Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 101: If It Tastes Good, Buy It Out

Chapter 101: If It Tastes Good, Buy It Out

"Need a wheelchair?" Damien Sterling halted and turned to look at the leisurely approaching Emma Hart, his gaze landing on her belly, he teased, "Or should we wait until you’re bigger and need a stretcher to carry you around?"

"Sure," Emma retorted, having picked up a trick or two about bantering with Damien.

She stuck her tongue out at him, striding past with a vigor that belied any hint of sluggishness.

Damien watched her pass, momentarily dumbstruck, then a smile unwittingly broke across his face.

He had never encountered a girl quite like her... one who brought him such joy and comfort, words failing to fully capture her essence.

The dishes at the full fish banquet were exquisitely prepared, the fish tender to the point of perfection, enhanced by the chef’s culinary expertise.

Emma, driven by sudden hunger or perhaps the allure of cooked food over raw fish slices, abandoned any pretense of decorum and ate heartily.

"Are you reincarnated from a starving ghost?" Damien joked.

Looking up at him, Emma replied, "This place is really good, I find it delicious."

"Delicious?" Damien surveyed their surroundings, his focus returning to Emma, who was unaware of the decision he had just made.

Emma nodded vigorously. Her experience as a seasoned food lover, although not versed in high-end gastronomy, gave her a credible palate for everyday fare.

"And this fish tastes wild, unlike most fish today, which are farmed and lack flavor."

"You seem quite knowledgeable."

Emma looked up, wondering if Damien was actually praising her.

She thought, why bother getting excited over his rare compliments when he usually treated her harshly?

Setting her chopsticks down, Damien passed her a napkin.

Taking it, Emma felt a moment of awkward gratitude, "Thank you."

Though it felt odd thanking him, manners instilled from childhood prevailed.

Approaching the front desk, the staff’s smiles seemed unusually bright, with the manager and others standing by the door, bowing respectfully, "Mr. Sterling, please take care."

"You’re quite the public figure," Emma remarked.

"How so?"

"Everywhere we go, people recognize you as Mr. Sterling. Why weren’t they this enthusiastic when we arrived?" Emma voiced her confusion.

"Because I hadn’t bought this restaurant yet."

Emma Hart was on the brink of spitting out her meal in shock.

What? He had acquired the restaurant just like that, during the course of their meal?

Emma found herself increasingly baffled by the world of the wealthy, particularly Damien Sterling’s world.

"Did you really just make an impulsive decision to acquire this place?"

Emma recalled her friends mentioning that real estate here was incredibly valuable, implying that buying a restaurant was no small transaction.

Had Damien really not given it a second thought before making such a grand gesture?

"You mentioned you liked the restaurant, right? Owning it makes coming back here more convenient," he explained nonchalantly.

What? This is too crazy.

Enjoying the food is one thing, but acquiring the entire establishment just because it tasted good? All because Emma mentioned she liked it?

Stunned, Emma stared at Damien, unable to move forward as if nothing had happened.

The amount he must have spent could likely sustain her dining out for a lifetime.

How could Damien, known for his shrewdness, make such a decision? Yet, he seemed utterly unfazed, as if it was a trivial matter.

Damien, walking ahead, stopped and turned back to see Emma still rooted to the spot.

He glanced at his watch, "You have thirty seconds to catch up with me. I need to be at the office by 1:50 PM."

Emma hurried to his side, frowning, "You’re not going to add the acquisition cost to my tab, are you?"

Despite knowing it shouldn’t be her concern, with Damien, nothing seemed impossible.

"It’s not entirely out of the question," he said, turning to walk away.

What? Emma froze for a moment before catching up, looking up at him, "You can’t do that. That’s illogical, unreasonable... Hey..."

If Emma had any particular favorites, would he buy those out too? Would she end up billions in debt?

"Unless you agree to my terms," he added.

"What terms?"

"Proceed with the wedding."

Again with this? Couldn’t there be something else on his agenda?

"Emma Hart, there’s really nothing to discuss here. You have no choice but to agree," Damien Sterling looked at Emma with an unyielding gaze, his eyes locking onto hers with the intensity of a hawk clutching its prey.

Indeed, she had no ground to negotiate on with him.

In the car, Damien began organizing Emma’s afternoon schedule, "After I head to the office, the driver will take you for a facial treatment."

Emma, not fond of such indulgences and wary of the restrictions during pregnancy, objected, "Pregnant women shouldn’t have those treatments."

"It’s a special treatment designed for expectant mothers. I’ve arranged it; the whole salon will be at your disposal this afternoon."

Emma gasped in surprise, eyeing Damien, "You haven’t bought that too, have you?"

"Not yet, but if you need me to, I can acquire it. It’s just a salon, after all."

"No, no, no..." Emma hurriedly waved her hands in refusal, "I’ll go, I’ll go."

"Good," Damien said calmly.

In the underground parking garage, Emma forced a smile as she saw Damien off, "Mr. Sterling, don’t worry, I’ll do as you’ve instructed."

Her face ached from the effort, and only once Damien had left did she let the strained smile fade.

Sighing, Emma pondered the trials fate had dealt her, unsure of her own state of well-being after enduring repeated ordeals.

She had lost the strength to fight against life’s injustices. Rather than being continually pushed down by him, she thought it might be better to just accept things as they were.

A mocking smile once again crossed Emma Hart’s face, her thoughts circling around how she felt like a slave in an imperial court, tirelessly seeking to please her master.

It seemed this was the only way to make her days a bit more bearable.

Lifting her gaze to the azure sky, Emma managed to squeeze out a smile.

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