My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 18: Private Domain

Toward the end of the workday, the marketing department sent over a document.

"President Sterling, we can’t delay changing the perfume’s spokesperson any longer. These are the three candidates we’ve selected after careful consideration. Please take a look." Director Churchill of the marketing department appeared in person, standing right at Celia Sterling’s office doorway. It was clear he was hoping for an immediate decision.

Celia Sterling sensed something was amiss.

She flipped open the files. "Why the sudden rush?"

One of the files was for Summer Sutton.

Director Churchill of the marketing department was a veteran who had been with The Sterlings for nearly twenty years. Having personally witnessed Kian Sterling fight his way back from hell, he was very familiar with the temperaments of the neglected siblings and always tried to consider Kian Sterling’s interests in work-related matters. He got straight to the point:

"The previous spokesperson was hit by a scandal in the last couple of days, which has affected our brand’s image. We’ve decided to terminate the contract early and find a replacement."

Celia Sterling nodded. "With the new product launch imminent, our brand’s image is paramount. You did the right thing."

Director Churchill’s gaze fell on the file in her hands.

"Also, we’ve received word from Port Sovereign Imperial Star Entertainment that Summer Sutton has terminated her contract with them. She’s an A-lister with a massive fanbase in the country, and three major fragrance brands have already extended offers to her. We’re also aware of the situation between Miss Sutton and the Chairman. If The Sterlings decide to sign her, we need to move quickly. We don’t want a competitor to swoop in and interfere, which could affect the Chairman’s relationship with Miss Sutton."

One thing after another was piling up, and Kian Sterling hated nothing more than being strong-armed.

Celia Sterling pondered for a moment. "What does Summer Sutton have to say about this?"

"She’s saying all the right things," Director Churchill said noncommittally. "That she would never work against The Sterlings. But when it comes to contracts, nothing matters until the ink is dry."

What he was trying to gauge was Kian Sterling’s attitude.

’Director Churchill didn’t think much of a mere celebrity, but if she was to be the future Mrs. Chairman of The Sterlings, that was a different story entirely. It was best to handle this properly now to avoid any bad blood and prevent scores from being settled later.’

Celia Sterling thought for a bit. "I’ll sound my brother out tonight and give you an answer tomorrow."

Director Churchill breathed a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, President Sterling."

"Send a copy of all three candidate files to my email." Celia Sterling handed the documents back and left with her car keys.

「Norwood Group.」

Celia Sterling parked in an outdoor spot in the plaza. She took out a mirror to quickly touch up her makeup before getting out of the car and heading toward the Norwood Group building.

She was a regular here, familiar with the layout of the floors below the fiftieth and even many of the people who worked there.

Aside from the main branch of the Norwood family, no one else knew that her fiancé had changed.

She hesitated at the entrance to the Norwood Group. The moment the receptionist saw her, a smile spread across her face, and she made a welcoming gesture.

"Miss Sterling, Young President Norwood hasn’t finished work yet. You can go straight to his office."

Her words made Celia, who had been about to enter, feel a bit awkward about going in.

She took two steps back, retreating out of the lobby, and stood there in silence.

The next moment, Theo Chambers emerged from an elevator and walked over to Celia Sterling.

"BOSS still has a few documents to process. He asked me to escort Miss Sterling up."

Celia Sterling ignored the receptionist’s bewildered expression and gently shook her head. "I can just as well wait here by the entrance."

"It’s about to pour," Theo Chambers said respectfully. "Miss Sterling, please."

Celia Sterling gave a slight cough and followed Theo Chambers back into the building.

Along the way, many people greeted Celia Sterling, but their expressions turned to shock when they saw Theo Chambers by her side.

Theo Chambers led Celia Sterling to the chairman’s private elevator. After swiping the access card, he handed the cartoon-shaped card to her and said in a low voice,

"BOSS had this specially made for you, Miss Sterling. In the future, when you come to see him, there’s no need to be announced; you can come straight up. HR has already gone home for the day, but the next time you visit, we can also register you with the facial recognition system. Then you’ll be able to use this elevator and access BOSS’s private areas without a card."

Celia Sterling hummed in acknowledgment.

A few minutes later, the elevator stopped on the eighty-sixth floor.

"Miss Sterling, you’ve visited the Group many times, but I imagine you’ve never been to BOSS’s domain," Theo Chambers explained as they walked. "This floor houses his office and the secretarial department. The floor above has his private gym and recreation area."

Celia Sterling asked casually, "He works out?"

Theo Chambers paused for a moment. "Miss Sterling, our BOSS is extremely self-disciplined when it comes to his physique. He has a perfect figure."

’This wasn’t a topic suitable for deep discussion at the moment.’

Celia Sterling just said, "Oh," and decisively changed the subject. "And he has hobbies?"

"BOSS is only human; of course he has his leisure time," Theo Chambers explained. "Yacht gatherings, golf clubs, art exhibitions—these are all places he frequents. In fact, there’s a gallery upstairs that houses his priceless collection."

He paused. "BOSS also enjoys playing cards. He’s just... not a very graceful player."

’Celia couldn’t imagine that refined, aristocratic man having such a down-to-earth hobby. But compared to all the high-society pastimes, playing cards actually made him seem more vivid in her mind, more... real.’

Seeing Theo Chambers’s tense expression, Celia Sterling lowered her voice. "I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that bit about the card games."

Theo Chambers breathed a sigh of relief and, with an even more deferential gesture, personally pushed open the door to the chairman’s office for her.

"Miss Sterling, please."

The office, spanning several hundred square meters, was decorated in a monochrome palette of black, white, and gray. Famous paintings and antiques were tastefully displayed in recessed compartments—understated, yet radiating a natural air of nobility, much like Silas Norwood himself.

He was still working.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the eighty-sixth floor, the sky was overcast, and fine raindrops had begun to fall. A small sitting area had been set up by the window, furnished with a soft armchair and a white, cloud-like coffee table. On the table, steam gently rose from a pot of floral tea, set beside a large bouquet of baby’s breath. The scene was elegant and serene.

Silas Norwood rose and glanced at Theo Chambers, who still lingered by the door. Theo immediately backed out of the room, gently pulling the door shut behind him.

"The secretarial staff set this up. I hope you like it." Only then did Silas Norwood gesture for Celia Sterling to move to the sitting area, his tone slightly apologetic. "I’m afraid I still need about ten minutes."

"It’s no problem. You finish up," Celia said, sinking into the armchair. Her gaze landed on the tea. "Watching the rain from the window has its own charm. Do you have any cold drinks? I’m not really in the habit of drinking hot tea on a day like this."

Silas Norwood’s pale gold eyes lowered slightly as he asked, seemingly offhandedly, "Are you able to have cold drinks already?"

Celia Sterling was a bit baffled. "Why wouldn’t I be able to have cold drinks?"

Silas Norwood said nothing. His hand, adorned with a thumb ring, gently touched the side of the glass teapot. Celia’s gaze followed, and inside the pot, she saw more than a dozen red dates floating among a few rosebuds. As if by some strange compulsion, she was reminded of the embarrassing cup of brown sugar water she’d been served at the Norwood Old Residence two days prior.

Sensing her sudden awkwardness, Silas Norwood seamlessly shifted the topic. "Red date and rose tea is good for your complexion and helps with fatigue. It’s especially beneficial for people who stay up late. Cece, are you sure you don’t want to give it a try?"