thefictionvixens Chapter 590 - 561: Family and Community
Chapter 590 - 561: Family and Community
(Bonus Chapter for Monthly Votes 11)It’s noon in China, and the call is from Quentin Thorne.
He told Sienna Thornton that this year, they would spend the New Year together at The Springs Residences with Melinda Linton, except for the second day of the New Year when he’d take Mina Thorne and Seth Sutton back to the Grant Family to pay respects.
Sienna Thornton simply said, "That’s how it should be, that’s how it should be," thinking Quentin Thorne was calling just for a casual chat. Unexpectedly, after the New Year topic ended, Quentin Thorne straightforwardly said he already knew about Zane Forrester’s arrest in California.
Sienna Thornton was shocked, widening her eyes to look at Simon Forrester. Simon was also watching her, his gaze calm.
Quentin Thorne sighed repeatedly on the phone, "Annie, you’re in your most crucial period at the Treaty and Law Department right now, come back! Don’t ruin your future over the Forrester Family’s matter! Both your mother and I don’t want to see you like this!"
Though his tone was gentle, his words carried strong insistence, even bringing up Melinda Linton, adding an invisible layer of pressure on Sienna.
Sienna kept responding with "Mm," which made Quentin Thorne realize Simon was next to her, making it inconvenient for her to speak openly. He didn’t hang up, waiting until she returned to her room for a chance to talk alone before diving into the main topic.
"Even with the fastest judicial process in California, your father-in-law’s case will take at least four to six months to conclude. Being involved in such a matter in your early to mid-pregnancy is firstly a physical burden and secondly, a significant impact on your work. Not to mention how this case affects your position, but leaving the Treaty and Law Department during the competitive period for deputy director, how can they possibly give you the position?"
When discussing work, Quentin Thorne’s tone was always unyielding and cold, yet what he said was irrefutably true.
Sienna knew that being involved in Zane Forrester’s case while pregnant was unwise. But between lovers, how can everything be wise?
Simon was having such a hard time now. How could she not be by his side, leaving him to fight alone? Though he wouldn’t blame or resent her departure, and it wouldn’t affect their feelings or marriage, she simply couldn’t do it.
She loved Simon so much...
She didn’t know how to explain her feelings for Simon and her responsibility for the Forrester Family to Quentin, so she asked him, "Dad, if back then you could marry Mom, but at the cost of giving up everything in the city, what would you choose?"
On the other end, Quentin fell silent, thinking. She reminded him, "Try to make the choice based on your feelings for her back then, not on today’s balance."
After a long silence, Quentin sighed, "Alright, you both take care out there, and if you need help, just let me know."
Sienna knew Quentin had understood her, and she relaxed, saying to him, "Dad, thank you for understanding. Wishing you and Mom a Happy New Year, health, and longevity."
"I’ll pass that on to your mom."
Sienna thought he was about to hang up and was about to say goodbye when Quentin’s voice came again, "Dad wishes you all the best."
The call ended.
She let out a long sigh of relief, holding her phone and returning to the living room, where Simon stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the night view of Los Angeles.
He looked very calm, turned to her with a smile when he heard her open the door, "Is Old Thornton coming over to drag you back?"
Sienna laughed, walked over, hugged him from behind, wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder, with her not-yet-bulging stomach pressed against his back.
"He knows about your dad’s situation," she filtered out the unsuitable parts, "said if we need anything, we should let him know, and he also wished us all the best."
Simon trusted she wouldn’t lie to him but also knew Quentin wouldn’t have such an attitude towards this matter. She must have persuaded him during the lengthy talk in the room.
Realizing she was bearing the pressure from her parents as well, his heart ached for her. He turned around and hugged her tightly, murmuring softly, "Tell me what you truly want, don’t worry about my feelings, I need you to give me some direction now."
She was silent.
He said, "You’re my priority; if you’re well, our child will be well, and I will be well."
She asked, "And your father? And the Forrester Family?"
He closed his eyes and shook his head, "Trust me, the Forrester Family isn’t that fragile. And as for my dad, I always believe if he didn’t do it, the law will clear his name. If he did, he should be accountable to the victims. I’m very clear about his situation, you don’t need to worry at all."
"Then I’m relieved!"
She adjusted herself to a comfortable position in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist, her cheek lightly resting on his shoulder blade.
The gentle moonlight outside enveloped them in a warm embrace.
She spoke softly, "Actually, pregnancy isn’t as fragile as you think. When my mom was pregnant with me, she went through so much, and didn’t I turn out just fine? I even weighed over seven pounds at birth!"
As she spoke, she gently rubbed his cheek with her fingertip, feeling the slight lift in the muscles around his lips, knowing he was smiling.
She smiled too, continuing, "Moreover, I spent ten years studying law, your dad’s case is definitely not a difficult thing for me. I’m confident, that’s why I want to stay."
Simon stroked her long hair, resting his chin on her soft, fluffy head, pondering.
Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, she added, "Besides, not to mention the environment I grew up in, but consider the times with the B&B and Nina, both enough to crush me, didn’t I still make it through? Don’t underestimate my ability to handle pressure."
After hearing her, he suddenly realized they had been overly worried about each other’s psychological endurance.
She feared he might break down over this matter, while he worried she’d be troubled by such an environment.
But now, it seemed everything was under her control, knowing exactly what to do at each critical moment. Indeed, he had always treated her as a little woman needing protection, forgetting she was in fact a woman with extraordinary courage, wisdom, and resilience.
Finally, the fog cleared, everything became clear.
He shook his head with a chuckle, "If my dad didn’t do it, nothing changes. If he did, and has to serve time here, then I will take over all the overseas operations of The Forresters. At that time, we’ll be extraordinarily wealthy, beyond imagination. With that money, you can do anything you want, and I will support you."
She smiled, "Then why are you worried I might lose my job? If we’ll have so much money, why would I still need to work?"
She held him and shared all the things she wanted to do if she no longer had to work:
"At that time, I want to travel the world with you!"
"Alright!"
"I want to build schools in all the impoverished areas back home!"
"Sure!"
"I want to set up a foundation to sponsor all impoverished students, ensuring they have the opportunity for higher education."
"Okay."
"I want to establish many well-equipped welfare homes... I want to set up a medical assistance fund to give all patients unable to afford treatment a chance to recover... I want to help everyone who needs help..."
In a time when she considered she might not have another chance to make her country proud, her mind was filled with thoughts for the weak. Apart from dreaming of traveling the world together, the rest of her wishes were all about helping others and giving back to society.
She never once mentioned personal enjoyment.
Apart from their little home, her heart was filled with the greater good.
This pure and bright version of her, how could he not deeply love her...
His throat tightened, his nasal passage ached, and he held her tightly, "I’ll follow your lead, Annie..."
"Honey, thank you."
"I love you..."