One Shameless, One Brainless

Ethan realized that the one he liked most was still Claire Bennett. As for Ava Bennett, she was nothing more than a substitute. How could she possibly compare to Claire Bennett?

He felt that his status was no longer what it used to be. The woman standing by his side had to be exceptionally outstanding, worthy of being his match.

So he would wait until Claire had time!

A determined gleam flashed through Ethan Sterling's eyes.

After accepting interviews from several media outlets, Claire finally caught her breath after all the tension and busyness. Just then, her phone rang. She took it out and glanced at it. It was a call from Julian Sterling.

She swiped to answer. "Hello, I'm done over here."

Julian Sterling had an important meeting today, so he hadn't come to accompany her. Claire Bennett wasn't upset. She really enjoyed the life they had now, each of them working hard and building things from scratch.

This kind of life gave her a solid sense that they were striving and working hard together for their future happiness.

But Julian Sterling had said he would come pick her up after it was over.

Julian Sterling's deep voice came from the other end of the phone. "Okay. I'm almost at the entrance to the venue. Come out now."

Claire packed up her things, gave Molly Lee some instructions about the remaining cleanup work, and then headed for the venue exit. Just as Claire reached the door, someone stopped her.

When she saw Ethan Sterling appear in front of her, her brows immediately knitted tightly together.

Impatience surfaced in her eyes. "Ethan Sterling, what do you want?"

She had no idea why this ex-boyfriend kept haunting her like a ghost and clinging to her. Claire Bennett had long since stopped wanting to see him. As things were now, it was pretty good that he was together with Ava Bennett.

Ethan Sterling's gaze fell on Claire Bennett's delicate little face. They hadn't seen each other in a while, and for some reason he felt that Claire Bennett had become even prettier.

Today, she truly was dazzling and captivating, and she left a deep impression on him.

Perhaps because he had Ava Bennett for comparison, in this moment Ethan felt that Claire Bennett's image in his heart had reached its peak.

He looked at Claire Bennett with burning eyes and said affectionately, "Claire, I have a collaboration I'd like to discuss with you."

Ethan Sterling knew that if he wanted to get close to Claire Bennett, he couldn't rush for quick results. He had to boil a frog in warm water so she wouldn't be put off. The best way was to start through a collaboration.

Later on, he would definitely be able to start over with Claire Bennett. Thinking this, Ethan Sterling's smile deepened a little more.

Claire couldn't help rolling her eyes. Looking at Ethan Sterling's self-styled handsome pose, she crossed her arms and asked with a cold laugh, "And just what kind of collaboration do you want to discuss with me?"

She did want to hear what Ethan Sterling was up to this time.

When Ethan Sterling saw that Claire Bennett wasn't rejecting him so strongly and had instead asked about the collaboration, he thought Claire Bennett was tempted and immediately said, "I know you've been working hard lately to develop your brand. You probably still don't have a good promotional agency. I can help you and raise your brand's visibility."

Hearing Ethan Sterling's words, Claire Bennett almost laughed.

She looked at Ethan Sterling and said, "If it's such a great opportunity, why didn't you give it to Ava Bennett? Aren't you two dating?"

She had never expected Ethan Sterling and Ava Bennett to get involved with each other.

But on second thought, it felt perfectly normal. After all, Ethan Sterling's status was different now, and Ava Bennett had also been suffering one defeat after another at Claire's hands lately. Birds of a feather flock together, and the two had hit it off immediately.

Ethan Sterling's handsome face stiffened, and he said, "We're not dating. You know that I'm in charge of Sterling Group now. Tons of women throw themselves at me. She was the one who asked me to come to the show today too. Claire, don't misunderstand. We have no relationship at all. Ever since I broke up with Naomi Pierce last time, I haven't been with any other woman. I've been waiting for you this whole time."

His expression was sincere, and he looked extremely devoted, as though he were some infatuated man whose deep love would never change.

But Claire Bennett couldn't help laughing.

She felt that Ethan Sterling really was thick-skinned. For all anyone knew, he and Ava Bennett had already slept together who knew how many times, yet he could still lie through his teeth and say they had no relationship at all.

She didn't know how she'd gone blind before and fallen for a man like Ethan Sterling, and even dated him for so long.

But fortunately, she had now found her own happiness. Julian Sterling was a very good man. Even if he wasn't what he used to be now, she would never look down on him for it. She was willing to stay by Julian Sterling's side and slowly walk back with him to the peak he had once stood on.

Before Claire Bennett could speak, a shrill voice rang out. "Ethan!"

Claire turned to look and saw Ava Bennett running over in a flustered panic. Ava grabbed Ethan Sterling's arm and said pitifully, "What were you just saying? You said we're not dating? But we're obviously already boyfriend and girlfriend!"