Chapter 38
Tanya Sterling Throws a Tantrum
Julian Sterling's brows furrowed slightly.
What he had Marcus Reed deliver was food from Crown Taste House, a members-only private restaurant in Chicago. Of course it wasn't ordinary takeout. To keep Claire Bennett from finding out, he had told Marcus to disguise it a little, but he hadn't expected Marcus to overdo the disguise.
"Mm, I'll file a complaint against him later."
Claire Bennett nearly spat blood. She had only said it casually, so why was Julian Sterling actually going to report the guy? He'd probably get docked pay because of it.
She immediately said, "He probably hasn't been doing food delivery for very long and was trying hard to provide good service. Nobody has it easy. You should let it go and not file a complaint, okay?"
Hearing Claire Bennett speak up for Marcus Reed, Julian Sterling decided to let him off.
Neither of them spoke during the meal. Claire Bennett did think the takeout tasted pretty good, though, and with her appetite excellent, she ate a bit more.
After breakfast, Julian Sterling left for work.
Claire Bennett received a phone call. Looking at the incoming number, her brows knitted tightly together.
It was Tanya Sterling.
She took a deep breath and swiped to answer. "Hello."
"Claire Bennett, why aren't you painting the mural today? Our order has a final delivery deadline. If you can't finish it, I'll make you pay for the losses!" Tanya Sterling's harsh voice rang out, shrill enough to pierce through the phone and grate on the ears.
"My hand is injured," Claire Bennett said.
"Injured? Stop putting on an act. I've already asked around. You only broke one hand, didn't you? The other one isn't broken, is it? Get over to Sterling International and paint right now, or I won't be polite!"
Tanya Sterling was utterly unreasonable, throwing a fit and insisting that Claire Bennett come over.
Because she'd heard that Julian Sterling had returned from his overseas business trip, she wanted to rush the work and get it finished quickly so she could perform well in front of him.
In her view, as long as Claire Bennett wasn't dead, she had to come paint. She didn't care whether Claire Bennett had broken a hand or a leg.
In the end, Tanya Sterling harassed her until Claire Bennett had no choice. She decided to go to Sterling International and stay there. Even if she couldn't climb onto the scaffold, she could still paint some of the lower parts from the ground.
"Fine, I'll go." She ended the call.
After tidying up a little, Claire Bennett headed to Sterling International.
After hanging up, Tanya Sterling looked at Ethan Sterling in front of her.
She frowned and urged him unhappily, "Ethan, Julian Sterling is already back from his business trip. Hurry up and go put on a good performance in front of him. Let him see what you're capable of so he'll be willing to put you to important use."
"You've been at Sterling International for so long already, and yet you still don't have any important work. Not a single major project. This can't go on!"
Although Ethan Sterling had been appointed manager at Sterling International, all he dealt with were trivial odds and ends. He wasn't handling any key clients at all.
Tanya Sterling was getting anxious too.
Impatience flashed across Ethan Sterling's face, and he said dejectedly, "I've already tried several times to see him, but he's always busy. There's nothing I can do."
Julian Sterling was always busy, and Ethan Sterling didn't dare voice any complaints.
Tanya Sterling's expression darkened at that, and she said, "Then keep a close eye on this mural. Once it's finished, you'll have a reason to go see him. Why did you let Claire Bennett take time off? Don't tell me you feel sorry for her?"
"I don't." Ethan Sterling thought of the rumors that had been flying around lately and said, "I heard she got injured, so that's probably why she didn't come."
His entire focus was on Julian Sterling, so how could he possibly pay attention to some minor matter involving Claire Bennett?
"Injured? I think she's faking it. A woman like her is capable of anything. She definitely wants to ruin your plans and make you embarrass yourself in front of Julian Sterling. You'd better not believe her."
"She's faking the injury?"
The more Ethan Sterling thought about it, the more he felt Claire Bennett's fall injury was fake. Why was she acting up again? What trick was she trying to pull this time?
What a scheming woman!
Anger appeared on his face, and he gritted out, "No matter how unwilling she is to accept it, I still won't want her!"
Claire Bennett had just taken a cab to Sterling International when she saw Tanya Sterling and Ethan Sterling, mother and son, standing there. As she walked closer, she heard Ethan Sterling's brain-dead remark.
At once, she let out a cold laugh and said darkly, "I've heard of foot-binding, but never brain-binding. Ethan Sterling, did you remember to bring your face with you when you left the house today? Where do you get the confidence to think I'd still be hung up on you?"
Hearing the mocking voice, both of them turned to look at her.
Claire Bennett's right arm was in a cast and suspended from her neck in a sling. Other places were wrapped in gauze too, making her really look injured.
At the sight of this annoying Claire Bennett showing up again, disgust surfaced in Tanya Sterling's eyes.
She looked at Claire Bennett disdainfully and snorted smugly, "Ethan is one in a million. Where else are you going to find a man that good? Of course you're unwilling to give him up."
"Sorry, your son's qualifications really aren't all that, and I'm already married. From now on, stop trying to pin things on me. Thanks!"