Chapter 283
President Sterling Wants to Promote His Girlfriend
On top of that, Wes Mercer had just started dating someone recently, and the woman he was seeing seemed to be a designer at Maison Verne.
No wonder Claire Bennett would think that way.
Julian Sterling coughed lightly, looking a little uncomfortable, and said, "President Sterling really did make that decision, but I think he's a fair and impartial person. He wouldn't do something nepotistic or rig the system."
Privately, he quietly praised himself.
Claire Bennett, however, didn't think much of it. She said, "That's hard to say. Of course he'd help his girlfriend. My assistant even asked me today if I wanted to sign up, and I'm still hesitating."
Besides the impact of what happened before, she was also afraid this competition had been set up by President Sterling for Willow Lane, and that everyone else participating would just be there to make up the numbers. If that were the case, there was no need for her to waste her effort joining.
Before Claire Bennett could say anything else, she heard Julian Sterling say, "You should enter."
"What?" Claire Bennett looked at him in surprise and asked, "You want me to enter the competition?"
She hadn't expected Julian Sterling to support her going. Could it be that he had that much confidence in her?
"Of course. You're exceptionally capable. You'd definitely be able to handle that position very well."
Naturally, Julian Sterling couldn't possibly tell Claire Bennett what he had quietly done behind the scenes, so he only spoke a half-truth.
"But..." Claire Bennett hesitated.
She was worried she wouldn't be able to lead a team, and also worried that if she failed somewhere and something went wrong, she would drag down the people on the team.
Unexpectedly, Julian Sterling added, "Managers at Sterling International are eligible to buy an apartment at Parkview Heights, and they also get a 10% discount."
Claire Bennett's eyes widened in shock.
What!?
Eligible to buy at Parkview Heights, and with a 10% discount?
Was that for real? She hadn't expected Sterling International's management benefits to be that good. Parkview Heights was one of the top residential developments in Chicago, the kind of place that was more sought-after than available. An ordinary person might have money and still not be able to buy there without status!
She was tempted!
Claire Bennett had always wanted to buy an apartment at Parkview Heights. After all, that place was full of memories of her and Julian Sterling.
Even though she had no idea what would happen between her and Julian Sterling.
She still selfishly wanted to have the place where they had lived together.
Julian Sterling glanced at Claire Bennett leisurely. He knew her little thoughts—she had once told him she really liked Parkview Heights. But right now he was only a driver and assistant, so it wasn't appropriate for him to just give her a place outright.
Making it look like she earned it herself on the surface, while he quietly gave it to her behind the scenes, seemed like a pretty good idea.
Seeing Claire Bennett's expression change again and again, Julian Sterling knew she had agreed.
Sure enough, Claire Bennett no longer hesitated at all and said, "I've decided! I'm going to sign up!"
The corner of Julian Sterling's lips curled slightly. "Mm. Go for it."
They stopped by the market to buy groceries on the way, and after returning to Parkview Heights, Claire Bennett went straight into the kitchen and got busy.
Claire Bennett handled the main tasks while Julian Sterling assisted at her side, and the two of them worked together flawlessly.
She turned to look at Julian Sterling. His long, well-defined fingers were holding chopsticks as he beat the eggs until they were evenly mixed, his movements practiced and skillful.
The light from the bulb fell over him from above, making his features look handsome and captivating.
Claire Bennett couldn't help sighing inwardly that he was dangerously gorgeous.
He wasn't like before, when he would mess things up while doing chores. That was why he could coordinate with her so perfectly now. It seemed she had trained this man quite well. What a waste it would be to hand him over to some other woman.
Julian Sterling noticed Claire Bennett staring at him and even looking at him with admiration, and he found it immensely pleasing.
So it wasn't that she felt nothing for him; it was just that he had left her with psychological scars?
Thinking again of what Ruby Sterling had said, maybe he really should give it a try.
Julian Sterling set down the bowl in his hands and then walked toward Claire Bennett.
When Claire Bennett saw Julian Sterling coming closer, her heartbeat sped up. She had no idea what he was about to do, and it wasn't until he was right in front of her that she realized just how ambiguous their position was.
Her lower back was pressed against the counter, leaving her nowhere to retreat. It was as if her whole body was enveloped in his embrace.
"Ju-Julian Sterling, what are you trying to do?"
Julian Sterling lowered his eyes and looked at the delicate face before him. "To help you get used to me, I need to appear by your side more often."
Claire Bennett's heart suddenly trembled when she heard that.
She was actually very used to Julian Sterling's presence. The reason she had acted resistant before was only because she was afraid he would find out about her situation.
Julian Sterling reached out and placed a hand on Claire Bennett's shoulder. Her whole body stiffened, and she wanted to run again, but where could she possibly run now?
"We... the food's going to burn..." she said, a little incoherently.
Julian Sterling let out an amused laugh. "You haven't even turned on the stove yet."
Claire Bennett: "..."