My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 37: The Soft Blade

The Shepherd Family of Metropia.

When Celia Sterling arrived, the banquet hadn’t started yet. Since it was a child’s birthday party, the Shepherd Family hadn’t invited many guests, and those who came were mostly the younger generation from other prominent families.

The eldest young master of the Shepherd family came out to greet her personally. This smooth and worldly heir to the Shepherd Family was nearly forty but had yet to truly take power, so for years, he had been diligently currying favor with his stepmother, June Coleman, who wasn’t much older than him. On the surface, their mother-son relationship seemed quite harmonious. He led Celia Sterling toward the inner hall, speaking to her in a gentle tone:

"Mrs. Shepherd is waiting for you in the inner hall. When she heard Miss Sterling was coming, she prepared lots of your favorite foods ahead of time. By the way, Chairman Sterling didn’t come?"

"My brother is busy and couldn’t get away," Celia Sterling replied faintly. "If you have something important, Big Brother Shepherd, you can call him." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"What could be so important? It’s just that the Shepherds and the Sterlings are practically one family now, and I was hoping us brothers could get together!" The eldest young master of the Shepherd family smiled and stopped mentioning Kian Sterling. He led her into the inner hall, then made a polite exit. "The inner hall is full of you young ladies, Miss Sterling, so I’ll take my leave. Please, don’t be a stranger. Just make yourself at home."

Inside the hall were the female relatives of prominent families close to the Shepherds. Ten-year-old Natalie Shepherd, dressed to the nines like a little princess, was surrounded by a group of young girls who orbited her like stars, chattering about childish things.

Elsewhere, Mrs. Shepherd, June Coleman, was chatting and laughing with several other high-society matrons. She was fifty-five this year but impeccably maintained, and her eyes seemed very gentle when she looked at people. The moment Celia Sterling entered the inner hall, June Coleman noticed her. Those gentle eyes fell upon Celia, and a deeper smile immediately bloomed on her face. She murmured something to the other ladies and rose to walk toward Celia.

"Cece, you’re here." June Coleman’s voice was just as gentle. She took Celia Sterling’s hand, unable to resist looking her over. "I haven’t seen you in a few months. How have you gotten so thin? Come, come talk with Mom for a bit."

Celia Sterling silently followed her to a quieter sitting area.

A waiter immediately brought over tea and pastries. June Coleman personally arranged the pastries on the table. "These were all prepared according to your and Kade’s tastes. Kade, really... not even coming for Nia’s birthday. Just a moment ago, that child was bragging to her friends about how handsome her brother Kade is. I’m afraid she’s going to be disappointed now."

Celia Sterling looked at the exquisite pastries—all sorts of shortbreads and decorative cakes, along with a dish of lychee jelly. These were the things June Coleman prepared every time they met, always claiming they were Celia’s favorites. But aside from the Glazed Cup, she didn’t like any of them and barely ever touched them. ’After all these years, if June Coleman had paid even the slightest bit of attention, she wouldn’t be so clueless about something so simple.’

"He’s busy." Celia Sterling perfunctorily picked up a begonia-shaped pastry and took a small bite. It was cloyingly sweet—a texture Kian Sterling would have liked. She put it down and took out a velvet gift box. "This is his birthday present for Nia."

June Coleman opened it and let out a faint laugh. "That child has loved diamonds since she was little. This diamond necklace will be right up her alley. After we’re done chatting, I’ll have her come see you. It’s been a long time since you sisters have had a chance to talk."

’In truth, they had nothing to talk about. Though they were called sisters, they weren’t related by blood. They only saw each other at New Year’s gatherings and barely spoke, as distant as strangers.’

Celia Sterling changed the subject. "A few days ago, I heard from the Shepherd Residence’s butler that you’ve been feeling unwell recently?"

"It’s Nia. She’s been so infuriating. The child is addicted to her phone lately, and her schoolwork is a complete mess..." June Coleman pressed her temples, the floodgates of her complaints opening. "All three of you children... not a single one gives me any peace of mind. You were frail and sickly since you were little, constantly hovering at death’s door. Your brother inherited every ounce of your father’s cold-bloodedness. And Nia is too hyperactive, always getting into some kind of trouble. Just yesterday, she secretly skipped school to go play in the water with her classmates."

Celia Sterling paused. "Nia has many good qualities, too."

A soft light appeared on June Coleman’s face. "Recently, her piano and dance teachers have both been praising her great progress. And when her father was sick a while ago, she was thoughtful enough to bring him tea and water, which made him absolutely delighted. Oh, and last month, one of her paintings even won an award in the city..."

When it came to her beloved daughter, June Coleman couldn’t seem to stop talking. "The day before yesterday, she broke an antique vase while playing hide-and-seek with the maids. Mischievous as she is, at least she has the courage to admit her mistakes, which is good. And lately, she’s gotten obsessed with Go..."

Celia Sterling listened absently. When it came to her younger daughter, June Coleman remembered every single detail, big or small. But whenever the topic shifted to Kian Sterling and Celia Sterling, the tone was never quite right.

June Coleman spent half an hour talking about Natalie Shepherd before turning to Kian Sterling:

"Kade’s personality has been difficult to manage since he was a child. That was fine before, but he’s twenty-nine now. I hear he’s rejected several young ladies from good families who wanted to arrange a marriage. Cece, you should try to persuade him later. A family this large needs an heir."

’He’s not even married yet, and she’s already putting children on the agenda.’ Celia Sterling said slowly, "My brother is still young. He’s not in a hurry."

"Don’t forget, that good-for-nothing father of yours is still overseas, watching like a tiger, just waiting to make a comeback," June Coleman said with a slight frown. "Kade’s foundation is still shallow. If he had the backing of a super-rich family through marriage..."

Celia Sterling interrupted, "Mom, you should know that my brother hates it when people try to make decisions for him, especially about his relationships."

June Coleman was clearly aware of Kian Sterling’s temperament, so she dropped the subject. "Then what about you, Cece? A while ago, your affair with the Eldest Young Master Norwood was the talk of high society. I have no idea how Kade cleaned up that mess afterward... The Norwood Family is immensely powerful, and their current leader, Silas Norwood, is a notoriously ruthless character. Cece, you’re a grown woman now. It wasn’t easy for your brother to get to where he is today. Even if you can’t help shoulder his burdens, you at least shouldn’t be distracting him."

Celia Sterling lowered her eyes. "So, you think it’s no big deal if I suffer a little, Mom?"

"In these prominent families, love is half real and half fake. Who hasn’t been wronged? Tearing your relationship with the Norwood Family apart wasn’t a rational thing to do." June Coleman’s tone was placating. "I’m only trying to do what’s best for you and your brother. And you two need to have some boundaries. Kade is meant for great things, and you’re clinging to him day in and day out..."

Seeing the unpleasant look on Celia Sterling’s face, June Coleman realized she had gone too far. "Alright, alright, it’s a happy occasion. Let’s not talk about such unhappy things. Let me take you to see Nia. She’s always hoping to see you two!"

’She was hoping, it was true, but she wasn’t hoping to see Celia Sterling.’

With his looks, Kian Sterling was a natural magnet for women, and Nia was a proud member of his fan club. She often bragged about her blood connection to Kian Sterling. She had been joyfully waiting for him to attend her birthday party, but when she saw it was only Celia Sterling, unconcealed disappointment crept onto her face. After exchanging a few perfunctory words with Celia, she ran back to her circle of little friends.

"Cece, shall I take you to the front hall to see your Uncle Shepherd?" June Coleman asked tentatively.

Some things didn’t need to be said out loud. The Shepherd Family was on the lower rungs of high society and had been on a decline for several years. Though it was never stated openly, they were secretly desperate to latch onto the great tree that was the Sterlings. Celia Sterling pretended not to understand.

"I’d rather not. We don’t really know each other, after all."

June Coleman didn’t press the issue. She paused, then said, "You saw Aaron Shepherd when you came in, right? He’s a very proper person, and he’s close with us. But even though he’s the eldest in the Shepherd Family, his connections aren’t as good as the second son’s. When you go back, tell your brother to have a meal with Aaron Shepherd when he has time..."

Celia Sterling’s almond-shaped eyes watched her quietly. "Mom, you care so much about everyone in the Shepherd Family, whether they’re your blood relatives or not. While you’re busy paving the way for them, have you ever stopped to think about where you were all these years when my brother and I needed you?"

The color drained from June Coleman’s face.

Celia Sterling glanced at the lively banquet scene. "I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving now."

June Coleman opened her mouth. "Cece..."

But Celia Sterling had already dialed Silas Norwood’s number. "Are you free? Come pick me up now."