Chapter 583
Claire Bennett Is Finished This Time
Everyone thought the old Mr. Sterling had fallen unconscious because an old illness had flared up again. No one had imagined it was actually because he had been poisoned.
Then how had he been poisoned? Who had poisoned him?
Seeing the grim looks on everyone's faces, the doctor knew that wealthy families also had plenty of dirty, shameful tactics, so he said, "You should carefully look into what the old gentleman came into contact with."
After saying that, he turned and left at once.
After the doctor left, the atmosphere at the scene grew heavy. Old Mrs. Sterling's eyes were already red from crying as she said, "Your grandfather's health has been recovering well lately. How could he possibly have been poisoned? How exactly was he poisoned?"
Although she and old Mr. Sterling usually bickered all the time, if something really happened to him, she was still extremely anxious and heartbroken.
Julian Sterling's expression was grave as he reached out and patted Old Mrs. Sterling on the back. "Grandma, calm down."
Megan Sterling did not rush to accuse Claire Bennett. She only comforted Old Mrs. Sterling and said, "Grandma, let's call the police. The truth will come out sooner or later."
Very soon, the police arrived.
Everyone was taken aside for individual questioning, including Claire Bennett.
Claire Bennett was the last person to be alone with old Mr. Sterling. In terms of suspicion, she was now the biggest suspect, but Claire Bennett had done absolutely nothing.
Everyone gathered together again, waiting for the police to announce the preliminary investigation results.
Old Mrs. Sterling had already calmed down. With a serious expression, she asked, "Well? Have you found out how the poison was administered?"
"Old Mrs. Sterling, we've only done a basic screening so far. We still need to conduct a more detailed investigation before we can definitively identify the criminal suspect."
After saying that, the police officer said to Claire Bennett, "Miss Bennett, because you are a suspect from the primary scene, you must come back with us for further investigation. We hope you'll cooperate."
What?!
Claire Bennett's expression stiffened instantly, and her eyes turned cold. "You suspect me of poisoning old Mr. Sterling?"
She had never expected that on her very first day back at the Sterling family home, she would run into something like this.
Was she just fundamentally incompatible with the Sterling family?
Claire Bennett looked suspiciously at Megan Sterling, but quickly dismissed the doubt in her heart. Megan Sterling was old Mr. Sterling's granddaughter. She had no reason to poison him just to frame her.
Besides, what would her motive be?
Claire Bennett felt unbelievably unlucky. Since they still hadn't found any real suspect, she really was the one under the greatest suspicion.
At that moment, Claire Bennett looked helplessly at Julian Sterling, wanting to ask what he thought.
Julian Sterling's expression was grave and stern. His eyes were deep like bottomless black ink, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Ningning, don't be afraid. You're only cooperating with the investigation for now. You'll be fine soon."
Julian Sterling spoke softly to Claire Bennett. What he meant was that she should obediently go back with the police for questioning.
Seeing this, the police said nothing more. They stepped forward and stood on either side of Claire Bennett, saying in a businesslike tone, "Miss Bennett, please come with us."
Claire Bennett pressed her lips tightly together. She knew that no matter what she said now, it would be useless. She could only wait for the truth to come out and clear her name.
But when she had just looked to Julian Sterling for help, he had not protected her right away. Instead, he had told her to go back with the police. Did that mean that, in Julian Sterling's heart, he also thought she was the one who had poisoned him?
In the end, Claire Bennett said nothing and simply left with them in silence.
When Megan Sterling saw Claire Bennett being taken away, the corners of her lips curved ever so slightly into a mocking sneer.
She had already arranged everything. Claire Bennett was finished this time!
...
After Claire Bennett was taken back, she was placed alone in a room.
At that moment, Ruby Sterling arrived with a lawyer. The moment she saw Claire Bennett, she immediately asked, "Claire, what exactly is going on? How could Grandpa have been poisoned? And how did you get dragged into Grandpa's poisoning?"
Hearing that, Claire Bennett felt deeply helpless. If she knew what was going on, she would not be here now.
"Okay, okay, the lawyer I brought is the Sterling family's regular attorney. He's never lost a case. Don't be afraid. He'll get you out on bail." Ruby Sterling hugged Claire Bennett and comforted her softly.
Claire Bennett smiled faintly. She knew she would be fine, so she was not panicked in the slightest.
Julian Sterling probably would not just stand by and watch something happen to her.
"Claire, wait here for a bit. I'll have the lawyer talk to the officer and see whether we can get you out on bail first. After all, this place isn't exactly nice, and staying here won't do you any good."
After speaking in a rush, Ruby Sterling left with the lawyer.
Claire Bennett waited peacefully in the room for Ruby Sterling to come back.
It really had been a false alarm. Once she got out, she definitely needed to get rid of this bad luck.
Ten minutes later, Ruby Sterling came back. Her face was full of guilt, and she looked at Claire Bennett as though she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Claire Bennett vaguely sensed that something was wrong, and she asked, "Ruby, did something happen?"
Ruby Sterling let out a heavy sigh and said, "Claire, the lawyer and I just tried. They said that right now you're the primary suspect, so they can't let you out on bail. I asked the lawyer, and if the charge sticks, you could go to prison!"
Claire Bennett's gaze darkened. "Mm, I understand."
"Claire..." Ruby Sterling looked at Claire Bennett worriedly, afraid she would break down after hearing those words.
But aside from looking a little pale, Claire Bennett was much calmer than Ruby Sterling. It was as if the person in trouble was not her at all.
"Ruby, since I can't get out for now, then you should go back first. Don't stay here any longer. You're about to get married, and it's not good for you to be around this kind of atmosphere."
When Ruby Sterling heard Claire Bennett's words, the guilt in her heart deepened even more.
Claire Bennett herself was already in that situation, yet she was still thinking of her and telling her not to stay here too long.
Ruby Sterling was not a stubborn person either. She nodded and said, "Sigh... okay then, I'll head back first."
Before leaving, Ruby Sterling continued, "Claire, don't worry. I'll definitely figure out a way to get you out as soon as possible."
Ruby Sterling left, and the room fell quiet once more.
Claire Bennett sighed and sat on the only bench in the room, not understanding why she had inexplicably been locked up here again.
Who exactly had poisoned Grandpa Sterling?
Was it someone else in the Sterling family who wanted to fight over the inheritance? Or was it one of the Sterling family's business rivals?
Claire Bennett truly could not figure it out and had no leads at all. At this point, all she could do was wait for Julian Sterling and Ruby Sterling to rescue her.