My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 144: I Just Don’t Love You
Kian Sterling slowly swirled the tea in his cup, letting out a soft, mocking laugh.
When he first saw her on the cargo ship all those years ago, he’d immediately sent someone to investigate her. For someone of his stature, uncovering her background was a simple task. He learned she was a cast-off, and in a rare act of charity, he gave her a new identity. But clearly, after all this time, she had failed to live up to that identity to his satisfaction.
"Daisy York," he said, enunciating each syllable of her original name. "What right do you have to question me? You resent that I raised you as a substitute for someone else, but if it weren’t for me, you would already be dead."
Summer Sutton had no rebuttal.
She knew, of course, that if Kian Sterling hadn’t given her a different life, her vulturous family would have devoured her, leaving not even her bones behind. It was uncertain if she would have even made it off that cargo ship alive.
"All these years, you’ve never known the meaning of contentment. You came to me for everything, whether you deserved it or not, always acting as if I owed you." Kian Sterling’s tone cut deeper than a knife. "But the one I’m indebted to is the *real* her. What does that have to do with you? I owe you nothing."
For years, she had acted like his pampered canary in Port Sovereign, demanding resources, connections, and money—anything she could get her hands on. For him, it was all a drop in the bucket, so he’d let her have it. The problem was, she grew greedy and set her sights on him. She started unscrupulously manufacturing scandals to force his hand, and that was when he decided he was done with her.
"If you think I’ve treated you unfairly, it’s not too late for me to send you back to Lambert Village right now."
If the Sutton Family was a den of tigers and wolves, then Lambert Village was, for her, a living hell.
"No, I won’t go back! I’m not Daisy York! I’ll never be Daisy York again!" Summer Sutton completely caved. "The Ninth Master has given me a new life. I would never dare to feel any resentment, only gratitude. Before, I was ignorant of my humble origins and did many things to displease you. Please, don’t hold it against me."
Kian Sterling didn’t care whether her words were sincere or merely an act. "If you don’t want to be Daisy York, then do a good job of being Summer Sutton. As long as you remain Summer Sutton, I won’t let anyone harm you. And if the day comes when I need you to return this identity to its rightful owner, I will arrange another suitable life for you."
He didn’t say who *she* was, but Summer Sutton couldn’t help but ask, "The real Summer Sutton... is she... is she Sample Number 2 from the diagnostic lab?"
Kian Sterling didn’t answer.
Summer Sutton knew not to press the issue.
She rose to her feet, trembling, and gave Kian Sterling a deep bow. "For saving my life... after all these years, please allow me to finally say thank you, Ninth Master."
"There’s no need for thanks. I don’t want to see you involved with the Sutton Family again. The name ’Summer Sutton’ is on loan to you. I expect it to be clean and untarnished when I come to reclaim it."
’Clean and untarnished?’
’Who does he plan to give it back to? The real Miss Sutton?’
’This person he protects so fiercely... she isn’t using her own identity as Eldest Miss Sutton, so what name is she living under now?’
But she didn’t dare to ask.
She took a quiet breath. Everything was out in the open now. The fact that he was still willing to let her be Summer Sutton was the best possible outcome.
She pushed herself up using the edge of the table and looked at him solemnly. "I’ll return to Oakhaven today. I will never come to Port Sovereign on my own again, nor will I have any private contact with the Sutton Family. But the Suttons have already targeted me. I must ask the Ninth Master to see me safely on my way one last time."
Kian Sterling set down his teacup. "Go on."
Summer Sutton walked unsteadily toward the door.
Just as she reached the doorway, she suddenly turned back.
In her view, Kian Sterling still looked as lazy and relaxed as ever, petting a cat. His striking presence was more captivating than the garden of flowers blooming behind him. Though he was only ten or fifteen feet away, they were separated by a social chasm she could never hope to cross.
"Ninth Master," she finally managed, summoning her courage.
Kian Sterling glanced up coolly.
"Is the reason you’ve always refused to be with me... because I’m as common as dirt in your eyes?" she asked.
’It wasn’t just about not having an official title. Over the years, she had more than once shamelessly thrown herself at him at the Wyvern Bay Villa, begging him to spend the night, only to be met with his cold, retreating back every single time. She used to think it was because of her status as the abandoned daughter of a powerful family. But now, seeing how he treasured the very name ’Summer Sutton’ as if it were a precious jewel, she understood. The problem wasn’t her background. The problem was *her*.’
Kian Sterling regarded her with his deep, unreadable eyes.
The oppressive aura was so suffocating that her breath caught for several seconds.
After a long, dead silence, Kian Sterling let out a cold laugh, his tone as imperious as always.
"If I truly loved a woman, I would dare to love her and dare to marry her, even if she were as common as dirt."
His voice was low as he enunciated each word. "I just... don’t love you."
Those five simple words were like a dull knife twisting in Summer Sutton’s heart.
Summer Sutton stumbled backward, her senses going numb from his words. Unable to utter another sound, she turned and fled.
「Silverwood.」
For Silas Norwood, in the throes of his honeymoon phase, there was no difference between night and day. The morning sun was already fierce as he lifted Celia Sterling from the bathroom rug. He began to gently wash her, his voice tender as he asked:
"Have any energy left? I was thinking of taking you fishing."
Celia Sterling had always been robust, but after several straight days of such vigorous activity, even she was feeling a little worn out. She nestled lazily in Silas Norwood’s arms, letting his large hands glide over her body with a towel. "What time is it?"
"Almost eleven."
They had gone into the bathroom around nine, and two hours had passed just like that. Celia Sterling let out a faint sigh. "If we come to a beautiful place like Silverwood only to waste all our time in bed, just like at Jade Orchid Manor, what’s the point?"
"What do you mean? I think it’s wonderful."
Silas Norwood’s eyes devoured her. Every inch of her held an irresistible, primal attraction for him. Physically, they weren’t a perfect fit—it took him considerable effort to enter her—but the resulting stimulation was so intense that it left them both hopelessly addicted, as if under a spell. This was why, every time Celia Sterling said no, she could never truly refuse him.
"I want to go fishing, catch crabs, and pick oranges." Celia Sterling stood up from his embrace and quickly slipped on her bathrobe. "If you won’t go, I’ll go by myself."
"Of course I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?" Silas Norwood reached out to smooth back her damp hair, his tone a gentle caress. "But we have to dry your hair first. We don’t want you catching a cold."
Celia Sterling hummed her assent. He scooped her up, carried her into the bedroom, and sat her on the edge of the bed, where he began to meticulously blow-dry her hair.
Then, he personally put her hair up. His technique wasn’t perfect, but he was far less clumsy than before, having gained some practice. He gathered her hair into a neat ponytail and then proposed a plan:
"How about we pick oranges first? Fishing takes patience. Once we’re done picking oranges, we can eat them while we fish. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some Silverwood specialty dishes and bring them to the lakeside, so you don’t get hungry." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Celia Sterling was very pleased with that plan. "Deal."
Fingers intertwined, they headed downstairs affectionately.
Downstairs, the local housekeeper, who wasn’t very familiar with them yet, was already setting the table for a meal. She spoke very politely, "Sir, Madam, will you be dining now?"
"We’ll skip the meal. Just select a few of Silverwood’s local pastries and set them up by the lake," Silas Norwood instructed coolly. "Also, arrange for a few people to accompany my wife and me to the orange grove."
"Picking oranges?" An assistant happened to walk over, hesitating for a moment. "Boss, I was just about to tell you. The surrounding hills and orchards have all been rented out today by a travel variety show from Azure TV."
