My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 71: Silas Norwood Personally Delivers Afternoon Tea

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Silas Norwood Personally Delivers Afternoon Tea

The Miller Clan of Aeridor?

Director Churchill took one look at the invitation and immediately got to his feet. "Come with me to see Eldest Miss Sterling."

Everyone in Delia Caine’s R&D department knew Celia Sterling wasn’t one for the daily grind. So when a huge workload suddenly landed on her, Director Linden and the team pitched in to help. They also kept her supplied with snacks and gossip, providing ample emotional support.

When Director Churchill arrived, Celia Sterling happened to be on her lunch break, on a video call with Kian Sterling. Kian, who had just arrived in Port Sovereign, had his head lowered as he casually glanced over a report from a local manager, presenting Celia with a view of his exquisitely chiseled side profile.

Celia propped her chin on her hand and watched the video quietly for a while. Only after Kian signed the report did he turn back to her, his cold voice laced with a gentle authoritativeness. "There’s a severe storm warning in Metropia for the next two days. Don’t go wandering around. Don’t drive home from work, either. I’ll have the bodyguards pick you up. Once you’re home, you’ll stay put for me."

"How’s the weather in Port Sovereign?" Celia asked, equally concerned. "I saw you left with barely any luggage this morning. If you need anything, make sure to have Evan Rhodes buy it. I was scrolling online last night and saw some popular local dishes in Port Sovereign. You should have Evan get them for you to try."

"It’s obvious you’re the one who wants to eat them." Kian shot her a disdainful look, but his tone was indulgent. "I’ll bring some back for you when I get home."

From the other side of the video, Evan Rhodes’s hushed voice could be heard. "Boss, the team here in Port Sovereign has arrived."

Kian glanced impassively somewhere off-screen before ending the call with Celia. "I have to get busy. I’ll call you tonight."

"Okay, I have to get busy too," Celia sighed, shaking a large pile of to-do items in her hand. "Bye, big brother."

The video call ended.

Only then did Celia Sterling notice two other people in her office. Director Churchill and his personal assistant were sitting on the guest sofa with smiles on their faces, and she had no idea how long they’d been waiting.

"Director Churchill, what brings you here?" Celia signaled for her assistant to serve tea. "With the new product about to launch, I heard you were so busy you could barely catch a break."

Director Churchill didn’t speak right away, still processing the video call he’d just witnessed between Celia and Kian Sterling. He’d always known Kian doted on his sister, but he’d never seen the extent of it. All he knew was that Eldest Miss Sterling often visited the Chairman’s office with afternoon tea, and that the Chairman’s private time and space were completely open to her.

’This was the first time I’ve seen a call between Kian Sterling and Eldest Miss Sterling firsthand. The Chairman is usually so domineering, cold, and ruthless—his voice alone has a deadly chill to it. I never thought he could sound so gentle and doting in front of her. He sounded like a nagging old father...’

"This is some Taiping Houkui I snagged from my brother. Please, try it, Director Churchill." Celia’s soft, clear voice brought Director Churchill back to his senses. He accepted the cup of hot tea with both hands. "You’re too kind, President Sterling."

He took out an exquisite invitation and handed it to Celia. "Delia Caine’s marketing department just received an invitation to the Fragrance Gala from the Miller Clan of Aeridor."

Celia’s expression grew a little serious as she took it. "The Lowell Family?"

Director Churchill’s assistant quickly added respectfully, "Someone from the Lowell Family delivered the invitation to me personally. They also said they hope Delia Caine’s Fragrance Master, ’Brightmoon,’ can attend in person."

Celia fell into a thoughtful silence.

Director Linden, who was standing to the side, frowned slightly. "Our Chief Perfumer at Delia Caine, the sole creator of our signature collection, can’t just reveal herself to the public. The Perfumery Guild may seem peaceful, but it’s actually a cutthroat world behind the scenes..."

"Director Linden, you’re too thin-skinned and single-minded." Director Churchill was a seasoned veteran of the corporate world. "They might have said Brightmoon, but I didn’t hear it. My assistant might have misheard, too. All we know is that someone has to go. We can send whoever we want. Once we get to Port Sovereign with a gold-embossed invitation, are they really going to kick us out?"

Before Director Linden could rebut, he continued persuasively:

"This Fragrance Gala is arguably the most prestigious event of its kind in the country in the last twenty years. There have been plenty of miscellaneous fragrance events over the years, but of the three legendary perfumer families, only the Aurelian and Valois Families abroad have ever hosted a few. This is a first for the Lowell Family. Delia Caine’s position in the mass market is fine, but the gap between us and the Lowells is enormous. If we shamelessly show up to see what it’s about, we’re bound to learn a thing or two."

Celia nodded decisively. "I’ll go myself."

Director Linden paused. "The Chairman told you to keep a low profile..."

"I won’t go as ’Brightmoon,’" Celia said, clearly taking Director Churchill’s advice. "I’ll just go as a junior perfumer from the Sterling Group to broaden my horizons."

Director Churchill stood up to leave. "It’s in four days. In that case, President Sterling, I wish you a safe trip."

Because of the Lowell Family’s Fragrance Gala, Celia Sterling shifted her focus to the R&D lab. When Silas Norwood called that afternoon, she was still in the lab testing several newly blended fragrance profiles.

"I had Theo Chambers prepare those Glazed Cups from your favorite brand." Silas Norwood’s invitation was gentle. "Want to come over for some afternoon tea?"

Celia casually snapped a picture of her lab and sent it over. "So busy."

He paused on the other end. "Should I have someone bring it to you?"

Celia gave a noncommittal "mhm." "And bring me a black coffee. Security is tight here, so I’ll send you a one-time QR code for entry. When your person gets here, I’ll have someone go down and get them personally."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Celia called out to Director Linden, who was just coming in with a list of fragrance materials. "Can you go down to the main entrance and get someone for me?"

Director Linden agreed, then teased, "Who is it that requires a director to go on a personal escort mission?"

"My boyfriend is having afternoon tea sent over," Celia said casually. "You’re good at keeping secrets, unlike the gossipy girls in the office."

"Boyfriend?" Director Linden knew about Celia’s past with Declan Norwood. She had greeted the eldest young master of the Norwood Family at the main entrance more than once, but something seemed to have happened recently, and he hadn’t come by since.

Celia glanced at her. "It’s not Declan Norwood."

She didn’t elaborate, so Director Linden didn’t press.

「Norwood Group.」

"Boss, here’s the black coffee you asked for." Theo Chambers brought the freshly brewed coffee into the Chairman’s office.

The exquisite coffee cup had a chic, traditional design that appealed to everyone. Silas Norwood placed the coffee and a few delicate pastries into a container, casually remarking, "Postpone the card game with President Lowell this afternoon."

Seeing him rise gracefully, Theo Chambers paused, taken aback. "Boss, are you...?"

"I’m going to deliver afternoon tea to my girlfriend." Silas Norwood thought for a moment. "Reschedule this evening’s meeting as well. I’m not sure I’ll be back."

Theo Chambers: "...Yes."

’Delivering afternoon tea to Miss Sterling himself?’

’The boss is really starting to get the hang of this boyfriend thing.’

’But I don’t think he’s aware of the sensation his face alone will cause. The Chairman of the Norwood Group showing up at the Sterling Group... just the thought of it is thrilling.’

Theo Chambers hesitated for a moment. "Boss, perhaps you should wear a mask?"

Silas Norwood considered it briefly. "Alright."