My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 130: Refusal

’Widowed.’ What an inauspicious word.

It had taken him years to finally reach the point of marriage. Every step had been a struggle, and he absolutely could not tolerate such unexpected complications.

He refused to acknowledge it.

Not only did he refuse to acknowledge it, but if even the smallest spark of that ’widowhood’ ever appeared, he would be the first to snuff it out.

Silas Norwood silently moved the photo of Sylvia Lowell and her daughter into a hidden album. Then, with perfect composure, he deleted all the photos of the ten-year-old ’Summer Sutton’ that Theo Chambers had sent him in his chat history.

Only then did he elegantly begin to enjoy his lunch.

His expression was serene, as if the truth he had learned today had never existed.

「The Regent’s Residence.」

The mahjong game was already set up. Besides the chairman of CloudVision Group, there were two other men who, at a glance, radiated immense power.

The chairman of CloudVision Group was a little apprehensive. "That Chairman Norwood... his temperament is unpredictable. He seems easygoing, but his thoughts are actually very hard to grasp. I know you all want to discuss business with him today, but patience is a virtue. Let’s first gauge his attitude over the game. Don’t be hasty."

Of the other two tycoons, one was Chairman Warren from the Starlight Group of Seraphina. Seated beside him was his son, Eldest Young Master Warren.

Chairman Warren had started in the daily chemical industry and later expanded into the restaurant and entertainment markets. However, the Norwood Family dominated the entertainment sector. If he wanted a piece of the pie, he couldn’t get around Silas Norwood. He had specifically leveraged his connection with the chairman of CloudVision Group today, hoping for a chance to talk with him.

The third man was a director from the central station. He had a personal connection with Silas Norwood, but Silas didn’t handle day-to-day operations much. The entertainment division was now under the control of Eldest Young Master Norwood, Declan Norwood, who was currently far away in Africa. The director was also hoping to discuss the future direction of the Norwood Family’s entertainment business with Silas today.

"Don’t worry, Chairman Vance. Chairman Norwood and I have met a few times. Today, we’ll just focus on the game, no talk of business," Chairman Warren said with a smile. He glanced at Eldest Young Master Warren, who was looking bored. "Go prepare the tea."

"Since when do I serve tea?" Eldest Young Master Warren’s attention was glued to his phone. He was idly scrolling through Rivermoon’s social media feed, looking utterly bored. "I’ll go get some tea masters."

"It’s an honor for a brat like you to be able to serve tea to Chairman Norwood and these two gentlemen." Chairman Warren gave his son a light smack on the head. "Just do as you’re told. What’s with all the excuses!"

"Fine, I get it." Eldest Young Master Warren nodded obediently. He paused, then asked tentatively, "Could we invite Chairman Sterling, too? Have you guys seen the trending topics recently? Chairman Sterling and Chairman Norwood are in-laws now."

He wanted to see Kian Sterling, for one. Eldest Young Master Warren recalled the happy scene of the trio he’d witnessed when leaving Port Sovereign. Later, Kian Sterling’s assistant had clarified that the woman he had mistaken for a social climber was actually the Eldest Miss of the Sterling family. He then remembered that the other pretty boy, who was so intimate with Eldest Miss Sterling, also had the surname Norwood. Even if he didn’t understand it then, seeing the official announcement between Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling had made everything click into place.

He didn’t have any particular designs on Silas Norwood. Since his father had summoned him to Metropia, he figured he might as well try to meet his idol, Chairman Sterling, while he was here. ’Everyone present is a tycoon on my father’s level. Getting a group photo shouldn’t be too hard, right?’

Secondly, he knew that Rivermoon was in Metropia. It was hard to get close to such a major figure. After being blocked, he had never been able to add them back. On this trip to the capital, he was stubbornly hoping he could ’rekindle their connection.’

"We did invite Chairman Sterling, but he declined," the chairman of CloudVision Group replied to the young man. "But you and Chairman Sterling are peers, Eldest Young Master Warren. If you’re lucky, you could just as easily arrange a private get-together with him."

’Privately? If I could arrange a private meeting, would I need to ride my father’s coattails?’

Eldest Young Master Warren’s heart sank, but his expression became perfectly courteous as he began to study the tea-brewing process.

Before long, the door to the private room opened, and Silas Norwood appeared in view, flanked by an entourage.

The men all rose to their feet to greet him. "Chairman Norwood."

Silas Norwood’s gaze swept across the room. He was elegant and polite. "Director Stanton, Chairman Warren, Chairman Vance."

His amber eyes paused on Eldest Young Master Warren for a moment. "Eldest Young Master Warren."

Eldest Young Master Warren was a bit flustered.

Looking at that handsome and familiar face, his first thought was, ’I knew it!’

Then, he realized today’s Silas Norwood was different again. He wasn’t the naive, background-less, kept-man pretty boy from the cruise ship, nor was he the gentle, dignified, and completely obedient gentleman by Celia Sterling’s side in Port Sovereign. Today, surrounded by stern-faced bodyguards and assistants, his expression was aloof and his aura noble. He appeared mild-mannered, but a single casual glance from his light golden eyes revealed the intimidating pressure of a top-tier powerhouse. He seemed incredibly difficult to approach, let alone curry favor with.

Eldest Young Master Warren silently swallowed and, steeling himself, greeted him, "Chairman Norwood."

"Chairman Norwood, you know my son?" Chairman Warren was quite surprised.

"We’ve met a few times," Silas Norwood said lightly. "We’re not close."

"That’s still my son’s good fortune! Please, Chairman Norwood." Chairman Warren shot a look at Eldest Young Master Warren, who immediately picked up the tea set and began preparing tea for the tycoons. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Silas Norwood took his seat at the mahjong table.

After a few rounds, the conversation gradually opened up. Seeing that Silas Norwood wasn’t resistant, Chairman Warren jokingly mentioned his interest in entering the entertainment market.

"The Norwood Family’s main focus isn’t on the entertainment industry. A win-win market is a good thing." Silas Norwood slowly glanced at Eldest Young Master Warren, who was meekly pouring tea. He recalled how this person was constantly calling him "Dad" in the group chat and paused. "But I hope Chairman Warren will entrust this venture to your son. Moreover, the Norwood Family will require a stake in it to hold partial say."

Chairman Warren was overjoyed. "Naturally, we wouldn’t dare to bypass you, Chairman Norwood. I just didn’t expect you to think so highly of my son."

"It’s nothing," Silas Norwood said calmly. "After all, he’s my wife’s rival. Eldest Young Master Warren has competed with my wife for market share quite a bit over the years. This is a good opportunity for him to switch battlefields, which would also let my wife relax a little."

Eldest Young Master Warren: "..."

How could he have forgotten? His nemesis, Delia Caine, was the brand managed by the Eldest Miss Sterling.

And he had personally lost a bottle of agarwood essential oil—a gift from his big-shot "Dad"—to that very nemesis.

Thinking of his big-shot "Dad," Eldest Young Master Warren couldn’t help but personally offer a cup of tea to Silas Norwood, his tone extremely earnest.

"Chairman Norwood, you’re from Metropia. You have vast connections and many resources. I was wondering... do you happen to know a major perfume-ingredient supplier named Rivermoon?"

Silas Norwood gave him a deep look. "My wife is very familiar with him."

"Miss Sterling is familiar with him... to what extent?"

"He grants my wife’s every request."

Eldest Young Master Warren’s expression faltered. He suddenly understood why the deal to sign the production base, which had been all but agreed upon on the cruise ship, had suddenly fallen through after the other party asked who his rival was.

So that was the root of the problem.

He took a deep breath. "I wonder if I might have the honor of attending your and Miss Sterling’s wedding? I must prepare a wedding gift for Miss Sterling and you..."

The Warren Family had already formed a partnership with the Norwood Family to some extent. He and his former nemesis... even if not for Silas Norwood’s sake, but for Rivermoon’s, they should now be on the same side. And it had to be a deeply entangled, inseparable alliance...

「Rhovan.」

A networking event organized by the Fragrance Association was underway.

Celia Sterling was listening intently when she suddenly received a WeChat message from Silas Norwood:

NSY: [I recruited a new underling for my wife.]

NSY: [Feel free to order him around. Don’t work yourself so hard anymore.]

NSY: [We’re getting our marriage license the day after tomorrow. Can you make it back by tomorrow?]