My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 56: Sharing a Room

"You invited some nobody who just stirs up trouble?"

"He’s the lowest-tier member of the club. I forget who even got him in, but you saw his face—it’s just unfair." Second Young Master North sighed at his friend’s complaint. "A lot of our members are women, and you know they can be even bigger spenders than men. Those rich ladies made it clear: if Young Master Norwood doesn’t show, neither will they. The whole point of this cruise is to network. It’s not worth it for me to turn away a potential market of hundreds of women over one guy."

As he spoke, he suddenly added with a sigh, "But this Norwood guy has always come alone before. Today, he actually brought a girlfriend. And from the way she carries herself, she’s clearly not from some ordinary family... And it just so happens all those rich ladies from the group chat are here today. I bet we’re in for some drama when they meet."

"A catfight isn’t much of a show." The contract was the only thing on Eldest Young Master Warren’s mind. "I just want to see Papa Rivermoon. Tsk, I wonder if he’s here yet. Let me check."

He picked up his phone, opened a private chat, and cautiously tapped out a message:

T-Rex Perfume: [Papa, are you here yet?]

After a long pause, a reply came: [On board.]

T-Rex Perfume: [The contract’s all ready. I’m on the *Lucent* too. Where can we meet up?]

Silas Norwood and Celia Sterling had already gotten their keycards.

The suite was enormous, even more luxurious than a five-star hotel. The two of them stood in the doorway, watching as Assistant Thorne directed the staff to replace the mattress, sheets, duvet, and all the sofa covers. Next, they systematically disinfected the floor, the bathroom, the closets, and even the floor-to-ceiling windows. Then, Assistant Thorne took out Silas Norwood’s clothes and hung them up neatly, one by one. Finally, from out of nowhere, he produced and laid out a series of exquisite, high-end, custom "his and hers" items: matching mugs, toothbrushes, slippers, and bath towels...

Celia Sterling couldn’t help but ask Silas Norwood, "Do you bring this much stuff every time you travel?"

"I usually stay at one of our own hotels when I’m traveling. I have a private wing, so it’s not this much of a hassle," Silas Norwood explained in a low voice. "A cruise ship is different, though. Countless people have stayed in this room."

Celia Sterling nodded in understanding. Every hotel under the Sterling Group also had dedicated suites for her and Kian Sterling. For people of their status, unless they were traveling incognito, they never used items that had been touched by others.

She watched Assistant Thorne bustle about, organizing everything, until he finally pulled an unfamiliar box from the bottom of a suitcase and calmly placed it inside the nightstand drawer.

She didn’t get a clear look, but Silas Norwood did.

He gave Assistant Thorne a meaningful look but said nothing.

A notification chimed on his phone.

Without a change in expression, he turned, leaned against the doorway, and slowly replied to the message. Celia Sterling also took out her phone. She scrolled through her group chat history for a bit but found nothing useful. After a moment’s hesitation, she opened her private chat with Rivermoon.

Cece: [Papa, you there?]

Silas Norwood’s phone chimed again, this time with a custom notification sound. He paused for a second before switching his phone to silent.

A single question mark from Rivermoon appeared on Celia’s phone.

She thought for a moment, then, for the sake of the resources, she sent a bold invitation:

Cece: [I’m on the *Lucent* too. Would you be free to meet? I’d like to discuss a collaboration.]

Rivermoon: [No.]

After that instant reply, he went silent. Celia Sterling waited for a moment, and when it was clear no other message was coming, she dejectedly put her phone away. She walked into the now-pristine suite and sank lazily into the sofa.

Silas Norwood came in right behind her, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Tired?"

"No, I tried to schedule a meeting with that big shot, but it didn’t work out." Celia Sterling slumped, placing the meticulously prepared contract on the nightstand. "But he’ll be on the cruise for two more days. I’ll find another chance. As long as I can land this one deal, I’m confident I can develop two more knockout products before our new line launches on the ninth of next month."

’A new product launch on the ninth of next month?’

The date gave Silas Norwood pause. He picked up his phone, scrolled up through his messages, and stopped at a specific one:

T-Rex Perfume: [...our archrival’s new perfume is launching on the ninth of next month, and we have absolutely nothing to compete with it.]

In a lounge area on the cruise ship, Eldest Young Master Warren was growing restless after a long wait for a reply.

Just then, a notification sound chimed like music from the heavens.

Rivermoon: [Who’s your archrival?]

T-Rex Perfume: [Delia Caine. Have you heard of the brand, Papa? They have some genius Perfumer and are stealing market share everywhere. My team of Perfumers says that as long as they get the resources, forget Delia Caine’s so-called Moonlight Collection—they could take on the entire night sky and win!]

T-Rex Perfume: [So Papa, how about we sign that contract now? I’ll give you the highest possible price.]

A large red exclamation point appeared on the chat screen.

Eldest Young Master Warren, who had been basking in the thrill of closing a deal with the big shot, suddenly tumbled out of his lounge chair. His face was a mask of utter shock and devastation.

"Holy shit! I’ve been blocked! Papa Rivermoon blocked me! What the hell?!"

Back in the suite, Silas Norwood switched between his chat accounts, then casually tossed his phone aside. He looked at Celia Sterling’s listless expression, his thumb gently smoothing the frown between her brows. "Those refined perfume ingredients I have in my warehouse... I’ll have them all sent to you when we get back to Metropia."

"I can’t just take such valuable things from you for no reason, Silas," Celia said, looking embarrassed. "But if you don’t need them yourself, you could sell them to me."

"There’s no need to talk about business between us." Silas Norwood’s amber eyes met hers. He leaned in, whispering softly in her ear, "My dear wife."

His voice was low and gentle, like a feather brushing against her earlobe. Her face instantly flushed. "N-Not yet."

Silas Norwood chuckled softly. "In two more months, you will be."

Assistant Thorne had finished his work. Seeing his boss and his girlfriend whispering intimately, he discreetly led the other staff members out of the suite.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the room.

Celia Sterling and Silas Norwood had been alone together many times before—in his office, on a terrace, in a private box at a concert...

But a bedroom was a different matter entirely.

With no one else present, alone in a room with Silas Norwood, Celia Sterling felt as if the very air she breathed was hot. Seeing her discomfort and knowing not to overplay his hand, Silas elegantly retreated to a safe distance. His tone became more formal.

"Shall we get something to eat, Cece, and then go up on deck to see the ocean?"

Celia Sterling let out a soft breath and nodded readily. "Okay!"

Silas Norwood held out his hand to her.

His long, well-defined fingers still wore the gleaming black thumb ring. Out of habit, Celia Sterling placed her hand in his palm. The next moment, he pulled her to her feet, his hand sliding smoothly around her waist.