Chapter 485
The Sterling Family Gathering
Claire Bennett got into Julian Sterling's car. The car started slowly and drove smoothly down the road.
Only then did Claire ask curiously, "Julian Sterling, where are you taking me now?"
He had been all mysterious on the phone earlier and hadn't told her where exactly he was taking her. She had held it in for so long that she finally asked.
Julian Sterling kept his eyes on the road, driving attentively.
After hearing Claire's question, he said in a low voice, "We're going to the Sterling family for dinner."
"Huh?" Claire looked completely bewildered.
For some reason, the moment he mentioned going to the Sterling family, she suddenly grew nervous. She had only just learned Julian Sterling's identity, had only just recovered from the shock that he was the president of Sterling Group, and now he was actually taking her to the Sterling family. It terrified her immensely.
Julian Sterling curled his lips into a smile and said, "Today is the Sterling family's gathering."
Claire felt a jumble of emotions and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Actually, Julian Sterling's meaning was very clear. It was the Sterling family's gathering, and she was also a member of the Sterling family, so he was taking her with him.
Actually, even if Julian Sterling hadn't taken her back, it wouldn't have mattered. She wouldn't have blamed him either. After all, her relationship with the old Mr. Sterling wasn't very good right now, yet he had still chosen to bring her back under these circumstances.
That meant he wanted to announce her identity to everyone and clear her name.
A warm current rose in her heart. Claire turned to look at Julian Sterling, her eyes carrying a trace of brightness.
Julian Sterling naturally noticed the way she was looking at him. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he said hoarsely, "Claire, if you keep looking at me like that, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from pouncing on you."
After hearing Julian Sterling's words, Claire's cheeks flushed red.
This was the first time he had ever said something like that. She hadn't expected this man to be so secretly flirtatious.
"Is it really okay for me to go back to the Sterling family with you?" Claire was still a little worried, afraid people wouldn't like her.
Julian Sterling said gently, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
That single sentence from Julian Sterling soothed all of Claire's unease. She felt that with this man by her side, no matter what thorns lay ahead, she would definitely be able to overcome every difficulty.
The Sterling family was a century-old clan in New York. The old estate covered an enormous area. From the front gate to the main house alone took nearly ten minutes, not to mention the carefully landscaped gardens, the artificial lake, and so on.
Claire had always felt that the Bennett estate was already luxurious enough, but she hadn't expected the Sterling family to be even more impressive.
No wonder old Mr. Sterling had his own pride.
After getting out of the car, Claire and Julian Sterling entered the Sterling family living room together. Quite a few people were already seated inside, and it looked very lively. Old Mr. Sterling was sitting in the center.
When he saw Julian Sterling and Claire walk in together, his gaze darkened.
But he still didn't say anything. He simply ignored Claire.
Julian Sterling held Claire's hand and walked forward, calling out to him, "Grandpa, we're here."
Claire nervously followed with a call of her own. "Grandpa."
Old Mr. Sterling lifted his eyes, looked at the two of them, and responded lightly, "Mm."
After that, Julian Sterling led Claire to sit off to the side.
Claire had attended plenty of large family gatherings like this before. When the Bennett family got together, there were almost just as many people, so after her initial nervousness, she relaxed a little.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out. "Is this Sister-in-law?"
Claire looked up and discovered that the speaker was a young girl who didn't look very old. Based on how she had addressed her just now, she was probably some kind of female cousin of Julian Sterling's.
Just as Claire was secretly speculating, Julian Sterling lowered his head and said by her ear, "This is my youngest uncle's daughter, Megan Sterling."
Last time, Grandma Sterling had said that the Sterling family had a lot of members. Megan Sterling seemed to be studying abroad, so Claire was rather surprised to see her at today's family dinner.
This younger female cousin looked very friendly. The smile at her lips never faded, and her face held an approachable warmth. When she saw Claire look over at her, she hurriedly said with a smile, "Hello, Sister-in-law."
"Hello." Claire greeted her politely.
"Sister-in-law, dinner hasn't started yet. Let me show you around the Sterling family estate. You probably haven't been here many times, right?"
Claire looked at Julian Sterling, asking for his opinion.
Julian Sterling nodded and said, "Claire, go ahead."
He knew Claire felt a little uncomfortable right now seeing old Mr. Sterling, and he also wanted her to go out and get some air. Megan Sterling's suggestion had come at exactly the right time.
Seeing that Julian Sterling had no objection, Claire stood up and went out with Megan Sterling.
The Sterling family estate was extremely large. There was a whole stretch of lawn like a soccer field, and everywhere the eye could see was lush greenery.
The two of them walked together toward the garden. Along the way, Megan Sterling introduced quite a few places to Claire, and Claire quietly committed them all to memory. Up front on the Sterling family grounds, there was an artificial pond filled with lotus flowers. By now the sky had already darkened, and the shimmering water under the evening breeze looked exceptionally beautiful.