My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 5: Marriage Swap

The reception hall fell abruptly silent!

Mrs. Norwood couldn’t stop herself from knocking over a cup of tea, exchanging a look of utter shock with Justin Norwood.

Even Celia Sterling couldn’t help but look up at Silas Norwood, again and again.

Kian Sterling, however, cast a surprisingly speculative gaze on Silas Norwood. ’He had predicted two outcomes: either calling off the engagement or a full-blown confrontation. Silas Norwood replacing Declan Norwood was completely unexpected.’

Silas Norwood said nothing, letting Kian Sterling scrutinize him. His expression was calm, his eyes cool and composed. It was as if he hadn’t just been discussing a matter of lifelong importance, but merely one of hundreds of insignificant little projects in his life—utterly nonchalant.

The strange silence lasted for several tense seconds.

Kian Sterling broke the silence with a soft sneer. "The unattainable white moonlight sought by all the debutantes of the Capital Circle is finally descending to the mortal realm?"

Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, rubbing the thumb ring on his finger, his voice faint. "A businessman puts profit first. What’s the harm in entering the game myself?"

A dozen or so major projects, involving a few tens of billions, was a painful loss, but for the deeply-rooted Norwood Family, it wasn’t enough to cause any real structural damage.

It was hardly worth the head of the Norwood Family, a man worth hundreds of billions, getting personally involved.

"Interesting." Kian Sterling let out a soft chuckle. He sized up Silas Norwood impassively for another long moment before slowly turning his head to ask Celia:

"Cece, what do you think?"

Celia was still a bit stunned and didn’t answer right away.

She was a girl raised by Kian Sterling’s own hand—rational, clear-headed, and not one to be ruled by romantic fantasies.

From a young age, she had understood the importance of a well-matched union and knew that her future husband would have to be chosen from among the great families. So, even when Kian Sterling chose the notorious Declan Norwood for her back then, she accepted obediently.

At the time, Kian Sterling had said, "Few sons from wealthy families are clean. Declan’s a playboy, but at least he’s got a handsome face and no serious relationship history. He’ll do."

And so it had been for three years.

If it weren’t for this recent sex scandal, Celia wouldn’t have been opposed to marrying him.

Swapping Declan for Silas wasn’t just absurd; it also meant she would have to adapt to a completely new man.

And this man, a famously untouchable flower on a high peak, was destined to be impossible to control.

Kian Sterling noticed her hesitation and gently stroked her head.

"Cece, your brother is here."

Celia took a deep breath. "Then... let’s give it a try?"

Silas Norwood’s fingers, toying with the black thumb ring, paused slightly.

He rose gracefully, poured Kian Sterling a cup of clear tea, and said in a refined and unhurried tone, "I will personally deliver the new marriage contract to your residence in two days."

Kian Sterling accepted the tea, a tacit agreement to the groom swap.

He was also a very busy man. With the matter settled, there was no need for further pleasantries.

The brother and sister left the villa one after the other and went to the front courtyard where the car was parked.

Behind them, a voice as cool and clear as jade rang out again:

"Miss Sterling."

Startled, Celia turned around.

The noble and elegant man took a delicate gift box from an assistant at his side and drew closer. Under the outdoor sunlight, the man’s amber eyes shimmered, holding a subtle glimmer she couldn’t comprehend.

"Although I was the one who proposed swapping the groom, it was undoubtedly forward and abrupt for you, Miss Sterling." His gentle voice carried a clear apology. "A small token of my sincerity. Please accept it, Miss Sterling."

Celia was slightly unsettled by his subtle, gentle aura.

"Silas, you were also forced into this. You don’t have to—"

The rest of her words died in her throat when she saw the gift in Silas Norwood’s hand.

The cool-looking G-Wagon, flanked by a convoy of bodyguard vehicles, drove away from the Norwood Family’s villa.

Silas Norwood stood at the villa’s entrance. His voice, though gentle, carried the indisputable authority of a superior as he gave a quiet order to Justin Norwood and his wife behind him:

"Make preparations. You’ll accompany me to the Sterling Family’s home the day after tomorrow. Inform Second Brother as well."

Justin Norwood and Mrs. Norwood had yet to recover from the shock that Silas Norwood, the head of the Norwood Family, had personally shouldered this marriage arrangement.

"Silas, about this... Your big brother only wanted you to mediate a little, I never meant to drag you into this mess..." Justin Norwood’s tone was apprehensive.

"The matter is settled. There’s no need for further discussion." Silas Norwood glanced sideways at Justin Norwood, his voice tinged with a faint warning. "And you all need to get Declan under control."

"We will, we definitely will." Justin Norwood knew what Silas meant. ’Given his own rebellious son’s infatuation with Celia Sterling, he’d probably throw a huge fit when he found out he couldn’t marry her.’

The mere thought of it was a headache.

The G-Wagon moved through the traffic, with Celia still driving. Kian Sterling sat in the passenger seat, watching her occasionally stroke the exquisite, custom-made gift box in the storage compartment, her expression tinged with excitement.

Kian Sterling raised an eyebrow. "That fond of it?"

Celia nodded as if it were obvious. "These are the twelve most precious raw materials in the Perfumery Circle. They’re so rare that they’ve long been monopolized by the three great perfumer families. You can’t even find them on the market."

"Such low standards..." Kian Sterling tutted softly, changing the subject. "The groom swap. What are your thoughts?"

Celia thought about it seriously before answering honestly, "The idea of Silas Norwood compensating me with himself still feels a little surreal. I’m afraid that every time I go out, I’ll get into fights with all those crazed women in our circle who are hopelessly in love with him."

A hint of wild arrogance appeared on Kian Sterling’s dangerously handsome face. "Our Cece is worthy of any man."

"He’s nine years older than me." Celia paused. "Am I... getting myself a father figure?"

Kian Sterling sighed softly. "I’m a full seven years older than you, Cece. Are you implying that both Silas Norwood and I are old?"

"No, Brother, you’re still in your prime! I know of at least ten young ladies who are head over heels for you." Celia decisively ended the topic. "Brother, are you going back to the office, or are you coming back to the villa with me?"

"To the office." Kian Sterling mulled it over. "I’m heading to Port Sovereign after work. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to have breakfast with you."

Celia coughed lightly. "To see Summer Sutton?"

Kian Sterling gave a noncommittal "mm."

Celia quickly said, "Brother, you’re always so busy. You finally get a chance for a rendezvous with a beautiful woman, why are you even thinking about breakfast! Don’t worry about me. The later you come back, the better."

Kian Sterling glanced at her but said nothing more.

The G-Wagon stopped at the entrance of the Sterling Group.

The ninety-eight-story Sterling Business Tower stood in the heart of Metropia’s financial district. The car door opened, and the moment Kian Sterling stepped out with his long legs, a large group of senior executives rushed to greet him.

"Be good at home, call me if you need anything. And don’t bother sending afternoon tea today, I might not be in."

Kian Sterling patted the back of her hand lightly and fondly before entering the business tower, surrounded by the executives.

But Celia didn’t leave right away.

She sat quietly in the car, her gaze first falling on the Sterling Business Tower, then shifting to another equally magnificent business tower not far from the Sterling Group—the headquarters of the Norwood Group.

Declan had taken her there several times before, but only to the floors below the fiftieth.

She had heard that the floors above the fiftieth belonged to Silas Norwood’s Core Division, and floors eighty-six through eighty-nine were the private domain of Chairman Silas Norwood. Not even Declan, let alone Silas’s own older brother Justin Norwood, could set foot there without permission.

She never thought that by a strange twist of fate, she would end up tied to Silas Norwood.

Lost in thought, a video call request from Declan suddenly popped up on her phone’s WeChat.

Celia was silent for a moment, then it suddenly dawned on her. ’Does Declan not know about the groom swap yet?’