My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 166: I’m Already Chairman Norwood’s Man
Sterling Group Headquarters.
Celia Sterling appeared in the ground-floor corporate café, carrying a delicate pineapple roll. Eldest Young Master Warren, who had already finished a third of his coffee, stood up enthusiastically to greet her.
"Miss Sterling."
"Eldest Young Master Warren." Celia Sterling gave a polite nod and sat down across from him.
The barista walked over. "Miss Sterling, what kind of coffee would you like today?"
"Just a freshly brewed cocoa milk tea for me," Celia Sterling ordered. "And make a fresh cup of coffee for my brother. You know how he likes it. Have it for me in ten minutes."
The barista acknowledged the order and left.
Soothing music played in the quiet café. Only then did Celia Sterling broach the subject. "Eldest Young Master Warren, I hear you’ve taken quite an interest in me lately."
"Back on the cruise, I wasn’t aware of your identity, Miss Sterling. I may have been quite discourteous." Eldest Young Master Warren personally presented an ornate brocade box. "This is a gift for you, Miss Sterling. A set of six high-end luxury custom perfumes from Hale Group."
’Anything with words like "high-end luxury" or "custom" was never cheap.’
"Delia Caine and Hale Group’s perfume brands have always been bitter rivals. There’s no need to talk about courtesy or discourtesy." Celia Sterling didn’t accept the gift. "Eldest Young Master Warren, if you have something to say, just say it. I’m only giving you ten minutes."
"It’s nothing, really. I just want to be friends with you, Miss Sterling." Eldest Young Master Warren took a leisurely sip of his coffee and began to promote himself. "Perhaps you aren’t very familiar with me yet, but I actually have a good eye for the perfume industry, not to mention plenty of connections and resources. In the future, if there are any projects that are inconvenient for you to handle personally and don’t involve Delia Caine’s internal secrets, you can just hand them over to me. It’ll save you the trouble of exhausting yourself running around."
Celia Sterling’s eyes fell on him, curious. "Eldest Young Master Warren, do you know what you’re saying?"
"I am pledging my allegiance to you, Miss Sterling." Eldest Young Master Warren wasn’t one to mince words. "Your team is certainly impressive, but Brightmoon is the only one who truly stands out. Hale Group’s personal care products hold a significant share of the global market, and I’ve been in charge of the fragrance division for years. If Delia Caine ever needs it, my clients and resources can be shared with you unconditionally. I’m confident that with us as partners, Delia Caine will undoubtedly become the most powerful fragrance brand in the world."
The barista delivered the freshly brewed milk tea. It was made with tribute tea leaves that Kian Sterling had specifically brought over, reserved for preparing drinks for the group’s top executives. Celia Sterling inhaled the gentle tea fragrance, then fell silent for a moment before asking,
"Eldest Young Master Warren, does your father, Chairman Warren, know you’re selling out your own company like this? Speaking of which, I saw him in Silverwood just a few days ago, and I heard him praise you quite a bit..."
"My father knows about my intentions, and he supports them," Eldest Young Master Warren said frankly. "Besides, to avoid any suspicion, I’ve already stepped down from my core position at Hale Group. Miss Sterling, you only need to think of me as a trustworthy ally with considerable resources and methods."
’Chairman Warren did more than just support it.’
’He had high hopes for his eldest son and normally would never have allowed him to step down from a core position. But if it meant entering the elite circle of Metropia’s Silas Norwood and Kian Sterling, the profound impact would be something his son could never achieve even after a lifetime of hard work at their own group. In the world of business, there are no true enemies, only interests. Win-win cooperation is the only path to victory.’
’And Celia Sterling—the cherished sister of the man in charge of The Sterlings and the beloved wife of the man in charge of The Norwood Family—was the perfect stepping stone.’
"Trustworthy..." Celia Sterling remained noncommittal. "Just last month, Delia Caine and your team were at each other’s throats."
"That was then, this is now," Eldest Young Master Warren said casually. "I work for Chairman Norwood now. Even if you don’t trust me, Miss Sterling, surely you trust Chairman Norwood?"
Celia Sterling nearly knocked over her cup. "When did you start working for Silas Norwood?"
"You haven’t heard, Miss Sterling?" Eldest Young Master Warren said with a soft "oh," then explained, "The Warren Group also has a small piece of the pie in the entertainment industry, and Chairman Norwood is a shareholder. He specifically appointed me as the person in charge. But I mostly leave it to the professional team under me. I plan to focus most of my time and energy on your side, Miss Sterling. Although Chairman Norwood didn’t say it outright, I can guess he hopes I’ll help lighten your burden."
Celia Sterling suddenly recalled being in Rhovan when Silas Norwood had mentioned finding her a new subordinate.
’So it was Eldest Young Master Warren.’
But anyone Silas Norwood chose must have been carefully considered and thoroughly vetted. Besides, even though she and Eldest Young Master Warren had fought back and forth over the years, and she couldn’t stand him, she knew he wasn’t a despicable person who resorted to dirty tricks.
"Fine, I understand." Celia Sterling promptly took out her phone. "Let’s add each other on WeChat first. When I need you, Young Master Warren, I won’t hesitate."
A flicker of delight appeared in Eldest Young Master Warren’s eyes. He proactively added her as a contact, then cleared his throat. "I heard that you, Miss Sterling, are also friends with that big shot, Rivermoon?"
"I guess so. We’ve known each other for about ten years." Celia Sterling thought he was asking if they were WeChat friends and had no idea that Silas Norwood had already brainwashed this Eldest Young Master Warren. "We exchange a few words now and then."
"You’re being modest, Miss Sterling." ’How could it be just exchanging a few words? Chairman Norwood had clearly said their relationship was at the level of ’responding to any request’.’
But he had only just made contact with Celia Sterling; it wouldn’t be appropriate to seem too eager for quick success. Eldest Young Master Warren suppressed his impatience and pretended to chat casually about everyday things.
The barista had already packaged Kian Sterling’s coffee to go. Celia Sterling took it and stood up. "I have to go bring my brother his afternoon tea. Young Master Warren, let’s meet again some other time."
Eldest Young Master Warren’s gaze paused on the coffee and the pineapple roll in Celia Sterling’s hands. "So, Chairman Sterling likes pineapple..."
Celia Sterling knew this Young Master Warren saw Kian Sterling through the eyes of a fan. She said casually, "He likes sweets, not just pineapple. Once we get to know each other better, Young Master Warren, I can arrange a meal for you and him."
Eldest Young Master Warren was overjoyed. ’Going through Eldest Miss Sterling was the right move after all. He wasn’t particularly interested in Silas Norwood’s type, but Kian Sterling and Rivermoon were both his idols. Now, thanks to Miss Sterling, the once-unreachable idols were finally within his grasp.’
When Celia Sterling arrived at Kian Sterling’s office, he was still in a meeting.
He had left his personal phone in the office. Celia Sterling put down the afternoon tea, gave Evan Rhodes a few instructions, and was about to leave when Kian Sterling’s personal phone rang.
It was a call from the villa.
The siblings often answered each other’s personal calls.
Celia Sterling casually picked it up and answered, "It’s me."
"Good day, Miss!" came the butler’s voice. "Miss Natalie Shepherd is here. She’s also brought several suitcases and says she wants to stay for a few days."
Celia Sterling fell silent for a moment. "Understood."
She hung up and asked Evan Rhodes, "Nia is coming to stay at the villa for a bit. Does my brother know?"
Evan Rhodes shook his head. "I’m not sure."
"Never mind. Don’t bring this up with him for now. Let him focus on his meeting." Celia Sterling pointed at the pineapple roll. "Remind him to eat this during his break. It won’t taste as good cold."
With that, she went downstairs alone.
Norwood Group.
Silas Norwood had already personally brewed a pot of beautifying floral tea.
Accompanied by Theo Chambers, Celia Sterling pushed the door open and entered.
"Darling." Silas Norwood’s eyes were gentle. He gestured for Theo Chambers to leave, then looked at Celia Sterling’s empty hands and paused, slightly taken aback. "Where’s my spicy beef pastry?"
"You can have the beef pastry next time," Celia Sterling told him. "I have to go back to the villa and babysit now. I don’t have any experience. Silas, want to skip work with me?"
