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

Chapter 46: An Old Man Doesn’t Beat Around the Bush

It was a brief moment of intimacy, not even a real kiss. Like a feather brushing against Silas Norwood’s face.

"I just think... something so private shouldn’t be done in front of other people."

Celia Sterling’s voice was quiet, just loud enough to reach Silas Norwood’s ears.

She was clearly embarrassed. She released her arms and slid off him. Silas Norwood didn’t move. It was too dark to see his expression, but the sense of distance created by his strange mood receded like the tide. His large, well-defined hand rested on Celia Sterling’s slender waist, gentle yet firm. The familiar feeling of intimacy returned.

"Cece." His voice was slightly hoarse.

Celia Sterling hummed a quiet "mhm."

"I’m thirty-one," Silas Norwood said very slowly, his voice growing even hoarser. "I’m too old to play these youthful games of avoiding the important issues."

’Avoiding the important issues?’

Before Celia Sterling could understand, the large hand on her waist suddenly tightened, and a scorching breath washed over her face.

Gentle, yet unrestrained.

Celia Sterling’s mind went blank. She felt like she was bobbing in giant waves. For such a cold and reserved man, his kiss was so scorching it sent a shiver through her entire body.

"Next time, do it like this. Got it?"

His breathing was an absolute mess.

「Outside the club.」 Kian Sterling had been waiting for nearly twenty minutes when Celia Sterling finally emerged with Silas Norwood.

The two were holding hands, fingers intertwined, making small talk. It might have seemed like the conversation was stalling, but there was an undeniable intimacy between them.

Kian Sterling’s gaze swept over their clasped hands and Celia Sterling’s slightly disheveled hair. He shot a sharp glare at Silas Norwood but said nothing, only tapping on the car door.

"Cece, time to go home."

The "Big Lizard" cruised slowly through traffic.

Kian Sterling stared at the traffic ahead, not in the mood to talk. Celia Sterling’s sensitive nose picked up the faint, lingering scent of tobacco on him, and she couldn’t help but speak up.

"Bro, don’t you think your smoking has gotten a little heavy these past few years?"

"It’s fine. I keep it to three a day." Kian Sterling gave her a measured look. "What, now you’re going to manage your big brother’s smoking habits too?"

"It’s bad for your health, after all." Celia Sterling thought for a moment. "I’ll look into a perfume that can suppress cravings. It’d be best if you could quit, but if not, at least get it down to one a day. I remember you wouldn’t even touch the stuff a few years ago."

Kian Sterling didn’t reply.

"Oh, right, you’re going to the business conference next week, aren’t you?" Celia Sterling asked. "Nina Sterling has called me several times, insisting I bring you along to give all those high-society ladies who are hopelessly pining for you something to feast their eyes on."

"I’m going. I have a few projects to discuss." Kian Sterling’s voice was languid. "Don’t use your big brother to do favors for your friends."

"Their eyes are on their own faces. It’s not like I can hide you away and forbid them from looking, can I?"

Just as Celia Sterling retorted, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID, paused for a moment, and then gestured to Kian Sterling.

"Bro, it’s Silas Norwood. I’m driving. Can you answer it for me?"

Kian Sterling silently answered the call. On the other end was Silas Norwood’s gentle voice. "Cece, are you home yet? Want to get on a voice call and watch a movie together?"

"Cece is driving," Kian Sterling’s crisp, cold voice replied, each word deliberate. "Want me to watch with you instead?"

Silas Norwood: "..."

The business conference, organized by several major wealthy families, was being held at a manor owned by the Sterling Conglomerate.

The manor was scenic and sprawling, yet not too far from the city’s business district. Early in the morning, the Sterling Conglomerate’s young miss, Nina Sterling, walked in from outside with a large group of dazzlingly dressed heiresses.

"Are these all your friends?" Crown Prince Sterling spared them a glance and pulled Nina Sterling aside. "I don’t recall the Sterling Conglomerate sending out invitations to this many women."

"Oh, please. It’s just a little get-together for me and my besties, we don’t need invitations. Don’t worry about me, I’ll host them myself." Nina Sterling cleared her throat. "Go on, bro, get back to your own business."

Crown Prince Sterling was indeed very busy. The guests today were all influential figures from politics and business. Aside from the usual networking, there were also several important development projects to be discussed. As the host, he had an endless stream of distinguished guests to receive.

In the distance, the butler approached with the guest list. "Eldest Young Master, Wyatt Sutton, the crown prince of the Sutton Family of Port Sovereign, has arrived as invited. Also, Declan Nash, the eldest young master of the Norwood Conglomerate, has returned from Solisia and came here looking for you. What are your instructions?"

"Don’t cause any trouble on an occasion like this." Crown Prince Sterling reminded Nina Sterling one last time, clearly still worried, before heading to the main entrance to greet his guests.

"Declan Nash..." Someone in Nina Sterling’s circle of socialites let out a soft hiss. "I think Summer Sutton is on the guest list too. And Celia Sterling’s side replied that Kian Sterling is definitely coming. With all the main players in that scandal gathered together, it feels like some major gossip is about to drop..."

"Don’t forget why you’re all here today," Nina Sterling reminded them tactfully. "You’re here for ’White Moonlight’ and ’Cinnabar Mole’ material. ’White Moonlight’ especially—it hasn’t been updated for days. Just quietly watch Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood. Don’t get involved in anything else. If you mess up my family’s banquet, we’re all going down together."

「At the manor’s main entrance.」

Declan Nash was lounging on the hood of a sports car. He was dressed in a fashion-forward, avant-garde style, with a head of defiant blond hair. He squinted at the sea of distinguished guests at the entrance but made no move to go inside.

Crown Prince Sterling walked up and looked him up and down. "I thought being exiled to Solisia would leave you all worn out, but you look fine to me. Come on, let’s go inside and have a seat."

"Don’t want to. What’s the big event here today? So many people." Declan Nash idly toyed with the skull necklace he was wearing. "Come on, go deep-sea fishing with me."

"I really can’t get away." Crown Prince Sterling paused. "I don’t know what’s going on between you and Celia Sterling, but she’s coming today..."

Declan Nash was silent for a good while. "I hear the wine made here at Sterling Manor is pretty good."

"We have it, and plenty of it." Crown Prince Sterling saw through him but didn’t call him out on it. "We’ve been bros for years, so I won’t be formal with you. Just go on in and wander around. I need to stay out here and greet someone I don’t know very well."

"Someone you don’t know well?" Declan Nash asked casually. "Who?"

"Wyatt Sutton of the Sutton Family of Port Sovereign." Crown Prince Sterling lowered his voice. "A pretty harsh and sinister guy. My dad personally sent him the invitation."

With that, he gestured for Declan Nash to go in first.

The moment he heard Celia Sterling’s name, Declan Nash couldn’t bear to stay outside any longer. He swung his long legs out of the sports car, casually put on a baseball cap to half-cover his bright blond hair, and walked into the manor in silence.

Crown Prince Sterling had already walked over to a car with dual Port Sovereign license plates, a polite smile on his face.

"Eldest Young Master Sutton, my father was just talking about you this morning. This way, please."

The car door opened, and Wyatt Sutton stepped out.

He didn’t move away immediately, but stood in place until someone else emerged from the other side of the car.

Crown Prince Sterling was taken aback for a second. "And this is?"

"This is Elder Coleman, a Feng Shui Master from Port Sovereign," Wyatt Sutton introduced gently. "He is quite famous in Port Sovereign. I’ve brought him to Metropia at the special request of the Head of the Sterling Family, to offer some guidance on the projects you’ll be discussing today."

As the metaphysical advisors behind the ultra-rich, Feng Shui Masters and the wealthy elite of Port Sovereign have always been closely linked. Even in Metropia, many prominent families rely on them to attract good fortune and ward off disaster.

Crown Prince Sterling’s expression became one of deep respect. "So you are the Elder Coleman my father holds in such high esteem. Elder Coleman, Eldest Young Master Sutton, please, come inside."