Chapter 365
Removed from Sterling International
A pleased smile appeared at the corner of Hazel Lewis's lips.
Now Claire Bennett had become a commander without an army at Maison Verne. No matter how ambitious she was, no matter how much she wanted to build a real career, there was no way she could accomplish anything on her own.
Quite a few people had already gone over to Hazel Lewis's side.
Claire Bennett's side, meanwhile, looked lonely and deserted, somewhat forlorn and pitiful, like an abandoned child.
A resolute look appeared on Molly Lee's face as she said to Claire Bennett, "Manager Bennett, I won't leave you. Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side."
Back when she had been targeted, Claire Bennett had spent a full three days restoring her damaged painting, clearing her of all accusations and saving her from being fired. So Molly Lee's loyalty to Claire Bennett was absolute!
But with only Molly Lee left, it was no use. Claire Bennett still faced the miserable situation of having no one she could use.
Seeing Claire Bennett reduced to this state, Julian Sterling's expression darkened.
His identity had not been exposed yet, so he couldn't publicly question Uncle Ming about what was going on.
Though he could already guess that his grandfather was probably still unwilling to let Hazel Lewis into Sterling International for nothing and wanted to do something to punish Claire Bennett.
Julian Sterling's face turned grim, and a surge of anger rose in his chest.
Sensing Julian Sterling's terrifying aura, Uncle Ming couldn't help but shiver, but he had no other choice now.
Julian Sterling thought to himself about how to deal with this. Drive Hazel Lewis out directly?
He was afraid that if it came to that, there would be no way to smooth things over, and it would only provoke even stronger opposition from his grandfather.
At this moment, Uncle Ming stepped forward again.
He cleared his throat, then announced loudly, "Sterling Group has decided to let Nia and Maison Verne engage in healthy competition that is just and fair. The two brands will each design new products for public sale, with a deadline of three months. If, after three months, one brand's sales are lower than the other's, then that brand will be removed from Sterling International, and when the time comes, they'll have no choice but to pack up and leave!"
Hearing this, some people secretly began to feel relieved.
Good thing they had just followed Hazel Lewis. Otherwise, if they had followed Claire Bennett, they would probably have had to face the miserable end of the brand being canceled and then being fired.
After all, Claire Bennett was now fighting alone with only herself. For her to find good designers in a short time and then create perfect new bestselling products was no easy task.
...
The Sterling International president's office.
Julian Sterling looked coldly at Uncle Ming, who was standing in front of him, and asked in a deep voice, "Grandpa told you to do this?"
Uncle Ming let out a helpless sigh and said pitifully, "Young Master Julian, you know the old master doesn't like Miss Bennett and hopes you'll marry Miss Lewis. That's why he did this."
At that, Julian Sterling's expression instantly darkened, and his voice carried a trace of anger. "Sterling International is under my control."
If not for having to consider his identity, he would have directly refuted Uncle Ming's words in public just now.
He had never expected his grandfather to insert Hazel Lewis into Sterling International, and even arrange for her to be on the opposite side of Claire Bennett to target her.
If he couldn't even protect his own woman right under his nose, then what kind of man was he?
Before coming here, Uncle Ming had already guessed that Julian Sterling would definitely be furious, and he had prepared all his arguments.
After considering for a moment, Uncle Ming gently persuaded, "Young Master Julian, why not look at it from another angle? The old master thinks highly of Miss Lewis, but Miss Bennett may not be inferior to her. You can help Miss Bennett behind the scenes, and when Miss Bennett suppresses Miss Lewis, wouldn't that prove to the old master that your judgment was right?"
Hearing this, Julian Sterling's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
If he used a forceful, confrontational approach, it really would stir up even greater dissatisfaction. To change his grandfather's prejudice against Claire Bennett and let him see Claire Bennett's ability was undoubtedly the best choice.
Julian Sterling waved his hand. "Got it. You can go back."
Seeing that Julian Sterling was no longer angry and seemed to have taken his words to heart, Uncle Ming finally let out a sigh of relief. "All right, then I'll head back first."
With that, Uncle Ming turned and left.
After Uncle Ming left, Julian Sterling revealed a thoughtful expression.
Everyone from Maison Verne had gone over to Hazel Lewis's side. Right now, Claire Bennett's biggest problem was that she had no one she could use.
A moment later, Julian Sterling called Wes Mercer. "Put together a list of every top-ranked jewelry designer for me. I want to see all their information in ten minutes."