Sterling Group Headquarters.

Silas Norwood rarely came here. Usually, if they needed to discuss something, the two of them would either meet at one of their villas or find a private club and take care of business there.

But this trip was spontaneous. Silas Norwood had called Kian Sterling while on the road, and after confirming the meeting, he came straight here.

Evan Rhodes came down to greet him personally.

"The boss is in a meeting. Because of your appointment, Chairman Norwood, he cut it short. It should be over in about three to five minutes, so you’ll be arriving just in time."

Evan Rhodes explained as he led him to Kian Sterling’s office.

Just as Evan Rhodes finished preparing the tea, Kian Sterling walked in.

Evan Rhodes silently excused himself.

"I hear you’ve launched some kind of inspection tour recently, keeping yourself busy flying all over the world." Kian Sterling took out a bottle of red wine, then glanced at the tea on the table. "Tea or wine?"

"Tea. I’m on a health kick lately." Silas Norwood picked up an amber-colored teacup and poured himself a cup.

Kian Sterling stared at his face for a few seconds. For a man who claimed to be on a health kick, his complexion was excellent. Although he still carried that bone-deep iciness, his every move held a relaxed air of satisfaction.

"Why are you staring at me like that, Kade?" Silas Norwood took a slow sip of tea, meeting his gaze. "You don’t recognize me anymore?"

"Silas Norwood, you haven’t been messing around, have you?" Kian Sterling’s tone was slightly cold.

Silas Norwood hummed in affirmation, replying calmly, "Of course not."

Kian Sterling averted his gaze, his expression unreadable.

"Did you call me here just for personal matters?" Silas Norwood asked.

"Regarding Sutton the Second, I’ve almost finished things on my end. We can close the net at the end of this month." Kian Sterling tapped the rim of his cup. "We agreed to take one each. What about your side? I see you’re on business trips every other day. I’m afraid you haven’t put much energy into this."

"Unlike you, Kade, I don’t like to do everything myself. I don’t pay my people such high salaries for nothing," Silas Norwood said lightly. "My progress is more or less the same. I’ll have Theo Chambers sync up with you later. He’s the one leading the team on this."

Having received the answer he wanted, Kian Sterling dropped the subject.

He changed the topic. "Have you been in touch with Cece recently?"

"She’s my wife. Of course I have." Silas Norwood paused. "We were in touch just a couple of days ago."

"How’s her emotional state?"

"Why are you asking me, Kade? Haven’t you contacted her?"

Kian Sterling nodded, frowning. "Of course I have. It’s just that she’s seemed a bit off lately."

He had video-called her several times, and she always seemed dazed, unsure of what she was doing with her day. When he occasionally asked if she had any thoughts about the identity situation, her hesitant attitude suggested she hadn’t given it much thought at all.

Silas Norwood’s expression turned serious. "Around when was this?"

Kian Sterling listed a few dates.

Silas Norwood was silent for two seconds. Those dates were all days when he was either on a date with her or had just finished one. Realizing this, he relaxed.

"Don’t worry, Kade. She took on over a dozen large bases, and those days were when she was meeting with that Rivermoon person. Her workload was probably just heavy."

He said it with such a straight face that Kian Sterling didn’t think twice about it.

Kian Sterling had also heard Celia Sterling mention Rivermoon. "Is Rivermoon reliable?"

Silas Norwood nodded. "Decent enough."

Silas Norwood was naturally cautious. If he said "decent enough," then it meant she was truly reliable.

Kian Sterling relaxed. "While we can’t disturb her current life or interfere with her experience, it doesn’t mean we cut off all contact. Find out her next destination and have a private jet deliver some of her favorite things. She’s a picky eater and might not be used to the food and products abroad."

A smile touched Silas Norwood’s eyes. "I’ve already sent her several deliveries."

’Along with myself.’

Silas Norwood then brought up another matter. "There’s something I need to inform you of in advance, Kade."

Kian Sterling raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Silas Norwood’s voice was gentle yet firm. "If, in the end, she still chooses to be Summer Sutton, then I will marry Summer Sutton all over again."

Kian Sterling was silent for a long time.

Just when Silas Norwood thought he wouldn’t respond, Kian let out a soft scoff. "As long as she’s willing. It’s not a big deal."

「Crestmoore Base.」

Celia Sterling was in a field of roses when she received a video call from Quinn Sinclair.

"That place looks gorgeous! And your outfit is to die for!" Quinn Sinclair first scanned her and her surroundings from head to toe, sighing in admiration. "Where are you now?"

"Crestmoore," Celia Sterling said, adjusting the sun hat on her head, her voice languid. "Why are you calling me? I’ve taken over a ton of bases, I’m busy as hell from morning till night."

Quinn Sinclair rolled her eyes. "Why do you do this to yourself? Slaving away at the Sterling Group was one thing, but now you’re finally on a long vacation and you’re still working like a dog. What’s the point of this ’vacation’ then?"

"You’re so nosy."

"You’re just figuring that out?" Quinn Sinclair retorted, then added, "I’m calling on behalf of all our sisters in the Capital Circle to ask when you’re coming back to Metropia."

Celia Sterling bent down, plucked a rose, and twirled it in her palm. While examining its color, she asked, "What’s it to them?"

"It’s because of your man, of course." Quinn Sinclair couldn’t help but laugh. "Some men become worthless secondhand goods after they get married, but your Silas Norwood has only become more of a magnet for women."

Celia Sterling’s interest was piqued. "Oh? How so?"

Quinn Sinclair’s eyes lit up. "Before, Silas Norwood was this cold, ascetic type—he seemed untouchable, almost sacred. But now, he just exudes sensuality, and it’s driving all those women crazy! Especially that Jasmine Lowell. She’s been obsessed with him for ages. She saw him again at a business banquet recently, and I heard she went home and cried for days, ranting about how Chairman Norwood belongs to her. She’s practically unhinged."

She summed it up in just a few words.

But it was no exaggeration.

Before his marriage, Silas Norwood had never touched a woman. He was truly abstinent, with an unapproachable, ice-cold aura that was so imposing, women couldn’t even get creative when writing their fan fiction about him.

He had always been low-key, but there were always events he couldn’t avoid.

On the rare occasions he appeared at business banquets after getting married, a ring of bodyguards still kept women with ulterior motives at bay. He would stand aloof under the spotlight, as elegant and remote as ever. He had the same handsome features, but now they held a subtle hint of sensuality, like a flower in full, glorious bloom, naturally revealing its bewitching charm.

Those women were already enchanted by him.

They had only just managed to give up hope after he got married.

And now, in a flash, their passion was reignited!

Even if they couldn’t have such a handsome man, just getting to look at him more often was a treat in itself.

The problem was, Silas Norwood skipped nine out of ten banquets, making it incredibly difficult to even catch a glimpse of him. That’s why they had turned their attention to Celia Sterling.

Nina Sterling and Miss March had analyzed it together: the period when Silas Norwood appeared in public most frequently was between his secret marriage to Celia Sterling and the start of her long vacation abroad. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Celia Sterling was the only bait that could lure him out.