My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 69: The Reckoning

Kian Sterling: "We’re not discussing it."

"If you don’t want to discuss the project," Silas Norwood’s voice was calm but held an unyielding firmness, "then how about we discuss moving the wedding date up?"

"Declan wouldn’t have dared make such a request even after three years." Kian Sterling sneered. "How long have you and she been together? Has it even been a month?"

"Kade." Silas Norwood was unperturbed, his tone casual, but his words were anything but. "I overestimated my self-control."

’The night was still long. He wasn’t sure if he could conquer his inner demons again if desire were to flare up once more.’

The atmosphere on Kian Sterling’s end suddenly grew tense. His cold voice was tinged with obvious agitation:

"The wedding date is not changing. In that case, shall we discuss the joint Sterling-Norwood Eco-Park One project?"

Silas Norwood nodded. "Alright."

In the dead of night, Kian Sterling’s entry into the conversation finally dissipated the almost uncontrollable ambiguity and restlessness. Silas Norwood folded his long legs and slowly sank into the sofa, his noble and aloof expression gradually returning.

At seven in the morning, Celia Sterling was woken once by her alarm.

She vaguely heard Silas Norwood on the phone with someone again, a long conversation from the sounds of it. The voice on the other end was faint, but it sounded like her own brother’s sexy, stern tone.

’Since when did Silas and my brother get so close? They’ve been talking for two nights straight and still haven’t run out of things to say...’

She turned off the alarm and went back to sleep, lulled by the gentle murmur of Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling’s long conversation.

When she woke up naturally at nine, Silas Norwood was sound asleep. He was lying on the other side of the bed, the collar of his pajamas slightly open. He looked exhausted and languid, yet he lay there with a certain refined grace. There were faint, dark circles under his handsome eyes.

’Looks like he really overdid it staying up all night.’

Celia Sterling didn’t disturb him. She got changed, left the room, and went to the restaurant for breakfast alone.

Theo Chambers and Assistant Thorne had already prepared a delicious meal. When they saw she was alone, both reflexively glanced behind her.

"Silas wore himself out last night. Could you bring some food to his room later?" Celia Sterling thought for a moment, then added, "Have the chef make some restorative soup. Staying up all night takes a toll on the body, after all."

"In that case, Miss Sterling, would you like us to arrange for bodyguards to accompany you while you dine?"

"No need. I’ll just walk around a bit after I eat. You guys just focus on your boss."

After Celia Sterling finished eating, Theo Chambers still arranged for a few bodyguards to accompany her. He then shot Assistant Thorne a meaningful look.

Assistant Thorne walked softly toward Silas Norwood’s suite. A few minutes later, he came out and whispered discreetly to the waiting Assistant Chambers:

"The boss is really tired. He’s usually so alert, but he didn’t even wake up when I went in. And..."

He cleared his throat. "The condoms in the drawer... seem to be all used up."

Theo Chambers froze for a second. "How many in the pack?"

"A pack of six." Assistant Thorne was filled with emotion. "I’ll have the kitchen make some deer antler soup to nourish his kidneys."

Theo Chambers didn’t chime in.

He felt something was off. As his personal assistant, he knew better than anyone how much stamina the boss usually had. It didn’t make sense for Miss Sterling, who should be the most exhausted one, to be so vibrant while the boss couldn’t even get out of bed.

Two hours later, Silas Norwood finally opened his eyes. He scanned the room but didn’t see Celia Sterling. Instead, Assistant Thorne was quietly setting out a lavish lunch. The strong scent of Chinese medicine wafted faintly from a bowl of some unknown soup.

"Boss, you’re awake." Assistant Thorne diligently arranged the tableware for him. "Miss Sterling went for a walk around the cruise ship. She’ll be back to have lunch with you shortly. This kidney-nourishing soup was specially prepared for you at her request. You can have some first."

’Nourish the kidneys? Doesn’t staying up late harm the liver? Shouldn’t it be a liver-nourishing soup?’

Before Silas Norwood could figure it out, he heard Assistant Thorne ask suggestively, "Should I prepare another box for you, Boss?"

He didn’t specify what kind of box, but Silas Norwood instantly understood the reason for this soup.

"Take it away." He didn’t explain, simply instructing Assistant Thorne in a flat tone, "Pack our things. We’re heading back to Metropia after we eat."

The cruise ship was already slowly approaching Seraphina Port.

When Celia Sterling returned to the suite, the soup was gone, but Silas Norwood hadn’t touched the rest of the lunch.

"Did you get enough sleep, Silas?" Celia Sterling sat down at the dining table to eat with him.

"More or less. I’ll catch a quick nap on the plane later."

"Is your recent project not going well?" Celia Sterling sighed softly. "You and my brother have been racking your brains over it for two days now..."

Silas Norwood gave a noncommittal "Mm" and changed the subject. "It seems Cece didn’t have a very good time?"

"I wanted to use this last half-day to look around and see if I could find that perfume ingredient expert, but I came up empty-handed." Celia Sterling shook her head, frustrated, but quickly adjusted her mood. "But then I saw that the young master of the Warren Family looked even more dejected than I did, so I instantly felt better."

Silas Norwood served her some food himself and said casually, "Cece might see him every day without even realizing it."

Celia Sterling lamented, "That’s possible. The expert is too good at putting on an act."

After the meal, the members began to disembark from the ship one after another.

At six in the evening, Silas Norwood’s private jet arrived in Metropia. Kian Sterling was waiting personally at the exclusive VIP exit to pick them up.

He was leaning lazily against a cool blue sports car, his devilishly handsome face still showing traces of annoyance from lack of sleep. He watched nonchalantly as Silas Norwood and Celia Sterling emerged, holding hands and laughing, before coolly looking away.

He smoothly took Celia Sterling’s rolling suitcase and asked Silas Norwood:

"Want to stop by the Sterling’s place?"

"No need, there’s a family dinner tonight." Silas Norwood was very polite. "I’ll leave Cece in your hands, Kade. She didn’t eat much for lunch, so please make sure she eats more tonight."

Celia Sterling was a little annoyed. "Can you two stop trying to fatten me up like a pig? I gained almost a pound during these three days on the cruise."

Kian Sterling glanced at Celia Sterling’s face. "You’ve put on a little weight. It’s fine."

Norwood Old Residence.

When Silas Norwood arrived, a large table of dishes was served, perfectly timed.

Besides Justin Norwood’s family, Jude Norwood from the second branch and his children were also there. Upon seeing Silas Norwood, the younger generation hurried to greet him politely:

"Uncle."

Silas Norwood gave a faint "Mm." "Have a seat, everyone."

He paused. "Declan, come sit next to me."

Silas Norwood had a cold and distant personality, and over the years, he had built up a formidable presence. Although his tone seemed calm, Mrs. Norwood, who was standing to the side, turned pale and reflexively tugged at her husband’s sleeve.

Justin Norwood ignored Mrs. Norwood. Today’s gathering was arranged specifically to apologize to Silas Norwood. He kicked Declan. "Go to your uncle’s side and apologize properly."

Declan Norwood usually kept a respectful distance from this particular uncle. But for the woman who was supposed to be his wife to suddenly become his aunt was a bitter pill to swallow. He’d had the audacious gall to vent his frustrations over the phone while drunk, not expecting to run right into the man himself.

After sobering up, he felt both wronged and terrified.

He lowered his head, radiating dejection, and sat down next to Silas Norwood, silently pouring him a glass of wine.

"Declan is twenty-four this year, isn’t he?" Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, his voice faint. "It’s about time to discuss marriage. Don’t be like me and accidentally drag it out until you’re an old man."