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

Chapter 172: Gossip is Everywhere

Celia Sterling had been diligently busy at the office for two days.

Silas Norwood had been a hands-off manager for some time. But after Celia Sterling focused on her work, he finally reined in his distractions and immersed himself in his own job.

Franklin Sterling had been up to no good for years, so they had to be on their guard.

For several days in a row, Silas Norwood had been personally driving her to and from work. When he was too busy, he would entrust the important task to Kian Sterling. As a result, the Sterling Group’s R&D building had been unusually restless these past few days. With Silas Norwood or Kian Sterling frequently coming and going, it was hard for anyone to focus on their work.

At noon, Director Linden finished his routine report on project progress at several sites and market feedback for new products, then started to joke around.

"Our son-in-law is probably already downstairs. With him and the Chairman coming over to pick up President Sterling every other day, all the young women in the company are completely flustered. The company’s annual party is coming up soon, and they’re all begging me to ask you to arrange the best spot for our department so they can admire those two handsome men up close."

The Sterling Group was a massive conglomerate. In previous years, the annual party involved headquarters allocating a substantial budget for each subsidiary to organize its own event.

This year, the Sterlings had gained the renowned Silas Norwood as a son-in-law. Plus, the wedding and the annual party were close together. Kian Sterling wanted to make it a grander affair, so after discussing it with Silas Norwood, he specially booked the largest stadium in Metropia to hold a joint annual party for all the middle and senior management of the Sterling Group and the Norwood Group.

The R&D department didn’t have many mid-to-senior level managers, but as the great lady of the Sterling Group, Celia Sterling had special privileges. She made an executive decision to put everyone from the R&D department on the list for the main annual party.

"The seating is being handled by a dedicated team," Celia Sterling chuckled. "What, my brother and Silas Norwood come here every day, and you still haven’t had enough of a look? How about I take Silas Norwood on a tour through every department later?"

"With a man of his status, how could we be so presumptuous?" Director Linden shook his head and laughed, then glanced at the time. "I won’t disturb you two’s private time anymore. I’ll be back to bother you with work this afternoon."

With that, he excused himself.

Soon, the sound of familiar footsteps echoed from outside the office.

Silas Norwood entered gracefully, carrying a thermos, and casually closed the door behind him. He was dressed in a stylish and distinguished black overcoat. The light, comfortable fabric was adorned with his usual subtle silver-thread pattern, paired with an austere black shirt underneath, giving him an air of supreme, refined elegance.

Draped over his arm was a soft, lightweight purple jacket, which he immediately helped Celia Sterling put on. "The temperature dropped sharply this morning. I had Theo Chambers run out and buy this from a nearby shopping district. Just make do for now, my dear. I’ll have a batch of autumn and winter clothes custom-made for you this afternoon."

"It’s not that cold," Celia Sterling said, obediently putting on the jacket. She looked at the thermos in his hand. "Didn’t I message you that I already ate at the office today?"

"I brought something else." Silas Norwood opened the thermos, took out Celia Sterling’s personal mug, and poured out the ginger, brown sugar, and motherwort tea. He then wrapped his arms around her from behind and asked gently,

"Do you need me to rub your stomach? I could tell you were tossing and turning last night, you seemed very uncomfortable."

He hadn’t slept well last night either. Celia Sterling had gotten her period, and perhaps because of their frequent intimacy lately, the discomfort was unusually intense. She had whimpered softly in his arms several times. He spent the whole night warming her lower abdomen with his hands, and it wasn’t until morning that they managed to catch a couple of hours of light sleep.

"Yes, please," Celia Sterling said, grasping his warm, large hand. "Let me finish my brown sugar tea first."

That afternoon, the launch event for a major joint project between the Sterling Group and the Norwood Group was being held at the nearby Metropia Grand Hotel.

This was one of the key projects signed as part of their marriage alliance. As the main parties involved, both Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood had to be there.

So, Silas Norwood wasn’t in a hurry to go back. He looked after her all noon. When Director Linden came by in the afternoon, he still showed no signs of leaving the office and had even thoughtfully helped Celia Sterling handle a few work items.

Only when Celia Sterling was back at full strength did the two of them leave together, heading straight for the launch event venue.

"There will be a lot of people today. Since you’re not feeling well, don’t walk around too much, and don’t touch any alcohol or cold drinks," Silas Norwood said softly, his arm around her. "I’ve prepared a special rest area for you. Your brother and I will likely be busy socializing. You can just relax over there; no need to engage in pointless pleasantries with people."

"You and my brother really are..." Celia Sterling thought for a moment, then chuckled softly, "one’s the strict father, and the other is the loving mother."

Silas Norwood: "..."

"Don’t call me that," he said, pinching her slender waist and sighing softly into her ear. "I have a proper title, you know."

「At the project launch event.」

An almost imperceptible, high-end fragrance wafted through every corner of the hotel. The splendid, glittering grand hall was filled with well-dressed business figures, a dazzling scene of fragrant clothes, elegant shadows, and lively conversation.

This was not just a launch event, but a networking conference for the business world.

The spot Silas Norwood had prepared for Celia Sterling was on the second floor. It was quiet and elegant, with an excellent view. Soft carpets and cushions were laid out, and an entire table was filled with all of Celia Sterling’s favorite foods, along with a pot of warm beverage for her period.

"You be good and wait here, my dear. I’ll come get you later."

After another reminder, Silas Norwood finally went downstairs.

Celia Sterling sat languidly on the sofa, casually watching the main hall on the first floor. Silas Norwood had already made his entrance and was standing with Kian Sterling in the most prominent spot. The two equally captivating men—one with a domineering, sharp aura, the other with a noble, aloof coolness—were effortlessly guiding the flow of the launch event.

Everyone around, men and women alike, had their attention fixed on the two of them. This was especially true for the female guests, whose infatuation was impossible to hide. In just that short time, Celia Sterling had already seen several groups of women try to approach them, only to be blocked by bodyguards.

Just as she was finding it amusing, a strong, mixed wave of perfume washed over her, and several of her frenemies from her social circle suddenly surrounded her.

"What are you doing hiding up here? It’s so lively downstairs, and you’re not joining in. That’s not like you," Nina Sterling chirped, picking up the warm drink beside her to inspect it. "You get your period and suddenly you’re acting like a hen nesting during her confinement month. Is it that serious? I remember just a few months ago, you got into a fight with that one person from the Stanton Family during your period..."

Celia Sterling looked at the group of women, all dressed to the nines. They were all from wealthy families and often hung out together, but as for their relationship, it wasn’t necessarily that great.

She lazily took the warm drink from Nina Sterling’s hand, took a sip, and pointed downstairs. "Your unattainable crushes and unforgettable flames are all down there. Why aren’t you over there trying to get noticed instead of coming up here to see me?"

"We would have gone if we could’ve squeezed in," Nina Sterling sneered. "A few days ago, I had Quinn Sinclair ask you to hang out. Why didn’t you come? Now that you’ve landed your ’Moonlight’, you don’t even give us the time of day, is that it?"

"Who has free time all day like you guys? I’ve been swamped."

"You’re busy, so we’re not? You have Delia Caine, and I have my position with the Sterling Family, plus I’m managing my own brand. And these sisters here, which one of them isn’t managing a few family businesses?" Nina Sterling shot back.

Celia Sterling couldn’t be bothered to argue with them. "Alright, alright. You think I don’t know what you’re all thinking? You just want to see me and Silas Norwood make a fool of ourselves."

"So, are you going to give us a show?" The one who spoke was Miss March, who had also been with them at The Sovereign Club when they hired male escorts. "No time like the present. A lot of the girls, especially that Jasmine Lowell, are very interested in your private life with Silas Norwood."

Celia Sterling said, "Oh?" and continued, "What does my private life with Silas Norwood have to do with you? You’re all so bored every day. Should I have my brother talk to your brothers and find you all some more work to do?"

"Well, we are on a mission from the Capital Circle’s vast legion of admirers of your ’Moonlight’. But we won’t pester you. We’ll keep it brief." Nina Sterling proactively handed her a delicate pastry and raised an eyebrow. "We’ve hung out together for so many years, after all. We won’t make it hard for you. Let’s play a simple game. Celia Sterling, do you dare show us the ten latest messages in your WeChat history with Silas Norwood?"