Chapter 197
You Really Know How to Joke
Although Sean Shaw felt that something was off about Julian Sterling today, he didn't realize there was any real problem. Smiling, he said, "No one's ever said that before, but now that President Sterling mentions it, I do feel like I'm pretty confident."
"At least you have some self-awareness."
Sean Shaw gave an awkward laugh and said, "President Sterling, let's get back to the main topic. About our partnership..."
Before Sean Shaw could finish, Julian Sterling glanced at him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes and said casually, "The partnership is canceled."
"The partnership is canceled??" Sean Shaw was so shocked he nearly sprang out of his chair. He froze for a moment, then laughed twice. "I didn't expect you to be so humorous, President Sterling. You really know how to joke."
For the sake of this partnership, Shaw Group had already turned down several major deals. If Julian Sterling really went back on his word, then Shaw Group's losses would be impossible to estimate.
Just thinking about it made Sean Shaw's heart ache.
If he really messed this up, then when he got back, Father Shaw would probably skin him alive!
He slowly began to panic.
Julian Sterling's expression remained calm as he only cast him a faint glance. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Sean Shaw's smile froze on his face, and his expression slowly changed.
He was serious?
After a long while, Sean Shaw finally found his voice again. He asked tentatively, "President Sterling, didn't you say before that we were going to work together? Why did you suddenly decide not to? May I ask what the reason is?"
Sean Shaw was practically on the verge of tears.
Boss, if there's something you're unhappy about, just say it!
How did the partnership just get canceled out of nowhere? How was he supposed to explain this to the old man at home when he got back to New York?
Julian Sterling looked at Sean Shaw, his expression tinged with mockery. "Do I need a reason to change my mind? I imagine Young Master Shaw should be quite practiced at that."
Back then, he had taken his benefits and left, then turned right around and came back to seduce Claire Bennett, planning to profit from both sides, and now he still wanted a partnership?
Sean Shaw really was treating everyone else like idiots and thinking far too perfectly!
"..." Sean Shaw couldn't say a word.
Practiced at what? Why did Julian Sterling always speak as if he were only saying half of what he meant? He truly couldn't figure out what the man was thinking.
He had originally thought that with the relationship between Claire Bennett and Julian Sterling, he could use a back door, but not only had that back door failed, he had been played instead.
No matter how Sean Shaw thought about it, he couldn't understand where exactly things had gone wrong.
Before Sean Shaw could beg for mercy, Julian Sterling had already stood up. He said to Marcus Reed, "Take good care of Young Master Shaw."
"Yes, President Sterling," Marcus Reed replied.
Julian Sterling left the conference room.
Sean Shaw sat there in total disarray, completely speechless.
What the hell was going on? Julian Sterling had suddenly become so utterly cold and ruthless toward everyone. Could it be that something had happened between him and Claire Bennett?
The more he thought about it, the more it felt wrong, and he decided he had to find Claire Bennett and ask her about it.
Marcus Reed had been left behind. Looking at Sean Shaw, he said, "Young Master Shaw, I'm very sorry. President Sterling has decided to cancel the partnership with you."
Sean Shaw didn't say anything else. He stood up and said, "In that case, I won't impose any longer. Goodbye."
After he got downstairs from the Sterling International building, Sean Shaw immediately dialed Claire Bennett's number.
Claire Bennett was still absentmindedly at work when she received Sean Shaw's call.
The moment the call connected, before she could even speak, Sean Shaw's questioning voice came through. "Claire Bennett, what exactly are you and Julian Sterling doing!"
Claire Bennett glanced around, then lowered her voice and said, "Sean... we're getting divorced."