My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 23: The Thrill is Gone

The other end of the line was silent for several seconds.

Then, a cool voice spoke, "Care to join, Kade?"

Kian Sterling’s gaze swept coolly over the person sitting across from him. "I can’t get away."

Silas Norwood gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and hung up.

The business and political mixer at the hotel was still in full swing. Kian Sterling, looking bored, stubbed out his cigarette and gestured to a nearby waiter.

"A glass of whiskey. On the rocks."

A glass of whiskey was quickly brought over.

Across from him, a light chuckle broke the silence, an attempt to build rapport. "You seem a little troubled, Chairman Sterling. Was it because of that call?"

Kian Sterling gripped the golden glass, his tone cold and laced with obvious disgust. "My business is none of the Eldest Young Master Sutton’s concern."

The Eldest Young Master of the Sutton Family, Wyatt Sutton, shrugged. "My apologies for the indiscretion, Chairman Sterling. If you have somewhere to be, please don’t let me keep you. The matter between us isn’t something that can be resolved in a moment anyway."

Kian Sterling sneered. "You’re overthinking it, Eldest Young Master Sutton. There’s nothing between us that needs resolving."

"How could there be nothing?" Wyatt Sutton had a harsh bone structure, with a thin, gaunt face and high cheekbones. It was only his Sutton Family pedigree that lent him an air of wealth. His personality, however, was shrewd and direct. "The eight percent of shares you’re holding in trust, Chairman Sterling, belong to my Sutton Family. It seems a bit inappropriate for an outsider like you to have held onto them for so many years."

Kian Sterling scoffed coldly. "What, so it would be more appropriate in the hands of you bastards?"

Wyatt Sutton’s expression turned slightly grim. "I’m sure you’re aware, Chairman Sterling, that I’m not in the same boat as the others. The second and third sons are ruthless and have no qualms about going after my sister Summer. Instead of watching the fire from across the river, why not cooperate with me?"

Kian Sterling drained his whiskey in one gulp. A chilling frost settled over his dangerously handsome face as he slowly smiled.

"If there’s one thing I despise most in this world, it’s bastards. Cooperate? You’re thinking too much, Eldest Young Master Sutton."

Wyatt Sutton’s tone stiffened. "You may not be afraid of trouble, Chairman Sterling, but you should also consider my sister."

"Relay a message to the Sutton Family for me." Kian Sterling’s posture was languid yet cruel. "Summer Sutton’s life is their life. If they think they’ve lived too long, I’ll personally send them on their way."

Wyatt Sutton fell silent and raised his glass to him.

「The Norwood Conglomerate business tower.」

A low-profile black Ghost pulled out of the garage and merged into traffic.

Inside the car, assistant Theo Chambers sat in the passenger seat, holding a newly acquired list and reporting in a low voice:

"The six people in the private room are the Fourth Miss of the Sinclair Family, the Third Miss of the Lowell Family, the Eldest Miss of the Warren Family, the Eldest Miss of the Shaw Family, the Second Miss of the Marsh Family, and..."

He didn’t say who the last one was.

But the implication was clear.

In the back seat, Silas Norwood slowly turned the thumb ring on his finger. His eyes were impassive, his voice soft. "Quite the lively party."

There was no harshness in his tone, but Theo Chambers instantly felt the air in the car turn frigid. He discreetly turned up the car’s heater and said respectfully:

"These young ladies get together often. Today, they just chose a different venue. While The Sovereign Club isn’t the most high-end establishment in Metropia, it’s a legitimate place—elegant and grand, not vulgar in the least."

He sounded perfectly professional, but inside, Theo Chambers’s mind was racing.

’He wasn’t even supposed to be here today. During the conglomerate’s regular meeting, the Boss had suddenly taken a call from that person from the Sterling Family. His already cool and detached expression had looked like an impending avalanche after he hung up. The CEO, Julian Langdon, who was leading the meeting, and all the directors present fell silent in an instant, each one cautiously sneaking glances at his face.’

"Continue the meeting," Silas Norwood said flatly, then stood up and left the conference room.

Theo Chambers followed close behind. Silas Norwood’s eyes were dark and unreadable. "Look into The Sovereign Club. Find out who’s with Cece."

Theo Chambers hadn’t thought much of it at first. But when he looked at the files on the six male models in his hand, his mood was like a roller coaster derailing. He was utterly shocked!

’How long has it been since they signed the marriage swap agreement? Two days? Three? And Eldest Miss Sterling is already out hiring male models? Is this how all the princesses in their circle party these days?’

Stealing a glance in the rearview mirror at his boss’s devastatingly handsome face, Theo Chambers took a deep breath.

’The thrill of the chase is gone once you’ve caught your prize. I can’t believe that ironclad law of love applies even to the Boss.’

「The Sovereign Club.」 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Unaware that their whereabouts had been exposed, the group of socialites from the Capital Circle were relaxing and playing cards, accompanied by their chosen male models.

They were all being boisterous, but only Miss Shaw and Miss Marsh were truly letting loose, enjoying the perfectly-executed massages from their models. The others merely had their companions perform simple tasks like pouring tea, fetching water, and making small talk.

The male model beside Celia Sterling was subserviently shelling melon seeds, placing the uniformly sized kernels onto a white jade plate. Celia didn’t eat any, simply pushing the plate over to Quinn Sinclair.

Quinn Sinclair threw down a card, glanced at the man next to Celia, and tutted. "With so many handsome guys here, why’d you pick such a bland and boring one? The one I have is a real sweet-talker. Want to trade?"

Never mind Declan Norwood, who had clung to her calling her "baby" for three years. Just from the men Kian Sterling had introduced her to at clubs, she’d heard so many sweet nothings they were like handfuls of sugar being thrown at her. Celia had genuinely developed a psychological aversion to the cheesy lines.

She shook her head. "This is the type I’m into lately."

"I get it," Quinn Sinclair teased. "The aloof, otherworldly type!"

"What’s with the inside jokes?" Nearby, Jasmine Lowell shot them a suspicious look. "Celia Sterling, don’t you like the wild and untamable ’little puppy’ types like Declan Norwood? What, did your tastes change?"

"Don’t bring up Declan Norwood," Quinn Sinclair said with a sigh. "Careful, or she’ll get mad at you."

"That thing with the trending topics?" Jasmine Lowell’s gossip-loving side perked up. "So what’s the situation with you two now?"

Celia Sterling was evasive. "There have been some changes to the marriage alliance. For the final result, wait for the official announcements from the Sterling and Norwood family websites."

Jasmine Lowell looked displeased. "After all our years of friendship, you’re giving me the official corporate line."

Eldest Miss Warren, who was being fed by her male model, nonchalantly chimed in:

"Speaking of Declan Norwood, I ran into him at a bar yesterday. He was moping around like a ghost. I heard he’s spent the last two nights drinking until dawn at the bar, crying and making a scene. It was a real spectacle."

"He deserves it," Quinn Sinclair scoffed. "I refuse to believe you all haven’t seen the photos from the trending topics."

Jasmine Lowell added, "My cousin was with Declan Norwood when he was taking down the trending topic. He said Declan was in a total panic, his hands were shaking. He was terrified of being a second too late, so frantic his eyes were bloodshot. If you ask me, that Declan Norwood really cares about you, Cece. I’ve lived this long and I’ve never seen a man so obsessively attached to a woman."

Celia Sterling’s mood soured. She tossed her cards back onto the table. "I’m done playing."

"Alright, alright, no more talk about Declan Norwood." Jasmine Lowell changed the subject. "I heard your brother has been putting together a list of debutantes suitable for a marriage alliance. Think you could slip my file in there?"

Celia Sterling recalled Kian Sterling saying it was just to placate the clan elders, so she threw cold water on Jasmine Lowell’s hopes. "Give it up. He has no plans to get married in the next few years."

A flash of disappointment crossed Jasmine Lowell’s face. "I don’t necessarily have to marry him. Just finding a way to let me have a taste would be fine too."

Celia Sterling rejected her flat out. "In your dreams."

Jasmine Lowell flared up. "Celia Sterling, if you hadn’t ruined my blind date back then, I would’ve snagged that handsome man long ago! You won’t let me touch your brother? Fine! Then you can pay me back with that blind date from the concert hall private box!"