My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Brother Instead

Chapter 16: Little Liar

Theo Chambers was genuinely a little shocked.

’For so many years, countless women have had their eyes on his boss, but all of them have failed spectacularly. After being so aloof and untouchable for so long, he suddenly wants a girlfriend?’

But wanting to date was definitely a good thing.

’The vast Norwood Family couldn’t go without an heir. As for those good-for-nothing young masters from the first and second branches, and those rich brats from the extended family, honestly, even Theo Chambers, let alone Silas Norwood, looked down on them. The best heir would have to come from his own boss’s genes.’

Silas Norwood had no idea that in just a few seconds, his thoughtful assistant had already decided on a name for the future Crown Prince of the Norwood Family. But Theo Chambers was truly efficient this time. In less than three days, he had already placed a thick binder of potential candidates respectfully and eagerly on the chairman’s desk.

"Boss, these are all the young ladies who are suitable for you, selected through a rigorous screening process."

Theo Chambers personally flipped open the first page for him. Name, age, photo, star sign, hobbies, even going back eighteen generations to check for any history of genetic diseases—everything was investigated with crystal clarity. He had even made a note of how many times each had been in a relationship.

Silas Norwood flipped through it casually and asked, seemingly nonchalantly, "There are candidates from the other super-rich families. Why isn’t the Sterling Family included?"

"The Sterling Family isn’t suitable. They only have one daughter, and she’s not yet nineteen," Theo Chambers replied seriously. "She’s too young."

’She’s too young. Even if she dated the boss, he wouldn’t be able to make it official anytime soon, and there’d be no way to have two kids in three years.’ Theo Chambers was worrying himself sick over the future heir of the Norwood Family. Silas Norwood closed the binder without looking at it further, only giving Theo Chambers a cool look for a few seconds.

"You handle the arrangements."

For the next six months, Silas Norwood met with a different woman almost every month.

Separated by an exquisite white jade screen, the woman on the other side had no idea her blind date was that unattainable "flower on a high peak" from the Capital Circle. To be cautious, Theo Chambers had spread a rumor that it was a certain young master from the main line of the Norwood Family.

But even if he were a good-for-nothing young master, as long as he was from the main line, countless ordinary wealthy families would still be eager to curry favor.

Six months later, the meeting with Jasmine Lowell, the Third Miss of the super-rich Lowell Family, was arranged by Theo Chambers in a private box at a concert hall, chosen for its excellent privacy.

From behind the screen, Third Miss Lowell asked, "Young Master Norwood, which branch of the Norwood Family are you from? And what is your current position in the company?"

The man on the other side did not answer.

Only the elegant clinking of a teacup could be heard, and a noble, refined silhouette was faintly visible through the screen in the play of light and shadow.

Jasmine Lowell’s breath caught for no reason. Her heart began to race inexplicably, and her tone softened. "The young masters of the Norwood Family are all famously handsome. Young Master Norwood, why not remove the screen so we can see each other frankly?"

A faint trace of impatience appeared in Silas Norwood’s pale gold eyes. He lowered his gaze, his voice exceedingly soft.

"Miss Lowell, you and I do not yet have any formal connection. If our conversation goes well, it won’t be too late to meet face-to-face then."

The words weren’t pleasant.

But the voice was.

Jasmine Lowell was so captivated by this cool, jade-like voice that her heart palpitated. It took a long while for her to force her racing pulse to calm down. A determined light already shone in her eyes.

"I heard that before me, you’ve been on blind dates with dozens of women over the past six months..."

This time, the man on the other side paused for a long time before replying, "Fate had not yet arrived."

"Then... what about me?" Jasmine Lowell sat up straight, subconsciously touching up her makeup. "Why don’t we give it a try?"

Before Silas Norwood could respond, the door to the concert hall box was shoved open!

Jasmine Lowell cursed under her breath, her expression turning ugly. "Celia Sterling, what are you doing in here?"

"Where’s my brother?" Celia Sterling’s tone was slightly annoyed. "I heard he went to your club the day before yesterday, and he hasn’t been seen since. Where did you hide him?"

Jasmine Lowell was past caring that there was an outsider present. She replied in disbelief:

"Get it straight, that’s Kian Sterling! Yes, I—this old lady—have been drooling over that bewitching brother of yours for years, but with his domineering and fierce personality, I wouldn’t dare hide him even if you gave me a hundred guts. Why don’t you go ask the other women in our circle? It’s not like he’s my favorite alone. He’s the cinnabar mole on the hearts of every unmarried woman and wayward young wife in the Capital Circle’s high society."

"I don’t have time for your jokes." Celia Sterling was genuinely anxious. "He hasn’t been in a good state recently. Take me to your family’s club. I’ll look for him myself."

"I’m not going! I’m on a blind date!" Jasmine Lowell refused. "Go by yourself!"

"If I could get in, would I be looking for you?" Celia Sterling yanked her up. "My brother put a restriction order on me for all the clubs and bars in Metropia. Let’s hurry. I’m worried something happened to him. He’s never lost his composure like this before."

"The blind date! Let me finish my blind date first!" Jasmine Lowell was worried about her "cinnabar mole," but she was also reluctant to leave the Young Master Norwood who had set her heart aflutter with just his voice. "It’s not easy for me to find someone who makes my heart race..."

"Doesn’t your heart race every day? You’ve already gone through more than twenty ’husbands’ in the entertainment industry. This one won’t make a difference."

"What ’husbands’? Don’t talk nonsense! That’s just me fangirling for fun!" Jasmine Lowell looked like she could kill someone. "Celia Sterling, try slandering me one more time!"

Celia Sterling, worried about Kian Sterling, didn’t want to hear any more nonsense and just dragged Jasmine Lowell out the door with brute force.

Behind the screen, Silas Norwood spoke, his voice clear and cold. "Miss Sterling."

His voice was like snow in a mountain stream, utterly bewitching.

But neither Celia Sterling nor Jasmine Lowell had ever heard the voice of this "White Moonlight" of Metropia up close, so no one connected him to the ultimate identity of Silas Norwood, a man who stood upon a pedestal.

Celia Sterling didn’t even have the presence of mind to wonder how the man could know her name so clearly. From the vaguely familiar timbre of his voice, she simply guessed it was someone she knew from their circle.

"I’m taking Jasmine Lowell," Celia Sterling tossed out perfunctorily. "I’ll compensate you with someone better later."

The two figures hurried out the door.

The door to the private box closed once more.

But because of her words, ’compensate you,’ a dark tide surged in the depths of Silas Norwood’s eyes.

He sat there, elegant and noble, lightly holding a jade-colored teacup. His handsome features were slightly blurred by the wisps of steam, and while he appeared calm, an audacious thought began to grow in his heart.

’Compensate with whom? With yourself?’

’The ambiguous entanglement of a zipper and fingertips in a changing room, the chaotic biting in a coffee shop... the images spun faster and faster in his mind like a revolving lantern...’

His composure was slightly shaken.

Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, dropped a few ice cubes into his tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

A few minutes later, Theo Chambers walked in with an apologetic look on his face.

"Boss, the bodyguards said Miss Sterling forced her way in? That young lady is the apple of Kian Sterling’s eye and had quite a few bodyguards with her. They got into a standoff with our men outside, so they couldn’t get away to deal with the situation for you."

Silas Norwood gave a soft "Mm." "It’s nothing."

He paused. "From now on, if Miss Sterling comes, there’s no need to stop her."

However, Celia Sterling did not come again.

That night, she found Kian Sterling at the Lowell Family’s club. Whatever blow he might have suffered, Kian Sterling had already recovered completely. He was lounging on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, chatting and laughing with Declan Nash.

Seeing Celia Sterling, Kian Sterling chuckled, his teardrop mole bewitching. "My Cece is all grown up. She knows how to worry about her big brother now."

Celia Sterling studied him carefully. He still had that same powerful, domineering air. She let out a soft sigh of relief. "Brother, are you okay?"

"It was a work matter," Kian Sterling said slowly. "It’s been resolved."

He patted the spot next to him. "Come, have a chat with Declan Nash and me."

Over the past year, Declan Nash had been very attentive around Kian Sterling and had been utterly devoted to Celia Sterling. Celia didn’t dislike him, so after a moment’s hesitation, she walked over.

Three days later, the happy news spread that Kian Sterling had agreed to the marriage between Declan Nash and Celia Sterling.

The first branch of the Norwood Family was overjoyed. Justin Norwood, who had been acting as timid as a quail for several years, finally straightened his back in front of Silas Norwood, his mind consumed with how to maximize the benefits of the marriage alliance.

But aside from Justin Norwood, all the shareholders and clan members of the Norwood Family felt that Silas Norwood was in a bad mood during that time. The most obvious sign was the series of oppressively tense meetings.

Even the highly capable CEO, who had always been held in high regard by Silas Norwood, was reprimanded several times, neither too harshly nor too lightly.

「Late at night, in the chairman’s office.」

Silas Norwood lowered his gaze to the final document on the marriage alliance project that Justin Norwood had sent over. He sat silently in his chair. Although he still looked as noble and refined as ever, the aura around him was suffocating—

’You promised you’d compensate me, didn’t you?’

’Little liar.’

...

「Jade Orchid Manor.」

The night was deep.

Silas Norwood drained the wine in his glass in one go, exited a hidden photo album, and lowered his gaze, turning the ring on his finger.

A moment later, he elegantly picked up his phone.

He sent a WeChat message to his little liar:

"What are you busy with?"