Chapter 496
Even Jumping Into the Yellow River Wouldn't Wash It Clean
Even after he got into the car, Julian Sterling's expression was still extremely ugly.
Marcus Reed, who was driving up front, didn't dare make a sound either. He kept his neck tucked in, afraid he'd end up in the line of fire.
Julian Sterling had already been somewhat unhappy when he came to pick up Claire Bennett, but after seeing her, she seemed even more unhappy. He had no idea what had happened.
All he could do as a subordinate was make his presence felt as little as possible.
Even Marcus Reed could tell Julian Sterling was angry. Claire Bennett was sitting right beside him, so how could she not know what mood he was in?
She carefully glanced at Julian Sterling and asked as steadily as she could, "Why did you come?"
Julian Sterling replied flatly, "To pick you up."
"...Uh, you're so good to me. I'm really surprised, and caught off guard too." After Claire Bennett said that, she kept secretly watching his expression.
Julian Sterling's face was still very cold and stiff. Clearly, what had just happened had affected him badly.
Claire Bennett said somewhat aggrieved, "Ethan Sterling and I really did run into each other by chance. I don't know why he happened to be on the same flight as me either. I ran into him back in New York, and after that he kept pestering me and wouldn't leave me alone."
Hearing Claire Bennett's explanation, a helpless look appeared in Julian Sterling's eyes.
Although he had never taken Ethan Sterling seriously, he was still unhappy about the matter between him and Claire Bennett. Maybe this was just a man's selfishness at work, the possessiveness he felt toward his own woman.
He wasn't blaming Claire Bennett. The one he was angry at was himself.
If he had put everything aside and gone with Claire Bennett, maybe this wouldn't have happened.
Julian Sterling let out a sigh and said, "Mm, I know. I'm not overthinking it."
Although Julian Sterling's expression didn't make his words very convincing, Claire Bennett still didn't dwell on it. Maybe he really was unhappy, but he still trusted her.
Right then, Claire Bennett's phone dinged.
She took out her phone and glanced at it. It was a message from Ruby Sterling.
Ruby Sterling: "Claire, are you going back to New York today? Do you know what that woman Hazel Lewis sent my brother yesterday?"
Seeing Ruby Sterling's message, surprise showed in Claire Bennett's eyes.
She quietly avoided Julian Sterling and secretly texted Ruby Sterling back, "What are you talking about? What did Hazel Lewis send him?"
Next, Ruby Sterling told Claire Bennett everything Hazel Lewis had done, detail by detail.
When Claire Bennett heard that Hazel Lewis had actually done something like that, she nearly coughed up blood in outrage. She hadn't expected that after losing the competition that day, that woman would do something so unethical.
Running into Ethan Sterling when she left had already been a complete surprise, and she had even less expected him to come up and start getting handsy.
Julian Sterling had already seen those photos, so today, when he came to the airport to pick her up and saw Ethan Sterling show up with her, wouldn't his misunderstanding only get deeper and worse?
In an instant, Claire Bennett felt like crying without tears.
Even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she still wouldn't be able to wash herself clean!
Claire Bennett looked at Julian Sterling's stern profile and studied it carefully. Mm... although he had just said he hadn't misunderstood, his expression right now clearly looked like he had.
Although she was very happy that Julian Sterling cared so much about her, she also didn't want him to be angry.
Looks like she'd have to use every trick she had to soothe him.
Claire Bennett leaned close to Julian Sterling's ear, her cheeks slightly red, and whispered in a low voice, "Julian Sterling, we haven't seen each other for several days. Shouldn't I be turning in my 'assignment' tonight?"
When Julian Sterling heard Claire Bennett's words, his eyes immediately darkened.
The little bit of anger that had still been there was soothed by that single sentence.
He hadn't expected Claire Bennett to now know how to seduce him. He really had missed her after not seeing her for several days.
Julian Sterling turned to look at Claire Bennett, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he said in a low voice, "Mm, when we get home in a bit, I'll properly study how this assignment should be done."
Hearing Julian Sterling's meaningful tone, Claire Bennett's heart skipped a beat.
Had she dug a huge pit for herself?
Originally, she had only wanted to bring them a little closer and then say a few nice things.
Marcus Reed had been by Julian Sterling's side for a long time. He was a very perceptive assistant. He had heard almost all of the whispering between Claire Bennett and Julian Sterling in the car just now, but had to pretend he knew nothing.
After dropping Julian Sterling and Claire Bennett off at the house, he immediately drove away.
Julian Sterling carried Claire Bennett's luggage, and the two of them entered the house together.
The moment the door closed, Claire Bennett fell into his arms, and the luggage in his hand was tossed aside.
Then, with one arm around her slender waist, he fiercely sealed her red lips with his.
...
When Claire Bennett woke up again, it was already two in the morning.
Her whole body hurt so much she couldn't move. It felt like she'd been taken apart and put back together again. She hadn't expected Julian Sterling to be so ruthless.
"How do you feel? Are you hungry?" Julian Sterling's voice came from beside her. He was sitting on the mattress with a glass of water in his hand.
Claire Bennett silently took the glass and drank several mouthfuls before finally feeling a little better.
She looked at Julian Sterling with some resentment, accusing him with her eyes of his evil deeds against her.
A pained look appeared in Julian Sterling's eyes, and he said softly, "Sorry, I couldn't hold back for a moment. How are you feeling? Do you want me to take you to the hospital to get checked out?"
Besides the fact that Claire Bennett was just too delicious, there was also the stimulation from Ethan Sterling's matter, and he had tormented her badly.
As soon as she heard him talk about taking her to the hospital, Claire Bennett immediately shook her head and refused.
"No need." She just needed a little time to recover.
Besides, if she went to the hospital for something like this, would she have any shame left at all?
"Mm, then get some rest. I'll go prepare something for you to eat so you can put something in your stomach." Julian Sterling kissed her on the forehead, then got up and left the room.
After seeing Julian Sterling go out, Claire Bennett finally climbed up.
She hadn't expected Julian Sterling to have so little restraint. She rubbed her waist. As the saying went, couples fight at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of it. They had made up for so long, so there shouldn't be any problem between them now, right?
But when she thought of Ethan Sterling, Claire Bennett's brows knitted tightly together.
Only now did she realize that she hadn't seen him for quite a while. That day, she had heard him say that Julian Sterling had ruined him, and judging by how he looked, he seemed deeply unwilling to accept it.
It looked like she would have to be careful to avoid Ethan Sterling in the future, or else she'd have to offer up her body to soothe Julian Sterling again like this.
A few more times, and she probably wouldn't be able to take it.
Before long, Julian Sterling had gotten the food ready, and Claire Bennett sat at the dining table eating.
Julian Sterling glanced at her and said, "Claire, there's something I have to tell you."
Claire Bennett lifted her eyes to look at him in surprise. "What is it?"
Julian Sterling paused for a moment before continuing, "Grandpa wants us to move back to the Sterling estate."
What?
Claire Bennett's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected it to be this matter at all.