Because of His Identity

Ruby Sterling had stayed awake the whole time, still wondering whether she should secretly send Claire Bennett a message. The moment she saw Julian Sterling, she immediately realized something must have happened between the two of them.

At that moment, she even felt a little regretful, thinking she shouldn't have listened to Cameron Quinn and told him about it. But then on second thought, if she hadn't said anything, Julian Sterling would still have run into the two of them when he went back, and it would still have led to the current situation.

At least this way, he hadn't seen with his own eyes what Claire Bennett and Sean Shaw were doing.

"Bro, you two..." Ruby Sterling had just been about to step forward and ask.

Unexpectedly, Julian Sterling ignored her. He went straight back to his room and shut the door without the slightest mercy.

Looking at the tightly closed bedroom door in front of her, Ruby Sterling silently let out a sigh.

Had she made a mistake in going along with the misunderstanding in the first place and scheming to make Claire Bennett her sister-in-law?

Now she had caused her big brother to fall this deeply in, and Claire Bennett didn't even like him.

But she really did like Claire Bennett and wanted her to become family.

She truly couldn't understand what was so great about Sean Shaw. In what way was her big brother inferior to him?

Could it be because of his identity?

What if Claire Bennett knew that he was the president of Sterling International, that he was the real Julian Sterling?

New York, the Sterling family home.

Old Master Sterling sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. Although his hair was completely white, his complexion looked rosy and healthy, and he was vigorous and full of spirit.

Uncle Ming was respectfully attending behind him.

All the sharpness honed by a lifetime of trials and hardship was hidden deep in Old Master Sterling's eyes, like towering waves in the deep sea that could overturn the heavens at any moment—unfathomable, restrained, and shrewd.

Beside Old Master Sterling, Old Madam Sterling, Evelyn Sterling, seemed somewhat gentler and calmer. She was sitting by the window with a pair of scissors in hand, trimming flower branches.

Seated in front of Old Master Sterling were also a middle-aged woman and a young man.

The middle-aged woman was named Paige Sterling. She was Julian Sterling's father's younger sister, in other words Julian Sterling's aunt. Beside her was her son, Ian Sterling.

Today, Paige Sterling had brought Ian Sterling to Old Master Sterling to report on the company's quarterly operating results.

Paige Sterling was a strong career woman. She had entered Sterling Group to start working at a very early age. She had taken in a live-in husband, and the son she gave birth to had taken her surname as well.

Ian Sterling now held a position at Sterling Group's downtown headquarters, but his abilities were mediocre, and his rank wasn't very high either.

He was basically the same as Ethan Sterling—relying on the halo of being a member of the Sterling family, he was doing fairly well for himself.

Only, his ambitions were wild too, and he wanted more.

As if suddenly thinking of something, Paige Sterling looked at Old Master Sterling and probingly said, "Dad, I saw Lan yesterday, and we chatted for a bit. Aren't she and her son learning the ropes at Julian's company in Chicago right now?"

Old Master Sterling's face remained expressionless. It was only when he heard Julian Sterling's name that he slightly lifted his eyes toward Paige Sterling.

Seeing that the old master seemed interested, Paige Sterling became even more energized and said, "Lan told me that Julian is actually together with Ethan's ex-girlfriend? That news really shocked me. I thought she was joking, but it turns out it's actually true!"

At the mention of this matter, Old Master Sterling's expression instantly darkened, carrying an oppressive air like a storm about to break.

"Hmph!" he snorted heavily.

That brat truly was a constant worry. He had said he would handle this matter properly. Some time ago, Old Master Sterling had taken a moment to ask about it, only to learn that even now he still hadn't gotten rid of that woman!

Still, he had given Julian Sterling one month's time. When the time came, he would take action personally!

A bloodthirsty chill flashed through Old Master Sterling's eyes.

But he still couldn't quite put his mind at ease. He knew Julian Sterling's abilities well, and the way he handled things was rather reminiscent of his own style back in the day. Yet this time he had put it off again and again. Could it be that he really had developed some feelings for that woman?

He had already disappointed him once. Surely he wouldn't disappoint him again, would he?

Paige Sterling had been observing Old Master Sterling's expression the whole time. When she saw his lips pressed tight and his face dark and ugly, she knew he did not approve of this matter.

Her own brothers had all turned out useless, and she could have shouldered the Sterling family herself. Though she was a daughter, her abilities were not the slightest bit inferior to any man's.

So why had the old master skipped over her and groomed Julian Sterling to become Sterling Group's future successor? Even if not her, her son Ian Sterling could have done it!

But the old master was a traditional, stubborn old fossil who believed the family fortune had to pass to men and not women. Later, when Julian Sterling displayed astonishing talent, all her efforts came to nothing...

She had been bitterly unwilling to accept that for a long, long time.

Now that she had finally seized on Julian Sterling's mistake, how could she not make good use of it?

Paige Sterling said earnestly, "What kind of nonsense is this? An uncle and nephew sharing the same woman—if word gets out, the Sterling family will be publicly shamed. There are so many daughters of prominent families in New York, and he doesn't fancy a single one of them? If that woman really enters this family..."

"Over my dead body. Otherwise, she can forget it!"

Old Master Sterling slammed his palm heavily onto the solid wood table beside him, his anger spilling out in a way that struck fear into the heart.