Chapter 306
Julian Sterling's Grandmother's Birthday
Old Mr. Sterling narrowed his eyes when he heard that.
A moment later, he slowly raised a hand and said, "No need. Let her come. That way she'll understand the gap between herself and a daughter from a prominent family!"
Maybe after he announced the marriage alliance with the Lewis family, Claire Bennett would have the sense to back off on her own and leave Julian Sterling. Then he wouldn't have to busy himself doing anything else.
"Uncle Ming, let's go." After saying that, Old Mr. Sterling got up and left.
At that moment, Claire Bennett and Old Mrs. Sterling were still chatting, completely unaware that Old Mr. Sterling had been eavesdropping on them.
"Claire, I didn't tell you earlier because I was afraid you wouldn't want to come. Grandma still hopes you'll be there." Old Mrs. Sterling looked at Claire Bennett with an expectant expression.
Claire Bennett was the least able to withstand a plea like that. How could she possibly refuse?
So she nodded and said, "I understand. I'll go tomorrow."
"Good. It's the address I sent you last time. Call me when you get there."
Old Mrs. Sterling was afraid Old Mr. Sterling would have someone stop Claire Bennett, so she reminded her in advance. When the time came, she would personally bring her into the banquet and see what that old man could do then.
"Mm, I got it."
After Old Mrs. Sterling said that, she got up, said goodbye to Claire Bennett, and left. Only after Old Mrs. Sterling was gone did Claire Bennett fully process what had just been said.
Oh my God!
Julian Sterling's grandmother's birthday?
Why was it so sudden! She was completely unprepared. Going to a birthday banquet like that empty-handed would be terribly rude, wouldn't it? No matter what, she had to bring a birthday gift!
But with only half a day, where was she supposed to find a suitable birthday present?
Claire Bennett practically wanted to tear all her hair out.
The only spare money she had on her was what was left from selling the ring last time, probably enough to buy something decent.
But what exactly to buy was a difficult problem for her.
In the end, Claire Bennett decided to go look around first. She grabbed her things and headed to the mall.
...
At that moment, Wes Mercer had also just arrived in New York to take over the miscellaneous affairs at Julian Sterling's side.
He stood respectfully beside Julian Sterling and asked, "Mr. Sterling, we've already contacted the Cole family. They still politely declined our request. They said they've already put us in line, and when the time comes they'll come treat the old master's health. There's really nothing they can do."
Julian Sterling's brows drew together slightly.
Wes Mercer took a deep breath. It was the first time he'd seen someone so tough, refusing to give the Sterling family face. They really had some nerve.
The Cole family could only be considered upper-middle tier in New York at best, yet their temper sure wasn't small.
But then he thought of something else and asked, "By the way, are you really planning to announce at the old madam's birthday banquet that you're no longer single? It could cause quite a stir."
After all, Julian Sterling was the future of Sterling Group. Everyone was watching his marriage prospects.
Julian Sterling lifted his eyes to look at Wes Mercer. "What problem is there?"
Seeing that cold look in his eyes, Wes Mercer shuddered and quickly shook his head. "None. I'll clean up any trace of Miss Song and make sure reporters can't dig up anything about her to bother her."
After Julian Sterling learned that Old Mr. Sterling planned to announce a marriage alliance with the Lewis family, he had already made this decision.
To announce that his heart was taken.
Although he wasn't going to announce Claire Bennett's identity, letting everyone know that he was a married man would be enough.
It would also cut off all of his grandfather's little schemes.
He would not let his woman suffer any grievance.
Claire Bennett went straight to the New York jade market.
Julian Sterling's relatives might be at his grandmother's birthday banquet, so she definitely had to bring a present worthy of the occasion. Otherwise, she'd very likely be laughed at.
When it came to gifts for an elderly person, there were only a few standard choices. The least likely one to go wrong was a jade bracelet.
After all, jade was said to nourish the wearer, and it would look respectable as a gift.
Originally, Claire Bennett wanted to message Julian Sterling and ask him, but then she thought about how bad things were between him and his grandfather right now. He might stop her from going to the birthday banquet. But she had already promised Grandma Sterling she would go, and if she backed out, Grandma Sterling would definitely be disappointed.
After thinking it over, Claire Bennett held back the urge to call.
She decided that when the time came, she would deliver the birthday gift, show her face so Julian Sterling's grandfather could see her, and then leave.
After entering the jade market, Claire Bennett was dazzled by the choices.
Although she worked in jewelry design, her research in this area wasn't very deep. She had only dabbled in it.
Just then, Zane Cole called.
Claire Bennett quickly picked up. "Zhouzhou, what do you need me for?"
"You're not coming to the hospital today?" Zane Cole asked tentatively.
"I don't have time these next couple of days. Please help take care of my mom for now. Once I'm done being busy, I'll thank you properly. Okay, I can't talk now, I'm buying something at the jade market. Bye."
"Wait!" Zane Cole asked in confusion, "You're buying something at the jade market? Wait there. I'll come right now."
Before Claire Bennett could refuse, Zane Cole had already hung up.
Only then did Claire Bennett remember that Zane Cole seemed to really like handling jade. He even seemed to have quite a collection of top-grade pieces. No wonder the moment he heard she was at the jade market, he immediately said he was coming over. He was definitely worried she didn't know how to pick and would get ripped off.
Very quickly, Zane Cole arrived. After the two met up, Zane Cole asked, "What made you suddenly want to come buy jade?"
"It's... my husband's grandmother's birthday, and I want to buy her a gift." It was Claire Bennett's first time introducing Julian Sterling to someone else with that kind of title, and she still felt a little embarrassed.
Seeing the slight shyness on Claire Bennett's face, Zane Cole frowned tightly, and his gaze darkened.
That happy look on her face didn't seem fake. Could it be that she really liked that man that much?
He was unhappy, and on top of that he had to help pick out a gift for another man's family. It was pure torture!
Claire Bennett didn't notice anything strange about him. After thinking for a moment, she continued, "It's perfect that you're here. Help me pick one out. The price can't be too high; something decent is fine. I don't have much money."
Before Zane Cole arrived, Claire Bennett had checked the balance in her bank card. She really didn't have much money.
Other than the money from selling the ring last time, most of her money basically went toward her mother, and she didn't have much left for herself. But Julian Sterling's grandmother's birthday banquet was a big deal, so she decided to use part of it to buy a gift.
Next, Zane Cole took Claire Bennett around for a look. He found that the jade here was either outrageously overpriced with poor quality, or it had quality issues. Buying any of it would definitely be a loss.
Zane Cole said helplessly, "I have a few jade bracelets at my place. I'll give you one."
Even though he knew Claire Bennett was buying a gift for another man's family, Zane Cole still couldn't bear to let her get cheated, so he offered up something from his own private collection.
"Huh? That doesn't seem right, does it? Aren't the jade pieces you collect all really expensive?"
"With the kind of relationship we have, I definitely won't rip you off. Come on."