My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 156: Brother, Will You Come?

"I thought you two would be here this morning," Nolan Scott said, starting the conversation. "This morning, the others were chasing a wild rabbit all over the mountain. They caught it and are keeping it in a cage now. A few of the female guests keep picking wild greens to feed it. Liam Langdon got lucky too and found an old mountain tortoise. Our group was missing you two, so we had to shamelessly join the villagers’ crew and dig up a few lotus roots just to have something to show for it."

Silas Norwood replied simply, "My wife and I were very busy this morning."

’Busy exploring the meaning of life again.’

That sort of thing was truly addictive for him. He hadn’t wanted to go out this afternoon either, but Celia Sterling had adamantly refused him, so he decided to come out for some fresh air. Maybe he could even unlock some new inspiration.

"What are we doing this afternoon?" he asked casually.

Nolan Scott shook his head and chuckled. "I’m just a guest going with the flow, so I don’t really understand the production team’s convoluted plans. I just heard the host mention that this afternoon they might have everyone perform a talent to boost their public personas, and told anyone with a talent to get ready."

’A talent show?’

Silas Norwood fell silent for a moment. At his level, he didn’t need to please anyone; he had always been the one who was pleased. As for Celia Sterling, he had heard from Kian Sterling that she could dance. But as the young lady of the Sterlings and the wife of the Norwood Family’s chairman, her dancing was not something just anyone was worthy of seeing.

Director Coleman was clearly aware of this. During the talent show, he had two chairs specially set up next to him, allowing Silas Norwood and Celia Sterling to sit as mere spectators. They watched energetic song-and-dance numbers and some other unique little performances. Even Chloe Chambers performed a classic piece of Yue opera.

After the talent show came the pre-planned call-in segment, where the guests would phone friends live on air and invite them to be their support guests for the show’s "tea party" tomorrow.

In reality, however, most of the guests had already coordinated with their friends beforehand. They just needed to go through the motions on camera and intentionally create some buzzworthy topics. Some, to maintain an air of mystery, would deliberately keep their guest’s identity a secret, only letting the audience hear their voice. For example, in a previous season, the trending starlet Faye Sinclair invited three top-tier celebrities. She deliberately claimed they were her assistant, her cousin, and so on. The next day, all three A-listers made a surprise appearance, generating unprecedented, record-breaking viewership for the show. Azure TV even tailor-made a big-budget movie for her because of it, resulting in a win-win situation for both parties.

In short, this was a segment the viewers always looked forward to.

Chloe Chambers had already revealed during a casual chat that her husband would be coming, so she didn’t shy away and was the first to make her live call. After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, the wealthy Mr. Young burst out laughing.

"My dear, I’ve been watching your livestream. You went on this trip and gained an adorable little fan, didn’t you? Should I bring some specialties from Metropia for you to give her?"

Chloe Chambers smiled and glanced over at Celia Sterling. "No need to go to all that trouble. The young lady is from Metropia, too. You just focus on that forgetful habit of yours and make sure you don’t miss your flight."

"I wouldn’t dare! All the other guests have friends coming to support them. No matter how busy I am, I have to be there. I can’t let the viewers laugh at my dear wife."

Chloe Chambers hung up with a smile and shrugged at the other beaming guests. "No suspense on my end. It’s just my Old Man Young coming. He’s just a grumpy old man, so please don’t be disappointed!"

"What are you talking about, Sis Chambers?" one of the guests laughed. "Mr. Young is a major player in the financial world and a famous entrepreneur in Metropia. We’re lucky just to bask in his reflected glory!"

Amid the laughter and chatter, the turn to make a call was passed from one guest to the next.

Nolan Scott was also a low-key person and had no intention of stealing the spotlight. He called two of his students. As The Music King for many years, the students he had poured his heart into mentoring were now fairly well-known online singers, and he took this opportunity to give them some exposure and boost their popularity.

But not everyone was so modest.

Several celebrities brazenly called their ’godfathers’ or ’bosses’. They would have a very prim and proper chat for a few moments and then confirm their meeting for the next day.

Finally, only Celia Sterling and Silas Norwood were left.

Celia Sterling hadn’t mentioned any of this to Kian Sterling beforehand; he didn’t even know she had run off to a variety show to "broaden her horizons." She hesitated for a moment before, under the camera’s watchful eye, dialing the number saved under "Brother."

On the other end, Kian Sterling’s cool, clear voice came through. "Cece, what is it?"

His voice was rather sultry and famously captivating; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been enough to make a whole host of Metropia’s socialites lose their minds over him. The instant his voice came through the phone, the celebrities who had been chatting quietly around them all fell silent. Director Coleman and the host, who knew Kian Sterling’s identity, held their breath in anticipation.

"Brother, I’m on vacation in Silverwood," Celia Sterling said, testing the waters.

"I know." When Kian Sterling had video-chatted with her, she’d even said she would pick some oranges to bring back for him. "What, are the oranges terrible? Have you decided not to bring your big brother any?"

"No, that’s not it. I ran into that actress you used to admire, Chloe Chambers," Celia Sterling said with a slight cough. "Brother, do you want to come see her?"

Silence on the other end of the line.

Then, the faint sound of his assistant, Evan Rhodes, giving a report in a low voice could be heard. The topic seemed to be related to this very variety show. After Evan Rhodes stopped speaking, Kian Sterling’s voice came through again, a few degrees cooler than before. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"You went on vacation and ended up on a variety show? And that Norwood fellow doesn’t rein you in? He just lets you do whatever you want?"

"I just came to see what it’s like, and I’m being very low-key," Celia Sterling said, her voice taking on a delicate, pouting quality. "Brother, lots of people are watching. Don’t be mean to me."

Kian Sterling paused, and sure enough, his voice softened considerably. "Alright, alright. Why are you calling me for? You have my black card. Any problem that can be solved with money isn’t a problem. Just handle it yourself."

[Holy crap! This amateur guest’s brother has a black card? Is it the kind I’m thinking of, where there are only a handful in the whole world? Or is it the cliché kind from those short web dramas that every CEO has just to show off?]

[I think her brother sounds so hot! Demanding an on-screen appearance!]

[You’re dreaming! Even if he comes, they’ll probably hide his face just like with the other amateur guests. Give up already!]

...

Celia Sterling braced herself. "It’s not a money problem. I need a support guest, and... you’re the only one I want to invite, Brother."

Those words—"you’re the only one I want"—were more effective than anything else.

Kian Sterling caved instantly. "When?"

"Tomorrow afternoon." Celia Sterling breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had agreed. "Should I come and pick you up?"

"No need. Just stay put and wait for me to come to you." The call ended abruptly.

Nearby, Director Coleman and the host exchanged a look, their eyes filled with glee. Knowing that Kian Sterling was coming meant their next ratings spike was in the bag.

As for Silas Norwood, he and Celia Sterling were considered a single unit. Since he didn’t offer to find a support guest, no one pressed him. Still, Celia asked him privately, "Are you going to invite someone?"

"No need," Silas Norwood said languidly. "Your big brother is more than enough."

「Port Sovereign.」

Evan Rhodes silently rerouted the flight bound for Metropia to Silverwood instead. He then asked Kian Sterling respectfully, "Boss, what about the major projects in Metropia that you were scheduled to preside over tomorrow afternoon?"

Kian Sterling sat in the study of his Blackwater Creek villa, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Can they be postponed?"

Evan Rhodes looked troubled. "They’re all chairman-level executives from various corporations. It would be difficult to reschedule..."

"If I recall, most of them also have major partnerships with the Norwood Family, don’t they?"

"They do. On the Norwood Family’s side, CEO Julian Langdon and several vice presidents are handling the negotiations," Evan Rhodes replied. "Chairman Norwood is busy vacationing with the young lady and has completely washed his hands of all his responsibilities." The thought of Julian Langdon and two other Norwood executives still in casts and bandages made it impossible for Evan to keep a straight face.

At the thought of Silas Norwood being unable to control his own wife, Kian Sterling sneered. "In that case, tell all those chairmen to go to Silverwood for the meeting. Silas Norwood happens to be there, and isn’t it more fitting to deal with him than a troop of crippled soldiers?"

Evan Rhodes nodded. "Understood."

Then Kian Sterling thought of something else. "Arrange for a dozen of the most handsome A-list celebrities in showbiz and send them to the production team too."

Now Evan Rhodes was truly confused. "Boss, you want to...?"

"Find some entertainment for Cece," Kian said. "Lest she get bored of her little world-for-two and spend all day thinking about running around outside."

Kian Sterling was clearly still annoyed about Celia joining the show, and he fully intended to put some pressure on Silas Norwood for his hands-off attitude.

Evan Rhodes imagined the scene: Miss Sterling, surrounded by a group of handsome idols, right in front of Chairman Norwood. A chill ran down his spine. But Kian Sterling’s orders had to be obeyed. He silently picked up his phone and immediately made several calls.