novelraw Chapter 18: Private Domain
Chapter 18: Private Domain
Just before closing time, the marketing department sent over a document.
"President Sterling, we can’t delay replacing the perfume spokesperson any longer. These are the three candidates we’ve selected after careful consideration. Please take a look." Director Churchill from the marketing department delivered the file himself. He stood at the door of Celia Sterling’s office, clearly hoping for a definitive answer on the spot.
Celia Sterling sensed that something was amiss.
She flipped through the files. "Why the sudden rush?"
One of them was for Summer Sutton.
Director Churchill was a veteran who had been with The Sterlings for nearly twenty years. He had personally witnessed Kian Sterling fight his way back from hell and was well-acquainted with the temperaments of the two siblings, who were forsaken by their parents. In work matters, he tried his best to consider Kian Sterling’s interests, so he got straight to the point.
"Our previous spokesperson was hit with a scandal in the last couple of days, which has damaged our brand’s image. We’ve decided to terminate the contract early and find a replacement."
Celia Sterling nodded. "With the new product about to launch, brand image is paramount. You did the right thing."
Director Churchill’s gaze fell on the file in her hands.
"Also, we’ve received word from Port Sovereign Imperial Star Entertainment that Summer Sutton has already terminated her contract with them. She’s an A-lister with an enormous fanbase on the mainland. Right now, three major fragrance brands on the mainland have already made her offers. We’ve also heard the rumors about Miss Sutton and the Chairman. If The Sterlings decides to sign her as our spokesperson, please make a decision quickly. We don’t want a competitor to swoop in and affect the relationship between the Chairman and Miss Sutton."
’It’s just one thing after another. And Kian Sterling hates having his hand forced more than anything.’
Celia Sterling pondered for a moment. "What’s Summer Sutton’s stance on this?"
"She said all the right things," Director Churchill replied noncommittally. "Said she would never be an enemy to The Sterlings. But when it comes to contracts, they’re just scrap paper until they’re signed and sealed."
’He’s trying to gauge Kian Sterling’s attitude.’
’Director Churchill wouldn’t normally give a mere celebrity a second thought. But if she’s to be the Chairman’s future wife, that changes everything. He wants to handle this properly now to avoid any bad blood and prevent repercussions down the line.’
Celia Sterling thought for a moment. "I’ll sound out my brother tonight. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow."
Director Churchill let out a slight sigh of relief. "Thank you, President Sterling."
"Email me copies of all three candidate files." Celia Sterling handed the documents back and left the office with her car keys.
「Norwood Group.」
Celia Sterling parked her car in an open-air spot in the plaza, took out a mirror to lightly touch up her makeup, then got out and walked toward the Norwood Group building.
She was a frequent visitor here, familiar with the layout of the first fifty floors and even many of the people inside.
Aside from the core members of the Norwood family, no one else knew her fiancé had changed.
She hesitated as she approached the entrance to the Norwood Group building. The receptionist smiled as soon as she saw her and made a welcoming gesture.
"Miss Sterling, Young President North hasn’t left for the day yet. You can go straight up to his office."
Her words made Celia, who had been about to enter, feel too awkward to go in.
She took two steps back, exiting the lobby, and stood there silently.
The next moment, Theo Chambers emerged from an elevator and walked toward Celia Sterling.
"The boss has a few more documents to handle. He asked me to bring Miss Sterling up."
Celia Sterling ignored the receptionist’s puzzled and uncertain gaze, shaking her head gently in refusal. "It’s fine, I can wait here at the entrance."
"It’s about to pour," Theo Chambers said respectfully. "Miss Sterling, please."
Celia Sterling gave a light cough and followed Theo Chambers back into the building.
Along the way, many people greeted Celia Sterling, but their expressions suddenly turned to astonishment when they saw Theo Chambers beside her.
Theo Chambers led Celia Sterling to the chairman’s private elevator, swiped the access card, and then handed the cartoon-shaped card to her, saying in a low voice:
"The boss had this made especially for you, Miss Sterling. In the future, when you come to see him, you won’t need to be announced; you can go straight up. Human Resources has already closed for the day, but the next time you visit, we can register you in the facial recognition system. Then you’ll be able to use this elevator and enter the boss’s private areas without a key card."
Celia Sterling hummed in acknowledgment.
A few minutes later, the elevator stopped on the eighty-sixth floor.
"You’ve been to the Group’s building many times, Miss Sterling, but you’ve probably never been to the boss’s domain," Theo Chambers explained as they walked. "This floor is the boss’s office area and the secretarial office. Upstairs, there’s his private gym and a recreational area."
Celia Sterling asked casually, "He works out?"
Theo Chambers paused for a moment. "Miss Sterling, our boss is extremely self-disciplined when it comes to his physique. It’s perfect."
’This wasn’t a topic to be discussed in depth right now.’
Celia Sterling said, "Oh," and decisively changed the subject. "He has fun, too?"
"The boss is human, so of course he has his own leisure time," Theo Chambers explained. "He often frequents yacht clubs, golf clubs, and art exhibitions. In fact, he has his own gallery upstairs, which houses all sorts of priceless collectibles."
He paused. "The boss also likes to play cards. He’s just not a very graceful player."
’Celia Sterling couldn’t imagine that elegant and noble man having such a down-to-earth hobby. But compared to all those high-class recreational activities, the card-playing actually made him seem more vivid in her mind, more like a real person.’
Noticing Theo Chambers’s tense expression, Celia Sterling said in a low voice, "The part about playing cards—I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it."
Theo Chambers breathed a sigh of relief and, with an even more respectful gesture, personally pushed open the door to the chairman’s office for her.
"Miss Sterling, please."
The vast office, spanning hundreds of square meters, was decorated in a palette of black, white, and gray. Famous paintings and antiques were displayed tastefully on recessed shelves, creating an air of understated nobility—just like Silas Norwood himself.
He was still busy with work.
Outside the eighty-sixth-floor-to-ceiling windows, the sky was overcast, and fine raindrops had begun to fall. A temporary sitting area had been set up by the windows, featuring a plush single sofa and a white, cloud-shaped table. On the table, a pot of floral tea let off wisps of steam, and a large bouquet of baby’s breath sat beside it, creating an elegant and serene scene.
Silas Norwood stood up and glanced at Theo Chambers, who was still lingering by the door. Theo immediately and quietly backed out, gently closing the door behind him.
"The secretarial office set it up. I’m not sure if it’s to your liking." Silas Norwood then gestured for Celia Sterling to go to the sitting area, his tone slightly apologetic. "I might need you to wait another ten minutes."
"It’s fine, you go ahead and finish up. Watching the rain from the window has a nice atmosphere," Celia Sterling said as she sat on the sofa. Her eyes landed on the floral tea. "Do you have anything cold to drink? On a hot day like this, I’m not used to drinking hot tea."
Silas Norwood’s light-gold eyes lowered slightly as he asked, seemingly nonchalant, "Are you able to drink cold beverages already?"
Celia Sterling was slightly baffled. "Why wouldn’t I be able to drink cold beverages?"
Silas Norwood didn’t answer. His hand, adorned with a thumb ring, lightly touched the glass teapot. Celia Sterling’s gaze followed to the tea inside, where she saw more than a dozen red dates floating among a few rosebuds. For some inexplicable reason, she was reminded of the awkward cup of brown sugar water at the Norwood Old Residence two days ago.
Sensing Celia Sterling’s sudden discomfort, Silas Norwood subtly shifted the topic. "This red date and flower tea is good for your complexion and well-being. It’s especially beneficial for people who stay up late. Cece, are you sure you don’t want to try it?"