Chapter 271
No One Can Make Decisions for Me
At that moment, Claire Bennett's heart leaped into her throat. "You... what do you want to talk to me about?"
Julian Sterling said naturally, "Sean Shaw's detached house doesn't have security guarding it. It's not safe for you. How about I go with you tomorrow to move your things back to Parkview Heights?"
Although Ethan Sterling had been pestering Claire Bennett, Julian Sterling was still grateful he'd given him an opening, so he could use the opportunity to get Claire Bennett to move back in.
Claire Bennett froze for a moment. Just now, she'd thought Julian Sterling wanted to talk to her about Hazel Lewis, but she hadn't expected that he actually wanted her to move back and live with him again.
Before, they had some misunderstandings and were going to divorce, so it was normal for her to move out.
But now they... really should be living together.
Actually, she wasn't afraid of Ethan Sterling's harassment, and it wasn't that she didn't want to live with Julian Sterling. It was just that she still had some psychological shadows about her relationship with Julian Sterling.
Especially after Hazel Lewis appeared, it made her even more uneasy.
Seeing the hesitation all over Claire Bennett's face, Julian Sterling frowned. He stared fixedly at her little face, not knowing why she was hesitating.
They were husband and wife. Wasn't living together only natural?
Could it still be because of what happened last time?
Had his total lack of experience caused Claire Bennett psychological trauma?
Julian Sterling felt his pride take a hit. He had never imagined that one day, something like this would make Claire Bennett avoid him like the plague.
He was silent for a moment, then said hoarsely, "Claire, we're husband and wife. We have to at least try to start."
Seeing the helplessness in Julian Sterling's tone, Claire Bennett felt she really was being a little too much. Since she liked Julian Sterling and wanted to be with him, then she should overcome that hurdle in her heart.
There were indeed many problems between them, but if she didn't bravely take that step, then they would always remain stuck where they were.
Claire Bennett nodded and said, "Okay, then we'll go move my things tomorrow."
Hearing Claire Bennett agree, Julian Sterling's lips curved slightly, and his handsome features gave off a captivating charm.
"By the way, there's one more thing I want to ask you." Claire Bennett was still a little uneasy.
Julian Sterling raised an eyebrow, signaling for her to go on.
Claire Bennett said, "Can your aunt make decisions for you?"
Even though Julian Sterling wasn't close with Hazel Lewis, Claire Bennett was still a little worried. What if his aunt stepped in forcefully again when the time came?
"No one can make decisions for me."
Julian Sterling stood up and strode over to Claire Bennett. Then he crouched halfway down and pulled Claire Bennett into his arms. In a low voice, he said, "Are you worried she'll come bother you again? I've already warned her. If she comes again, call me."
Hearing that, Claire Bennett's heart warmed.
Julian Sterling really had given her more than enough sense of security. What else did she have to worry about?
...
Early the next morning, Julian Sterling took Claire Bennett to Sean Shaw's detached house to pack up her things. When she left, she'd only brought one suitcase with her and nothing else, so it was very simple.
They were done packing with almost no effort at all.
Julian Sterling picked up the suitcase, took Claire Bennett's hand with his other hand, and said, "Let's go. We're going home."
Hearing the words "going home," Claire Bennett couldn't help smiling.
Because of her parents' relationship, Claire Bennett had always longed to have a family of her own.
A burst of drive suddenly rose in her heart. Although Parkview Heights was only a temporary rental, someday they would definitely have a little home of their own.
Fortunately, Ethan Sterling didn't show up again. He was probably frantically dealing with the situation with Naomi Pierce right now, considering Naomi Pierce was already pregnant.
It would be even better if he couldn't go back to work at Maison Verne.
At this moment, Ethan Sterling really was at his wits' end, but not because of Naomi Pierce. It was because his career had suffered a crushing blow.
Ethan Sterling stared darkly at the information on his phone, his whole body giving off a frenzied aura.
Seeing this, Tanya Sterling, beside him, took his phone.
When she saw the information on it, Tanya Sterling couldn't hold back her anger!
She said indignantly, "How can Julian Sterling do this! You were deceived by that little bitch Naomi Pierce, and it wasn't like you wanted that. We're victims too, and now he's actually saying you damaged Sterling International's image and is suspending you!"
What Tanya Sterling had been most worried about had still happened. Not only had they failed to ride Victor Bennett's coattails to meteoric success, they had instead fallen into this situation.
Sterling International had issued its latest ruling today: Naomi Pierce had used her status as the Bennett family's daughter to deceive everyone and become the manager of the Maison Verne brand, but she had been exposed during the launch event, so upper management had decided to suspend and dismiss her.
And Ethan Sterling, because he was implicated in it, had also been suspended along with her.
In other words, he could no longer get close to Claire Bennett, much less keep showing up in front of her every day.
And Julian Sterling was cold and decisive, never going back on his word. Their chances of begging him for leniency were almost nonexistent.
It was all that little bitch Naomi Pierce's fault!
Tanya Sterling looked at Ethan Sterling and asked, "Ethan, that little bitch clung to you forever last night. We finally got rid of her with money, but Claire Bennett ran off with some other man and disappeared! Otherwise, maybe we could've tried a little harder on Victor Bennett's side."
She let out a heavy sigh. "You need to hurry and think of a way to coax her back. If she steps in and says a few good things for you in front of Victor Bennett, wouldn't it be easy for you to return to Sterling International?"
A shadow rose in Ethan Sterling's eyes. Last night, Claire Bennett had clearly been on the verge of softening, but then that woman Naomi Pierce had messed everything up.
And then there was Julian Sterling suddenly showing up too. It was really infuriating!
All of a sudden, Ethan Sterling looked at Tanya Sterling and asked, "I heard Great-Uncle Sterling and the others have already come back from their trip?"
Tanya Sterling froze for a moment, as if only just remembering this.
She nodded repeatedly and said, "They already came back, but they didn't make it public, so not many people know."
Back then, after Ethan's father handed Sterling International over to Julian Sterling, he often took Ethan's mother traveling around the world. This time, they'd gone out and had fun for a full year, and had only returned recently.