Chapter 412
How Are You Pretending Not to Know Me
Although today's gathering was for both Nia and Maison Verne's departments together, it wasn't all that formal. Quite a few people had brought their family members, and Julian Sterling was basically attending as Claire Bennett's plus-one.
Ian Walsh's appearance drew everyone's attention for a moment, but it didn't cause too much of a stir.
When Willow Lane saw Claire Bennett's expression change, a smug smile curled up at the corner of her lips.
Looks like she'd made the right move. Next, Claire Bennett was definitely going to become the center of attention.
Hazel Lewis was also watching coolly from the side, a trace of contempt flashing through her eyes as she waited to see Claire Bennett's miserable downfall.
Ian Walsh had been invited by Willow Lane. He was a kept man living off his wife. Back then, thinking Claire Bennett had no background at all, he'd brazenly spread those claims, saying Claire Bennett had seduced him.
What happened back then, when he set his sights on Claire Bennett, was something his wife at home didn't know about. Willow Lane had said that if he didn't come, she'd tell the tigress at home everything he'd done.
Left with no choice, Ian Walsh used a business trip as an excuse and came to Chicago to attend this gathering.
At first, he had been a little curious what exactly Willow Lane had brought him here for, but the moment he saw Claire Bennett, he suddenly understood.
Claire Bennett now was even more beautiful than before. She had lost some of her girlishness, but her features were still delicate and lovely, especially those bright, lively eyes. Her figure seemed even better too.
Ian Walsh couldn't help swallowing.
Suddenly, he felt a cold, sharp gaze land on him. When he looked carefully, he discovered it was the man beside Claire Bennett.
Could this be Claire Bennett's current man?
His presence was impossible to ignore. Could it have been him staring at me just now?
...
Once everyone had arrived, the dinner for the two departments officially began.
Only then did everyone realize in surprise that President Sterling, the key figure of today's gathering, still hadn't shown up.
Someone asked curiously, "Willow, didn't you say President Sterling was coming? Why haven't we seen him yet?"
"Yeah, hurry and call to ask. Maybe he's stuck in traffic on the way. We can wait a little longer, it's no problem."
Willow Lane lightly curled her lips and said with a smile, "He said he'd come a little later. Things at the company have been a bit busy lately. He specifically told us not to wait for him, so let's start eating first."
Everyone immediately laughed along.
"President Sterling handles countless affairs every day. Managing such a huge Sterling International must take a lot of effort. We all understand."
No one had any doubts, and very quickly they let the matter go.
Only Claire Bennett's eyes darkened slightly. She already knew from Julian Sterling that the President Sterling Willow Lane was dating was fake, so the reason Ian Walsh had appeared here was perfectly clear.
It looked like Willow Lane had come prepared and was targeting her.
After that, everyone took their seats and began eating together.
During the meal, Claire Bennett got up to go to the restroom. She had just washed her hands and was about to head back to her seat when a figure suddenly stepped in front of her and blocked her way.
"Claire Bennett, long time no see. Why are you pretending not to know me? Have you forgotten what happened between us before?"
When Ian Walsh had seen Claire Bennett leave her seat just now, he had followed her over as well. The moment Claire Bennett came out, he immediately stepped forward and stopped her.
Claire Bennett's brows knitted tightly. "Ian Walsh, watch your wording. What exactly happened between us before?"
Ian Walsh let out a cold laugh and said, "You don't remember? Then let me help refresh your memory."
"Back after you entered Bennett Group, in order to get a firm foothold there, you wanted to use my abilities to help you. You took the initiative to come to me and ask for my help, but I was already married, so later I refused your request. Have you forgotten all that?"
The moment she heard Ian Walsh's words, Claire Bennett's face instantly darkened.
Not one thing he said was true. His words were so disgusting that Claire Bennett wanted to slap him.
But she still forced herself to endure it. She didn't want to make an ugly scene here. Crossing her arms over her chest, Claire Bennett looked at him with distant, icy eyes and said, "Ian Walsh, back then you were blinded by lust and wanted to take advantage of me, and now you're still twisting black and white. Doesn't your conscience hurt? If you dare spout nonsense outside, I won't let you off."
"Spouting nonsense? I have photographic evidence from back then proving you seduced me."
Claire Bennett rolled her eyes. She didn't believe his so-called evidence at all. She had never done such a thing, so she had nothing to feel guilty about.
Claire Bennett couldn't be bothered to keep arguing with him. Her face turned cold as she pivoted and left directly.
Watching Claire Bennett's retreating back, Ian Walsh let out a dark, cold laugh, an ill-intentioned expression on his face.
...
While Claire Bennett was in the restroom, Hazel Lewis took the opportunity to approach Julian Sterling.
She sat down beside Julian Sterling with a faint smile on her face and said, "You shouldn't mind me joining Sterling International, right? This was all Old Mr. Sterling's idea. I actually don't want to go up against Miss Bennett either, but you know we're romantic rivals, so it's unavoidable that we'll clash."
Because she knew Julian Sterling's identity, Hazel Lewis lowered her voice as she spoke, and her body couldn't help leaning quite a bit closer to him.
To outsiders, the two of them looked extremely intimate.
Julian Sterling's brows furrowed slightly. Without making it obvious, he shifted back a little and said blandly, "I don't mind. Grandpa's always wasting his effort."
What he meant was that everything Old Mr. Sterling was doing was just wasted effort. But to Hazel Lewis, it sounded as if Julian Sterling was hinting at her, because Old Mr. Sterling didn't actually know about this matter. She was the one who had asked to go up against Claire Bennett.
Still, she quickly suppressed the thoughts in her heart and returned to her normal expression.
Hazel Lewis's eyes flickered as she continued smiling. "You know that for people with statuses like ours, the only right choice in the future is a marriage alliance, a union of strength with strength. Claire Bennett is fine just for fun. Old Mr. Sterling will never allow her into the family."
Julian Sterling's expression had already become extremely impatient.
He couldn't stand hearing anyone belittle Claire Bennett. Hazel Lewis prided herself on having a better family background and status than Claire Bennett, but what she didn't know was that Claire Bennett was also a daughter of a prominent family.
When Molly Lee and Sienna Shaw saw that Hazel Lewis was actually striking up a conversation with Julian Sterling while Claire Bennett wasn't there, both of them became somewhat indignant.
"What is Hazel Lewis trying to do?"
"Could it be that she's taken a fancy to Manager Bennett's husband?"
"Probably. Aside from his family background not being good, Manager Bennett's husband is much more outstanding than ordinary men in terms of looks and other aspects. It's normal for her to want to steal someone else's man."
"Why is Manager Bennett taking so long in the restroom? If she doesn't come back soon, her man's going to get carried off."
"Don't say that. I don't think Manager Bennett's husband is that kind of person."