Chapter 705: Chapter 676: Fleeting Years (Part 6)
Because Cherie had been by Simon Forrester’s side learning how to run the Forrester Group since she was fifteen, even during her stay in the United States for her studies, she managed group affairs during her free time. Hence, once she assumed the position of CEO, Simon Forrester gradually began stepping back from group matters, only stepping in for major decisions or problems Cherie couldn’t solve.
The year Cherie became CEO of the Forrester Group marked the start of Simon Forrester’s retirement plans—
Renovating the first old apartment Sienna Thornton bought in her youth; preparing for a world tour.
That small apartment is located near the Vantage Law in the old district, it’s a five-story old-style apartment from the nineties without an elevator, in the bustling city area.
Several years ago, the government renovated the old district, turning many streets into pedestrian paths, and that old community faced redevelopment, set to transform into a vintage-style apartment complex.
At that time, Simon Forrester received news from Jack Hawthorne and immediately had Logan Lockwood participate in the bidding under the name of SY’s real estate company, eventually winning the development rights for that area.
To match the pedestrian style of the surrounding old district, and to maintain the original look of the community to the fullest extent, Simon Forrester discussed with SY’s designers for nearly a month before finalizing the project plan.
The entire appearance of the community was designed in a vintage style, matching the revamped style of the area, its interior and walls were renovated, the only unchanged detail was the layout.
Because of this, Sienna Thornton’s small apartment was preserved completely.
During the years the apartment was idle, Simon Forrester had it maintained periodically, and upon retirement, he began overseeing the renovation, personally purchasing materials and inspecting the work.
Simultaneously, he was handling the visas necessary for their global tour.
He found himself quite busy, yet Sienna Thornton found herself bored since she clung to him daily, accompanying him everywhere.
The three children were each busy with their careers, apart from relationships, Sienna Thornton had no worries, leaving her suddenly idle, aside from occasionally visiting Quentin Thorne, she found herself with nothing else to do.
Most of her time was spent with Simon Forrester, who was semi-retired and busy with the apartment renovation.
She accompanied him on materials shopping trips; whatever was being bought or the price of materials required her approval; whenever Simon Forrester went to handle affairs at the group, she insisted on going along.
Cherie often joked about her becoming clingier with age, saying only her husband could tolerate her, which made her proudly hug Simon Forrester’s arm and say, "Your dad, in this lifetime, apart from the occasional business trip to America during your and your sister’s elementary school years, we’ve never been apart."
A perpetually single Cherie was left speechless by this display of affection, feeling goosebumps all over, she quickly slipped out of the chairman’s office under the pretense of needing to use the bathroom.
Although she could cling to Simon Forrester, Sienna Thornton often felt spiritually empty. As a career-minded woman all her life, suddenly letting go of all work for a pastoral lifestyle, she found it truly difficult to adjust.
Fortunately, there was the world tour plan, whenever she was bored, she’d go online to plan the itinerary, resulting in three notebooks filled with plans in just a month.
Once the plans were complete, the visas were approved, Simon Forrester began booking flights and hotels according to her plan, finally confirming the departure time.
That year, they were healthy and in love as ever, deciding to spend three to four years completing the global tour.
The plan started from Brimfield,
First heading north to Ruskovia’s East, then crossing the Pacific Ocean to Arcadia, and finally heading south to South America.
The second leg was westward from South America to Pacifica, then crossing the Indorian Ocean to Africka’s South.
The final leg, from Africka’s South, heading north to Europe, entering east to Moscow, finally heading south to Midaestria, and returning home via Indoria.
This itinerary was discussed for over half a month before being finalized, each destination featuring several of Sienna Thornton’s top countries and landmarks she longed to visit.
They chose early autumn to take a train from Brimfield to Ruskovia.
Knowing her parents would be gone for three to four years on this trip, Yvie specially returned from Franland to stay for a month, accompanying her parents, and on the day of departure, along with her two brothers, drove their parents to the train station.
Looking at her two sons taller than Simon Forrester, Sienna Thornton hugged each of them separately, patting their shoulders, and said with a smile, "We hope when mom and dad return from this trip, you two will have said goodbye to being single from birth."
Kyle smiled shyly, saying nothing.
Yvie hurriedly raised her hand, "What about me, what about me? Do I need to find a boyfriend before you come back?"
Simon Forrester frowned, "Yvie, you’re not in a rush, I’ll find you a boyfriend."
Yvie sighed softly, leaning her face on Sienna Thornton’s shoulder, gently exhaling, "I don’t want matchmaking..."
With gum in her mouth, Cherie cheekily hooked Kyle’s shoulder, saying mischievously, "Come on! It wouldn’t be hard for the eldest brother and me to find girlfriends, the problem is who to choose! Do you want us to find just anyone?"
Upon finishing, she glances at the bustling station hall: "If you want, I can conjure someone up in front of you immediately."
Sienna Thornton, being older, found her son’s teasing delightful, laughing uncontrollably, whereas Simon Forrester wasn’t so easily amused, his face stern as he said seriously, "Cherie! You’re twenty-six, not sixteen! Don’t speak so casually!"
Cherie stuck her tongue out, hiding behind Sienna Thornton.
Sienna Thornton patted her husband’s shoulder, softly saying, "Alright, alright, Cherie is just trying to make us happy, don’t be so serious, okay? Our son isn’t your subordinate."
Cherie made a face at Simon Forrester from behind Sienna Thornton.
Simon Forrester’s temper rose again, not looking at the mischievous second son, he held the eldest son’s shoulder while giving instructions.
"If anything happens at home, no matter the time, call me immediately. Keep an eye on Cherie, don’t let that kid stay out all night, call him home if he’s not back by nine!"
"Visit your grandfather often, watch over his health, if anything happens, take him to the hospital or get appropriate treatment."
"The wardrobe in the closet has a safe, the password is your mom’s birthday, if you need cash, just take it from inside, once it’s used, let Uncle Keane know, he’ll handle it."
...
Simon Forrester pulled his eldest son aside for a long conversation, until impatient Sienna Thornton couldn’t wait any longer, urging him to hurry.
"...Your mom has me to take care of her, you don’t need to worry."
She walked up behind that pair of father and son, catching Simon Forrester saying this to Kyle.
Feeling a warmth in her eyes, her nose slightly sour, she went forward and pulled Simon Forrester’s hand, choking slightly, "Alright, alright, your son is thirty now, you were living independently at his age, what are you still worrying about?"
Simon Forrester laughed, patting the eldest son’s shoulder, "I was your mom at your age, so hurry up, while we still have the energy, we can help you raise your kids when you return."
Kyle nodded, "I will."
Hearing this definite answer, Sienna Thornton caught onto something, enthusiastically linking arms with her eldest son, "You’ve found someone you like?"
