My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 36: First Impression

At two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, Celia Sterling arrived at Kian Sterling’s office at headquarters.

Kian Sterling glanced at her. "You’re dressed quite modestly today."

He was referring to her daring and sexy outfit from the new jewelry launch. As was customary, his bodyguards had already sent Kian Sterling the photos. Last night, when Celia had gone to the study, Kian’s phone was lying on the sofa, its screen lit up. It displayed a photo of her in profile—her features delicate, a large expanse of her porcelain back peeking through the cascades of her hair.

Kian Sterling had been smoking in the shadows, surrounded by several cigarette butts. Celia couldn’t make out his expression, but she could tell her brother was in a very bad mood.

"Dressing like that..." His tone was heavy, as if he wanted to scold her, but his words came out tinged with resignation. "Aren’t you afraid of attracting the wrong kind of attention?"

That was why Celia, who always listened to Kian, was wearing a long dress today that would attract no unwanted attention. It was an apricot-colored gown that fell to her ankles, its hem and cuffs adorned with delicate, silver-threaded embroidery. The sexy beauty had instantly transformed into a prim and proper young lady.

"I’m going to the Shepherd family’s home later." Celia sat down in front of him without preamble, gazing at him expectantly. "Brother, are you going?"

"I’m not going." Kian Sterling shot her a look. "And you don’t have to go, either."

"I heard she hasn’t been feeling well lately." Celia’s voice was a little somber. "I still want to go see her."

Kian said nonchalantly, "Fine, go. You know what she’s like. Just don’t come running back in tears."

"If she upsets me, I’ll just come back early." Celia gently tugged on his sleeve. "Are you sure you’re not going?"

Indifference was plain to see on Kian’s seductively handsome face. "I’ll pick you up when you’re done."

"Silas Norwood is picking me up. We made plans to see a movie tonight."

"A movie?" Kian’s gaze fell on her, and he let out a soft, humorless laugh. "So you’re starting to act like you’re actually dating. Fine. If you run into trouble at the Shepherds’, have Silas Norwood stand up for you."

Kian was very busy, so Celia didn’t stay long. After a few moments of small talk, she took the private elevator downstairs.

She ran into a group of people in the lobby downstairs.

It was Summer Sutton’s entourage. Accompanied by Director Churchill, they were coming out of the VIP elevator, chatting and laughing. Today, Summer was wearing a designer’s signature gown, an outfit that perfectly showcased her superstar aura.

Celia was a bit surprised.

"President Sterling, what a coincidence to see you again." Director Churchill smiled as he explained, "The endorsement contract has been signed and is now in effect. We invited Miss Sutton to headquarters today for the endorsement photoshoot and commercial. As expected of Port Sovereign’s hottest superstar, her on-camera presence is absolutely incredible. President Sterling, with Miss Sutton joining us, ’Delia Caine’ is sure to reach a new level!"

Celia looked at Summer Sutton and gave a polite nod. "I have every confidence in Miss Sutton’s professionalism."

A smile in her eyes, Summer Sutton studied her for a moment. "Miss Sterling, I’ve heard so much about you. Would you care to get a cup of coffee together?"

Celia considered for a moment. "Alright."

The Sterling Building had its own coffee shop on the first floor.

A waiter led them to a private booth with the best view, overlooking the bustling plaza outside. Soon, two steaming cups of coffee were delivered. Celia and Summer sat across from each other in the comfortable booth. As the local host in Metropia, and mindful of the woman’s ambiguous history with Kian, Celia decided to break the ice:

"They have a few coffee blends here that you can’t get anywhere else. They were developed according to my brother’s tastes. You should really give it a try, Miss Sutton."

Summer took a curious sip. "It’s so sweet. That’s definitely his style. He rarely drank coffee back in Port Sovereign, though. I was always too clumsy to make it to his liking."

Celia hummed in agreement. "He can be quite picky sometimes."

She didn’t elaborate, instead just picking up her own cup to take a sip.

Summer’s gaze was fixed on her face. Her voice was languid and sultry, yet carried a formal edge. "Regarding Eldest Young Master Norwood, I owe you an apology, Miss Sterling."

Celia’s expression cooled. "There’s no need to bring up the past."

Summer didn’t press the issue. She sat primly in the booth. She had long, slightly wavy hair, much like Celia, and even a similar fashion sense. But beyond that, in terms of either her aura or her facial features, she bore no real resemblance to her.

"Back when he was in Port Sovereign, the Ninth Master mentioned you often." Summer’s voice was warm and affable, as if unconsciously trying to create a sense of intimacy. "Every time he was about to return, he’d have Evan Rhodes gather all sorts of little trinkets from Port Sovereign to bring back for you. I used to think that if I ever got the chance, I had to meet you and see for myself what kind of girl the Ninth Master was always talking about."

Celia lowered her gaze, taking a sip of coffee to fill the silence. ’I don’t really believe that.’ Kian was never a gossip, and he especially disliked talking about women. Even with Celia, whom he doted on endlessly, he was always guarded in his speech. In all these years, if not for that online exposé a few months ago, she would never have even heard the name Summer Sutton from his lips.

Summer was perceptive enough to know Celia didn’t want to continue the topic, so she just smiled and fell silent, though a complex mix of emotions churned within her. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

’During those years in Port Sovereign, it was true that Kian had never spoken to me directly about Eldest Miss Sterling. But whenever he was chatting with Evan Rhodes, the conversation always seemed to circle back to her—what she was eating, what she was doing for fun, who she was meeting, whether anyone was picking on her...’

’And before every trip back to Metropia, he would scour galleries for jewelry and famous paintings, and even track down authentic street food, all to bring back to his Cece.’

’It was no exaggeration to say I’d long been curious about the person who held such a firm grip on a cold man like Kian. The only thing I hadn’t expected was for Eldest Miss Sterling to be even more radiant and proud than I’d imagined. As expected of a girl spoiled and pampered by Kian, her very confidence was on a different plane from an outcast like myself, who had to fight for every inch just to survive in Port Sovereign.’

From behind them came the sound of steady, powerful footsteps, accompanied by a series of respectful greetings. "Good afternoon, Chairman."

Summer froze, her entire body going rigid as she stared blankly in one direction.

Celia turned to look as well. At the coffee shop’s entrance, Kian’s tall figure strolled in, unhurried. His gaze lingered on Summer for less than a second before shifting naturally to Celia.

"You didn’t even think to bring your brother a cup of coffee. I spoil you for nothing."

"Didn’t I bring you afternoon tea? Is the juice I squeezed myself not as good as coffee?" Celia blinked, her inner gossip stirring. "Why did you come down, Brother? To see Miss Sutton?"

Kian shot her an indifferent glance. "You left your purse in my office."

A pearl-encrusted purse dangled from his long, elegant fingers before he tossed it into her lap.

"Thanks, Brother. I was in such a rush, I completely forgot." Celia picked up the purse, took out her phone to check the time, and then stood up to leave. "Well, I’ll let you two talk then?"

With that, she vacated the booth and left.

Kian didn’t try to stop her. Only after she had disappeared through the doorway did his gaze fall back on Summer. His tone was impossibly cold. "Why were you looking for Cece? Did you forget what I told you?"

In the distance, as Celia walked out of the lobby and toward the parking lot, she glanced back at the coffee shop one last time. Through the semi-transparent glass, she could see that Kian hadn’t taken a seat. He was just leaning casually against the armrest of the booth, his cool gaze directed downward. And across from him, the stunning Superstar Sutton was weeping, her tear-streaked face a picture of heartbreaking beauty.

’I wonder what kind of hurtful things my cold, unfeeling brother said to her.’

But in the end, it was none of her business.