My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 81: Feeling Insecure

Metropia. Norwood Group Headquarters.

A routine project meeting was underway, presided over by CEO Julian Langdon. Silas Norwood sat to the side, paying close attention at first and even asking a few questions. But as the meeting wore on, his focus clearly drifted, and he lowered his head to look at his phone.

The executives in the conference room all noticed, but they pretended not to, continuing their discussion with the CEO. Still, out of the corners of their eyes, they couldn’t help but steal glances toward the chairman’s seat.

The chairman was known for his extreme self-discipline. He rarely looked at his phone, even when not in a meeting. Today, however, he had used WeChat several times in just a few short minutes. The notification sounds eventually stopped, but he still checked his screen every couple of minutes. Julian Langdon, sitting closest to him, saw him open a chat window, apparently waiting for a message. When none arrived after a long wait, he tapped on a photo in the chat history and began to look at it.

The beauty in the photo was soft and radiant, a vibrant, living temptation. She was making a playful peace sign, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with a captivating smile.

After some time, once he seemed to confirm that the other person wasn’t going to reply, Silas Norwood elegantly exited WeChat. Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he said impassively, "Carry on."

With that, he left the conference room.

In the hallway, he dialed Miles Trenton. "What is she doing?"

Miles Trenton replied in the formal tone of a work report. "She’s at the Perfumers’ symposium. She spent quite a while looking for herself, and just now she was chatting with that popular actress from Port Sovereign, Summer something-or-other." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Looking for herself?"

"Looking for your beautiful, treasured wife, Boss. The most beautiful woman in the entire venue." Miles couldn’t help but let his frustration show. "Boss, can I please request to be excluded from this little game of yours? I have so many bases to manage. I’m very busy."

Silas Norwood ignored his plea, his focus solely on Celia Sterling. "Has she eaten?"

"Not much." Just as Miles Trenton finished speaking, a commotion seemed to break out on his end. A few seconds later, he spoke again. "Boss, Chairman Sterling is here. Miss Sterling is with him now."

’Kian Sterling?’

Silas Norwood’s voice was cool. "Since he’s there, you can go handle your own business."

Miles Trenton breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I’m out of here. I’m getting ready to fly to Morellia tonight. I overheard in their conversation that Aurelian and the Valois Family are fighting over a new raw material base. I’ll see if I can snatch it from them."

Silas Norwood didn’t reply.

After the call ended, he saved Celia Sterling’s selfie to a hidden album. After a moment’s thought, he set it as his phone’s wallpaper. He knew Celia wouldn’t have time to chat with him for a while, but he still couldn’t bring himself to close WeChat.

A long moment passed. A faint sense of helplessness flickered in his amber eyes.

’Have we really been apart for so short a time that I’m already feeling this insecure?’

「Port Sovereign.」

In the inner courtyard, Adeline Lowell was preparing tea for her mother.

The old madam was a light sleeper and woke up after only half an hour’s rest. With her long-lost granddaughter finally back home, she was in high spirits. Despite her silver hair, her face was radiant as she began to nag Adeline Lowell.

"I’ve noticed you’ve been rather cold to Summer ever since she came back last night. You’re her aunt. It’s one thing to maintain your composure in public, but you need to show her more care. Your sister passed away so young, leaving behind just this one child..."

Adeline Lowell nodded silently.

"I know you’re upset that she hasn’t visited the Lowell family all these years." The old madam shook her head and sighed. "In that, she’s just like her mother. If my Sylvia had been willing to come home and ask for help back then, she never would have been bullied to such an extent by those heartless monsters from the Sutton Family."

Seeing the old madam’s eyes turn red, Adeline Lowell’s expression softened. "Mother, don’t be sad. I remember everything the Sutton Family did. Your health isn’t good right now, and you mustn’t exhaust yourself with grief. Shall I read you some Buddhist scriptures?"

Adeline Lowell’s assistant hurried into the room.

Adeline had just picked up the scriptures. She frowned slightly. "What is it?"

"Ma’am, Chairman Sterling from Metropia is here."

"Kian Sterling?"

"Yes." The assistant nodded. "He’s already at the entrance to the estate."

Adeline Lowell rose abruptly. "Mother, please rest. I’ll go take a look."

The Miller Clan of Aeridor and the Sterlings of Metropia rarely had any dealings. Kian Sterling, however, was a frequent visitor to Port Sovereign. Over the years, whenever Summer Sutton was targeted in the Port Sovereign entertainment industry, Kian had made an example of the culprits with swift and ruthless force. His reputation for merciless cruelty in the Port Sovereign Circle was no less fearsome than it was in the Capital Circle.

’But what is he doing at the Miller estate?’

’Is it because of Summer Sutton?’

「The Front Hall.」

The moment Celia Sterling received Kian Sterling’s message, she quietly excused herself to Summer Sutton, stood up, and rushed toward the entrance!

Kian Sterling had just gotten out of his car.

Under the bright moonlight, he stood amidst the cold shadows of the trees on the estate grounds. His cool eyes held a trace of indolence, and his tall, stern figure exuded a chilling pressure. As always, his clothes were a vibrant, flamboyant style: a low-cut purple shirt paired with a dazzling metal belt buckle. A subtle pattern of irises, outlined in silver thread, alluringly climbed the lapel and extended to his handsome collarbones, accentuating his bewitching and formidable aura.

He looked like an exceptionally difficult man to please.

Many people nearby were already looking his way, but no one dared to approach and strike up a conversation.

Celia Sterling ran to the entrance and immediately spotted Kian Sterling’s imposing figure. A twinkle of laughter lit up her eyes as she walked toward him.

"Brother!"

Kian Sterling gave a noncommittal hum, his voice deep. "Are we leaving now?"

The symposium for the day was almost over, with two more days to go, but Celia Sterling didn’t want to miss a second of the excitement. "Can you wait another ten minutes for me? I want to see if the major families can fight their way to a conclusion."

"Go on. Come out when you’ve had your fill." Kian Sterling set no time limit, implying he would wait as long as it took.

But Celia didn’t want him waiting out in the cold. "Brother, why don’t you come inside with me?"

Kian Sterling glanced at the brightly lit entrance of the estate, his expression indifferent. He said nothing.

Just then, Adeline Lowell appeared at the entrance, accompanied by several members of the Miller Clan, her pace unhurried.

"The Ninth Master." She gave a polite nod. "Since our distinguished guest has arrived, please, do come inside. Allow me to fulfill my duties as a host."

Kian Sterling remained standing, his attitude just as lukewarm.

Adeline Lowell didn’t get angry, simply waiting patiently.

Celia Sterling gently tugged the hem of Kian Sterling’s shirt. "Brother?"

Kian Sterling reached out, his arm hovering lightly around Celia’s waist. "Then we’ll be imposing, President Lowell."

Inside the hall, the crowd was still deep in passionate discussion. Only Summer Sutton had fixed her gaze on the entrance ever since Celia left, a faint sense of anticipation in her heart. A few minutes later, Celia walked back in. Beside her, a tall, handsome man held her intimately, occasionally whispering something to her. Despite the number of people in the room, it was as if no one but the girl beside him existed in his eyes.

Watching Kian Sterling, whose entire focus was on Celia Sterling, Summer Sutton felt a pang of inexplicable bitterness, along with a strange, indescribable feeling.