Chapter 341
He Can't Threaten Us
The two of them had confronted each other in the garden, and when they left separately, it was as if nothing had happened. When they saw each other, they could still smile and greet one another.
Ruby Sterling had arrived a little late. When she heard that Zane Cole and Julian Sterling had gone to the garden, the little gossip fiend inside her immediately sprang to life. She quietly went over to eavesdrop, but she was too far away and couldn't hear a thing.
Just from the looks on their faces, though, whatever they were saying probably wasn't pleasant.
After Zane Cole left, Ruby Sterling went up to him and asked, "Julian! What did that man say to you? Don't tell me he used treating Grandpa as an excuse to make you give Claire up to him? You absolutely cannot agree to that!!"
Though it was a bit of a petty way to judge a gentleman's heart, Ruby Sterling couldn't help suspecting it.
Julian Sterling thought of what Zane Cole had just said, and his eyes darkened.
He had said that Claire Bennett hated being deceived more than anything, and that Julian had better hide it from her for the rest of his life, otherwise he would take Claire Bennett away.
That mocking smile had made anyone uncomfortable. It instantly stirred up the possessiveness buried in his bones. Zane Cole clearly knew that he was hiding his identity from Claire Bennett, yet he hadn't exposed him and had instead chosen to sit back and watch.
He really was incredibly patient. This time, he wasn't dealing with an ordinary man.
"No," Julian Sterling said in a low voice.
Hearing that, Ruby Sterling gave a light cough and also felt she might have been overly suspicious. Maybe the man wasn't that underhanded.
But before she could say anything, she heard Julian Sterling say, "He said he's going to compete with me."
"Huh?" Ruby Sterling's mouth twitched.
What the hell, a romantic rival had charged right up to his face, so why did her brother still look so unhurried?
She hurriedly said, "Julian, aren't you afraid something might happen between Claire and him? Even though that head of the Cole family has kind of a personality and seems a little different from other men, you're so capable. You could take care of him with barely any effort. You should've dealt with him sooner!"
Julian Sterling glanced at her. "Do you think Claire wouldn't step in to protect him?"
Based on the fact that the two of them had grown up together, Claire Bennett would very likely protect Zane Cole. At that point, not only would he become the villain, he'd also be asking for trouble himself.
The best way was to ignore him.
"Uh... Claire's so loyal, she really might protect him." Ruby Sterling asked worriedly, "Then what do we do? Just leave him there to threaten your position?"
"Mm. For now, yes."
At the moment, Julian Sterling wasn't too worried about Zane Cole. The fact that he hadn't exposed him immediately showed that he was a deeply calculating man, and there wouldn't be any danger in the short term.
What he really needed to worry about now was his own identity, and how he was going to come clean to Claire Bennett about who he was.
Julian Sterling said, "Claire and I are going back to Chicago right away. He can't threaten us."
"Oh, okay then." Ruby Sterling nodded. As if suddenly remembering something, she quickly said, "Report! I have one more thing to report!"
Julian Sterling cut a glance at her. "Go on."
"Everyone's waiting for you at the Sterling estate. I saw Ethan Sterling privately asking Aunt about you, and I'm worried he might be planning something."
Julian Sterling's eyes darkened. He took out his phone and called Wes Mercer. "Get to the hospital within ten minutes. Immediately."
On the other end, Wes Mercer nearly coughed up blood. Why was it ten minutes again!!
Usually, Marcus Reed was the one in charge of handling matters around Julian Sterling. As temporary backup doing logistics in his place, Wes Mercer really had it rough. Boo hoo hoo... when exactly was Marcus Reed coming back?
Even though he was complaining inwardly, Wes Mercer still resigned himself to rushing to the hospital to await Julian Sterling's orders.
The Sterling estate.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a low-key yet luxurious business vehicle slowly came to a stop in front of the entrance, and everyone immediately perked up.
The automatic door opened, and someone immediately stepped forward to help Old Mr. Sterling out of the car.
Standing among the younger members of the Sterling family, Ethan Sterling craned his neck and looked hard toward the front. When he saw Old Mr. Sterling, a dark look flashed through his eyes.
Old Mr. Sterling was back, which meant Julian Sterling had to be right behind him!
He was about to see Julian Sterling!
At that moment, a leg in suit pants extended out from inside the car. Ethan Sterling grew even more tense; even his breathing seemed to stop.
Then Wes Mercer's face appeared before his eyes.
After seeing Wes Mercer, Ethan Sterling's eyes filled with shock, disappointment, suspicion, and more. His eyes widened in disbelief.
This was Julian Sterling?
Why wasn't it that pretty-boy hanging around Claire Bennett?
Could it be that his investigation had really been wrong?
When Ruby Sterling saw Ethan Sterling's shocked expression, she couldn't help secretly laughing, and almost failed to hold it in.
Looks like she hadn't guessed wrong. Ethan Sterling really had been secretly investigating her brother's identity. Good thing she'd noticed in time, or they might've been done for.
When everyone saw Old Mr. Sterling, they all crowded forward around him, each expressing concern about his physical condition.
During the two days Old Mr. Sterling had been hospitalized, some of them hadn't been able to visit him. Now was the perfect chance to show their loyalty.
Listening to the greetings coming at him from all directions, Old Mr. Sterling merely gave a faint nod.
Then, surrounded by the crowd, Old Mr. Sterling slowly walked inside.
By the time everyone had completely dispersed, Ethan Sterling was still standing there in a daze, not moving. He looked toward the car, wanting to see whether there was still a second person who hadn't gotten out, but there was no one left in sight.