My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 49: Surging Undercurrents

The gossiping gazes shifted from Summer Sutton and Declan Norwood to Celia Sterling.

Celia Sterling seemed to be thriving in the circle over the years, but she had never truly fit in. Unlike other prominent families who engaged in constant internal power struggles, with sisters unscrupulously vying for favor, the Sterlings had only one Eldest Miss Sterling. Furthermore, Kian Sterling’s doting on her was so outrageous it made countless heiresses from other wealthy families secretly envious—one could even say jealous.

But everyone in their circle understood one thing: the only shortcut to the man etched in countless women’s hearts like a cinnabar mole was Celia Sterling. So, jealousy aside, they had all stayed on good terms with her over the years, at least on the surface.

There were many young scions in the Capital Circle, but not many were as handsome as they were devoted. After countless failed attempts to win over the two titans, Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood, the dashingly wild and well-born Declan Norwood became the next best thing. He had once set off a new wave of pursuit among the socialites. But as fate would have it, that same reckless young man had also fallen for Celia Sterling, becoming another fanatic who doted on her, second only to Kian Sterling himself.

Many socialites were sick with jealousy. When the scandal between Declan Norwood and Summer Sutton broke out, they felt a secret thrill, silently waiting to see Celia Sterling make a fool of herself. Unaware of the marriage swap, they were all subtly hoping Celia would join the fray and tear into Declan Norwood and Summer Sutton.

Celia Sterling, of course, knew many people were waiting for her to become a laughingstock.

She gave the lady who had made the suggestion a faint glance, then her eyes fell on Declan Norwood.

The moment Celia Sterling’s name was mentioned, Declan Norwood had fallen silent. Like a stray dog making a scene only to be yanked back by its leash, all his arrogance and aggression vanished, leaving him unbelievably docile.

But the more he looked completely under Celia Sterling’s thumb, the more intensely jealous the gossiping women felt. Quinn Sinclair grabbed Celia’s hand. "Celia, don’t get involved in this mess. Should we go somewhere else?"

Someone murmured softly, "Isn’t Miss Sterling always so proud? Can’t she even control her own fiancé now?"

Dozens of flamboyantly dressed young ladies were gathered together. The one who spoke was clearly wary, for she tossed out the comment and immediately shrank back into the crowd, making it impossible to tell who it was.

But at this point, remaining silent was no longer an option.

Celia Sterling’s almond-shaped eyes swept a cold gaze across the crowd before she spoke. "Declan Norwood and I have already called off our engagement. His affairs are no longer my business."

The room suddenly fell silent!

"You called off your engagement?" Nina Sterling’s eyes widened. "We didn’t hear a peep about it. Besides, can a marriage alliance between powerful families just be called off that easily?"

"Both families’ official websites will release a statement on the matter next month," Celia Sterling replied slowly, her gaze turning to the lady who had fanned the flames earlier. "And you, Madam, are from which family?"

The lady’s expression stiffened slightly. "Second Master Hale."

The Hale Family was at the bottom rung of the elite families, and its second branch was even more insignificant. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t have been qualified to appear at an event like this; it was a mystery how she even got in.

"I heard Second Master Hale just took a new wife last month. I didn’t expect Mrs. Hale to be so young and beautiful."

Celia Sterling was only well-behaved in front of Kian Sterling; to outsiders, she was always proud and arrogant, and her words were sharp. "It can’t have been easy for Mrs. Hale to attend an occasion like this. It would be wise to watch what you say. If Second Master Hale finds out you went to all this trouble to be here just to meddle in the Sterlings’ family affairs, I’m afraid your position as the second Mrs. Hale won’t be secure for long."

Mrs. Hale’s face paled, and she was too stunned to say another word.

Only then did Celia Sterling leave with Quinn Sinclair, without a backward glance.

With the spectacle over, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Summer Sutton remained standing where she was.

Declan Norwood’s eyes followed Celia Sterling’s retreating figure until she had completely disappeared from view. Only then did he slowly retract his gaze, his ice-cold eyes landing once again on Summer Sutton.

This time, there was no mockery or sarcasm in his voice, only a faint warning. "Oakhaven isn’t Port Sovereign, Miss Sutton. Be careful you don’t have trouble adjusting."

With that, he too followed in the direction Celia Sterling had gone, swaggering away with a devil-may-care air.

The business conference lasted from morning until evening.

As night fell, the door to the conference room finally opened.

Several projects had been successfully negotiated. Although the group of magnates looked slightly weary, they were mostly exhilarated. Kian Sterling and Silas Norwood were still surrounded by the crowd as they emerged, their presence captivating.

They then entered the dazzlingly luxurious banquet hall, where they dispersed to socialize and network.

Celia Sterling found Kian Sterling and offered him some foie gras with caviar. "A whole day of meetings is exhausting. Replenish your energy."

Kian Sterling lowered his head slightly and took a small bite from her hand. He was about to make some small talk with her when he saw Wyatt Sutton approaching with a wine glass from a short distance away.

"Go over to Silas Norwood," Kian Sterling said, gesturing toward the terrace. "Your brother has something to attend to."

The terrace was partially obscured by a Chinese-style screen, and only the faint silhouettes of two bodyguards could be seen. Silas Norwood rarely attended banquets, and whenever he did, a private, secluded area was always set aside for him, making him unapproachable to others.

Celia Sterling fed Kian Sterling another bite of the food in her hand.

"Don’t just focus on networking. Remember to eat something, brother."

"Mm, go on."

Celia Sterling turned, brushed past Wyatt Sutton, and walked toward the terrace.

Wyatt Sutton stared intently at Celia Sterling for a long moment before raising his glass to Kian Sterling with a warm smile. "The Sterling family has excellent genes. It’s one thing for Chairman Sterling to have such god-like looks, but I didn’t expect the Eldest Miss Sterling to be so stunning as well. You two don’t look very much alike, though."

Kian Sterling couldn’t be bothered to entertain him. His voice was flat. "Not as much as you three Sutton brothers, I suppose. You all share the same sarcastic face."

Wyatt Sutton didn’t get angry. He continued the pleasantries. "Why does Chairman Sterling have such a strong opinion of me? I can accept you avoiding me, but even during today’s meeting, your words were pointedly aimed at me..."

"Eldest Young Master Sutton, why ask when you already know the answer?" Kian Sterling’s eyes were cold. "You and I are not cut from the same cloth. This is your last warning. If you keep pestering me like a cockroach, the Sutton Family will become the next target of the Sterlings."

Wyatt Sutton’s expression finally shifted, but he quickly put on a gentle smile again. "Chairman Sterling, you must be joking. It’s just a small matter of some shares. If you’re unwilling to part with them, then by all means, keep them for yourself. I heard this wine is brewed by the Sterling Conglomerate itself and tastes exceptional. Chairman Sterling, cheers!"

Far off in the crowd, Summer Sutton sat silently in a poorly lit corner, quietly watching the bewitchingly handsome man at the center of the banquet. He was surrounded by powerful figures, yet he skillfully maintained a sense of distance from them all. The Eldest Young Master Sutton from Port Sovereign stood a meter away from him, feigning familiarity as he chatted with him from time to time. She was too far away to hear, but she could vaguely make out the word "shares" from the Eldest Young Master Sutton’s lip movements.

Her hands and feet grew cold. She waited for a long time, and only after the Eldest Young Master Sutton had left and Kian Sterling had moved to the garden did she cautiously make her way over.

"Ninth Master." Her voice was incredibly soft, filled with a sense of attachment.

Kian Sterling didn’t ask how she had appeared here, nor did he even look at her. He simply gazed lazily at the glittering lights of the estate, near and far, and gave a noncommittal "mm."