The cruise ship’s banquet hall had a complex layout with many interconnecting passages.

Just behind a screen not far from the two of them, a figure that had been standing silently for some time turned and left after hearing Silas Norwood say, "My wife must be the eldest daughter of the Sterling family."

The hall was too loud, and with their minds still on the raucous dispute, neither Silas Norwood nor Kian Sterling noticed.

But they had foreseen this inevitable outcome long ago.

Neither the Sterling clansmen nor the shareholders were fools. It was a no-brainer who to follow for the greatest benefit. Besides, Franklin Sterling had been in the wrong all those years ago. But even if he hadn’t been, the fact that Kian Sterling had single-handedly transformed the beleaguered Sterling Group into the ranks of the super-rich families was enough to earn him the unyielding loyalty of the Sterlings.

Everyone knew Celia Sterling was the treasured sister Kian Sterling had meticulously raised.

Who would be foolish enough to cross Kian Sterling’s line?

Besides, Celia Sterling was now the wife of the Norwood Family’s chairman. This meant that the Sterling Group would go farther and stand on firmer ground after this alliance, with a magnificent future ahead. Only an idiot would intentionally sever such a connection. At a time like this, forget Franklin Sterling—not even God himself could force a paternity test!

As for whether the story about the switched babies was true or not, it was completely irrelevant in the face of such absolute gains.

After a one-sided shouting match, Franklin Sterling completely lost his nerve and was dragged away by bodyguards.

With the troublemaker dealt with, the clan members relaxed and began to leave the hall, heading off to enjoy the view elsewhere.

"This isn’t over." Kian Sterling gazed out at the now-empty hall. From his vantage point, he could see the vast, boundless inland sea. "I know Franklin Sterling’s character. No matter how fiercely we’ve clashed over the years, he’s never once questioned Cece’s identity. For him to suddenly be this aggressive, he must have had some expert pulling his strings."

"If he’s a thorn in our side, we have to pull him out, whether he’s in the open or in the shadows." Silas was genuinely furious that someone was using Celia Sterling as a target. "I’ve already sent Theo Chambers to investigate."

"I’ll interrogate Franklin Sterling myself. I’ll let you know what I find."

"Then I’m going to my wife. After being stuck out here for so long, she must be worried sick."

"Mm." Kian Sterling lit another cigarette, his voice low. "Does this ship have any speedboats? I’m going out on the water to clear my head."

When Silas Norwood returned to the bridal suite, Celia Sterling was sitting on the bed in a sexy red nightgown, scrolling through her phone.

The bright red quilt, the bright red nightgown, the bright red decor...

A wave of tenderness washed over Silas Norwood. He asked Celia, "Darling, didn’t you get any rest?"

"I couldn’t sleep." Celia Sterling looked at him, her voice strangely airy. "You seem so calm. Did everything outside go smoothly?"

"Yes. Franklin Sterling has been a figurehead for years. He can’t make any real trouble. I’ve already had him sent off the ship."

"Oh."

Silas Norwood picked up his own matching red night robe and studied her. "I thought you’d have a lot of questions, darling."

"Then I’ll ask a few." Celia Sterling set her phone down and asked casually, "Did Franklin Sterling make a scene?"

"He did, but it was just baseless nonsense."

"What kind of scene?"

This time, Silas Norwood chose his words carefully. "It was the usual squabbling over status and money. He’s just bitter. Nothing special."

Celia’s almond eyes flickered, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Oh? He seemed to be targeting me during the reception. Was I his target when he caused a scene?"

Silas Norwood chuckled. "What are you thinking, darling? This is a battlefield for men. What does it have to do with a girl like you?"

Celia lowered her head and murmured her assent. "Go take a shower. I’ll wait for you."

It wasn’t even nighttime yet.

But ever since they’d gotten their marriage license, Silas Norwood had lost all concept of day and night. Daylight debauchery was the norm, especially on a day as important as their wedding.

The automatic blackout curtains slid shut. Fresh from his shower, Silas Norwood emerged into the darkness and whispered enticingly in her ear:

"Darling, I’ve come up with a few new, very unrestrained games to play..."

Celia’s voice was strangely cool. "Alright." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Her body, however, was more passionate than it had ever been.

For the next few days, none of the guests on the cruise ship saw Silas Norwood again.

Assistant Thorne and Theo Chambers were Silas Norwood’s right-hand men, so they had a much better idea of his whereabouts than anyone else. The two were sitting in Assistant Thorne’s cabin, playing a two-player card game and discreetly gossiping.

"The boss is thirty-one. How can he be so unrestrained? He’s like some twenty-year-old kid, completely hooked and unable to pull himself away. It’s a far cry from his usual disposition."

Assistant Thorne added, slightly chagrined, "I just hope the supplies I brought are enough for him to burn through."

Theo Chambers wasn’t comfortable with gossiping about his boss. "It’s a good thing the boss and his wife are so affectionate. The sooner they produce an heir, the sooner they can placate those stubborn elders in the Norwood Family."

"That’s true. The potential Norwood heirs are a mixed bag; you can’t find a single one capable of taking over for the boss. The eldest young master is slightly better, but his relationship with the boss has become very delicate because of his new wife..."

"Don’t go pouring salt in the wound." Theo Chambers gave the loose-lipped Assistant Thorne a look and reminded him in a low voice, "The boss detests gossips."

"Fine, let’s talk about something less sensitive." Assistant Thorne’s curiosity was piqued. "I wasn’t there. What exactly happened between Franklin Sterling and the boss? Give me the details."

Theo Chambers kept his mouth shut.

’What could I say?’

’Tell him the whole war of words was sparked by questions about the Madam’s background?’

’If I dared to reveal something the boss and Kian Sterling are trying so hard to hide, I’d be out of a job.’

"Why do you ask so many questions?" Theo Chambers deflected lightly. "Haven’t you heard that curiosity killed the cat?"

The wedding celebration, which had lasted for several days on the cruise ship, finally came to an end.

After a tour of the inland sea, the cruise ship docked. Silas Norwood finally made an appearance once the ship was moored at the port. He and Celia Sterling waited for the guests to disembark before getting into their car and heading back to Jade Orchid Manor.

Everyone went their separate ways.

Declan Norwood, who had been missing for several days, was scheduled to fly back to Solisia the next day.

In the middle of the night, by the flowerbeds outside Jade Orchid Manor, Declan Norwood sat drinking beer, his expression dejected. A large pile of empty cans lay at his feet. A few rich heirs kept him company, shaking their heads in sympathy whenever he stared blankly at the lights of the manor.

"It’s just one woman, man." One of the heirs clapped him on the shoulder. "Declan, with your status, you can have any woman you want. Why get hung up on this one?" Seeing him chugging beer after beer to drown his sorrows, the friend’s eye twitched. "Dude, don’t kill yourself. If you actually drink yourself sick, your dad will skin us alive."

Declan didn’t say a word.

Another heir chimed in with righteous indignation. "If you ask me, if you really can’t let go, just wait a few years. Your chance will come. Once a man passes thirty, he’s basically sixty. You’re young and full of passion. You have a natural advantage over your uncle. When they get tired of each other, you’ll be the one Miss Sterling can’t forget."

The next moment, Declan Norwood slammed a beer can right at him.

"That’s my goddamn uncle! Who gave you the right to talk trash about him?!" Declan’s eyes were glacial. "I’m not happy about it, but I know where to draw the line. If you all keep spouting this garbage, we’re done being friends."

He then spat out a single, cold word: "Scram!"