My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 84: Mysterious File

Kian Sterling finally reacted.

He turned to face Eldest Young Master Warren. His domineering, biting aura was even more pronounced in the darkness. A hint of cold amusement glinted in his eyes, and his voice was deep and sensual as he spoke:

"Girlfriend?"

Eldest Young Master Warren let out an "Ah," his mouth running ahead of his brain. "You and your girlfriend are the most well-matched couple I’ve ever seen, Chairman Sterling!"

Celia Sterling finally couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

Eldest Young Master Warren’s head snapped toward the sound. His attention had been entirely focused on Kian Sterling; he’d only been vaguely aware that Kian had his arm around a stunning beauty with an elegant bone structure. Only now did he get a clear look at Celia Sterling. When her familiar face registered, a "Holy shit!" almost escaped his lips.

’It’s actually her.’

’It’s only been a few days, and this woman who took my agarwood essence has already latched onto Kian Sterling. Look how intimate they are... Should I tell my idol that this woman is keeping a pretty boy on the side?’

Kian Sterling noted the conflict on Eldest Young Master Warren’s face. He asked Celia Sterling, "Cece, you know him?"

"Barely. We met on the cruise ship in Seraphina." Celia Sterling’s voice lowered. "He’s Delia Caine’s arch-nemesis. But... I think he likes you."

Kian Sterling flicked her gently on the head with his finger, his tone mildly scolding.

"Is ’like’ really the right word for that?"

With that, he left Eldest Young Master Warren standing there, led Celia Sterling to his sports car, and sped off, flanked by a convoy of bodyguard vehicles.

Young Master Warren irritably tugged at his tie and motioned to his Chief Perfumer. "When we get to the International Hotel’s parking lot, I’ll try to get in frame. You find a way to snap a picture of me with him."

’He’s the Crown Prince of the Hale Group, after all,’ the Chief Perfumer thought, his feelings complicated as he nodded. ’With his status, there’s no need to be so desperate. There will be plenty of opportunities to get a photo together during future project meetings.’

「Port Sovereign International Grand Hotel.」

Celia Sterling went into the bathroom to freshen up.

Kian Sterling summoned his assistant, Evan Rhodes, to the hotel. After briefing him on the supply chain issues, he instructed:

"Over the next two days, meet with President Adeline Lowell directly. Do your best to keep it confidential."

Kian Sterling was representing the financial powers of Metropia, so his meddling in the Port Sovereign market was a sensitive matter. Furthermore, the supply chains in question involved significant sums of money. Evan Rhodes understood this perfectly and replied with caution:

"Rest assured, Boss."

Kian Sterling glanced toward the bathroom and added, "And don’t let Cece know about this."

Evan Rhodes hesitated for a moment. "Understood."

’The boss has really been hemorrhaging money these past few days. First, he spent a fortune on a pile of diamonds without batting an eye, and now he’s trading away several hugely valuable supply chains for a stack of worn-out old notes. It hurt Evan just to think about it. But it was the boss’s money, and it wasn’t his place to question it. Besides, he’d seen it for years: whenever money was spent on Miss Sterling, it was as if it had no value at all...’

Evan Rhodes was lost in thought for a moment, but Kian Sterling’s voice cut in again. "One more thing."

Evan Rhodes’s expression grew serious. "Yes, Boss?"

Kian Sterling’s eyes darkened. He lowered his bewitchingly handsome face, letting it merge with the shadows of the lamp. His thin lips were pressed into a firm line, and for a long moment, he said nothing.

The atmosphere grew inexplicably heavy. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Evan Rhodes waited silently for him to continue.

This time, the silence stretched for several minutes.

Kian Sterling finally shifted his position, his gaze settling on the darkness outside the window. His voice was low and deliberate. "Evan, can I trust you?"

The question made Evan Rhodes flinch. He immediately swore his loyalty. "Boss, I’ve been with you for eight years. I am completely loyal to you."

Kian Sterling hummed noncommittally. "Prepare a special document for me. You are to handle the entire process yourself. No one else is to know about this besides you."

His tone was light, but his gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Do this well, and I’ll double your year-end bonus. But if this document is exposed... I’m sure you know what I’m capable of."

Evan Rhodes didn’t dare ask what it was about. He could only tell from Kian Sterling’s prolonged silence that this document was clearly far more important than the supply chain contracts they had just discussed. He replied with even greater gravity:

"Of course, Boss."

"I will send you the electronic version as an encrypted file. Destroy it immediately after use."

Kian Sterling’s slender fingers picked up a brilliant, gold-embossed lighter from the table. His sharp, intimidating eyes swept over Evan Rhodes one last time before he half-closed them. "You may go. Get some rest. The next few days will be busy."

Evan Rhodes bowed respectfully and backed out of the room.

The bodyguard who had been waiting at the door came in.

"What is it?" Kian Sterling’s voice was cold.

The bodyguard reported in a low voice, "Sir, someone was secretly taking pictures of you in the parking garage earlier. It was the perfumer with Eldest Young Master Warren—the one from the Lowell Family estate. He took several photos of you. We’ve confiscated his phone. Do you have any instructions?"

Kian Sterling raised a slight eyebrow. "What did he take pictures of?"

The bodyguard showed him the phone. There were over a dozen photos, all hastily taken. Each one showed only Kian Sterling from a distance, with a sneaky-looking Eldest Young Master Warren also in the shot. The attempt to force himself into the frame was painfully obvious.

Kian Sterling looked away. "Send a copy of the photos to the chairman of the Hale Group."

"Yes, sir."

When Celia Sterling emerged from her shower in a loose, long nightgown, there was no one else left in the presidential suite. Kian Sterling was engrossed in a document on his phone. Celia found his pajamas for him and handed them over.

"Brother, it’s so late. You should go wash up and rest. Your work will never be finished."

"Just ten more minutes," Kian Sterling said, not hiding his screen from her. Celia glanced at his phone and saw it was a routine work document from Metropia. She moved to stand behind him and began massaging his shoulders, keeping him company as he worked.

He finished up the few documents quickly.

Kian Sterling patted her hand. "Come here. Sit with me for a little while."

Celia Sterling sat down next to him.

He handed her a glass of milk. "You didn’t eat much tonight. Drink this. I also had some of Port Sovereign’s specialty pastries ordered for you."

The mention of Port Sovereign’s specialty pastries jogged Celia Sterling’s memory. "Oh," she said, unable to resist probing a little. "Summer Sutton told me that you always have the local pastries whenever you come to Port Sovereign. Which ones are your favorites, Brother? Since I’m here for a few days, could you take me to the shop to try them? They’re never as good when you get them to-go."

Kian Sterling saw right through her. "You heard that from Summer Sutton? From now on, if you want to know about my personal life, ask Evan Rhodes directly. And stay away from Summer Sutton."

Seeing his harsh attitude, Celia couldn’t help but press him. "Brother, if she were just some woman you use to relieve your boredom, I wouldn’t say anything. But Summer Sutton is Sylvia Lowell’s daughter. Isn’t it a little dishonorable of you to treat her like this?"

Kian Sterling’s tone was placid. "Treat her like what? What way is that?"

Celia Sterling opened her mouth, then closed it again. She was too embarrassed to say more about Kian Sterling’s private life.

Kian Sterling studied her for a quiet moment. "Don’t be a bleeding heart. Some people aren’t worth you standing up for."

Celia Sterling’s almond-shaped eyes stared at him earnestly, her ears pricked to hear what he would say next.