Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 406 - 385: The Old Father Who Worries Himself Sick
Summoned by the leadership, Sienna Thornton didn’t even have time to drink her coffee, grabbing her business folder and heading straight to Director-General Linton’s office.
On the way, she kept wondering how someone as calculating and protective of his reputation as Quentin Thorne could have come to Director-General Linton to confess that she was his illegitimate daughter?
Of course, if he was going to say it, he might dress it up nicely, claiming she was his long-lost eldest daughter. But within their circle of officials, who didn’t know he was the son-in-law of the Grant family, and had only one beloved daughter with Isaac Grant? Anything more would undoubtedly be considered illegitimate!
As she thought about it, the words "illegitimate daughter" kept popping into Sienna Thornton’s mind. Imagining how the world would talk about her behind her back once the relationship with Quentin Thorne was revealed, Sienna felt a bit upset. By the time she reached Director-General Linton’s office, she was already wearing a disgruntled expression.
Director-General Linton’s secretary asked, "Director Thornton, is everything okay? You look upset."
Sienna Thornton snapped back to reality, quickly adjusting her expression and forcing a smile.
The secretary, seeing this, didn’t ask further. She reported Sienna’s arrival and let her in.
Director-General Linton greeted her as she entered, "Director Thornton, have a seat."
Sienna Thornton discreetly observed Director-General Linton’s expression, and before she even sat down, she heard him say, "Your father dropped by to see me this afternoon."
Sienna Thornton: "..."
What one fears will indeed come to pass.
Her ears turned red, and she awkwardly found a spot on the sofa, trying to sound as natural as possible, "Really? He didn’t mention he was coming today."
Director-General Linton began boiling water for tea, his hearty laughter echoing in the office.
"Why didn’t you ever mention that your father is Dean Thorne?" he asked, then murmured to himself, "Strange, it didn’t show up in the background check."
In Sienna Thornton’s records, under the parents’ column, it listed Felix Raines and Melinda Linton. Director-General Linton recalled that Quentin Thorne had mentioned his eldest daughter recently started working in the Treaty and Law Department, asking him to look out for her. It took him a while to connect the dots, and he hadn’t considered Sienna Thornton.
Who would have thought that Sienna Thornton, from a poor county, was actually the eldest daughter of the dean of Court G? It was something no ordinary person could have guessed.
However, despite the surprise, Director-General Linton finally understood the source of her sharp legal acumen and her seamless interpersonal skills. It all came from the inheritance of the dean of Court G.
One had to admit, the father and daughter were indeed alike. Always with a smile, delivering the most incisive comments. They also shared another trait: they seemed able to read minds, effortlessly steering a conversation towards their desired outcome, easily achieving their aims.
She was not only familiar with various laws and regulations related to foreign trade and WTO rules but was also a born negotiator. This was one of the reasons Director-General Linton had been eager to have Sienna Thornton join the Treaty and Law Department for years.
But why would a young Quentin Thorne, a child of high-ranking officials, have a daughter in the countryside?
Quentin Thorne naturally wouldn’t reveal everything about his private life to Director-General Linton. Although they were on good terms, it wasn’t to the extent of discussing family secrets.
Therefore, Director-General Linton hoped to glean some information from Sienna Thornton.
Faced with his subtle attempts to probe her relationship with Quentin Thorne, Sienna Thornton merely smiled politely, answering simply to deflect the question, "No one asked, so I didn’t say anything."
This response was somewhat redundant. After all, who would ask, "Do you have another father?"
Someone like Sienna Thornton could say something redundant to the leadership, and Director-General Linton naturally sensed her resistance. Curiosity remained, but it was inappropriate to press further, so he said, "I’ve known Dean Thorne for many years. If you have any thoughts or grievances in the department, feel free to talk to me, don’t be shy, okay?"
Sienna Thornton responded politely, "I will, Director-General Linton."
Director-General Linton then inquired about her work progress, offered some advice, and let her go.
As Sienna Thornton stepped out of the Director-General’s office, the smile on her face vanished completely.
Now that the connection between Quentin Thorne and Director-General Linton was exposed, she could almost foresee people thinking she had taken a shortcut.
.
After returning to her office, Sienna Thornton immediately called Quentin Thorne, asking if he was available for dinner that night.
Quentin Thorne happily agreed, saying it had been a long time since he’d seen Sienna, and was just thinking of visiting her this weekend.
Sienna thought, Is half a month considered a long time?
They arranged to meet at The Imperial Court Club, believing there was no safer place than there.
Previously, when she was in Z City, Quentin Thorne visited on weekends, and it was convenient to meet at a nearby café. Now in Brimfield, where people familiar with Quentin Thorne were everywhere, it was better to remain discreet.
That evening, Sienna Thornton didn’t work late. When she mentioned it to Simon Forrester, as expected, he wanted to tag along.
Sienna Thornton laughed over the phone, teasing that he was like a clingy child. But every time she called him "baby," she found it endearing.
.
After work, Simon Forrester came to pick up Sienna Thornton to go to The Imperial Court Club.
As soon as they got out of the car and before stepping into the lobby, they noticed the club’s general manager already waiting eagerly at the entrance.
Sienna Thornton knew the general manager usually handled administrative tasks from his office and rarely came to the door to greet guests. So she asked Simon Forrester, "How did Mr. X know we were coming? I didn’t see you make a call."
Simon Forrester replied, "Certain special license plates are logged into the system. When an important guest’s car drives in, the system automatically sends an audio alert to Mr. X, and he comes down to greet them."
Sienna Thornton teased, "Tsk, tsk, tsk! What level of guests usually warrant a personal greeting from the general manager?"
"Top-tier members."
"How top-tier?"
"Like Thornton, Gage Grant’s father, and Tobias."
"Ha?" Sienna Thornton laughed, "My dad’s on the list too?"
Simon Forrester held her hand as they walked forward, "Though he rarely comes. Actually, he almost never does."
"Where does he usually go? Doesn’t he meet friends? Doesn’t he need to socialize?" Sienna Thornton found it odd, considering Brimfield’s officials often gathered at The Imperial Court Club for meetings or social events.
Simon Forrester stayed silent.
Noticing his hesitance, Sienna Thornton pinched his side teasingly, just as she was about to ask why he wasn’t speaking, Mr. X came out to greet them.
He warmly greeted them, "Young Mr. Ford, Director Thornton."
Sienna Thornton nodded and smiled at him. Once inside the elevator with Simon Forrester, she laughed, "They really are quick-witted here; they even updated my title already. Last time, they called me ’Mr. Thornton.’"
Remembering her unasked question, she took advantage of Simon Forrester’s pensive moment, pulling him closer with a firm grip.
