Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 111: Unreasonable Possessiveness

Chapter 111: Unreasonable Possessiveness

Emerging from the bathroom, Emma Hart encountered the steadfast gaze of Damien Sterling.

"Why are you still here?" she questioned, puzzled by his lingering presence.

Damien, however, offered no response, simply watching as she stepped out unscathed before he turned to leave with an air of indifference.

What a peculiar man, Emma thought as she passed by him, suddenly pausing and glancing back.

With a quick look at Damien’s desk, confirming it was clear of anything amiss, she felt a sense of relief.

As she headed towards the door, Damien’s voice stopped her cold.

"Where do you think you’re going?" His tone was icy, questioning her choice of attire with an implied critique.

"I’m just going downstairs," Emma replied, somewhat defensively.

"Put on some clothes," Damien commanded, his voice still cold.

Looking down at herself, Emma checked her outfit, covered modestly enough, she thought. Did Damien not consider her attire appropriate?

"Mr. Sterling, perhaps you should look again," she suggested, hinting at his habitual demeanor of either speaking condescendingly or not making eye contact, as if she were invisible.

Indeed, she was dressed, despite his implication otherwise.

Damien finally lifted his gaze, his eyes unreadable, and instructed with emphasis, "The security is tighter at night. Put on a coat."

"Feudal!" Emma exclaimed, not understanding his conservative reaction to her casual home attire, which he seemed to equate with being undressed.

Her comment ignited Damien’s anger. "Do you intend to expose yourself to other men like this?" he challenged.

"I think this outfit is perfectly normal," Emma retorted, pulling at her clothes to emphasize her point.

Damien, observing her damp hair and the lace on her pajamas, saw her in a different light—a vision of allure he believed was not meant for the eyes of others.

"Emma Hart, don’t test me. One more word, and I might just throw you out without any clothes at all," Damien warned, his patience thinning, a rage simmering close to explosion.

Sensing the seriousness of his threat, Emma reluctantly returned to the wardrobe to comply with his demand, draping a woolen coat over her shoulders.

Presenting herself once more, she asked, "Is this satisfactory now?"

Without a word, Damien’s silence served as consent, and Emma took it as her cue to leave the room.

In no time at all, Emma Hart brought up a cup of soothing tea, cautiously placing the freshly brewed cup on the table.

Likely due to its heat, Emma’s hand brushed against the cup’s side, feeling the temperature spread rapidly, scalding her enough to make her exclaim a few times.

She moved her hand to her ear, exclaiming, "It’s so hot, so hot."

Damien Sterling rose anxiously, pulling Emma’s hand towards him, "Let me see."

Their fingers touched, sending a swift electric current throughout Emma’s body, evoking a feeling akin to first love.

Despite their greater intimacies elsewhere, this simple touch stirred something unexpected.

Emma withdrew her hand from Damien’s, insisting, "It’s okay."

Damien, in a commanding tone, grasped Emma’s hand, "Can’t you be more careful?"

He then led her to the bathroom, running her fingers under cold water.

Damien held Emma’s hand under the faucet, the cool stream enveloping her fingers, easing the sting of the burn.

Emma smiled secretly, harboring a fleeting hope in that moment. Yet, some things are irrevocable, having occurred and impossible to erase.

Nalan Xingde’s words, "Life is but a first sight," seemed not to resonate with Emma.

For her, the first encounter was the least pleasant memory.

Damien dragged Emma back to the desk, looking at the still-steaming cup of tea, "All this for what?"

Emma nodded, "I saw you were tired and wanted to bring you this cup of soothing tea."

"I only drink milk before sleeping," Damien stated coldly.

Such was the man, seemingly unaware of basic human warmth.

Despite Emma’s effort, not even a word of thanks was offered, only a detached attitude.

Damien turned, his voice low and questioning, "Speak, unwarranted kindness is often deceitful."

His penetrating gaze fell on Emma, who looked away uneasily, avoiding his eyes.

"There’s nothing to it," Emma said, feeling guilty.

"Alright, if there’s nothing more, we’ll leave it at that."

Emma hastily added, "No, no, actually, I wanted to discuss my work outside again..."

Before Emma could finish, Damien sipped his tea, cutting her off calmly, "Don’t even think about it."

"Is there really no room for discussion?"

"Emma Hart!" The man gave Emma a stern look, issuing a final warning.

Frustrated, Emma rolled her eyes and turned to head to bed.

"Wait a second."

Emma turned around, her face lighting up with hope, thinking Damien Sterling had changed his mind.

"What is it?" she asked eagerly.

Damien looked at her expectant face, almost regretting having to crush her hopes.

Did she really want to go to work that badly? So many women would kill to stay at home and live the life she was complaining about, yet here she was, always wanting the exact opposite of everyone else.

"It’s not what you think."

Emma’s face fell instantly, but then Damien spoke again, "Are you planning to go to sleep just like that?"

"What’s wrong?" Emma looked down at her pajamas, wondering if there was something inappropriate for the comfort of their home. Did he expect her to wear a wool coat to bed?

Damien looked at her with disdain, "Just wait by the bed."

Wait by the bed? For what?

"I am pregnant, you know!" Emma exclaimed, using her condition as a fortress against Damien’s usual forcefulness. What could he possibly want now that she was carrying his child?

Damien chuckled mockingly and resignedly, pulling something from the drawer and approaching Emma.

He plugged in the device, and the buzzing sound of a hairdryer filled the air behind Emma.

His fingers worked through her wet hair, lifting strands gently, "Going to bed with your hair like this, are you looking to catch a cold tomorrow?"

It turned out he was concerned about her wet hair.

Emma reached for the hairdryer, wanting to take it from Damien, "I got it, I just forgot, okay? I can dry it myself."