Chapter 261
Don't Bully Him
Julian Sterling held Claire Bennett's hand as they headed for the parking lot.
Claire walked in silence, still replaying what had just happened.
Everything had happened too suddenly. She still hadn't sorted it out, and she didn't know what to say.
From the moment Julian Sterling appeared, he had carried himself with calm ease, like someone in a superior position who controlled the whole situation, as if everything were part of his plan.
There were actually a lot of things she wanted to ask Julian Sterling. She wanted to ask about Naomi Pierce—when had he found out that Naomi had stolen her identity? And how had he shown up here so perfectly on time...?
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them.
"Claire. Wait!"
At the sound of Victor Bennett's voice, Claire's body tensed instinctively. She still couldn't face Victor Bennett pleasantly.
Victor Bennett walked toward the two of them.
He glanced at Julian Sterling, and Julian met his gaze with an indifferent look. Their eyes collided, silent sparks flying, each sizing the other up.
Victor Bennett said, "Come here."
It was an order, with a hint of sternness to it, and Claire frowned instinctively.
It was like Victor Bennett had found out about her relationship with Julian Sterling, and now he wanted to talk to Julian alone. She was worried Victor Bennett would look down on Julian's status.
She and Victor Bennett didn't have much of a relationship anymore anyway, so what right did he have to interfere in her business?
Claire was protective too. She didn't want Julian Sterling to suffer any discrimination because of her. From Tanya Sterling to Julian Sterling's nouveau riche aunt, it was obvious they all had serious prejudices about family background.
Just as Claire was about to speak, Julian Sterling reached out and affectionately patted her head, saying gently, "Don't worry. Go wait for me in the car."
"But..."
Julian Sterling's gaze was firm, without the slightest sign of fear.
Claire thought about it, then finally nodded. She leaned close to Julian Sterling's ear and whispered, "If he gives you a hard time, call me right away. I'll come help you."
Hearing that, Julian Sterling couldn't help curling his lips into a smile.
He had never expected that one day he would be the one being protected.
"Okay." He nodded.
Claire glanced at Victor Bennett and said, "Don't bully him, or I'm not letting you off."
Victor Bennett: "..."
Julian Sterling didn't look like someone easy to bully. Could he even bully him?
Claire clearly didn't know Julian Sterling that well!
But what displeased him even more was that Claire was speaking to him like this for another man. He was her father!
She was completely taking the outsider's side!
Claire had no idea what Victor Bennett was thinking. After warning him, she finally turned and left with peace of mind, leaving the scene to Victor Bennett and Julian Sterling.
Once Claire had left, Julian Sterling's expression abruptly changed. The warmth vanished from his face completely, replaced by cold detachment.
Victor Bennett was silent for a moment before saying, "Since you're with Claire, I hope you'll treat her well from now on."
Although the man in front of him, a whole generation younger, seemed unfathomable, after what had just happened, Victor Bennett felt he was far better than Ethan Sterling.
Still, as a father, he had to put a little fear into him.
Julian Sterling curled his lips and said casually, "Don't worry, Mr. Bennett. I'll take care of what you failed to take care of, and I'll love what you failed to love."
With that, he started walking away on his long legs.
Watching Julian Sterling's retreating figure, Victor Bennett pressed his lips together. This young man was truly arrogant!
Claire waited in the car for Julian Sterling. News alerts kept popping up on her phone, all about today's new product launch.
Naomi Pierce's status as the Bennett family's fake daughter and Claire's identity as Queen were exposed at the same time. The contrast was stark, and each revelation was more explosive than the last.
And because Naomi Pierce had been shoved down by Ethan Sterling, she had been rushed to the hospital. Quite a few reporters followed her there and continued covering her story.
The online news was overwhelming, sweeping across all of Chicago.
When a person falls from grace, all the malice around them comes pouring in. Somehow, the fact that Naomi Pierce had stolen Ethan Sterling from Claire was suddenly exposed by certain gossip accounts.
Now Claire, as the one who had been hurt, naturally had plenty of supporters.
The comments were full of abuse aimed at Naomi Pierce, too vile to read.
Claire had never understood how Naomi Pierce had managed to get into Sterling International, but now she thought she knew what had happened.
It turned out she had relied entirely on her status as the Bennett family's daughter.
Claire let out a cold laugh. Naomi Pierce had arranged such a grand show, probably intending to use her as a shield, but instead her own identity had been exposed. She had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it.
Ethan Sterling had never been a good man to begin with. He had probably married Naomi Pierce for her rich heiress status, hadn't he?
So now, was he still planning to marry Naomi Pierce?
Claire already vaguely had the answer in her heart.
But she and Ethan Sterling no longer had anything to do with each other. What did their affairs have to do with her anymore? From now on, they would just be passersby in her life.