Chapter 434
I'm Sorry, I Came Too Late
Actually, when she had just come in, Claire Bennett heard what Ruby Sterling said.
She saw Mr. and Mrs. Sterling crowding around her with concern, and combined with what Ruby had said, something faintly seemed to break through in her mind.
However, with Claire Bennett staying silent like this, her eyes vacant, she looked as though she'd been scared stupid.
She was wearing Julian Sterling's coat, so no one could see what was underneath, but just seeing her like this gave them all a vague sense that something bad had happened, making them even more worried, and Ruby couldn't help wanting to cry.
Ruby cried, "Claire, y-you... say something."
Getting no response, Ruby looked at Julian Sterling, asking with her eyes about Claire Bennett's condition.
How was Claire Bennett, exactly?
Julian Sterling's face was dark and cold. He said, "Have the family doctor come over right now."
After saying that, he carried Claire Bennett upstairs again.
The two of them quickly went into the room. Julian Sterling gently set Claire Bennett down on the bed. Looking at her tightly furrowed brows, he said, "Claire, are you okay? I'm sorry, I came too late..."
Claire Bennett slowly came back to herself. Looking at how tense Julian Sterling was, she suddenly thought of something.
Could it be that he thought she'd already been... by Ian Walsh...
Earlier, Ian Walsh really had wanted to do something bad to her. Later, in her panic, she picked something up and stabbed Ian Walsh, injuring him. After that, she had been too crazed, and Ian Walsh didn't dare come near her again. He was so scared he ran off.
Claire Bennett lifted her bloodshot eyes to look at Julian Sterling. She just looked at him without speaking.
When Julian Sterling saw the mist in Claire Bennett's eyes and how she was just staring at him without saying anything, his heart suddenly clenched.
He stepped forward and pulled Claire Bennett into his arms, coaxing her in a soft, careful voice, "Claire, don't be afraid. It's okay now. The doctor will be here soon, and we'll do a thorough examination. Everything will get better. Don't be afraid..."
At this moment, Julian Sterling bitterly hated himself for staying in New York and not coming back. If he hadn't been in New York with the old master of the Sterling family, Claire Bennett definitely wouldn't have suffered this kind of harm. It was all his fault.
Just as Julian Sterling was drowning in guilt, Claire Bennett asked in a muffled voice, "If... if Ian Walsh had..."
"Don't say it. This wasn't your fault. I'll definitely punish him properly and avenge you."
Claire Bennett actually wanted to test him and ask what he would do if she really had been defiled by Ian Walsh.
After all, the misunderstanding with Ethan Sterling last time had only been her own misunderstanding. Julian Sterling had always known that man had been himself, but this time was different. She still wanted to know Julian Sterling's attitude.
Claire Bennett didn't even know why she had suddenly done something this pointless.
She believed no man could truly not mind something like this. Even if she asked, it would be useless.
"Actually, I wasn't..."
Before she could finish, Julian Sterling interrupted her. In a gentle tone, he said, "Claire, no matter what happens, I'll always stay by your side. Actually, this is all my fault. If I hadn't asked you to come pick me up at the airport, maybe this never would have happened. Don't carry any psychological burden."
Claire Bennett froze, not expecting to hear something like that from Julian Sterling.
She lifted her eyes to look at Julian Sterling. His eyes were dark, and inside them was a trace of heartache for her, without the slightest bit of insincerity.
He wasn't joking. He really thought that way.
Julian Sterling didn't care whether or not she had been defiled by Ian Walsh!
Claire Bennett's heart started pounding rapidly.
She had judged a gentleman's heart with her own petty mind, but Julian Sterling had not disappointed her.
He really was the best man in the world.
Claire Bennett's eyes reddened. She got up and threw herself into Julian Sterling's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and in an extremely moved voice, whispered by his ear, "You don't need to worry. Actually, I..."
"The doctor is here!"
At the anxious shout, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling and Ruby brought the family doctor in as they opened the door. When they saw Claire Bennett and Julian Sterling embracing, the three of them froze in the doorway, not knowing for a moment whether they should go in or go back out.
Claire Bennett hadn't expected so many people to be there. Feeling a little embarrassed, she pushed Julian Sterling away.
Julian Sterling looked at Ruby and the others and said, "Come in."
The family doctor was a middle-aged woman who looked very gentle, the kind who easily put people at ease. She asked everyone to leave, keeping only herself and Claire Bennett in the room.
The doctor looked at Claire Bennett and said as gently as possible, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to help you. Try to relax as much as you can."
Claire Bennett looked up at the doctor and said calmly, "I wasn't violated in any way. You don't need to be so cautious."
The doctor was stunned for a moment after hearing Claire Bennett's words.
Just now, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling had repeatedly warned her not to stimulate her no matter what, but it turned out she had misunderstood.
...
Outside in the hallway, Julian Sterling, Ruby, Mr. Sterling, and Mrs. Sterling were waiting.