My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 79: The Bearing of an Old Acquaintance

At the mention of the name Rivermoon, Celia Sterling’s spirits lifted.

"So it’s that powerhouse." She glanced around, asking as if it were a casual thought, "I wonder if he came today?"

"No," Miles Trenton said pointedly. "But his wife is here."

Celia Sterling knew the powerhouse’s wife was here, of course. She had already been searching for a while, but every female guest was impeccably dressed. There were far too many beautiful women, and everyone’s sense of beauty was different. Besides, the powerhouse’s claim of "most beautiful" was surely seen through the rose-colored glasses of a lover. After mingling for ages, Celia still hadn’t locked onto a target.

Now, with Mr. Trenton presenting himself like this, it was an unexpected delight. "I wonder if Mr. Trenton would be so kind as to make an introduction?"

Given that his Boss had specifically instructed him not to reveal her identity, it was anything but convenient. Miles Trenton smiled wryly to himself, but his expression remained perfectly composed. "I’m afraid it’s not. When it comes to his wife, my Boss sometimes likes to be a little secretive."

Celia Sterling wasn’t disappointed. She probed with a smile, "I hear your boss’s wife is the most beautiful woman here?"

Miles Trenton’s gaze rested subtly on Celia Sterling’s face for a few seconds before he agreed wholeheartedly. "My boss’s wife is indeed famously beautiful and charming."

’Now I have a lead,’ Celia Sterling thought. ’Later, I just need to see who is exceptionally beautiful and seems close to this Mr. Trenton. That’s most likely the wife.’

Seeing that she didn’t press further, Miles Trenton breathed a sigh of relief while subtly trying to build rapport. "Miss Sterling is also a Perfumer, so you must be very interested in ingredient bases. My Boss has many of them. When you have time, I can show you around."

At the mention of bases, Celia Sterling’s interest was piqued. Following his lead, she asked nonchalantly, "A few days ago, I had my eye on a base in Caspia, but a certain Mr. Trenton beat me to it..."

She trailed off, but Miles Trenton understood instantly. "So it was Miss Sterling’s people who were preparing to sign with the original owner that day. My apologies, my apologies. What I did was rather ungracious! Since Miss Sterling is a friend of my Boss, I’ll have him set up a time to meet with you and discuss it."

’He’d love to just give it to her,’ he thought, ’but the base is already under the Boss’s name. This kind of thing—currying favor with his wife—is best left for the Boss to do himself.’

The chance to meet Rivermoon was a collaborative opportunity that several bases couldn’t buy. Celia Sterling’s tone became serious. "Then I’ll have to ask Mr. Trenton to make the connection."

Miles Trenton’s tone was even more serious. "It is I who will have to rely on Miss Sterling in the future."

Silas Norwood had already instructed him to prepare all the relevant lists, documents, and gift agreements for the bases, to be presented to Summer Sutton in two months as a wedding gift. This represented not only a staggering fortune that money couldn’t measure, but also that his own direct superior would change from Silas Norwood to his boss’s wife.

The two chatted idly for a few more moments before ending their brief meeting as they noticed people starting to pay attention to them. Celia Sterling watched him weave effortlessly into the perfumed, elegant crowd, paying close attention to his attitude toward the other women, trying to deduce which one was Rivermoon’s treasured wife based on his level of deference.

But after observing quietly for nearly half an hour, she found that the same Mr. Trenton who had been so affable and pleasant to her was now treating everyone who approached him—man or woman, high or low status—with an indifferent and arrogant demeanor.

A flicker of confusion crossed Celia Sterling’s eyes. ’My relationship with Rivermoon is just a casual acquaintance; we rarely have contact. This Mr. Trenton’s attitude toward me is suspiciously nice.’

「Inside the floral hall.」

Adeline Lowell watched Summer Sutton approach, her expression placid. "Why aren’t you spending more time with your grandmother?"

"Hello, Aunt." Summer Sutton greeted her politely and gracefully. "Grandmother is getting on in years. I told her many interesting stories about the outside world, and she’s already gone to rest."

Adeline Lowell hummed in acknowledgment and looked her up and down. "Are you getting used to things here?"

"Yes, everyone here has been very kind to me." Summer Sutton paused, looking at Adeline Lowell with a gaze that held both sincerity and a hint of admiration. "And you’ve been very good to me too, Aunt."

"As long as you’re comfortable." Adeline Lowell gestured toward the bustling hall. "You young people have your own circles. Go and have some fun."

"Then after The Fragrance Gala ends, I’ll come and have a proper chat with you, Aunt." Summer Sutton gave Adeline Lowell a respectful bow, as a junior would to an elder, before gracefully walking toward the crowd.

Once she was at a distance, the female Chief Perfumer beside Adeline Lowell, Rosalyn Lowell, said softly, "Aunt Adeline, is that the daughter Aunt Sylvia lost all those years ago? I didn’t expect her to be so polite."

Adeline Lowell’s tone was cool. "Anyone who can thrive in the entertainment industry for that long has learned how to be a smooth operator. But that world is full of smoke and mirrors; it’s hard to say how much of it is genuine. Rosalie, don’t get too close to her for now."

Rosalyn Lowell hesitated. "Is that really a good idea? She’s the cousin Grandmother has longed to see for so many years, and she was finally willing to come back. I was even planning to give her a valuable gift after the banquet."

"You said it yourself: she was *finally* willing to come back," Adeline Lowell said, looking at her niece, who was so absorbed in the world of perfumery she had virtually no experience with people. "Over the years, I personally sent her no fewer than ten invitations. Every time, she made an excuse not to come. It was clear she didn’t want to return. For her to suddenly agree to come back now... who knows what she’s plotting. But one thing is certain: the Lowell Family will not be used as her stepping stone."

Adeline Lowell had managed the family for many years and had seen countless shady characters. She valued her niece’s character far more than their simple blood connection, but so far, what Summer Sutton had shown was not enough to make her let down her guard.

"Rosalie, go walk around with your cousin," Adeline Lowell instructed. "Both you and your cousin have been at a plateau for some time. My purpose in hosting The Fragrance Gala was to give you the chance to break through your bottlenecks by exchanging ideas with so many outstanding Perfumers from around the world. Don’t disappoint your aunt."

"Alright, Mom, don’t put so much pressure on my cousin." The other Chief Perfumer beside Rosalyn Lowell was Adeline Lowell’s son, Heath Lowell. Despite his immense talent for perfumery, he had a gentle and kind temperament. "She’s been cooped up in the Perfumery Lab every day for the last three months. I’ve never seen anyone work harder."

"In perfumery, it’s not about hard work, but talent." Adeline Lowell reached out and patted both of their hands, her tone tinged with regret. "In our Lowell family, ever since my older sister, Sylvia Lowell, there hasn’t been another legendary Perfumer of such breathtaking brilliance..."

Her gaze swept slowly across the scene. Groups of dazzlingly talented Perfumers were gathered together, forming countless circles of discussion. These top-tier talents would go on to build rising brands with their own hands. The Lowell Family’s glory remained, but if this gap in talent persisted, the halo of their legendary family would one day fade from the Perfumery Circle.

An indescribable feeling welled up in Adeline Lowell’s heart. Just as she was about to head to the back courtyard to see her mother, her gaze suddenly fell upon someone.

The woman stood by the crabapple blossoms, looking at once proud and languid, yet breathtakingly beautiful. She had her head tilted slightly, listening intently as several Chief Perfumers from Aurelian and Valois argued passionately about a concept nearby. Her eyes were bright, a faint smile played on her lips, and she possessed an indescribable, delicate charm that was utterly captivating.

She... she vaguely resembled someone from the past.