Chapter 119
Claire Bennett Is Also a Bennett
Facing Claire Bennett's puzzled look, Julian Sterling only said slowly, "How did you and Sean Shaw meet?"
He really wanted to ask why Claire Bennett hadn't come to him for help, but he was also afraid it would make things awkward between them. In the end, he asked nothing else, only this question.
Claire Bennett narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling a little strange inside.
Why had both Julian Sterling and Ruby Sterling asked her the exact same question?
Of course she had known Sean Shaw since they were little! Was there some other way?
If they were really going to count it, did it count that when they were still in the womb, she and Sean Shaw had technically met through their mothers' bellies?
She figured what Julian Sterling probably wanted to hear was the story of her and Sean Shaw when they were kids.
So Claire Bennett gathered her thoughts and said, "We knew each other when we were little. Our families lost touch for a while, and later, when I saw Sean again, he was about seven years old. He doted on me so much..."
Julian Sterling's brows knit slightly.
He felt like he was asking for punishment, bringing up Claire Bennett and the man in her heart.
And now that he'd heard it, he felt a little uncomfortable inside.
Childhood sweethearts were the hardest to forget.
But Claire Bennett didn't notice his expression at all and kept talking about herself and Sean Shaw. She smiled and said, "When we were little, we were always getting into trouble together, and then my dad would catch us and chew us out. But Sean always took responsibility and would shoulder all the blame..."
It seemed he had rarely heard Claire Bennett mention her father.
This was probably the first time, except her father was tied up with Sean Shaw in the story. He hadn't expected that man had met Claire Bennett's father long ago and had presumably won his approval too.
Julian Sterling felt a jumble of emotions in his heart.
At that moment, Claire Bennett seemed to think of something, and a shadow flashed through her eyes as her mood dropped.
Julian Sterling came back to himself and asked, "What's wrong?"
Claire Bennett gave a stiff smile and shook her head. "Nothing. I just remembered some things from when I was little, and I feel a little regretful and sad. After my dad got a new wife, life was never like that again."
She had gotten too carried away just now and only then realized that all those childhood memories were still in her mind; she hadn't forgotten them at all.
"Your dad got a new wife?"
Claire Bennett had always been unwilling to reveal her identity, but in front of Julian Sterling, she felt there was nothing to hide.
The feeling was very strange, as if he were someone deeply worthy of trust.
Claire Bennett looked at him and smiled. "I don't think I've ever told you about my father and mother, have I?"
"No."
"Then do you want to hear it?" Claire Bennett asked hesitantly.
Some people had zero interest in other people's irrelevant family matters. She wasn't sure whether her family affairs were like that to Julian Sterling, so it seemed better to ask first.
Julian Sterling raised a brow. "I do."
Hearing that he was willing to understand her affairs, the corners of Claire Bennett's mouth lifted.
She said slowly, "My parents got divorced when I was very young. Later, my mom got in a car accident. I never expected that my father had divorced her unilaterally and then turned right around and started a family with another woman, completely ignoring her. My stepsister is only six months younger than me! I became a pitiful homeless girl..."
Julian Sterling lowered his eyes, lost in thought.
Why did this story sound so familiar to him?
He had heard that the Bennett family in New York had once caused exactly that kind of scandal, and it had created quite a stir at the time. Later, it was suppressed with money.
Ever since that incident, the Sterling family had had no dealings with the Bennett family.
He had thought it was because the old man felt the Bennett family had rotten family values, so he kept his distance and stopped associating with them.
Claire Bennett's last name was Bennett too. Could she have some connection to the Bennett family?
Julian Sterling quickly dismissed the thought.
Marcus Reed had said that the Bennett family's butler, Luke Ward, had come to help Naomi Pierce establish a jewelry brand. Now that the Bennett family's second daughter was still around, that meant Naomi Pierce was that mysterious eldest daughter of the Bennett family.
Maybe it was all just a coincidence.
Julian Sterling came back to himself, looked at Claire Bennett, and said, "It's okay. From now on, you have me."
Hearing that, Claire Bennett froze for a moment, and then her cheeks flushed uncontrollably.
Why did that sound so easy to misunderstand?
Did he know how easily words like that could make someone's mind wander?
When a man looked at you intently and said something like, "From now on, you have me," what woman could stop herself from being moved?
And yet she and Julian Sterling were only married by agreement; there was no possibility between them at all.
She had heard Julian Sterling say with her own ears that once the agreement expired, he would end their marriage!
At that thought, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Claire Bennett's heart. She calmed down completely and stopped flattering herself.
She thought to herself that maybe what Julian Sterling meant was that during the term of their marriage agreement, she still had him as a temporary husband. That was what he meant, right?
Very quickly, Claire Bennett convinced herself.
She forced down the messy thoughts in her heart a little, cleared her throat softly, and continued, "During that time, I had a falling-out with my family and moved out to live on my own. I worked while taking care of my mother."
"Later I met Ethan Sterling. When he was pursuing me, he was really very good to me. He wasn't just funny and charming, he was also considerate in every way..."
Hearing Claire Bennett praise Ethan Sterling, Julian Sterling's expression darkened.