The Flowers You Sent Were Refused

She immediately greeted him respectfully. "President Sterling."

Wes Mercer had come downstairs for Marcus Reed to clean up some things, and he hadn't expected to run into Claire Bennett. At that moment, he suddenly remembered the new identity Julian Sterling had assigned him.

He was now that mysterious and unfathomable President Sterling!

Wes Mercer immediately nodded, put on a kindly smile, and said seriously, "Miss Bennett, what a coincidence. Heading out for lunch?"

At the sight of Wes Mercer's expression, a suspicious look appeared in Claire Bennett's eyes.

Hadn't they said he'd had his heart broken?

Why didn't it look that way now? He didn't seem the least bit dejected or heartsick. Could there have been some misunderstanding?

Even though Claire Bennett was puzzled, she didn't dare linger. She quickly came back to herself and said, "President Sterling, I still need to go eat, so I won't disturb you. Goodbye."

Although the man in front of her was Ruby's older brother, Claire Bennett wasn't familiar with him, so facing him was somewhat awkward. After all, she had once used his identity to slap Ethan Sterling in the face, and the real owner of that identity had even found out about it. Luckily, President Sterling hadn't held it against her too much.

In this awkward atmosphere, Claire Bennett naturally had to make a run for it.

After saying that, Claire Bennett turned and left.

Watching Claire Bennett's departing back, Wes Mercer let out a heavy sigh. He hadn't expected President Sterling's road to winning back his wife to be so difficult. It really made a person feel sorry for him.

Shaking his head and sighing, he walked toward the exit.

At that moment, Willow Lane slowly stepped out from the corner, her brows knitting slightly as she looked at Wes Mercer's departing back.

That man was actually Sterling International's President Sterling?

So Claire Bennett had relied on his connections to parachute straight into becoming Maison Verne's design director? If she had also caught President Sterling's eye, then at Sterling International, wouldn't she be able to get anything she wanted?

The future Mrs. Sterling—just thinking about it was enough to make someone's heart race!

The more Willow Lane thought about it, the more excited she became. She immediately quickened her steps and followed after him.

Wes Mercer picked up the roses and walked to the dumpster by the back door to throw them away.

Just as he was about to set the roses down, a voice suddenly rang out behind him. "Oh! Such beautiful roses, and you're throwing them away? That's such a shame!"

Wes Mercer turned around and saw a woman standing behind him.

She was wearing business attire, with delicate makeup on her face and long black hair draped over her shoulders. She looked polished and capable.

His gaze continued downward, and on the woman's chest hung a work badge with her title and department information written on it.

Maison Verne Jewelry Department Designer Willow Lane.

He seemed to have some impression of her.

Wes Mercer vaguely remembered a few of the designers in the jewelry department. One of them was a designer transferred over from Bennett Group to help out. Since matters on Bennett Group's side were handled by Marcus Reed, he wasn't very clear on the specifics.

A little uncertain, he asked, "You're a designer from Bennett Group?"

Willow Lane had deliberately worn her badge on her chest so President Sterling would know her identity at first glance. She hadn't expected him to actually remember that she was a designer from Bennett Group. Didn't that mean he had noticed her and even remembered her?

Thinking of this, Willow Lane felt even more delighted.

She gave a perfectly measured smile and said softly, "I didn't expect you to still remember me. That's right, I'm a designer transferred over from Bennett Group, and I'm currently working in Maison Verne's jewelry department."

Wes Mercer nodded to show he understood.

At that moment, Willow Lane's gaze fell on the roses in Wes Mercer's hand, and she asked in feigned surprise, "The flowers look beautiful and fresh, so why are you throwing them away?"

"Because they're not needed anymore."

Claire Bennett had refused Julian Sterling's flowers, and he needed to deal with them quickly. Otherwise, if Julian Sterling saw the flowers and was reminded of his failed attempt, life would be even harder for assistants like them.

Willow Lane said regretfully, "It would be such a waste to throw these flowers away..."

She paused, then said meaningfully, "Flowers are such lovely things. It's even better when they're given to someone who knows how to appreciate them."

In fact, she had recognized the flowers at a glance. They were the bouquet the courier had just delivered to Claire Bennett. Claire Bennett had deliberately refused to accept President Sterling's flowers in front of everyone as a ploy to play hard to get and keep him on the hook, hadn't she?

Willow Lane sneered inwardly.

Did Claire Bennett really think a man would keep coaxing her forever? Someone with President Sterling's status and position might tolerate her once or twice, but after a while, that might not be the case.

Suppressing the thoughts in her heart, she said, "How about giving the flowers to me instead? My workstation happens to be missing a bit of life. Maybe if I decorate it with some flowers, I'll even have more inspiration when I'm designing."

Wes Mercer figured the flowers were being thrown out anyway. Since this woman wanted them, he might as well do her a favor and give them to her directly.

He handed over the large bouquet of roses in his hands.

Willow Lane beamed and said repeatedly, "Thank you!"

After giving away the flowers, Wes Mercer was just about to turn and leave when Willow Lane hurriedly seized the chance and said, "Could I add you on WhatsApp? That way, if anything comes up in the future, it'll be easier for us to communicate."