Chapter 527
Goodbye, Julian Sterling
Ruby Sterling looked at the two of them worriedly and felt that there really were things that needed to be properly talked through. As an outsider, it wasn't appropriate for her to get involved, so she nodded, turned, and went out, leaving the space to Julian Sterling and Claire Bennett.
When Claire Bennett saw Julian Sterling, there was a kind of sorrow on her face, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
Clearly, just a few hours ago, she had told Julian Sterling to go get checked out, and the two of them had been working toward a future together. But after Hazel Lewis and she had their accident, their relationship had also come to an end.
The two stayed silent for a while, and in the end Julian Sterling was the one who spoke first.
He looked at Claire Bennett and said, "Hazel Lewis pushed you into the pond. She was taken away just now, and she'll receive the punishment she deserves."
Julian Sterling wanted to tell Claire Bennett that he had dealt with Hazel Lewis on her behalf so she wouldn't feel wronged.
Claire Bennett nodded lightly. "Mm, I understand."
Although Hazel Lewis had been punished, there was no child in her belly, and the fact that she and Julian Sterling now had to separate was already reality. There was no room left to change anything, so she couldn't feel happy at all now.
Seeing how downcast Claire Bennett was, Julian Sterling felt a stab of heartache deep down.
He walked over and pulled Claire Bennett into his arms.
Claire Bennett struggled a little. "Julian Sterling, we're about to separate. Don't hold me anymore."
"Claire, do you resent me?"
Julian Sterling didn't let go of Claire Bennett. He only asked that one meaningful question.
"No, I don't blame you. You're in a difficult position too." Claire Bennett gently shook her head.
Faced with a choice like that, Julian Sterling had no better option either, so she accepted this outcome.
Although she understood Julian Sterling's choice, Claire Bennett still felt incredibly heartbroken about having to separate from him. Ruby Sterling wanted to fight for a little more time for her, but Claire Bennett would rather leave quickly so she wouldn't have to face Julian Sterling.
After hearing Claire Bennett's words, Julian Sterling fell silent for a while.
At that moment, Claire Bennett felt the atmosphere was a little heavy, so she continued packing her things. "All right, let's part on good terms too. Don't say anything more."
After a pause, she revealed a faint smile. "Julian Sterling, goodbye."
Seeing Claire Bennett forcing herself to stay composed, Julian Sterling felt a fine, dense ache of heartache rise inside him.
Claire Bennett had always faced this matter with great openness. She hadn't turned hysterical, nor had she shown any resentment. She was so sensible it made people's hearts ache.
But for the sake of their future, he had to be a little more ruthless.
Julian Sterling's eyes darkened.
Claire Bennett hadn't had many things to begin with, so she quickly finished packing. "Then I'm leaving first."
After saying that, she dragged her suitcase and started to leave.
As she passed in front of Julian Sterling, he caught her hand. "Where are you going? Let me take you there."
Claire Bennett gently shook her head and said distantly, "No need. Since we've already decided to separate, then be decisive about it. Don't keep dragging things out. Don't worry, I have somewhere to go."
After saying that, she brushed Julian Sterling's hand away and left without the slightest hesitation, suitcase in tow.
Watching her departing back, Julian Sterling's foot, which had wanted to step forward, still stopped where it was.
Not long after, Ruby Sterling came over. When she noticed Claire Bennett wasn't here, she asked, "Bro, how did your talk with Claire go? Where is she?"
"She already left."
"What? How could you let her leave? Didn't you try to win her back just now? I thought you two were going to make up, that's why I let you stay behind to talk alone!"
Ruby Sterling glared at Julian Sterling unhappily, as if blaming him for just letting Claire Bennett go like that.
Julian Sterling merely glanced at her indifferently, his lips pressed tightly together without saying a word.
This was a process he and Claire Bennett had to go through. If he wanted to solve things once and for all, then he had to do this.
From the moment the old master didn't allow Claire Bennett to attend the banquet, to Hazel Lewis trying to harm Claire Bennett later, and also their Sterling family...
At the moment the old master asked him to choose, he had only then realized the sense of powerlessness in his heart.
He couldn't even protect Claire Bennett, letting her be repeatedly put in difficult situations by the Sterling family and threatened and schemed against by others.
So he made a decision.
Julian Sterling's thin lips pressed together a little tighter, his gaze gradually turning sharp, while he hid all the emotion in his eyes.
Ruby Sterling, who was still protesting unhappily at the side, did not notice anything unusual about him. She muttered gloomily, "Oh no! How could Claire leave without saying a word to me? I didn't even get to have a proper talk with her. Where is she going? Could it be that Claire doesn't even have a place to stay?"
Julian Sterling said, "You still have her phone number. You can call her."
"You... what did you say?" Ruby Sterling looked at Julian Sterling in astonishment.
She hadn't expected that not only had Julian Sterling not tried to win Claire Bennett back, he was now even acting completely indifferent about her leaving. She was so mad she nearly died!
"You... Bro! You're too much. I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Ruby Sterling shot him an angry glare, then turned and stormed out of the room resentfully.