Chapter 388
Claire Is My Granddaughter-in-Law
After they got home, Julian Sterling immediately came out to help them carry everything into the kitchen.
He asked with concern, "How was it? Are you tired?"
Claire Bennett smiled and said helplessly, "We just went grocery shopping. What's so tiring about that? Alright, I need to hurry up and deal with all this stuff, otherwise it won't be fresh later and it won't taste as good. Grandma and I already agreed that I'd cook."
By the time they got here, it was already past noon, and when they arrived it was close to evening. On top of that, Claire Bennett and the old Mrs. Sterling had just gone around the market, and now it was time for dinner again.
That ridiculously expensive lunch Claire Bennett had at noon was almost completely digested by now.
After saying that to Julian Sterling, she walked straight into the kitchen.
Grandma Sterling had just said there weren't any pots, bowls, or utensils here, so they had bought all new ones. She still needed to wash them first, and there was quite a lot to do.
Julian Sterling also rolled up his sleeves to help. When he had first met Claire Bennett, he wasn't skilled at any of this at all, and had even broken bowls before.
But after spending so long with Claire Bennett, they already had a perfect understanding between them.
Julian Sterling held the kitchen knife and chopped vegetables for Claire Bennett. His head was slightly lowered, his expression focused and serious, making him look full of masculine charm.
Meanwhile, Claire Bennett picked over the vegetables beside him, and the two worked together flawlessly.
Seeing the two of them busy, Auntie Ann came in to help cook as well.
Outside, when old Mr. Sterling saw that Julian Sterling, a grown man, had actually gone into the kitchen to busy himself, his face instantly darkened.
This was outrageous!
Those hands of Julian Sterling's were not meant for this sort of thing. Cooking was naturally work for servants to do. For him to rush to do it himself was truly beneath his status!
Old Mr. Sterling was simmering with anger, but had nowhere to vent it.
At that moment, old Mrs. Sterling sat beside him and said, "Old man, Claire and I went to the market just now, and that fish seller actually tried to cheat us. Luckily Claire was experienced enough, so we didn't get tricked by him. Claire is really amazing!"
Old Mr. Sterling pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Wasn't it just haggling in a market? What was so impressive about that?
If Claire Bennett could bargain in the business world, that would be truly impressive!
Old Mrs. Sterling secretly glanced at old Mr. Sterling, then continued, "Oh my, just look at Julian. Ever since he got together with Claire, he's actually learned how to cook. Even if something happens in the future, there's no need to worry about going hungry."
"Don't talk nonsense! How could anything happen to our family? Don't think I don't know—you said all that on purpose because you want me to accept that woman. What kind of spell did she put on you to make you like her so much?"
Old Mr. Sterling still clung to his prejudice, and his face looked sour.
Old Mrs. Sterling gave a light huff. "Anyway, I just like her. I think she's the good girl best suited for Julian. Claire is my granddaughter-in-law!"
Hearing old Mrs. Sterling contradict him, old Mr. Sterling's expression turned even uglier.
Old Mrs. Sterling had no intention of indulging him. She said coldly, "Since you dislike Claire that much, then don't eat the dishes she made tonight. In case you can't swallow them, you can just go hungry."
"..." Old Mr. Sterling was left speechless.
In the end, he simply stopped talking.
Old Mrs. Sterling still had her ways of dealing with old Mr. Sterling. Seeing that he didn't dare make a sound, she smiled.
Old Mr. Sterling's foul temper was just like that. It probably wouldn't be easy to make him accept Claire Bennett any time soon.
Perhaps after Claire Bennett and Hazel Lewis finished their competition, the situation would loosen up somewhat.
Actually, Claire Bennett wanted to show what she could do by cooking as well.
She had carefully thought through today's dishes, taking into consideration things like the elderly having weak teeth. She tried her best not to make anything tough to bite, hard, or spicy and numbing, focusing instead on light food that was easy to digest.
Without those strong flavors, the dishes she made became a real test of cooking skill.
But Claire Bennett completed all of it brilliantly.
She made a whole table full of dishes by herself, and it looked deeply satisfying.
There was no air conditioning in the little village. Although the temperature had dropped at night, Claire Bennett was still in the kitchen, and the heat and steam had flushed her small face red.
When Julian Sterling saw that, he felt both heartache and tenderness. He picked up a towel and wiped the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead. "You've worked hard. Sit and wait. I'll go serve the rice."
After saying that, he pressed Claire Bennett down into a seat, then turned and went to serve the rice.
Seeing Julian Sterling treat Claire Bennett so gently, preferring to let her sit down first while he ran off to serve the rice himself, old Mr. Sterling actually felt a little jealous.
His eldest grandson had never treated him like that.
This is outrageous—now that he has a wife, he's forgotten his old man!
Looking at the dishes in front of her, old Mrs. Sterling knew Claire Bennett had definitely put thought into them. She exclaimed, "Claire, did you make all these dishes? They look so appetizing. You're really amazing!"