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

Chapter 33: The Current and the Ex

"The chairman’s office is on the ninety-sixth floor," Director Churchill replied politely. "But he’s not in the office today."

Summer Sutton’s expression was calm, showing no apparent disappointment. "Alright. I’ll contact him privately after we sign the contract."

The group waited for the elevator near the lobby entrance.

On the other side of the lobby, the chairman’s private elevator suddenly opened.

Out of reflex, Summer Sutton and the agent and assistant behind her looked over.

A stunningly beautiful woman with captivating bone structure strolled out of the elevator.

A starry-purple gown outlined her perfect curves. The back of the dress was completely open, cinched at the waist, with only two intersecting, lavish purple-diamond boned straps. Her voluminous, long, wavy hair was casually draped over her shoulders, with just a few strands at the ends tied up with a ribbon. Her sensual shoulder blades were faintly visible beneath the cascade of her hair.

Proud, radiant, languid, and enchanting.

Even Summer Sutton and her agent, Anne Lowell, who were used to seeing beauties in the entertainment industry, were frozen in place by her arresting beauty.

"President Sterling, what wind blew you to headquarters today?" A senior executive from the conglomerate had already hurried over to greet her, his tone respectful and eager. "The chairman went to The North Suburbs to discuss a project. Should I arrange for someone to take you to him?"

"No need. I brought him some afternoon tea and left it on his desk. Remind him to have it when he gets back." The air conditioning in the lobby was strong, so Celia Sterling casually draped the shawl from her wrist over her shoulders. Her slender, diamond-studded stilettos moved unhurriedly toward the main entrance.

Director Churchill glanced at the slightly dazed Summer Sutton, then took the initiative to step forward and greet her. "President Sterling."

Celia Sterling turned her gaze. Her bright eyes saw Director Churchill and the group with Summer Sutton behind him. After a brief pause, she raised a delicate eyebrow. "Signing the contract today?"

Director Churchill nodded. "Yes."

Celia Sterling hummed in acknowledgment. "Well, I’ll let you get to it."

Only after she had left did Director Churchill look away. He gestured toward the elevator for Summer Sutton and her group. "Miss Sutton, if you please."

"Who was that just now?" Summer Sutton had a guess, but Kian Sterling was very protective, and no photos of Celia Sterling had ever been leaked online. He had plenty on his phone, but it was password-protected. Summer had only caught a glimpse once by chance, from two or three meters away, so she hadn’t seen clearly.

"Her..." Director Churchill paused. "She’s the Eldest Miss Sterling, the general manager of ’Delia Caine.’ After we sign the endorsement contract, it will still need to be sent to her for final approval."

Anne Lowell remarked with feeling, "I’d heard long ago that Miss Sterling was a famous beauty in Metropia. Seeing her today, I can say she truly lives up to her reputation."

"Of course," Director Churchill said with a smile. "As for the young masters from prominent families, those who want to marry her are as numerous as fish in the sea."

The elevator doors slowly closed. Summer Sutton’s gaze went distant, and she remained silent.

Celia Sterling didn’t go back home.

After leaving the Sterling Building, she entered the nearby Norwood Group building, secretly escorted by her bodyguards.

"Miss Sterling, you’re here!" The receptionist personally guided her toward the chairman’s elevator. Celia Sterling had visited three or four times recently. At first, the staff had been utterly shocked to see her using the chairman’s private elevator. But after witnessing her emerge with Silas Norwood, their shock had turned to numbness.

Although no one knew when the Eldest Young Master’s fiancée had become so close to the chairman, the chairman himself personally escorted Miss Sterling out every time. The typically aloof chairman would smile and chat with the young miss, his voice sounding incredibly gentle. He always walked half a step behind her, and they weren’t discussing business collaborations, but rather what to eat or do for fun in the evening. They had even seen the notoriously private chairman hand his personal phone to Miss Sterling to play games on...

Unfortunately, when the chairman was involved, no one dared to gossip. One by one, they dutifully became invisible, to the point where they never even mentioned the Eldest Young Master Norwood in front of Celia Sterling anymore.

In the chairman’s office, Silas Norwood was in the middle of a video conference.

It was a coordination meeting about mineral resources in the Solisian Region, something he normally wouldn’t need to oversee personally. But Declan Nash had officially taken charge less than a week ago. As the esteemed Eldest Young Master of the Norwood Conglomerate, and on top of that, nursing a bad temper from a recent heartbreak, he had the executives stationed in Solisia at their wit’s end. They were getting nothing done, spending their days dealing with the chaos stirred up by the little tyrant. The issue had been brought directly to Silas Norwood.

On the other end of the video call, Declan Nash was dressed in trendy, roguishly handsome streetwear. He was slouched in his chair, looking thoroughly unruly.

"You’re about to turn twenty-four, yet you’re still acting like a willful child." There was a hint of sternness in Silas Norwood’s voice. Declan Nash had always revered this uncle of his—who appeared refined and elegant but was in fact ruthless and decisive—and reflexively sat up straight, reigning in some of his reckless air.

Silas Norwood said coolly, "I’ve heard about the situation over there. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"Uncle, you can’t just listen to their side of the story," Declan Nash said lazily. "Their proposals are too conservative, and there are problems with their management style..."

Silas Norwood gestured for him to continue.

Nearby, Theo Chambers was taking notes on the meeting’s key points. He listened as the Eldest Young Master’s calm voice analyzed the pros and cons. Although most of it was specious reasoning, it possessed the forward-charging momentum unique to someone his age.

He sighed internally. ’This Eldest Young Master used to be obsessed with his love life, not giving a single thought to his career. Now that he’s refocused, he’s actually showing the sharp edge of a family heir.’

A message came from the secretarial office.

Theo Chambers looked at Silas Norwood, seeking his direction. "Boss, Miss Sterling has arrived."

On the other end of the video call, Declan Nash, who had been speaking eloquently, suddenly fell silent.

"One moment." Silas Norwood casually half-closed the laptop with the active video call and rose to open the door himself.

Celia Sterling stood quietly at the door, holding an exquisite food container. When she saw Silas Norwood, a smile spread across her face.

"Silas."

Silas Norwood’s gaze fell upon her, his amber eyes seeming to burn for a moment. She was dressed too sensually, too daringly today. Her makeup was also heavier than usual. Though her eyes looking at him were clear and bright, it felt like a kitten’s playful scratch, knocking his heart off-balance.

"Cece, come in." His expression remained composed, but his gentle voice was laced with a smile. "From now on, you don’t need to have them announce you. Just come straight in."

Theo Chambers had already tidied the lounge area by the floor-to-ceiling windows and brought over a glass of iced orange juice.

"They’re Australian blood oranges, just flown in. The Boss knew Miss Sterling was coming and had us prepare them in advance."

"Thank you, Chief Assistant Chambers." Celia Sterling thanked him politely, then picked up the orange juice and took a sip. It was fresh and pure, a cool relief from the heat.

Seeing that she liked it, Silas Norwood’s voice was gentle. "Cece, just relax for a bit. I have a quick meeting."

When Celia Sterling saw him open the half-closed laptop and the still-active video conference inside, she felt she was intruding. "I’ll wait in the first-floor lounge."

"No need." Silas Norwood stopped her from leaving. "It’ll be over soon. Just wait for me here."

Celia Sterling had no choice but to quietly sit down.

Only then did Silas Norwood turn back to the video call, his tone cool and detached. "Declan, continue."