarettes.

The two of them left the parking lot and walked towards the community across the street. Sienna Thornton called her lawyer cousin, saying she happened to be back in Z City for a class reunion, so she dropped by to visit him.

Her cousin, the lawyer, sounded delighted. He was eager to connect with Director-General Thorne, and now that Director-General Thorne was personally visiting, he quickly added her on WeChat and sent her the code to enter the apartment.

Sienna Thornton and Simon Forrester purposely slowed their pace, leisurely walking over to pretend they were really just coming from nearby.

She wasn’t sure how her never-before-seen aunt would react to her visit, but she hoped not to make her too wary by appearing too eager.

Twenty minutes later, they went upstairs and rang the doorbell of an apartment on a high floor.

It was her cousin, the lawyer, who opened the door, warmly inviting them inside.

Sienna Thornton and Simon Forrester placed the gifts on the entryway cabinet, changed into slippers, and entered the living room.

Soon, a woman in her thirties, holding a little boy and carrying a little girl, came out to greet them.

Sienna Thornton discreetly looked around for the person she came to see.

Her cousin, the lawyer, was making tea, offering cigarettes, and exchanging pleasantries with Simon Forrester.

Not seeing the person, Sienna Thornton asked, "Isn’t Auntie here?"

As she spoke, she saw an older lady with an apron come out from inside, wiping her hands on the apron. Seeing Sienna Thornton and Simon Forrester, she smiled and nodded at them but quickly made to retreat into the kitchen.

Her cousin called out, "Mom, come over here. It’s Auntie’s daughter who has come."

The older lady paused, turned around, and looked at Sienna Thornton, staring at her for a moment, suddenly showing fear.

Sienna Thornton stood up and greeted warmly, "Happy New Year, Second Auntie."

Simon Forrester also stood up, "Happy New Year, Second Auntie."

Seeing the good intentions on their faces, the fear on Second Auntie’s face faded a bit, but she still looked nervous.

"Alright, alright, happy new year... you guys sit down; I’ll go make dinner." Saying this, she retreated into the kitchen.

Sienna Thornton withdrew her gaze, sat for a while longer, and then excused herself to look around the house, slipping into the kitchen.

The water from the faucet was running loudly as Second Auntie stood there dazed.

Sienna Thornton walked over and smiled as she turned off the faucet.

Second Auntie returned to her senses, glanced at her, then lowered her head to avoid her gaze.

Sienna Thornton realized the past was likely more serious than she had imagined; otherwise, this wouldn’t still be the reaction after more than thirty years.

Given the other person’s stance, Sienna Thornton had to alter her approach; there was no need for pleasantries or trying to establish a relationship. She’d get straight to the point and make her intentions clear. If it yielded no results, she’d rethink her strategy.

On the kitchen counter were some string beans waiting to be picked, so Sienna Thornton rolled up her sleeves and began helping with them.