We'll See at the Birthday Banquet

As she got out of the car, she happened to catch sight of Claire Bennett's retreating figure.

Looking in the direction Claire Bennett had gone, Hazel Lewis frowned slightly.

Wasn't that Claire Bennett?

Why would she be here? Could Julian Sterling have called her over?

No, that wasn't right. Since Old Mr. Sterling was going to announce the marriage alliance between their two families, there was no way he'd let Claire Bennett appear here. That left only one possibility: Claire Bennett had come here on her own.

Seeing Hazel Lewis staring ahead, Daniel Lewis asked in confusion, "Hazel, what's wrong?"

Hazel Lewis withdrew her gaze and gently shook her head. "Nothing, Dad. Let's hurry inside."

After the two went in, the Sterling family's butler, Caleb Monroe, quickly came up to greet them politely, a smile all over his face as he said, "Mr. Lewis, you've arrived. Please, come inside!"

Old Mr. Sterling had instructed Caleb Monroe to wait here for Daniel Lewis, so he had specially come to receive him at the entrance.

Daniel Lewis exchanged a few warm pleasantries with Caleb Monroe.

At that moment, Hazel Lewis spoke as if casually, "Butler Monroe, at Old Madam's birthday banquet today, will there be a lot of people without invitations trying to sneak in and fish in troubled waters?"

When Caleb Monroe heard that, he immediately said, "Of course! After all, at an occasion like this today, the people coming are all more or less prominent figures. Who wouldn't want to get in and grab some benefits?"

Hazel Lewis's eyes flickered slightly. "That's true. It wouldn't be good if someone slipped in."

"Exactly. I've already arranged for people to guard the entrance. I definitely won't give anyone a chance to sneak in," Caleb Monroe said, nodding repeatedly.

"They might not dare come through the front gate, but what about the back? The estate should have a back gate, right?" Hazel Lewis said, then deliberately added in an offhand tone, "When I got out of the car just now, I saw a woman acting all sneaky. I don't know what she was doing. Butler Monroe, do you think she might be trying to sneak in?"

"What!" Caleb Monroe said in surprise. "I really didn't pay attention to the back gate. What was that woman wearing? I'll take people to check right now."

Hazel Lewis smiled. "Just simple jeans and a T-shirt. I imagine she can't be someone here for the banquet, right?"

"Mr. Lewis, forgive my poor hospitality. Please go on in first. I'll take people and clean up these blind idiots."

After Caleb Monroe said that, he left with several tall bodyguards.

After they had gone, Daniel Lewis asked, "What's going on?"

He knew Hazel Lewis. She would never pay attention to such trivial matters unless something was off. The fact that she kept talking to Caleb Monroe about it meant there had to be some issue.

The corners of Hazel Lewis's lips curled slightly as she said, "I saw Claire Bennett."

"Claire Bennett?"

"Yes. She was wandering around outside just now. Maybe she was trying to sneak in."

Daniel Lewis pondered for a moment, then said, "You did well. She absolutely can't be allowed to get in. Otherwise, if she makes a scene, it won't do your reputation any good."

"Come on, let's go greet Old Madam Sterling and Old Mr. Sterling."

The two of them slowly walked farther into the estate.

By then, Caleb Monroe had already led people around the estate in a full circle, looking for the woman Hazel Lewis had mentioned who wanted to get inside.

When he reached the back gate, he spotted Claire Bennett at a glance.

Immediately, Caleb Monroe brought the security guards over and surrounded her. "Stop right there! What are you doing? Why are you hanging around the estate? Don't you know this is Sterling family property? All irrelevant people need to leave immediately! Otherwise don't blame me for getting rough."

Claire Bennett was not dressed to the nines. In her mind, it was just an ordinary family dinner, so there was no need to go overboard.

Although she suspected things about Julian Sterling, deep down there was still a faint voice telling her it couldn't be true, so her casual, relaxed appearance also made Caleb Monroe even more certain in identifying her.

Claire Bennett said flatly, "I'm waiting for someone here."

"Waiting for someone? Waiting for who? Stop making excuses. I think you're just trying to sneak in, aren't you? I've seen plenty of women like you!" Caleb Monroe's face was cold as he directly decided what kind of person Claire Bennett was.

This whole area around here belonged to the Sterling family. What else could a woman like Claire Bennett be doing here except trying to sneak in?

Normal people went in through the front gate. Someone like her skulking around the back gate had to be trying to slip in under the radar!

Claire Bennett frowned slightly. She hadn't expected this man to be so arrogant and rude, actually trying to drive her away.

Of course she wasn't going to compromise.

But first she had to confirm his identity.

Claire Bennett asked, "Who are you?"

Caleb Monroe let out a cold laugh, as if mocking Claire Bennett for trying to sneak in without even recognizing him. He rolled his eyes at her and said, "I'm the Sterling family's butler! Now get out of here immediately!"

Hearing Caleb Monroe state his identity, Claire Bennett looked thoughtful.

She asked, "Is Julian Sterling here today?"

"Of course..." Caleb Monroe answered reflexively, but he quickly realized something was wrong. His face turned cold as he barked, "So you're trying to fish for information! You came here for our young master Julian, didn't you? Get the hell out of here now!"

After speaking, he shot a look at the two men behind him.

In an instant, the two tall bodyguards hemmed Claire Bennett in, clearly intending to lay hands on her!

"Stop!" Suddenly, a voice rang out, halting the men's movements.