Chapter 276
Let's Try Again
At Parkview Heights, after Claire Bennett got back, she showered first. Once she was done busying herself, Julian Sterling still hadn't returned, so in the end she simply sat on the couch watching TV and waiting for him.
The door clicked open, and Julian Sterling was back.
After he came in, his deep eyes fell on her, as if he had something on his mind, but by the time Claire Bennett looked more closely, it had already vanished.
Claire Bennett spoke first. "Did Ruby get home safely?"
Julian Sterling set down his keys and walked in. "Yeah, I took her back."
He sat down beside Claire Bennett and asked in a low voice, "Why did you suddenly ask me about Hazel Lewis a couple of days ago?"
Claire Bennett froze for a moment.
At the time, she'd thought Julian Sterling knew about Hazel Lewis and had asked with a bit of emotion behind it. Later, when she realized he didn't know, the anger in her heart had faded too.
Why was he suddenly bringing this up again now?
"No reason. I was just a little curious."
Julian Sterling frowned slightly and asked, "Did the Lewis family come looking for you?"
"Mm, Hazel Lewis came to see me. She said she was your fiancée!" Since Julian Sterling had already brought it up, Claire Bennett simply stopped hiding it. With a bit of a pout, she let out a light huff and said, "She even warned me."
Seeing the displeasure on Claire Bennett's little face, Julian Sterling's expression softened quite a bit.
He reached out and pulled Claire Bennett into his arms. "That's a title she gave herself. I don't have any fiancée. I only have one lawful wife I've registered with."
Hearing Julian Sterling's low, gentle voice, a slight ripple stirred in Claire Bennett's heart.
She hadn't taken this matter to heart in the first place, and now that Julian Sterling was specially explaining it, the last of the knot in her heart disappeared completely.
"You don't need to worry. I didn't misunderstand. That was just someone your aunt introduced to you on her own initiative. I won't get mad."
A trace of surprise showed in Julian Sterling's eyes.
He hadn't expected Claire Bennett to think Hazel Lewis had been brought in by his aunt.
That was fine too. It would save him from having to explain about his grandfather, so he might as well let Claire Bennett keep thinking that.
But in his eyes, Claire Bennett being so magnanimous wasn't a good thing.
Julian Sterling asked, "I thought if some other woman came looking for you, you'd be mad at me and throw a tantrum with me."
He didn't want to see Claire Bennett this indifferent.
"Because I know you didn't know about it, that's why I didn't make a fuss. Besides, you're my husband in name right now. Even if someone wanted to steal you away, they couldn't do it that quickly. I'm not so full and bored that I'd get worked up over something that unfair."
Claire Bennett was still confident about that. Even if Julian Sterling really wanted to leave, the two of them would still have to go through procedures and things, and that would be no small hassle.
Hearing Claire Bennett's words, Julian Sterling's eyes narrowed slightly.
Husband in name?
He suddenly leaned in and pressed Claire Bennett down into the couch. "Claire, I'm your actual husband, the kind of husband who can do anything and everything between a married couple with you."
Claire Bennett hadn't expected him to do that so suddenly. In an instant, her mind went completely blank, and she panicked all over.
She couldn't help recalling what had happened afterward at Kinley Estate, and she felt both afraid and at a loss, not knowing how to face Julian Sterling.
There was even a bit of a psychological shadow left behind, making her unable to fully open up her heart.
Just now, when Julian Sterling had caught her off guard and pinned her down, the movement had been too forceful and tugged her collar halfway open. Looking down from above at the beautiful sight before him, Julian Sterling's eyes gradually darkened.
He said in a low voice, "Claire, shall we try again?"
This time, he definitely wouldn't make her uncomfortable.
Hearing his words, Claire Bennett suddenly panicked. What did he mean, try again?