Chapter 334
Something That Hurts People Deeply
That morning, the other members of the Sterling family had already come to visit the old master. Even Ethan Sterling had come by, and he'd tentatively tried to ask Old Mr. Sterling for a photo of Julian Sterling. Unfortunately, Ruby Sterling and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were both there, so he didn't manage to get anything out of him.
Later, Old Mrs. Sterling said that Old Mr. Sterling was tired, and everyone gradually left.
After the hospital room quieted down, Old Mrs. Sterling looked at Old Mr. Sterling and said, "All right, this time I acted on my own and brought Claire Bennett to the banquet. I won't do that next time, so stop getting angry and stewing over it."
Hearing Old Mrs. Sterling say that, Old Mr. Sterling let out a cold snort.
It seemed this illness hadn't come without benefits after all; at least it had made Old Mrs. Sterling compromise.
He just didn't like that woman, and he still couldn't let Julian Sterling marry her.
Fortunately, Uncle Ming had only announced to the outside world that Julian Sterling had a girlfriend and hadn't said it was Claire Bennett. If they needed to smooth things over later, it would be easier to explain.
Old Mrs. Sterling suddenly thought of something. Lowering her voice, she leaned close to Old Mr. Sterling's ear and whispered, "Old man, I heard that woman is in this hospital too..."
The moment Old Mr. Sterling heard that, his face darkened instantly.
"Really?"
When he saw Old Mrs. Sterling nod, Old Mr. Sterling pressed his lips tightly together and cursed angrily, "That thing has done so much harm!"
Old Mrs. Sterling seemed to remember something too, and her mood sank as she let out a heavy sigh.
Just then, the door to the hospital room opened, and Julian Sterling walked in with Claire Bennett.
The moment Claire Bennett came in, she heard what Old Mr. Sterling had just said, and she instantly felt a little awkward.
The person Old Mr. Sterling was talking about couldn't be her, could it?
As if he hadn't heard Old Mr. Sterling's words just now, Julian Sterling said calmly, "Grandpa, Claire and I came to see you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he led Claire Bennett in by the hand.
Old Mr. Sterling turned his head to look over. The moment he saw Claire Bennett standing beside Julian Sterling, his face immediately fell.
Yesterday, when he was hospitalized, this woman had run off. Even Hazel Lewis had known to come and check on him, and now everyone had already come to see him before she finally remembered to come over. Not a bit of sincerity!
Claire Bennett saw the disgust in Old Mr. Sterling's face.
She also knew that her running off yesterday had definitely made him unhappy, and the regret in her heart deepened even more.
Julian Sterling set the fruit basket on the bedside table and said to Claire Bennett, "Claire, put the flowers in a vase."
Claire Bennett had originally been standing there, not knowing what to say. Julian Sterling's words were undoubtedly helping her out of an awkward spot, so she took the flowers and went out to look for a vase and get some water.
Only then did Old Mr. Sterling snort in dissatisfaction and say, "What did you bring this woman here for!"
Julian Sterling curled his lips slightly, as though he hadn't noticed Old Mr. Sterling's displeasure, and said, "Grandpa, Claire is your granddaughter-in-law. Isn't it only right that I bring her to see you?"
Hearing Julian Sterling play dumb, Old Mr. Sterling grew even angrier.
Afraid he would get sick from anger again, Old Mrs. Sterling hurried over and gently stroked his back, saying, "All right, don't get angry. Do you want to keep staying in the hospital?"
Old Mr. Sterling remembered what Old Mrs. Sterling had just said. Naturally, he didn't want to stay in the hospital.
So he turned his face away and gave a sullen snort, but he didn't object to what Julian Sterling had said.
Taking advantage of Claire Bennett not having come back yet, Julian Sterling said to the two elders, "Grandpa, Grandma, Claire still doesn't know my identity. I hope you won't tell her for now."
Old Mrs. Sterling nodded. "All right, we'll keep it from her for you."
"You just keep indulging him." Old Mr. Sterling glared at Old Mrs. Sterling in dissatisfaction.
Old Mrs. Sterling couldn't help speaking up for Claire Bennett. She said, "That child Claire doesn't know Julian's identity and is still willing to stay with him. That clearly means she isn't a gold-digging woman. What exactly are you dissatisfied with about her?"
Old Mr. Sterling couldn't even say exactly what he was dissatisfied with. Maybe it was his first impression, but he was simply full of prejudice against Claire Bennett. Although he knew he was being stubborn, Old Mr. Sterling would never admit that.
After thinking for a long time, he finally came up with an excuse.
He said quietly, "That woman has no status or background. Never mind the other socialites in New York—even Miss Lewis alone is more than she can compare to!"
Old Mrs. Sterling sighed!
Once a stubborn person got fixated on something, not even ten oxen could drag them back.
From her brief contact with Claire Bennett, she might not necessarily be worse than Hazel Lewis.
Old Mrs. Sterling actually found it very strange. Claire Bennett was clearly a woman with no status or background, but every move she made at the birthday banquet was not the least bit inferior to those daughters of prominent families. If anything, she carried herself even better than the ones Old Mrs. Sterling had seen.
And this was what Old Mr. Sterling meant by saying she couldn't compare to Hazel Lewis?
Old Mrs. Sterling said, "Then tell me—aside from family background, where exactly is Claire worse than Hazel Lewis?"
Old Mr. Sterling's face darkened. "You're just taking that woman's side. I can't be bothered talking to you!"
Listening to the conversation between the two of them, Julian Sterling's brows drew together slightly.
He had never told Old Mr. Sterling that Claire Bennett was the Bennett family's daughter. Now he was reconsidering whether he should tell him.
But he still needed to ask Claire Bennett about this matter first. After all, her relationship with the Bennett family wasn't very good right now, and saying it out loud would very likely cause her trouble.