Chapter 459
We Have to Stop Her
Old Mr. Bennett didn't know that Julian Sterling and Ava Bennett weren't familiar with each other. He only saw Ava Bennett smiling at Julian Sterling and seeming to be saying something, so he subconsciously assumed that Julian Sterling had been brought by Ava Bennett.
He hadn't expected Ava Bennett to have gotten in touch with Julian Sterling.
Then if the two families had any cooperation in the future, that would be a good thing too. At once, Old Mr. Bennett's expression toward Ava Bennett softened quite a bit.
At that moment, Claire Bennett and Lila Bennett had already walked out. At a glance, she saw Julian Sterling standing there, and Ava Bennett beside him. After she came out, Julian Sterling's gaze turned toward her.
As for Ava Bennett, she had a gentle smile on her face. It looked just as Lila Bennett had said—she was currying favor with Julian Sterling.
Claire Bennett's expression tightened slightly, and she started walking toward Julian Sterling.
Just as she moved, a figure stepped in front of her to block her. It was her stepmother, Hannah Bennett.
Hannah Bennett looked at her with ill intent and said sharply and sternly, "Claire Bennett, what are you trying to do?"
After being stopped, Claire Bennett looked at Hannah Bennett coolly. She let out a cold laugh and asked in return, "Mrs. Bennett, what do you think I'm trying to do?"
What did what she wanted to do have to do with Hannah Bennett?
She actually wanted to ask what Hannah Bennett suddenly jumping out to stop her was supposed to mean.
When Hannah Bennett saw Claire Bennett walking toward Julian Sterling, she subconsciously assumed that Claire Bennett had also found out Julian Sterling's identity and was now trying to cozy up to him.
How could she allow Claire Bennett to ruin Ava's good fortune? She absolutely had to stop her!
Hannah Bennett let out a cold snort and said with a look of contempt, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You came back taking advantage of the old master's birthday banquet because you want to fight Ava for the company. Even if the old master agrees, it won't matter. You want to come back to Bennett Group... I'm telling you, no way!"
"I thought you had so much backbone. Back then you said you'd leave and you left, but now haven't you still come slinking back? Too bad. There's no place for you in Bennett Group anymore."
Claire Bennett curled her lips. "You're that afraid I'll take Ava Bennett's place?"
"Too bad... those things were never Ava Bennett's. Half the company belonged to my mother. Ava Bennett is nothing more than a cuckoo in the nest." After a pause, Claire Bennett said flatly, "Move."
When Hannah Bennett heard Claire Bennett's words, her face quickly darkened.
That little bitch Claire Bennett!
She was still just as hateful as before. She struck first and barked loudly, "Claire Bennett! Have you no shame? Who do you think you are? Mr. Sterling would never take a liking to a woman like you. If you don't want to embarrass yourself, then hurry up and get lost. Don't force your way over there, or I won't be polite!"
Because Hannah Bennett's voice was rather loud, it instantly drew the attention of the people around them.
Quite a few people turned to look over at Claire Bennett.
At that moment, Ava Bennett and Julian Sterling inside also heard the commotion from Claire Bennett's side. When Julian Sterling saw Claire Bennett being blocked by Hannah Bennett, his brows knitted tightly and his expression quickly darkened.
Seeing this, Ava Bennett immediately let out a sigh and spoke in an understanding tone.
"Mr. Sterling, that's my sister Claire Bennett. She's always been this reckless and completely lacking in manners."
Looking like a warm, caring good sister, she said rather helplessly, "I've taught her so many times, but every single time she's still like this. Even I feel really helpless about it."
"In the past, she even used her status as the older sister to bully me all the time. I could only endure it in silence. She's used to being arrogant and overbearing—Dad can't even control her."
She had no idea about the relationship between Julian Sterling and Claire Bennett, and still wanted to bad-mouth Claire Bennett in front of Julian Sterling while also painting herself as a pitiful victim, trying to stir up a man's sympathy.
Sure enough, after hearing Ava Bennett's words, Julian Sterling's brow furrowed even tighter.
Ava Bennett thought she had successfully driven a wedge between them and was secretly delighted, but to her surprise, she then saw Julian Sterling start walking toward Claire Bennett. A look of astonishment appeared in her eyes.
Very quickly, Ava Bennett came back to her senses.
Could it be that Julian Sterling wanted to stand up for her?
She hurriedly said, "Mr. Sterling, you don't need to stand up for me. Claire Bennett and I are sisters after all. I don't blame her."
Julian Sterling turned a deaf ear and continued walking firmly toward Claire Bennett.
When Hannah Bennett saw Julian Sterling walking over, she ground her teeth in displeasure. She had originally wanted to drive Claire Bennett away so she wouldn't attract Julian Sterling's attention, but unexpectedly, that little bitch had still caught his attention.
"Mr. Sterling..."
Ava Bennett hurried after him and was still anxiously saying, "Mr. Sterling, I'm really fine."
After hearing Ava Bennett's words, Hannah Bennett quickly grabbed her hand and asked, "Ava, what's going on exactly? Why did Mr. Sterling suddenly come over? Was it because Claire Bennett drew his attention just now?"
"Mom, I told Mr. Sterling a little about my sister just now, and who knew he'd want to stand up for me. I'm helpless too."
They had never imagined that Claire Bennett and Julian Sterling knew each other, so the only possibility for Julian Sterling coming over now was that he was standing up for Ava Bennett. Ava Bennett herself was also firmly convinced of that.
Although Julian Sterling hadn't replied when she spoke to him just now, she had still caught his attention.
When Hannah Bennett heard this, she knew Ava Bennett had successfully attached herself to Julian Sterling.
If Julian Sterling hadn't taken a liking to Ava Bennett, then how could he possibly have stood up for her just because of what she said?
She immediately smiled, her face full of delight, and said, "Oh my, why are you still stopping him? Julian Sterling is publicly standing up for you right now—how much face does that give you? Everyone will also know about you and Julian Sterling. Then when you cooperate with Sterling Group, it'll be a done deal."