Why Hasn't Julian Sterling Left Yet

Claire Bennett's attention was indeed diverted.

She thought of Ava Bennett's ridiculous stunt today, and her expression quickly darkened, her face full of gloom.

Then she let out a faint sigh and said, "It didn't work out."

Julian Sterling had thought Claire Bennett would share the joy of success with him, but instead she looked dejected as she told him it hadn't worked out.

What exactly happened?

Had Landon West not listened to him and failed to give Claire Bennett the investment she deserved?

Julian Sterling's face darkened, his brows tightly furrowed, and he pressed coldly, "What exactly happened? Why didn't it work out?"

Claire Bennett didn't hide anything either. Julian Sterling knew about the situation between her and Ava Bennett, so explaining this wasn't difficult.

She said, "An investor was originally willing to meet with us and invest in us, to help us get the new product launch off the ground. I was really happy about it."

"But I didn't expect Ava Bennett to actually know people at Hudson Capital. She went too today, and Hudson Capital directly announced they would invest in Ava Bennett. We made the trip for nothing."

After Claire Bennett finished speaking, she forced a strong smile. "It's okay. Maybe some other investment company will still be willing to invest in us."

Claire Bennett had originally been feeling very depressed, and she had kept this matter bottled up inside.

Now that she had told Julian Sterling, she felt the lightness of having a burden lifted.

Julian Sterling could barely protect himself now, and she wasn't going to trouble him for help, so that was why she could tell him so freely, without any burden.

After hearing Claire Bennett's words, Julian Sterling's expression turned grim, his thin lips pressed into a hard line.

Seeing that Claire Bennett was clearly feeling miserable inside but still didn't want to show her vulnerability, his heart ached terribly for her.

Just how was Landon West handling things? He needed to have a proper word with him!

Julian Sterling continued, "Was it Landon West himself who told you he wasn't investing anymore?"

Claire Bennett froze at that. She thought carefully, and suddenly remembered that the person who had come out to speak had once introduced himself; he didn't seem to be Landon West.

She shook her head lightly. "That wasn't Landon West. It should have been one of his subordinates."

After a pause, she continued, "But he represented Landon West, so that must have been what Landon West meant."

Claire Bennett comforted herself, saying, "The investor is the one holding the money. Even if they suddenly change their mind, there's nothing I can do."

The two of them fell silent.

A moment later, Julian Sterling said with certainty, "Someone will definitely invest in you."

When Claire Bennett heard what he said, she thought of all the ways he had helped her before, and something in her heart stirred strangely.

Was he really that confident?

She really was a little reluctant to part with Julian Sterling.

She hurriedly lowered her head and shoveled rice into her mouth, hiding all of her emotions.

After dinner, Julian Sterling still didn't leave. He sat on Claire Bennett's sofa while she washed the dishes in the kitchen, her eyes glancing outside from time to time.

She kept muttering to herself, "Why hasn't Julian Sterling left yet?"

Claire Bennett dragged things out for quite a while. There were only two bowls from their meal, plus a few plates. Even washing them twice over would have taken enough time.

It felt like the relationship between them was a little awkward now.

They weren't like husband and wife, but they weren't like friends either.

She didn't know why things had become like this. Maybe it was because Julian Sterling had fallen into such a miserable state now that she felt guilty deep down, which made her afraid to be alone with him.

As things stood with Julian Sterling, it was only that Old Mr. Sterling was angry with him and giving him a punishment. If he obediently admitted his mistake, maybe he would be able to go back.

There was no possibility for them anyway...

Even if they made up now, maybe when the time came, they would just have to go through what happened before all over again.

So this was fine.

Claire Bennett's mood suddenly dimmed.

There was no avoiding it. In the end, she had no way to keep staying in the kitchen, so after tidying everything up, she came out to face Julian Sterling.

On the sofa, Julian Sterling sat there safe and sound, his expression calm and cool.

Claire Bennett looked at Julian Sterling and said, "Dinner's over, and it's getting late. You still have work tomorrow, right? Why don't you head back early and get some rest?"

Julian Sterling lifted his eyes to look at Claire Bennett.

The look made her tense up, afraid he might suddenly want to stay the night here.