Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 376 - 357: Mutual Strictness

Colleagues from the law firm, visiting a partner’s home for the first time, were initially a bit reserved. But after Rochelle Linwood said that, everyone laughed, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed a lot.

With smiles, everyone entered the house, lined up to change into slippers, and as Rhonda Wagner, who was last, passed by Simon Forrester, she glanced at his apron and teased, "Very cute."

Simon Forrester looked down, glanced at it, and laughed too, "Sienna can’t handle everything on her own. I just got off work, so I’m helping out. Didn’t even have time to change my clothes."

His demeanor was approachable and warm, without any hint of being a renowned designer or the future chairman of the Forrester Group.

Already sitting on the sofa, Aurora Buckley whispered to Rochelle Linwood, "Young Mr. Ford is quite down-to-earth."

Rochelle Linwood smiled and whispered back, "He didn’t used to be like this. After being with Lawyer Thornton for two years, he’s changed quite a bit."

Aurora Buckley nodded, "True, Lawyer Thornton has a good temperament. Being with someone like that, you naturally become more easygoing."

"Exactly."

Other colleagues soon took their seats in the living room. Simon Forrester greeted everyone, then quickly went to the back balcony to call for Sienna Thornton.

Sienna Thornton was at the sink washing fruit. Although the smart faucet provided warm water and the balcony wasn’t exposed to the elements, with the temperature outside close to freezing, when she took her hands out of the water, they were so cold she shivered, her heart contracting.

As soon as Simon Forrester stepped out, he saw her blowing on her hands, her delicate fingers red from the cold. He quickly walked over, took her hands, and directly slipped them into the gap between the buttons of his shirt.

The sudden warmth and sensation brought a smile to Sienna Thornton’s face.

Simon Forrester glanced around the outer balcony where the central heating didn’t reach. "I’ll have someone bring up a heater tomorrow, so you won’t get cold when you’re washing things or drying clothes out here."

Sienna Thornton chuckled, "No need! I only dry clothes for a short while. Today, I’m cold because I stood here for too long and my hands got wet."

As she spoke, she mischievously pinched the muscle on Simon Forrester’s waist.

"....." Simon Forrester frowned, pulled out her small hand, and tightly held it with his warm hands, ensuring it wasn’t cold anymore. Only then did he turn to pick up the fruit basket by the sink. "The guests have arrived, let’s go out."

Upon hearing this, Sienna Thornton was startled, "So soon? I haven’t changed clothes yet, and my hair is a mess..." As she spoke, she nervously reached up to adjust the messy bun she’d casually put up after an afternoon nap.

Just as she fiddled with it a bit, Simon Forrester grabbed her hand. He looked down at her, his eyes curving with a smile. "It’s not messy, it’s very pretty. You can go out just like this."

"Really?"

"Really!"

She smiled happily, her cheeks flushing with joy, obediently stopped fussing with her hair, and, holding his hand, went back inside.

From the outer balcony, they passed through the laundry room to come inside, with the living room diagonally across. So when Sienna Thornton and Simon Forrester appeared holding hands, everyone noticed and covered their eyes, laughingly saying, "Do you really have to show off like this?"

The colleagues from the law firm were indeed all single.

Sienna Thornton, a little embarrassed, quickly let go of Simon Forrester’s hand, took the fruit basket from him, and said, "Hang on, I’ll just arrange the fruit on a platter."

With that, she carried the fruit basket over to the bar. Rochelle Linwood quickly went to help.

Before long, the fruit platter and floral tea were prepared. Rochelle Linwood carried them into the living room and invited everyone to eat, while Sienna Thornton returned to the kitchen to keep busy.

She and Simon Forrester were each preparing side dishes and the hot pot with ingredients. Soon, the table was full of delicious food.

Simon Forrester went to the bar area to pick out a red wine, while Sienna Thornton set out bowls and chopsticks. Rochelle Linwood helped to arrange everything and called everyone to the table.

Seeing the table full of premium ingredients, such as Australian abalone, New Zealand king salmon, and Norwegian langoustines, as well as expensive imported meats like Australian Wagyu beef, Aurora Buckley felt quite awkward. "Lawyer Thornton, you really went all out. This must have cost a fortune..."

Sienna Thornton smiled, "It’s actually quite cheap, just bought from the fresh market downstairs. Nothing unusual, so don’t be shy! Eat to your heart’s content! If it’s not enough, just call, and more will be delivered!"

Aurora Buckley and Rhonda Wagner, not being from Brimfield, were unaware that this apartment was among the most expensive high-end apartments in the city, and even the stores in the downstairs mall mostly sold high-end products.

When Sienna Thornton first moved here, she went downstairs to the fresh market a few times and was overwhelmed by the exquisitely packaged items, priced three to five times those in regular grocery markets. But after living here for a while, she gradually got used to the environment, prices, and quality.

Simon Forrester came over with two bottles of red wine he’d opened, intending to pour Rhonda Wagner a glass first. She quickly stopped him, "I’m driving, can’t drink."

"I’ll have the estate call a car service to take you all back later. It’s a rare occasion for everyone to come by, let’s enjoy ourselves tonight!" With that, he poured the scarlet liquid into Rhonda’s glass, not taking no for an answer.

Then it was Aurora Buckley, followed by the assistants, and finally Sienna Thornton and himself.

Simon Forrester poured the wine personally, making the assistants from the law firm feel flattered and nervously glance at the two partners’ expressions.

Sienna Thornton raised her wine glass and stood up, joining Simon Forrester in toasting everyone.

After going around to toast each person, she intended to down her glass in one go, when Simon Forrester whispered something in her ear, prompting her to take a small sip instead.

Everyone laughed, thinking: It turns out they’re strict with each other.

.

During dinner.

As Simon Forrester was present, the colleagues from the law firm all behaved properly, not daring to joke around too much. Only Rochelle Linwood, who had been with Sienna Thornton through thick and thin for many years, dared to speak freely.

Aurora Buckley, being straightforward, also occasionally teased them. Rhonda Wagner, however, didn’t talk much and seemed to be preoccupied with her own thoughts all evening.

As the party entered its latter half and after a few more drinks, everyone started to chat more.

Aurora Buckley asked Sienna Thornton about her plans going forward, and Sienna replied lightheartedly, "I’m planning to take a break for a while and spend time with family, especially since the New Year is coming."

Aurora Buckley nodded in agreement, "Yes, for women, family is always the most important. Why not take this time to plan your future and the next generation with Young Mr. Ford?"

Rhonda Wagner, who was just about to take a sip of her drink, put down her glass and remarked casually, "If it’s inconvenient to stay in Brimfield during this stage, why not consider relocating? The worst thing for a lawyer is taking an extended leave. If you pause for a year or two, coming back feels like starting over. And what if you pause for several years due to marriage and kids?"