Claire Bennett's First Victory (Continued)

Then she thought it over again. Since Mrs. Parker had even gotten Grandpa Sterling to come help promote it for her, it made sense that Julian Sterling would know how business was going.

What she didn't know was that Grandpa Sterling hadn't actually told Julian Sterling about this at all. He had canceled several appointments today and had really been at the mall all afternoon.

Watching Claire Bennett all afternoon, too.

He knew how important the Maison Verne brand was to her, and he figured that if anything happened on-site, he could think of a way to save the situation if he was here.

If everything went smoothly, then he would show up at the end and take her out for a big meal to celebrate her winning her first battle.

"I've already made a reservation at a restaurant. Do I have the honor of inviting Miss Bennett to dinner?"

Julian Sterling bent over in a gentlemanly invitation. Claire Bennett blushed at his antics, quickly shut the shop door, reached out her hand, grabbed him, and pulled him outside.

"All right, all right, so many people are watching."

Julian Sterling only smiled with doting affection and took the opportunity to wrap an arm around her.

"What's there to be afraid of? We're in a proper, legal relationship."

While they were eating, Claire Bennett talked quite a bit about Maison Verne's future plans.

The first store definitely had to establish a solid foundation. Ava Bennett's store posed absolutely no threat to her, and besides, the two stores were in different malls.

The customers at Highline Mall had much higher spending power than those at Prosper Center, and their tastes were more refined too.

She was thinking that in the future, Maison Verne Jewelry should still focus as much as possible on the high-end market and not do mid- or low-end. Although the money might come in a little slower, as long as the brand built up its reputation, the business would keep flowing in endlessly afterward, and there would definitely be no shortage of money to make.

Originally, Julian Sterling had wanted to have a nice romantic candlelit dinner with Claire tonight. Treating her was also his way of wanting her to relax a little.

Recently, both of them had been very busy, so they didn't have much time together, and even when they met, they talked about work.

He had thought that after the store opened smoothly, Claire would be able to relax a bit, but apparently not.

"You're even more of a workaholic than I am now. Talking about work while eating affects digestion."

Claire Bennett smiled helplessly. "All right. If you don't want to talk about it, then let's just enjoy dinner."

"Talk after we eat."

Julian Sterling could do nothing with her.

He knew Claire was working this hard not just to develop the Maison Verne brand, but also for him.

After Sterling International was established, it really had snatched several major contracts from Sterling Group, but it wasn't so easy for a new company to completely gain a firm foothold. Competition in the malls was fierce, and the situation changed in an instant every single day.

Without an independent brand substantial enough to hold up the company's image and provide a capital chain to keep operations running, it would also be hard for others to trust Sterling International with major investments.

Just taking projects and doing projects was far from enough.

After swallowing his last bite of food, Julian Sterling spoke.

"There's only one way to break into the high-end market: expand your network."

"It just so happens that I'm going to a large business gala soon. You should come with me then."

A large gala? It really was a good place to expand one's network.

Claire Bennett looked somewhat hesitant.

"Ethan Sterling will probably be there too, right?"

He had recently had several major projects stolen by Julian Sterling, and he was carrying out retaliatory attacks against Sterling International. If he was there, he probably wouldn't make it easy for her to get to know anyone.

On the day of the gala, Molly Lee was on the phone confirming the dress while also preparing the jewelry Claire Bennett would wear that day. They were all pieces personally designed by Claire Bennett, very distinctive—calling them one of a kind in the entire imperial capital wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"Boss, we're a little pressed for time. The dress shop just called and said traffic is jammed up on the road. By the time they deliver the dress, I'm afraid we won't make it in time."

"How about we go there ourselves?"

Julian Sterling was already waiting by the door early.

"What's wrong?"

As Claire Bennett walked downstairs, she said, "They said they can't deliver the dress. People at these dress shops are always snobs who look down on people. I didn't even order a custom haute couture gown, so they probably didn't think much of me."

When Julian Sterling learned that Claire Bennett had been slighted, a trace of displeasure flashed through his eyes.

He turned and picked up the suit jacket from the sofa. "Let's go. I'll go with you to the dress shop."

Claire Bennett glanced at the time and shook her head in refusal. "Why don't you go to the gala first? Sterling International has only just gotten started, and so many people are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. If you show up late, won't that be giving them exactly what they want?"

"I can handle the dress myself. Don't worry."

How could Julian Sterling not worry? He still wanted to say something, but Grandpa Sterling, who was sitting on the sofa, interrupted him first.

"Why are you being so wishy-washy? Claire Bennett is more decisive than you are."

"If she can't even handle a little thing like this, then her jewelry store is bound to go under sooner or later."