Everything Is About to Be Ruined

The moment that possibility occurred to him, Ethan Sterling's face grew even uglier.

If that pretty boy really was Julian Sterling, then he would have almost no chance at all of getting back together with Claire Bennett.

Very quickly, Ethan Sterling talked himself out of it. It was absolutely impossible for that to be Julian Sterling. How could he possibly help Claire Bennett do something like this? Knowing full well that Claire Bennett was his woman, there was even less chance he'd want her.

Ethan Sterling started walking and headed into the estate.

...

Claire Bennett followed Auntie Ann into the estate.

As they passed through the main hall, she glanced inside by accident. Before her was an exquisite scene of elegantly dressed guests and raised glasses. She had not seen a grand banquet like this in a very long time.

Her past life felt like a memory now, something very far away.

"Miss Bennett, I'll take you to see Old Madam Sterling now. Please come with me." Auntie Ann smiled kindly as she spoke and led Claire Bennett toward the lounge.

"Um... well..." Claire Bennett wanted to ask what exactly was going on.

Auntie Ann said with a smile, "Miss Bennett, my name is Auntie Ann. If you don't mind, just call me that directly. Do you have any questions?"

After thinking for a moment, Claire Bennett asked, "Will Julian Sterling be here today too?"

"Of course he will. Young Master Julian is the old master's most beloved grandson. He would never miss old madam's birthday banquet."

Claire Bennett's heart sank a little. What nonsense had she been thinking? Of course Julian Sterling would be here!

Then she'd be able to see Julian Sterling in a little while and confirm whether her husband had lied to her or not.

At this moment, inside the lounge.

Ruby Sterling was keeping Old Madam Sterling company. She held Old Madam Sterling's arm affectionately and said, "Grandma, is Grandpa really planning to announce Big Brother's marriage alliance with the Lewis family today?"

Old Madam Sterling nodded. "That old man's stubborn. He won't listen to anyone's advice."

After hearing that, Ruby Sterling's eyes flickered.

Good thing she had overheard about this in advance and told her brother, otherwise it probably would have gone through by now.

Old Madam Sterling had asked Ruby Sterling to come to the lounge because Ruby Sterling knew Claire Bennett. She hadn't expected the girl to keep tugging at her and asking all kinds of questions, clearly very concerned about Julian Sterling's marriage alliance.

Now that Claire Bennett had arrived, perhaps the marriage alliance could be put on hold for the moment.

Just then, there was a knock at the lounge door, and Auntie Ann's voice sounded from outside. "Old Madam, Miss Bennett is here."

"Quick, come in."

The moment Ruby Sterling heard the words "Miss Bennett," her body had already gone stiff.

The instant the door opened and she saw Claire Bennett, her soul practically left her body!

Holy shit!!! How did Claire Bennett end up here? What if she ran into her brother?

It's over, it's over! Everything is about to be ruined!

Ruby Sterling was so frantic her head was spinning, and she had no idea how to react at all.

Claire Bennett also froze for a moment when she saw Ruby Sterling. "Ruby? Why are you here?"

"Uh... I-I... well..." Ruby Sterling, usually so quick-tongued, instantly became a stutterer.

How was she supposed to explain why she was here?

Ruby Sterling gave an awkward smile and forced herself to say, "I'm here to wish her a happy birthday."

Crap, her brother's identity was about to be exposed!

Claire Bennett stared fixedly at Ruby Sterling, her gaze probing and full of scrutiny, as if she wanted to read something from her face.

Why would Ruby Sterling come to celebrate Julian Sterling's grandmother's birthday?

If Julian Sterling was Mr. Sterling, then everything made sense, because Ruby Sterling was Julian Sterling's younger sister, and the Grandma Sterling in front of her was their grandmother, so that was why Ruby Sterling was here!

If Julian Sterling really had lied to her, then Ruby Sterling was an accomplice!

After all, she had indeed gotten to know Julian Sterling because of Ruby Sterling in the first place.

But Claire Bennett still didn't want to believe it. Would Ruby Sterling really deceive her?

Seeing the way Claire Bennett was looking at her, Ruby Sterling inexplicably felt a little panicked. Why did she feel like Claire Bennett seemed very angry?

She took a deep breath and explained stiffly, "I just happened to be in New York, so I came by to drop off a birthday gift. You... don't overthink it..."

She had no idea whether Claire Bennett would believe such a lousy excuse.

Claire Bennett's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

For the time being, she chose to believe Ruby Sterling.

Although she had once been betrayed by her white-lotus sister Naomi Pierce, Naomi Pierce and Ruby Sterling were different. They were not the same kind of person. Ruby Sterling would not deceive her.

If Ruby Sterling knew what Claire Bennett was thinking at that moment, she would probably die of shame.

Seeing Claire Bennett's expression soften a little, Ruby Sterling hurriedly changed the subject and asked, "Claire, didn't you say you came to New York to visit your mother? How did you end up here?"