Chapter 463
The Grudge Between the Sterling Family and the Bennett Family
No wonder that all these years, even though the Sterling family and the Bennett family were both prominent New York families, they had never had any contact. So this was the reason why.
Old Mr. Sterling had never liked Claire Bennett to begin with. Julian Sterling knew exactly how deeply his grandfather hated the woman who had harmed Catherine Sterling, and now that woman was Claire Bennett's mother. With those two layers of connection stacked together, could they still keep going?
Julian's recollection broke off, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
He didn't want to separate from Claire Bennett. If this was the thing standing in their way, then he would rather Claire Bennett never know.
Julian kept his expression normal and buried all his emotions deep inside. He smiled and said, "What's wrong? Are you that worried your father might do something to me?"
"Of course. He said some strange things to me before. Who knows whether he's still like that now."
Back then, Victor Bennett had told her not to be with Julian Sterling.
Julian said lightly, "No. He didn't say anything."
Claire Bennett looked puzzled.
For some reason, deep down she kept feeling that Julian Sterling was lying, but since he didn't want to tell her now, there was no point pressing him. She could only stay curious in her heart.
Suddenly, Julian's phone rang.
He took it out and glanced at it. It was a call from Old Mr. Sterling, and Julian's heart sank even further.
What was coming would come sooner or later.
He swiped to answer. "Grandpa."
"Come back to the Sterling family home right now." Old Mr. Sterling didn't waste a single extra word. As soon as he said that, he immediately hung up.
But Julian's mood dropped straight to the bottom.
His appearance at the Bennett family's birthday banquet today was bound to have been photographed by reporters. Although he rarely showed his face and some people didn't know his identity, anyone determined to investigate could still find out.
He had wanted to use the reporters' hands to announce that Claire Bennett was the Bennett family's daughter, so that Grandpa would stop opposing Claire Bennett.
But he had never imagined that this kind of relationship existed between the Bennett family and the Sterling family.
Most likely Grandpa already knew that he had appeared at the Bennett family's birthday banquet. Even if he wanted to keep it hidden, there was no way now.
Julian's expression turned even graver.
But in front of Claire Bennett, he still didn't show it. He merely responded faintly, "Mm, I got it."
After that, he ended the call.
Although Julian hadn't outwardly shown anything, Claire Bennett had been watching him the whole time just now, and it was easy to catch the subtle changes in his expression. He wasn't very happy about that phone call.
Claire Bennett stared at Julian, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
She didn't know how to ask. In any case, she just had a feeling of unease.
Seeing her little expression, Julian tried his best to suppress the unease in his heart and said softly, "My grandfather wants me back at the Sterling family home. There's something I need to deal with. Let Marcus Reed take you back first, okay?"
"Uh..." Claire Bennett hesitated for a moment. "It shouldn't be anything serious, right?"
"Mm. Don't worry."
Claire Bennett quickly set her mind at ease. Grandpa Sterling didn't like her very much, and there was no way she could go along. Even though she felt a little uneasy and couldn't relax about Julian going alone, there was nothing she could do.
The car drove to Julian Sterling's place in New York, and Claire Bennett got out.
Only Julian and Marcus Reed were left in the car. Julian leaned back against the rear seat and pinched the bridge of his aching brow.
The matter was just too thorny. Originally, he had wanted to think of a solution as quickly as possible, but now that Grandpa already knew in advance, he had no preparation at all. He could only take it one step at a time, go back and see what Grandpa had to say, and then decide what to do.
He lifted his eyes and said to Marcus Reed, "Back to the Sterling family home."
The car sped through the night, streetlights falling across its body and reflecting a smooth, flowing line.
Half an hour later, the car arrived at the Sterling family home. Julian opened the door and got out, then walked toward the living room with steady steps.
At that moment, the Sterling family living room was brightly lit, and Old Mr. Sterling and Old Mrs. Sterling were sitting together inside.
Both of their faces were grave and severe, carrying the sense of danger before a storm. The servants nearby were all extremely cautious, not daring to make a sound. Uncle Ming stood behind Old Mr. Sterling and let out a helpless sigh.
Today was the Bennett family's birthday banquet, and originally it wasn't anything major.
But the media had happened to break the news that the Bennett and Sterling families had reconciled, and that members of the Sterling family had appeared at the Bennett family's birthday banquet, which drew Old Mr. Sterling's attention.
He had thought some blind, worthless descendant had gone to make nice with the Bennett family, and he had been planning to drag them over and give them a fierce scolding.
He had never expected that the person he saw would actually be Julian Sterling!