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

Chapter 44: High-End Game

ZONE Club was one of Kian Sterling’s business ventures, something he started out of boredom. Compared to the Lowell Family’s The Sovereign Club, ZONE was on a whole other level. As Metropia’s most famous den of pleasure, its members were all figures of immense power.

There were no male models.

But every man who frequented the club was a scion of Metropia’s great families, hand-picked by Kian himself—capable, handsome, shrewd, and all of them knew how to have a good time.

These scions had, to varying degrees, already touched the core of their families’ power. In fact, most were the designated successors, chosen by the heads of their respective families. On a normal day, they were all busy with their own affairs, but when they gathered, they formed Metropia’s most exclusive circle of crown princes—a group defined by wealth and power.

Silas Norwood never partook in the debauchery of clubs.

Even for highly confidential business meetings, he chose the respectable business clubs under his own name. The clubs controlled by the Norwood Conglomerate were the polar opposite of a den of sensual pleasures like Kian Sterling’s: they were proper venues for business networking, frequented mostly by the heads of great families and the founders of corporate empires. In terms of age and appearance, they naturally couldn’t compare to the younger crowd at ZONE, but their level of prestige and power was in a different league entirely.

Silas Norwood had been summoned by a single phone call from Kian Sterling.

An invitation from his future brother-in-law was not easy to refuse. Besides, Kian Sterling had said over the phone, "This party is specifically for Cece."

He had long known that the reckless Kian Sterling occasionally took Celia Sterling to clubs to find male models. The moment he heard that, he understood the situation. Less than half an hour later, he appeared in this den of pleasure he had never before set foot in.

The main hall of the club, moments before a picture of relaxed, hedonistic luxury, instantly fell into a strange silence.

Who was Silas Norwood?

He was the head of the Norwood Conglomerate, a divinity on a pedestal. He typically only associated with the fathers and grandfathers of the young scions present; juniors like them were only fit to serve him tea.

’And now he’s suddenly appeared here, ready to slum it with us?’

The scions exchanged glances, unaware that ripples were also stirring in the heart of this noble and aloof magnate. His long, narrow, pale-gold eyes swept coolly over the club. In the very center of the lavish hall, Kian Sterling sat on a sofa, radiating a cold beauty. He was dressed in a dazzling, galaxy-purple shirt, his legs crossed as he gazed placidly over the room. He seemed like a detached observer, yet at the same time, looked as though he had long been shackled to this world of sensual pleasure.

Silas Norwood walked over and sat down beside him.

"I was expecting male models." Silas Norwood finally took a leisurely look around. He didn’t interact much with the second and third generations, but these crown princes were regulars at high-end banquets, so most of them looked vaguely familiar. That, combined with the aristocratic air that came from being steeped in power, meant he understood the situation after a moment’s thought. "Kade, it looks like you’ve gathered all the young, handsome men from the second- and third-generation circles."

Kian Sterling grunted. "It’s just for fun. Might as well pick the rich and handsome ones. Spoil her taste a little so the girl won’t lose her self-control when she’s out on her own."

Silas Norwood said, "...So, why did you call me here?"

"Cece loves to have fun, but taking her to places like this..." Kian Sterling said slowly. "Once you two are married, that will be your responsibility too. I’m just handing over the duties in advance."

Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, his voice impassive. "How generous of you, Kade. Always letting our Cece indulge in the finest."

"I haven’t taken her out in a long time." Kian Sterling glanced at him, seeing the truth but choosing not to voice it. "Ever since the girl came back from your place a few days ago, she’s been tossing and turning every night, all restless and irritable. No idea what’s wrong with her. I figured I’d bring her out to relax a little."

He said it casually.

Silas Norwood’s reply was just as casual. "She does need to blow off some steam."

Celia Sterling arrived a little later.

The hall was crowded. Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling were surrounded by people trying to network, so Celia Sterling didn’t notice them at first.

But everyone else was a familiar face. She could just vaguely make out Kian Sterling’s silhouette through a gap in the crowd. She didn’t bother wondering who was standing next to him, completely obscured from view. In the next instant, she turned to greet the others.

"Hello, brothers."

The club was divided into several areas. Besides the group chatting idly with Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood, other clusters had formed for different activities—mahjong, cards, bowling, or wine tasting and conversation. There were groups here and there, and everywhere she looked, she saw handsome, dapper men who were the very picture of wealth and good looks.

"Celia, my dear, come over to Ethan. I’ll get you in on a card game." The Crown Prince of the Rhodes Family beckoned with a grin. "I taught you Fight the Landlord last time. Let’s see if you remember how to play."

The good-natured Crown Prince of the Sinclair Family called to her from the wine-tasting group, "Come join me and the guys over here! What’s so interesting about cards? All the most handsome men are right here with Sean."

The Crown Prince of the Sterling Family clicked his tongue. "What’s the use of being handsome? The men in our circle are the ones who really know how to have fun. Celia, my dear, not long ago you and our Nina Sterling were so desperate you were settling for male models. Come on over, let me cleanse your palate and show you what real, top-quality men look like..."

This was the biggest difference between these scions and mere male models.

They didn’t hit on her, but they weren’t exactly prim and proper either. They knew how to joke around while masterfully maintaining the right amount of distance. Many in this group were former suitors of Celia Sterling’s who had been dealt with by Kian Sterling. She had no idea what her shrewd brother had done, but he had managed to whip them into submission until they became members of her "circle of brothers."

Celia Sterling drifted from one group to another, chatting with Sean, drawing a card for Ethan, and then heading over to the Sterling heir’s group to watch some dancing that was sensual without being vulgar. In this relaxed environment, the agitation that had plagued her for days finally began to subside.

Finally, she sat down with the mahjong circle.

The Crown Prince of the Lowell Family, who was playing, casually tossed her a large pile of chips. "Here you go, little sister. Winnings are yours, losses are on me. Play as boldly as you like."

The Crown Prince of the Marsh Family was even more generous, pulling out a contract. "Little sister, let’s play for higher stakes. If you beat me, that horse ranch in Westcroft is yours. But if you lose... do you dare to give that beautiful man sitting next to your brother a kiss?"

Celia Sterling fiddled with a mahjong tile and shook her head. "I have a fiancé. Fun is fun, but a girl’s gotta have standards."

"No fun," the Crown Prince of the Marsh Family said, casually feeding her a tile. "How about we switch it up? You win, you kiss him. You lose, I’ll give you the ranch?"

Winning was a matter of chance, but losing could be deliberate. He was obviously just creating an excuse to do her a favor and hand over the ranch.

Celia Sterling hummed in agreement and said casually, "Transfer the deed tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll invite all your sisters to the ranch to celebrate."

With that, she discarded a tile that was an obvious giveaway.

The next moment, the circle of "brother" crown princes, who had been laughing and enjoying the spectacle, suddenly fell silent as one.

Celia Sterling raised an eyebrow at the Crown Prince of the Marsh Family. "Well? Aren’t you going to claim your win?"

"This round doesn’t count." A voice came from behind her—cold and detached, yet familiar down to her bones. "Start over."

In the next instant, as Celia Sterling sat frozen in a stupor, a large, well-defined hand reached out and retrieved the tile she had just discarded. Her eyes fixed on the iridescent black thumb ring on those cold, jade-like fingers, and she spun around on reflex.

There she saw the breathtakingly cold, beautiful man standing behind her, his noble and oppressive aura silencing the entire room.

Only Kian Sterling let out a soft, mocking laugh, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Silas Norwood was already leaning over her from behind, guiding her hand to draw another tile. His voice was cool, yet gentle.

"The Marsh and Lowell boys don’t know how to play. Here, little sister, let Nathan teach you."