What Status Does She Have

Since he couldn't refute her, he could only let out a cold snort and turn his head away without speaking.

"So is Julian coming over now? Claire still doesn't know he's part of the Sterling family. If he brings Claire here now, it'll definitely ruin things for him. Why don't we go somewhere else first? That way Julian won't be put in a difficult position either."

The moment Old Mr. Sterling heard that, he was instantly displeased.

He glared fiercely at Old Mrs. Sterling and said, "Nonsense! What status does she have, that I should accommodate her?"

Old Mrs. Sterling had always liked doing the opposite of what Old Mr. Sterling wanted. She stood up and said, "Sigh... then you stay here. I'll leave by myself. When Julian brings my granddaughter-in-law to visit me later, how delightful that'll be."

After saying that, she headed outside with Auntie Ann.

Once they got outside, Auntie Ann asked with some concern, "Madam, if you do this... won't it be a little bad for Master? What if he gets so angry he falls ill again?"

Old Mrs. Sterling looked completely confident and said, "Last time he got sick because the shock was too great. Lately the head of the Cole family has been treating him quite well, so nothing will happen. Have the car brought around."

After thinking for a moment, Old Mrs. Sterling lowered her voice and added, "Have someone quietly leak the news that we're leaving to the old man."

"Huh?" Auntie Ann looked puzzled.

Old Mrs. Sterling smiled confidently. "Just wait. In a bit, he'll definitely be unable to stop himself from coming after us."

After Old Mrs. Sterling left, Old Mr. Sterling sat alone in the living room.

Uncle Ming stood behind him. Just then, a servant quietly came in from outside and whispered something into Uncle Ming's ear. Uncle Ming nodded to show he understood, then waved him away.

Old Mr. Sterling was still stewing in silence. He hadn't expected that now even Old Mrs. Sterling wasn't taking his side anymore.

Seeing this, Uncle Ming stepped forward and said, "Master, Madam had the driver bring the car around. She's already preparing to leave."

Old Mr. Sterling shot him a cool glance and said coldly, "If she's leaving, then let her leave."

After saying that, he picked up the newspaper beside him and pretended to read it.

Uncle Ming's eyes flickered. He hadn't expected Old Mr. Sterling's attitude to be so firm, but having followed him for so many years, he understood his temper too. It would not be so easy to make him change his mind.

Still, a little provocation might work.

Thinking that, Uncle Ming said again, "Master, the car has already been brought out and is waiting in the garden."

What answered Uncle Ming was a cold snort.

Although he acted as if he didn't care at all, Old Mr. Sterling still couldn't help raising his head and secretly glancing out through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Sure enough, he saw the Sterling family's private van parked in the yard, and Old Mrs. Sterling was getting into it.

At the thought that Old Mrs. Sterling would get to see his precious grandson while he would not, his mood instantly turned miserable.

Could it be that Julian Sterling would return to Chicago tomorrow?

Ever since Julian Sterling had parted on bad terms with him last time, meeting again had not been so simple.

Of the many grandsons in the Sterling family, Old Mr. Sterling liked Julian Sterling the most, so even though he defied his orders like this, he was still able to indulge him.

It was a decision made in an instant. Old Mr. Sterling abruptly stood up and strode outside.

When Uncle Ming saw Old Mr. Sterling leave, the corners of his mouth lifted into a broad grin. It seemed the old master had still compromised in the end.

At this time, Old Mrs. Sterling was already in the car, but the door remained open for a long while. She sat inside waiting patiently, and sure enough, after a moment she saw Old Mr. Sterling appear before her. His steps were a little hurried, as though he were afraid Old Mrs. Sterling would really leave.

Old Mr. Sterling hurried over to the car. When he saw Old Mrs. Sterling looking at him with a smile, his face darkened heavily.

He could tell Old Mrs. Sterling was laughing at him.

Just as he was about to turn around and walk back, Old Mrs. Sterling said, "It's getting late. Hurry up and get in."

"..."

Old Mr. Sterling kept his old face stiff and got into the car without saying a word.

After the car door closed, it slowly drove away from the Sterling estate.

...

Julian Sterling knew there was no escaping it today. He had already prepared himself mentally: if things were exposed, then he would go with the flow and tell Claire Bennett his real identity.

Even if she got angry then, there would be nothing he could do about it.

At worst, he would sincerely admit his mistake and beg for Claire Bennett's forgiveness.

Julian Sterling drove Claire Bennett toward the Sterling estate. On the way, Claire Bennett was nervous and kept letting her imagination run wild, not noticing at all that Julian Sterling was heading toward New York's wealthy district.

At that moment, the phone Julian Sterling had set beside him vibrated.

He glanced at it as if nothing were unusual. It was the address Old Mrs. Sterling had sent over.

A trace of surprise that was almost impossible to detect appeared in Julian Sterling's eyes. He slowly pulled the car over to the roadside. Claire Bennett came back to herself and asked, "What's wrong?"