My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 46: An Old Man Doesn’t Beat Around the Bush

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

It was a moment of intimacy so brief it couldn’t even be called a kiss, like a feather brushing across Silas Norwood’s face.

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

Celia Sterling’s voice was very soft, just loud enough to slip into Silas Norwood’s ear.

She was clearly mortified. She released her arms and slid off him. Silas Norwood remained perfectly still. Though his expression was hidden in the darkness, the sense of distance caused by his inexplicable mood receded like the tide. His large, well-defined hand came to rest on Celia Sterling’s slender waist, its touch both gentle and firm, bringing back their familiar intimacy.

"Cece." His voice was slightly hoarse.

Celia Sterling hummed softly in response.

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

’What does he mean, beating around the bush?’

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

It was both gentle and wanton.

Celia Sterling’s mind went blank. She felt as if she were bobbing in monstrous waves. For someone so cool and reserved, his kiss was so searingly hot it sent shivers through her entire body.

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

His breathing was a complete mess.

「Outside the club.」

Kian Sterling had been waiting for nearly twenty minutes before Celia Sterling finally emerged with Silas Norwood.

Their fingers were interlaced as they chatted idly. It might have seemed like the conversation was faltering, but there was an ineffable intimacy between them.

Kian Sterling’s gaze swept over their intertwined hands and Celia Sterling’s slightly messy hair. He shot Silas Norwood a frosty glare but said nothing, only rapping on the car door.

"Cece, we’re going home."

The G-Wagen cruised slowly through traffic.

Kian Sterling’s eyes were fixed on the traffic ahead, showing little interest in conversation. Celia Sterling, who had a sensitive nose, caught the faint, lingering scent of tobacco on him and couldn’t help but speak up.

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

"It’s not that bad. I limit myself to three a day," Kian Sterling replied, glancing at her unhurriedly. "What, now you’re going to nag your big brother about smoking too?"

"It’s bad for your health, that’s all." Celia Sterling thought for a moment. "I’ll look into some perfumes that can suppress cravings. It would be best if you could quit, but if not, at least cut back to one a day. I remember you didn’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 young ladies who are hopelessly crushing on you something to feast their eyes on."

"I’m going. I have a few projects to discuss," Kian Sterling said, his voice lazy. "Don’t use your brother to do favors."

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

Just as Celia Sterling retorted, her phone rang.

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

"Brother, 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 call and watch a movie together?"

"Cece is driving," Kian Sterling’s crisp, cold voice cut in, each word deliberate. "Do you want me to watch with you?"

Silas Norwood: "..."

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

The manor was scenic and sprawling, yet not too far from the city’s commercial 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 took a moment to glance over and pull Nina Sterling aside. "I don’t recall the Sterlings sending out invitations to this many women."

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

Crown Prince Sterling was indeed very busy. The guests today were all influential figures from politics and business. Beyond the usual social gathering, 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, a butler approached with the guest list. "Eldest Young Master, Wyatt Sutton, the heir of the Sutton Family of Port Sovereign, has arrived as invited. Also, Declan Norwood, the eldest son of the Norwood Conglomerate, has returned from Solisia and came here looking to hang out with you. What are your instructions?"

"Don’t cause any trouble, not at an event like this," Crown Prince Sterling warned Nina Sterling one last time before heading to the main entrance to greet his guests.

"Declan Norwood..." Someone in Nina Sterling’s circle of socialites hissed softly. "And I think Summer Sutton is on the guest list too. Celia Sterling’s side also confirmed that Kian Sterling is definitely coming. With all the main players from the rumors gathered in one place, it feels like some drama is about to unfold..." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Don’t forget why you’re here today," Nina Sterling reminded them tactfully. "You’re here for material on your ’White Moonlight’ and ’Cinnabar Mole.’ Especially ’White Moonlight’—you haven’t updated in days. Just behave yourselves and watch Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood. Stay out of everything else. If you ruin my family’s banquet, we’re all going down together."

「At the manor’s main entrance.」

Declan Norwood was lounging on the hood of a sports car. Dressed in a trendy, avant-garde style, he had a head of defiant blond hair and was squinting at the sea of distinguished guests at the entrance, showing no intention of going inside.

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

"Don’t want to. What’s the big event you’ve got going on today? So many people," Declan Norwood said, casually fiddling with the skull necklace he was wearing. "Come on, go 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 Norwood was silent for a long moment. "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 say anything. "We’ve been bros for years, so I won’t stand on ceremony with you. Go on in and wander around. I have to wait out here to greet someone I don’t know well."

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

"Wyatt Sutton of the Sutton Family from Port Sovereign," Crown Prince Sterling said in a low voice. "A pretty harsh and sinister guy. My dad invited him personally."

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

The moment he heard Celia Sterling’s name, Declan Norwood could no longer sit still outside. He swung his long legs out of the sports car, casually put on a baseball cap that half-covered 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 has been talking about you all morning. This way, please."

The car door opened, and Wyatt Sutton stepped out.

He didn’t move away immediately, but instead 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 him warmly. "He is quite renowned in Port Sovereign. He has come to Metropia at the specific request of the Head of the Sterling Family to offer some guidance on the projects you’ll be discussing today."

As the metaphysical forces behind the wealthy, Port Sovereign’s tycoons and Feng Shui Masters have always been closely linked. Even in Metropia, many elite families rely on Feng Shui Masters to attract good fortune and ward off disaster.

A look of profound respect appeared on Crown Prince Sterling’s face. "So you are the Elder Coleman my father holds in such high esteem. Elder Coleman, Eldest Young Master Sutton, please, come inside."