This Move Was the Right One

Then Hazel Lewis put on a smile and said softly, "Miss Bennett, what a coincidence. You came to visit Old Mr. Sterling too?"

That gentle, friendly manner of hers made it seem as though there had never been any conflict between her and Claire Bennett before. Claire's eyes darkened slightly. Even though Julian Sterling and Hazel Lewis had nothing going on, Hazel just kept throwing herself at him, and Claire really couldn't bring herself to be warm and pleasant toward her.

Even so, she had no way of stopping Hazel Lewis from coming to visit Grandpa Sterling.

It seemed Hazel Lewis knew Grandpa Sterling didn't like her and had made up her mind to start with him instead.

Claire Bennett tucked away all her thoughts, merely giving a slight nod. Her attitude was neither warm nor cold, and then she stepped into the hospital room.

Seeing Claire Bennett ignore her, Hazel Lewis thought of all the humiliation she had suffered at Old Mrs. Sterling's birthday banquet, and a trace of darkness welled up in her eyes.

A small lack of patience ruins a great plan!

She had to listen to her father and endure it, putting her main focus on winning over Old Mr. Sterling.

Hazel Lewis composed herself and followed her into the room.

"Old Mr. Sterling, I came to see you." She lifted a sweet smile and set the fruit basket on the bedside table.

Old Mr. Sterling had still been wearing a dark expression when he saw Claire Bennett, but the instant he saw Hazel Lewis, he broke into a smile. The speed of the change was astonishing.

He greeted her, saying, "Hazel's here. Come sit down."

When Hazel Lewis saw how much Old Mr. Sterling valued her, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she walked over and sat down beside the bed.

Claire Bennett was completely ignored, but she did not become discouraged in the slightest and simply stood quietly to one side.

Julian Sterling, on the other hand, was afraid Claire Bennett would be upset, so he reached out and gave her hand a squeeze.

Claire Bennett gave him a reassuring look, signaling that she was fine.

Before coming to see Old Mr. Sterling, she had already prepared herself mentally and knew she would definitely be met with this kind of cold treatment, so she did not take it to heart.

Meanwhile, Hazel Lewis and Old Mr. Sterling had already started chatting pleasantly.

With a faint smile, Hazel Lewis said softly, "Old Mr. Sterling, are you feeling any better?"

"Much better already..."

Before Old Mr. Sterling could finish speaking, Julian Sterling cut in from behind, saying, "It's all thanks to Claire for bringing Zane Cole here. Otherwise, things probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly. If you want Zane Cole to keep treating you now, you'll still need Claire to pull some strings."

As soon as he heard that, the smile on Old Mr. Sterling's face instantly disappeared.

That brat!

He was deliberately bringing up the very thing that shouldn't be brought up. What was he supposed to mean by that?

Was he expecting him, an elder, to lower himself and beg Claire Bennett? If Claire Bennett really had any filial respect, then he wouldn't need to say a word—she would go speak to him on his behalf herself.

At that moment, Hazel Lewis deliberately praised her, saying, "Old Mr. Sterling, I was the one who wasn't capable enough. I couldn't invite the head of the Cole family, and I was even deceived. Now that Miss Bennett knows Zane Cole, you should focus on recovering properly and stop getting upset."

Old Mr. Sterling's expression eased a little, and he said on purpose, "Hazel is right."

He was doing it on purpose, deliberately responding to Hazel Lewis that way, making his disgust and favoritism glaringly obvious.

Hazel Lewis looked at Claire Bennett with the air of a victor, the corners of her mouth curving up almost imperceptibly.

Sure enough, coaxing Old Mr. Sterling brought no small benefits. This move of hers had been the right one!