Chapter 108
Don't Even Think About Entering the Sterling Family
It happened much faster than he had imagined, and he hadn't had time to make any arrangements.
"Grandpa, haven't you always wanted me to get married? Now that I am, you should be happy."
Old Mr. Sterling laughed in anger. "I wanted you to get married to a rich young lady from one of New York's prominent families. And this... what the hell did you marry? A woman like that can forget about ever entering the Sterling family!"
"You turned down perfectly good girls from respectable families, and instead you like picking up somebody else's castoff slut that no one wanted? If I hadn't asked Uncle Ming, when were you planning to tell me!"
Not only had Julian Sterling married a woman like that, she was even Ethan Sterling's ex-girlfriend. If word got out, people would laugh their heads off!
And yet he had placed such high hopes on Julian Sterling. He had never expected him to do something so disappointing.
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment!
Julian Sterling knew Old Mr. Sterling was in the middle of a rage and couldn't be confronted head-on. He had to go along with him.
Otherwise, if he really provoked him, Old Mr. Sterling might do anything, and then Claire Bennett would be the one in danger instead.
In an instant, Julian Sterling had made his decision.
He said flatly, "Grandpa, don't overthink it. Claire Bennett and I are only in a contractual relationship. When the time is up, we'll separate."
Left with no choice, Julian Sterling could only use those words to soothe the old man and ease his anger.
Hearing Julian Sterling say that, Old Mr. Sterling's fury subsided quite a bit. He asked in a deep voice, "Contractual? What contract? Why would you sign some agreement with her?"
Julian Sterling didn't explain much about it.
He only said lightly, "I'll handle this matter. You don't need to worry."
"Fine. I know you have a sense of proportion. I'll give you time to deal with it. But if you dare lie to me, don't blame me for being ruthless!" After saying that, the old man added angrily, "Until you've handled it, don't show up in front of me and annoy me! Just looking at you irritates me!"
Old Mr. Sterling hung up at once.
Julian Sterling took a deep breath, feeling a headache coming on.
It seemed that getting the old man to accept Claire Bennett would not be easy. He would have to make long-term plans.
After standing there for a moment, Julian Sterling turned and walked out.
Claire Bennett had already made a whole table full of food. It looked, smelled, and probably tasted wonderful, and she was sitting in her chair waiting for him.
At that moment, her lashes were lowered slightly, and no one knew what she was thinking about.
Julian Sterling sat down across from Claire Bennett.
"Can we eat now?"
"Mm, I'll go get you some rice." After Claire Bennett spoke, she took a bowl and went into the kitchen.
Only after she was out of Julian Sterling's range did her shoulders slump and a look of sadness appear on her face.
After finishing the food just now, she had gone to the room to call Julian Sterling to dinner, but she hadn't expected to hear him on the phone with someone.
He had just said with his own mouth that he and she were only in a contractual relationship, and when the time came, they would end it.
The moment she heard that, she felt like she couldn't breathe.
Afterward, she hadn't disturbed Julian Sterling and had simply returned to the dining table to sit down.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't upset. Just two days ago, Julian Sterling had kissed her, making her think he might be interested in her, but today she had heard him say something like that.
She had wanted too much.
Even though Julian Sterling didn't have a girlfriend, he had no interest in her at all. The only reason he was still with her was because of the contract agreement.
Claire Bennett's heart felt sour, and a sense of helplessness rose in her.
She was obviously hurt and upset, yet she had no way to vent it, because Julian Sterling hadn't done anything wrong. She was the one who wanted too much.
She couldn't keep falling any deeper!
Claire Bennett took a deep breath and suppressed the strange emotions in her heart. She served Julian Sterling some rice, walked out, and set the bowl in front of him.
The two of them began eating in silence.
Julian Sterling glanced at Claire Bennett and felt that she seemed unusually quiet. He picked up a chicken wing and placed it in her bowl, saying softly, "Eat more."
"Thank you."
Claire Bennett found herself unexpectedly warmed by the gesture, and she couldn't help cursing herself inwardly for being so pathetic.
She hurriedly thought about other things to distract herself.
Julian Sterling's deep eyes rested on Claire Bennett's face. Sensing that something was off with her mood, his brows furrowed slightly as well.
When Claire Bennett saw him looking at her, afraid he might notice something, she quickly changed the subject and said, "That thing with Naomi Pierce was probably taken care of by Ethan Sterling. We were probably busy for nothing."
Naomi Pierce had only received a small lesson before the matter was resolved.
Originally, with such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Naomi Pierce could have been buried in scandal, but unexpectedly it hadn't made any waves at all. Claire Bennett felt a little regretful.
Julian Sterling raised an eyebrow and asked casually, "You want her to be punished more?"
If Claire Bennett wanted that, he could step in and help.
Unexpectedly, Claire Bennett shook her head and said indifferently, "No need. I don't want to have any more entanglements with them."
She didn't want to have any entanglements with Ethan Sterling?
Julian Sterling's eyes darkened slightly, and a thoughtful look appeared in them.