A sudden silence fell over the reception hall!
Mrs. Norwood knocked over a cup of tea, trading a stunned glance with an equally shocked Justin Norwood.
Even Celia couldn't help but glance at Silas Norwood again and again.
Kian Sterling, however, fixed his gaze on Silas Norwood, his look curious and probing. He had predicted two outcomes: calling off the engagement or an all-out confrontation. Silas replacing Declan, however, was something he hadn't seen coming.
Silas Norwood said nothing, letting Kian Sterling size him up. His expression was serene, his eyes cool and placid. It was as if he hadn't just been discussing his own marriage, but merely one of hundreds of insignificant projects in his life—a matter treated with the utmost casualness.
The unsettling silence stretched for several long seconds.
Kian Sterling broke the silence with a soft scoff. "The unobtainable dream man of the Capital Circle's socialites is descending to the mortal realm?"
Silas Norwood lowered his gaze, rubbing the thumb ring on his finger. His voice was placid. "For a businessman, profit is paramount. Why not throw myself into the ring?"
The dozen or so major projects, involving a few tens of billions, were a painful loss, but for a family with the deep foundations of the Norwoods, it was hardly a crippling blow.
It was hardly worth the head of the Norwood Group—a man worth hundreds of billions—throwing himself into the ring for.
"Interesting," Kian Sterling breathed out a soft laugh. He studied Silas Norwood impassively for a moment longer before slowly turning his head to ask Celia:
"Cece, what do you think?"
Celia was still a little dumbfounded and didn't answer right away.
She was a woman Kian had raised and mentored himself—rational, clear-headed, and not one to be ruled by her heart.
From a young age, she had understood the importance of a suitable match and knew her future husband could only be chosen from a wealthy, powerful family. That was why she had obediently accepted even when Kian chose the notorious Declan Nash for her.
At the time, Kian had said, "Few sons of the elite are squeaky clean. Declan Nash is a playboy, but at least he's good-looking, has no serious relationship baggage, and is manageable."
That arrangement had lasted for three years.
If not for the recent sex scandal, Celia wouldn't have been opposed to marrying him.
Swapping Declan for Silas wasn't just absurd; it meant she would have to adapt to a completely new man.
Worse, this man was the famously unattainable "flower on the high peak," someone she was destined to never control.
Kian saw her hesitation and gently stroked her head.
"Cece, I'm here for you."
Celia took a deep breath. "Then... shall we give it a try?"
The movement of Silas Norwood's fingers, toying with his black thumb ring, paused for a fraction of a second.
He rose gracefully and poured Kian a cup of tea, his tone cultured and unhurried. "I will personally deliver the new engagement contract to your residence in two days."
Kian accepted the tea, a tacit agreement to the swap passing between them.
He was a busy man himself. With the matter settled, there was no need for further pleasantries.
The siblings left the villa and walked out to the front courtyard where their car was parked.
Behind them, a voice as cool and smooth as jade spoke again.
"Miss Sterling."
Startled, Celia turned around.
The refined, elegant man took a delicate gift box from a nearby assistant and approached her. In the sunlight, his amber eyes seemed to shimmer with a subtle light she couldn't quite decipher.
"Although I was the one to propose the change in engagement, I know it must seem presumptuous and abrupt to you, Miss Sterling." His gentle voice carried an obvious apology. "This is just a small token. Please accept it."
Celia felt a flicker of unease at his subtle, gentle aura.
"You were forced into this as well, Silas. You don't have to—"
Her words died in her throat when she got a clear look at the gift in his hand.
The beastly SUV, surrounded by a convoy of bodyguard vehicles, pulled away from the Norwood villa.
Silas Norwood stood at the entrance to the villa. His voice was gentle, yet carried the undeniable authority of someone in charge as he gave quiet instructions to Justin Norwood and his wife.
"Get ready to accompany me to the Sterling estate the day after tomorrow. Inform Second Brother as well."
Justin Norwood and Mrs. Norwood still hadn't recovered from the shock of Silas, the head of the Norwood Family, personally shouldering the burden of this marriage.
"Silas, I only wanted you to mediate... I never meant to drag you into this mess," Justin said, his tone apprehensive.
"The matter is settled. There's no need for further discussion." Silas glanced sideways at Justin, his voice holding a faint warning. "As for Declan... you two had better get him under control."
"We will. We definitely will." Justin knew what Silas meant. Given his rebellious son's obsession with Celia, he would likely cause a huge scene upon learning he couldn't marry her after all.
The mere thought of it was a headache.
The beastly SUV moved through the flow of traffic, with Celia still at the wheel. Kian sat in the passenger seat, watching her occasionally reach out to touch the exquisite, custom gift box in the storage compartment, a hint of excitement on her face.
Kian raised an eyebrow. "That excited about it?"
Celia nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course. These are the twelve most precious raw materials in the Perfumery Circle. They're so rare they've been monopolized by the three great perfuming houses. You can't find them on the open market."
"Is that all it takes to impress you?" Kian clicked his tongue and changed the subject. "What are your thoughts on the marriage swap?"
Celia considered it seriously before answering honestly. "Silas Norwood offering himself as compensation... it still feels a little unreal. I'm worried I'll have to fight off a mob of his jilted admirers every time I leave the house."
A hint of wild arrogance touched Kian's devilishly handsome features. "Our Cece is good enough for any man."
"He's nine years older than me." Celia paused. "Am I... marrying a father figure?"
Kian sighed. "I'm a full seven years older than you, Cece. Are you implying that Silas and I are both old?"
"Not at all. You're in your prime, big brother! I know of at least ten heiresses who are head over heels for you." Celia decisively changed the subject. "Are you going back to the office, or are you coming back to the villa with me?"
"To the office," Kian mused. "I'm making a trip to Port Sovereign after work. I'll be back tomorrow morning for breakfast with you."
Celia cleared her throat. "To see Summer Sutton?"
Kian gave a noncommittal hum.
Celia quickly spoke up. "You're always so busy. You finally get a secret rendezvous with your girl, don't worry about breakfast! Forget about me. The later you come back, the better."
Kian glanced at her but said nothing more.
The beastly SUV stopped at the main entrance of the Sterling Group.
The ninety-eight-story Sterling Business Tower stood at the heart of Metropia's financial district. The moment Kian's long legs emerged from the car, a large group of senior executives was already approaching to greet him.
"Be good at home, and call me if you need anything. And don't bother sending afternoon tea today; I might not be around."
Kian gave the back of her hand a light, indulgent pat before entering the business tower, surrounded by his executives.
Celia, however, didn't leave right away.
She sat quietly in the car, her gaze lingering on the Sterling Business Tower before shifting to another, equally magnificent skyscraper not far away: the headquarters of the Norwood Group.
Declan had taken her there several times before, but they were restricted to the floors below the fiftieth.
She'd heard that everything above the fiftieth floor belonged to Silas Norwood's Core Division. The eighty-sixth through eighty-ninth floors were the private domain of Chairman Silas Norwood himself—a place where not even his own brother, Justin Norwood, could set foot without permission, let alone Declan.
She never imagined that some bizarre twist of fate would bind her to Silas Norwood.
Lost in thought, she was startled when a video call request from Declan Nash suddenly popped up on her phone.
Celia froze for a moment. 'Wait a minute,' she suddenly realized, 'does Declan not know about the marriage swap yet?'