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

Chapter 180: The Wedding Date is Approaching

The wedding date was fast approaching.

The most prominent families began sending their lavish gifts to Jade Orchid Manor in advance.

Among them were the House of Lowell from Port Sovereign and the Sutton Group.

Adeline Lowell of the Lowell Family delivered her gift in person: a red coral sculpture nearly half a person’s height, which was carefully carried into the manor. Celia Sterling poured her tea personally. "President Lowell, this gift is far too generous."

"It’s nothing particularly rare, but the symbolism is auspicious and fitting for a wedding," Adeline Lowell said, glancing at Silas Norwood beside Celia with a teasing smile. "I was originally going to send a set of perfume ingredients, but then I figured that’s the last thing you need..."

Celia Sterling nearly blurted out, ’I do! Why wouldn’t I?’ but caught herself and cleared her throat. "That’s very thoughtful of you, President Lowell."

"Calling me President Lowell all the time sounds so formal," Adeline Lowell said with a wry smile. "You happily call all those clan elders ’Grandpa’ and ’Uncle.’ I’ll be bold and ask if you could call me ’Auntie’ as well."

"Auntie Lowell," Celia Sterling replied instantly. The name, spoken so sweetly, touched Adeline Lowell’s heart. "Of all the younger generation in the family, none are as sweet-tongued as you," she remarked. "The gentle way you say it could melt anyone’s heart."

It was a slight exaggeration, but Celia’s delicate demeanor, her soft voice, and an inexplicable sense of affinity instantly melted Adeline Lowell’s heart.

"Your wedding is next week. I’ll bring Rosalie and Heath Lowell with me. I have other important matters to attend to today, so I won’t intrude on you and Chairman Norwood any longer."

"You have business in Metropia too, Auntie Lowell?" Celia immediately asked. "Silas and I have some connections here. Do you need any help?"

"No need, it’s a personal matter," Adeline Lowell sighed. "I’m heading to Oakhaven later to see my niece. She hasn’t contacted the Lowell Family since she left Port Sovereign, and the matriarch is worried sick that something might have happened. Since I’m already in Metropia, I have to stop by, or I’ll never hear the end of it when I get back."

Celia knew she was talking about Summer Sutton and murmured in acknowledgment. "In that case, I’ll have someone prepare some of Metropia’s specialty pastries for you to take on your trip, Auntie Lowell."

Adeline Lowell had only just left when Kian Sterling arrived at Jade Orchid Manor.

He was a frequent visitor to Jade Orchid Manor, so he navigated the familiar path, parking his sports car in the villa’s garage and heading straight for the living room. Seeing Silas Norwood and Celia Sterling, and the cup of cold tea on the table between them, he raised an eyebrow. "Who was here?"

"We’ve had over a dozen guests this morning, all here to deliver gifts," Celia said, grinning at Kian Sterling. "Did you bring one, brother?"

"You’d better clear out the warehouse here at Jade Orchid Manor first," Kian Sterling said, giving her a cool glance. "I’m afraid there won’t be enough room."

Silas Norwood joked amiably, "Kade, are you planning to move the entire collection from Sterling Villa over here?"

Kian Sterling casually sat on the sofa opposite them and cast an indulgent look at Celia. "Yes. It’s all for her."

"Are you sure, brother?" Celia laughed. "A lot of those are your most prized possessions."

"I wouldn’t part with them for anyone else, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t give Cece," Kian Sterling said, picking up an exquisite amber-colored cup. "Pour me some tea."

Celia poured the tea compliantly and asked casually, "Did you ever sort out that issue with the Sutton Group sending money to the wrong account?"

The hand Kian Sterling used to take the cup faltered almost imperceptibly.

Silas Norwood, however, interjected impassively, "Wrong account?"

"Oh, it was just..." Celia began, but Kian Sterling cut in. "It was just a commercial dispute. It’s already been handled, so you don’t need to worry about it, Cece."

"I’m not really worried, it’s just that Director Jude resigned out of the blue after that call. I just find it a little odd." Celia was only making small talk, so after mentioning it, she dropped the subject.

Kian Sterling hummed noncommittally. "The Sterlings employ tens of thousands of people. One resignation is nothing."

Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

As if intentionally changing the subject, Kian Sterling glanced sideways at Silas Norwood. "We should find some time later to discuss Cece’s dowry."

Silas Norwood nodded slightly. "Alright."

The butler came in from outside. "Chairman Norwood, there’s a man at the gate claiming to be the second young master of the Sutton Family from Port Sovereign. He says he’s here to deliver a gift for you and your fiancée."

"Turn him away," Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling said in unison.

The butler was taken aback for a moment. "Then I’ll ask him to leave right away."

Celia’s gaze flickered between Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling, and she let out a soft sound of surprise.

"Brother, I know you can’t stand illegitimate children, and the Sutton family is full of them. So I understand why you’d refuse to see him. But Silas, why were you so decisive?"

Kian Sterling also turned his attention to Silas Norwood.

Under their combined scrutiny, Silas calmly replied, "Sutton the Second has a shifty face. I find him unlucky."

With the wedding so close, and given Celia’s unspoken connection to the Sutton Family, he didn’t want to invite any complications.

Celia, however, was unaware of the complex reasoning behind Silas’s decision. She just nodded in admiration. "That’s right! The moment I saw his face, I was disgusted. That’s why I hit him with that wine bottle."

「At the main gate.」

Upon receiving the butler’s tactful refusal, Second Young Master Sutton didn’t get angry. He politely offered the gift box in his hands. "In that case, could I trouble you to deliver the gift on my behalf?"

The butler shook his head. "The manor has strict rules. Please don’t make things difficult for a humble steward like myself, Second Young Master."

"My apologies for the trouble, then." Second Young Master Sutton cast one last look at the vast expanse of Jade Orchid Manor before turning to leave with his assistant.

As they left, another motorcade from a prominent family was arriving.

"That’s a car from the eldest branch of the Norwood Family. Today is an auspicious day, so everyone chose today to deliver their gifts," the assistant, who had clearly checked the traditional almanac, explained quietly to Second Young Master Sutton. "Perhaps Chairman Norwood is just busy with important guests. Should we try again tomorrow?"

"No need. Being too insistent will only arouse suspicion, and Silas Norwood is not to be trifled with." Second Young Master Sutton ducked into the car. "Let’s go."

The car drove off the grounds of Jade Orchid Manor.

As he drove, the assistant asked Second Young Master Sutton hesitantly, "Art, the one who gave you that information, left the country the very next day. Second Young Master, there’s something fishy about this whole thing. Maybe we should just go back to Port Sovereign?"

"The board is already plotting to oust me." Second Young Master Sutton’s expression hardened. "Go back? And wait to be stripped of my power and exiled? I don’t think so. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, I have to verify it myself. Isn’t there a birthday banquet for one of the Sinclairs tomorrow? I hear that of all the prominent families in the Capital Circle, Third Miss Sinclair is the closest to Celia Sterling. She’ll definitely be there. Find a way to get me an invitation."

「Jade Orchid Manor.」

Justin Norwood and Mrs. Norwood were all smiles, warmly taking Celia’s hand and making small talk. After presenting a generous wedding gift, Mrs. Norwood slipped a card into Celia’s hand. "This old sister-in-law of yours doesn’t know what young ladies like these days. The gift from your brother-in-law is one of those antiques that only men appreciate. This is just a little spending money, so Cece can buy whatever she likes."

Celia politely thanked her.

Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling observed from the sidelines. Once Justin Norwood and Mrs. Norwood had finally exhausted their small talk, Silas said coolly, "Is there something else, Brother, Sister-in-law?"

The way they kept Celia occupied with so much idle chatter, showing no sign of leaving, was clearly suspicious.

Since Silas had taken the initiative to ask, Justin Norwood cleared his throat and forced himself to speak.

"Silas, my boy, your big brother just wants to ask you one thing. It’s about that kid, Declan. He’s finally started to settle down in Solisia, and I’m afraid if he comes back, he’ll get led astray by the wrong crowd again. So... for your wedding, would it be alright if he just... didn’t come back?"

It was true that on the last day of the variety show, during the tea party, Silas had defended his nephew, Declan.

But he also remembered how Declan had tried to make things difficult for him in front of Cece time and time again.

"What do you mean, not come back?" His tone was chilling. "He’s to come back and be a groomsman. He will accompany me to pick up the bride."