Chapter 223
How Could He Be Here
At this moment, the gathering of Chicago socialites downstairs in the banquet hall was still going strong.
The unpleasantness from earlier seemed to have passed. The other socialites acted as though they'd collectively lost their memories and crowded around Claire Bennett and Ruby Sterling, chatting away.
Even if they didn't know Claire Bennett's identity, the young lady from the Sterling family standing beside her had just proven who she was.
"Miss Sterling, we hardly ever see you at events like this, which is how such an embarrassing misunderstanding happened. You'll have to come to our gatherings more often from now on."
"Exactly. It's all our fault for failing to recognize greatness when we saw it. Let me offer you a toast."
Although Ruby Sterling rarely attended occasions like this, she still handled everyone's flattery with perfect ease.
Claire Bennett curled her lips into a smile. "Sorry, I'm going to the restroom."
She set the champagne in her hand on a nearby table and walked outside.
As she passed the entrance, Claire Bennett suddenly stopped in her tracks. She saw a familiar figure—it was Ethan Sterling!
Her brows knit slightly. How could he be here?
Dressed in a spotless white suit, Ethan Sterling looked every bit the elegant young gentleman of high society. Beside him was a woman in formalwear. It wasn't Naomi Pierce, and she looked completely unfamiliar.
The two of them were leaning close together, seemingly speaking in low voices, their posture intimate and suggestive.
"Mr. Sterling, thank you for bringing me here."
With one hand in his pocket, Ethan Sterling flashed a handsome smile and said softly, "Mm. Call me again when you're ready to leave. I've got plans to taste wine here with some friends, so I can pick you up directly. Tonight we can go for a drive too."
This socialite was someone he'd just picked up. She wasn't all that impressive, but in Chicago she still counted as upper-crust, and she could more or less be of some help to him.
Ethan Sterling felt that relying on Naomi Pierce alone gave him far too little room to rise.
So he had used his identity as a member of the Sterling family to get close to this socialite, wanting her to attend Maison Verne's new product launch and boost his popularity a little.
A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Tonight, she'd take the bait.
After hearing Ethan Sterling's words, the socialite nodded with a hint of shy sweetness, then entered the venue.
Just as Ethan Sterling was about to leave, he sensed someone's gaze on him. He looked up and then saw Claire Bennett standing not far away.
The moment he saw Claire Bennett, a look of amazement appeared in his eyes.
Ethan Sterling's gaze swept over Claire Bennett from head to toe.
Dressed now in a gorgeous evening gown, she looked as beautiful as she had the day he got engaged to Naomi Pierce, and he was instantly captivated.
Ethan Sterling started walking toward Claire Bennett. Claire Bennett showed a disgusted expression, and the moment he moved, she had already turned and walked away.
Watching Claire Bennett disappear from sight, Ethan Sterling's eyes darkened.
Now that Claire Bennett was with Cameron Quinn, she already looked down on him. Even if he wanted to do something to her, he'd have to consider Cameron Quinn.
It really was a shame he hadn't forced himself on her before!
What a waste to let Cameron Quinn have her for nothing. Otherwise, maybe now he could've used that connection to get some benefits from Cameron Quinn through her.
After Claire Bennett walked outside and saw that Ethan Sterling hadn't followed her, she finally let out a sigh of relief. She casually stopped a server to ask for directions. "Excuse me, where's the restroom?"
"Straight ahead to the end, then left."
"Thanks!"
After entering the restroom, Claire Bennett felt that something was wrong with her body.
She felt parched, her head was woozy and heavy as if it were filled with lead, and a wave of heat was actually rising through her entire body.
This was too strange. Had she gotten drunk?