novelraw Chapter 183: The Cold-Hearted Father Returns
Chapter 183: The Cold-Hearted Father Returns
Quinn Sinclair had enough of her own troubles to deal with today, so she was in no mood to discuss the private affairs between Celia Sterling and Silas Norwood.
She stood by Celia Sterling’s side, shielding her from the majority of women who approached with prying questions, and allowing her to get something to eat and drink at the buffet first.
In the distance, several men in tailored suits were scattered about, casually glancing in Celia Sterling’s direction. Second Young Master Sutton was among them. He had entered the party under the guise of a distant relative of a wealthy family. Security wasn’t tight for a simple birthday banquet like this, and he had put on a simple disguise. Unless you stared right at him, even people who knew him wouldn’t be able to pick him out of the crowd at a glance.
His goal today was simple.
He didn’t dare risk a direct confrontation with Celia Sterling. The plan was to obtain a DNA sample, leave immediately, and have it secretly tested in Port Sovereign. Then he would know for sure if the confidential tip—that Celia Sterling was actually Summer Sutton—was true. He hadn’t thought about what to do after getting confirmation, but regardless of who was pulling the strings, Brian Sutton had already decided he would not be the one to stick his neck out.
But while the plan seemed perfect, Second Young Master Sutton had underestimated just how protective Kian Sterling was of Celia.
And now, Silas Norwood had added another layer of protection.
In the few minutes it took Celia to eat, bodyguards from both Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood appeared around her. One team, seemingly scattered but actually forming a tight perimeter, kept her in a secure bubble, preventing any strangers from getting close. The other team acted as personal assistants, promptly removing any glasses, utensils, or other items she touched, all to be disposed of after the banquet.
Second Young Master Sutton was speechless.
He asked his assistant in a low voice, "Has our operation been leaked?"
The assistant shook his head. "No, but I did some asking around. This is standard procedure every time Miss Sterling appears in public. The only difference is that since her alliance with the Norwood Family, her security detail has doubled in size."
Second Young Master Sutton said thoughtfully, "Kian Sterling is being too cautious. The more he does this, the more it proves something is wrong."
But even with his suspicions, throughout the hours-long banquet, Second Young Master Sutton and his men couldn’t find a single opportunity to get close to Celia. He decided to take a risk, but was stopped by a bodyguard when he was still a meter away, nearly blowing his cover.
As the banquet ended, Second Young Master Sutton took a deep breath. "There are a lot of people now. We’ll blend into the crowd and slowly approach Cel—"
Before he could finish, his assistant whispered, "Second Young Master, Silas Norwood is here."
Second Young Master Sutton immediately fell silent.
At the entrance to the Sinclair estate, Silas Norwood’s arrival caused a commotion.
"Why is Chairman Norwood here?" The Sinclair Patriarch and a few of the family’s young masters rushed out to greet him. The Patriarch turned and ordered, "A distinguished guest has graced us with his presence! Prepare for another private banquet—"
"There’s no need. I have other urgent matters and cannot stay long." Silas Norwood’s gentle gaze fell in Celia’s direction. "I’m here to pick up my wife."
The crowd parted, and Celia walked out under everyone’s watchful eyes. Seeing Silas Norwood, she raised an eyebrow slightly. "What are you doing here?"
"I was getting a little bored at home alone." Silas Norwood extended a hand to her, drawing her to his side. With a cool, elegant expression, he bid farewell to the various powerful family heads who had greeted him, then wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her into the car before it sped away.
Inside the car.
The partition between the front and back seats rose. Silas Norwood lifted Celia’s legs onto his lap, removed her high heels, and began to gently massage her feet.
"I remember you had a packed schedule all day. Around this time, you should be at the office for the year-end summary meeting. Why did you suddenly come here?" Celia didn’t buy his excuse about being bored. "Did something important happen?"
"No," Silas Norwood explained calmly. "The final wedding photos are ready. I’m taking you to pick out the ones we’ll use at the reception."
"Didn’t we already pick them?"
"There were two I wasn’t happy with. We’ll pick again." Silas Norwood helped her slip on a pair of flats. "Then, I’ll take you shopping and for some afternoon tea."
In the front passenger seat, Theo Chambers vaguely overheard the conversation from the back and was completely bewildered. ’His boss is genuinely swamped,’ he thought. ’But he took a call midway through about the travel schedule of the Sterling’s former chairman, Franklin Sterling, and immediately dumped the meeting on Julian Langdon and a few vice-chairmen to come pick her up personally.’
’It was as if he was terrified of Celia running into Franklin Sterling.’
’Was all this really necessary? They’re father and daughter, after all. And it’s not like Miss Sterling is the type to be easily bullied...’
’And now shopping and afternoon tea? Should I tactfully remind the boss about his two o’clock flight to Seraphina for a business trip?’
「Back at the Sinclair estate entrance.」
"Second Young Master, what do we do now?" the assistant asked Second Young Master Sutton, his expression complicated as he watched Silas Norwood’s motorcade disappear into the distance.
"How the hell should I know?" Second Young Master Sutton was prone to fits of temper, but he also knew when to back down. "I can’t just make a move right in front of Silas Norwood. I’m not crazy."
Most of the guests had left. Not wanting to stand out, Second Young Master Sutton and his men discreetly followed the remaining crowd to the shade of some trees outside. The Sinclair Patriarch and a few other heads of powerful families stood at the entrance, chatting and laughing about business. In the distance, an unassuming van drew closer.
Who else would be arriving at the Sinclair estate at this hour?
The Sinclair Patriarch and the other family heads turned in surprise to look.
The van pulled to a stop at the main gate of the Sinclair estate.
The driver opened the door, and an elegant, debonair Franklin Sterling stepped out.
He had been away from Metropia for many years. Ever since Kian Sterling had successfully seized power, he had been forced overseas by his son’s ruthless tactics. The city’s high society hadn’t heard a word about him since.
After so many years, the high-spirited aura Franklin Sterling once had as the head of Sterling Group was long gone. But his cold, calculating nature hadn’t diminished in the slightest. The first thing he did upon returning to Metropia was contact old acquaintances, intending to stir up trouble.
Having heard from somewhere that this group of old friends was gathered at the Sinclair estate, he had come looking for them directly.
"My old friends, it’s been too long! I’ve missed the times we used to get together. I heard you were all having tea here at Sinclair’s place. I wonder if I might join you?" He accurately called out a few he had been close to. "Sinclair, March, Lowell... My, you all look as sharp as ever! Hahaha!"
But Franklin Sterling had long been marginalized. These days, the powerful families only recognized Kian Sterling. Even those who had some history with Franklin didn’t dare to associate with him openly. Now, seeing him, they all exchanged glances, their expressions turning awkward.
"Well, if it isn’t Sterling. What brings you back so suddenly?"
"My little girl, Cece, is marrying Chairman Norwood. It’s a major event in her life. It’s only right that I, her father, return for the festivities..." Franklin Sterling familiarly clapped a few of his old friends on the shoulder. "Come on, let’s go inside and chat."
Some of the family heads tactfully excused themselves, citing work as a reason to leave. But a few, not wanting to be too blunt, forced fake smiles and followed him back into the Sinclair’s main hall, steeling themselves for what was to come.
In the distance, Second Young Master Sutton watched the scene unfold, a thoughtful expression on his face.