Chapter 208
They Shouldn't Keep It from Them
Back in his younger days, Mr. Sterling had also moved in business circles. When his face darkened, he looked extremely stern, full of authority.
Seeing how tense and uneasy Claire Bennett looked, Mrs. Sterling quickly shot Mr. Sterling a glare.
Only then did Mr. Sterling soften his expression a little and continue, "We really were shocked. We just don't know what you're thinking."
Claire Bennett hadn't heard anything about being told to leave, and the tension in her heart eased slightly.
But why were they asking what she thought? What was she supposed to think?
Seeing that Claire Bennett didn't speak, Mrs. Sterling picked up the conversation and said, "Actually, what your dad means is... although we were a little surprised, we're still very happy to have a daughter-in-law."
She paused, giving Claire Bennett a little time to collect herself.
Then she continued, "That child Julian has never dated a girlfriend before. Who would've thought that the moment he finally had a girl, he'd go straight to marriage? His father and I couldn't be happier."
In truth, Mrs. Sterling had only one purpose in saying so much: to make sure Claire Bennett didn't feel any psychological burden, and at the same time to make her stance clear.
To let Claire Bennett know that they were very satisfied with her as their daughter-in-law.
Hearing that Mr. Sterling and Mrs. Sterling had no objections to her at all, Claire Bennett secretly felt a little pleased.
It seemed Julian Sterling's parents weren't as hard to get along with as his aunt. They weren't dissatisfied with her in the slightest; they even seemed a little happy. No wonder they'd been clinging to her just now, asking her this and that.
But very quickly, she started worrying again.
From the way Mrs. Sterling had put it just now, it seemed they still didn't know that she and Julian were preparing to divorce?
Then did they know that she and Julian had gotten married by accident?
Looking at Mrs. Sterling's delighted expression, Claire Bennett felt a little heavy inside. She thought maybe they didn't know.
This really shouldn't be kept from them.
Claire Bennett carefully chose her words before saying, "Actually, we've already decided that we're going to..."
Before she could finish, Julian Sterling beside her took over and said, "Claire really is wonderful. I knew you'd definitely like her."
Claire Bennett: "???"
What was Julian Sterling doing?!
Why was he cutting her off? Shouldn't they tell his parents about the divorce?
Julian Sterling sat there calm and composed. When he saw the questioning look Claire Bennett shot him, he gave her a reassuring look.
The moment she saw Julian Sterling's look, Claire Bennett immediately understood that he was telling her not to mention the divorce.
Claire Bennett felt a little frustrated. If they didn't say it now, his parents would find out sooner or later anyway. It would be better to tell them now; maybe then they wouldn't be so disappointed later.
How could Mrs. Sterling not have noticed the interaction between the two of them? Ruby Sterling had already told them that the two were in the middle of a divorce fight.
Now they had to help the two of them. Julian Sterling had finally found a woman; they absolutely couldn't let this daughter-in-law run off.
Mrs. Sterling said repeatedly, "Exactly. The moment we first saw our daughter-in-law, we were very satisfied. We thought she suited you perfectly."
Mr. Sterling nodded in agreement as well.
Seeing the satisfied looks the two elders were giving her, Claire Bennett felt all unsettled inside and could only smile awkwardly.
She hadn't expected Julian Sterling's parents to be so easygoing and to seem so fond of her. Having just experienced Paige Sterling's lofty, condescending attitude, Claire Bennett felt for a moment as though she were dreaming.
Still, their attitude did ease Claire Bennett's tense mood quite a bit. She wasn't as restrained and nervous as before.
At that moment, Mrs. Sterling smiled and said meaningfully, "Claire, Julian's dad and I don't really want anything now. We just hope he can find a wife, and ideally have a child too."
Pfft—Claire Bennett almost coughed up blood.
How had the subject suddenly shifted to having children?
Mrs. Sterling's expression was gentle as she smiled and said, "We're both retired already, and our days are pretty idle. We can help you take care of the baby."
Just as Claire Bennett was feeling awkward, Julian Sterling thoughtfully stepped in to save her.
He said softly, "Mom, it's too early to talk about that now."
"Okay, okay, okay, I know young people all like having their little world as a couple. It won't be too late if you wait another two years before having a child."
The topic of children finally passed, and Claire Bennett felt much more relaxed.
She had just been about to signal Julian Sterling with a look, telling him to find an excuse for them to leave, when Mrs. Sterling spoke again. She said, "Tomorrow is the weekend. Come back together for dinner. We just got back from traveling, so it can also count as a welcome-home meal for us."
"Uh..." Claire Bennett hesitated.
She really didn't have anything to do this weekend, but with the relationship between her and Julian Sterling as it was now, it probably wasn't very appropriate for her to come for dinner, was it?
Before she could refuse, Julian Sterling said, "Mm, we'll come back tomorrow."
Claire Bennett: "..." She hadn't agreed yet, hey!
"Oh, that's wonderful. Claire, what do you like to eat? I'll make it for you tomorrow. Can you handle spicy food?"