Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 143: Concern for Her

Chapter 143: Concern for Her

Inside the car, Emma Hart whispered, "With all these luxury cars, the women accompanying them must be of high status, too. Aren’t you embarrassed to bring me along? The disparity in our statuses is always there, looming between us. It’s a fact."

Damien Sterling gave Emma Hart a look and said disdainfully, "If you’re up for it, I could announce our marriage to everyone at the banquet tonight, and by tomorrow, the whole company will know. How does that sound?"

"No!" Emma Hart immediately knew the consequences of such actions!

Indeed, Emma Hart was stirring trouble again, adding another statement to her list of regrets.

Upon exiting the car, Emma Hart and Damien Sterling went their separate ways.

While Damien had to greet the Sterling family’s long-time acquaintances on behalf of his grandfather, Emma, dressed in a modest yet elegant wine-red gown, wandered casually, eyeing the variety of food displayed on the long tables.

She picked up a plate and grabbed a slice of cake.

As she turned, she came face to face with a familiar figure.

The girl spoke first, "Emma Hart?"

Emma furrowed her brows, taking a moment to recognize the girl from either middle school or high school. The girl, once quiet and reserved, seemed to have changed significantly.

Seeing Emma’s recognition, the girl eagerly pulled the man beside her for an introduction, "Emma, this is my boyfriend, David Brown."

Emma then noticed the man beside the girl, who appeared to be around 50, with a protruding belly but seemingly wealthy, given his presence at such an event.

The girl’s face bore a smug expression, proudly leaning on David Brown. Looking at the two, Emma felt nothing but a sense of slick greasiness.

How could her former classmate display such affection? The only explanation had to be true love. Yes, Emma preferred to believe it wasn’t about the money.

Standing awkwardly across from them, Emma offered a strained smile as the girl continued to boast about her boyfriend, stepping forward, "Emma, my boyfriend really spoils me. Just last week, he bought me a new bag."

The girl then pulled down her dress slightly to reveal her necklace, proudly saying, "See this? This sapphire was very expensive, a piece my boyfriend sourced from Africa."

Leaning against David Brown’s belly, she looked up at him with a sweet smile, "Right, dear? You spoil me the most."

David Brown placed his hand on the girl’s waist, whether his hand was too large or her waist too slender, the scene struck Emma as somewhat discordant.

Upon noticing Emma Hart standing alone, the girl gave her a once-over, noting that her gown and makeup didn’t seem like the work of any ordinary place.

With a gossip-fueled curiosity, she leaned closer to Emma, "Emma, what brings you to a place like this? Could it be?" she whispered with a sly grin, "Could it be that you’ve become someone’s mistress?"

Unable to contain herself, the girl burst into laughter, adopting a tone of moral superiority, "Oh, Emma, you really shouldn’t be doing things like this. You need to find a decent boyfriend, just like I did!"

Emma Hart nodded awkwardly, pondering who exactly had been entangled in mistress rumors.

The man, noting Emma’s graceful figure and pretty face, spoke disdainfully, "If your sugar daddy isn’t cutting it, come to me. I can introduce you to a few better options."

The girl, cooing at his side, said flirtatiously, "Emma’s an old classmate of mine. Make sure you hook her up with a good one."

Emma quickly refused, "No, that’s not necessary."

From a distance, Damien Sterling gestured towards Emma Hart.

The girl, following Emma’s gaze, saw the handsome man seemingly greeting Emma.

She gasped, momentarily forgetting about David Brown’s presence, "Oh my God, he’s so handsome."

David Brown, standing beside her, scoffed with disdain, "How many young people actually have money?"

But as he turned and saw who it was, he too exclaimed, "That’s Damien Sterling!"

The girl beside him was equally shocked, "You mean that Damien Sterling of Sterling Group?"

David nodded, his body moving forward as if on its own, seizing what he saw as an opportunity for social climbing.

As the music began at the banquet, Emma stood awkwardly beside Damien Sterling.

Suddenly, he asked her, "Can you dance?" Emma remembered her college club activities but doubted Damien’s intentions were to simply dance with her. She wanted no part in it.

Emma shook her head, "No, I can’t," hoping that would be the end of it.

However, to her surprise, Damien Sterling pulled her towards him.

His attractive peach blossom eyes fixed on her, his eyebrows slightly raised.

With a charming tilt of his lips and a firm grip, he drew Emma into his embrace, "You can’t? Then let me teach you now!"

Emma resisted, "But I don’t want to learn," her thoughts defiantly adding, ’I don’t need your teaching! I just don’t want to dance with you!’

Leaning forward, Damien Sterling prompted Emma Hart to instinctively step back in a five-step posture.

Damien, an experienced observer, immediately noticed Emma’s trained movements.

His enigmatic smile, a blend of mischief and allure, played across his features as he masterfully spun Emma out and then pulled her back to his side.

Taking advantage of her momentary daze, he whispered teasingly in her ear, "Trying to deceive me?"

In a sudden movement, Emma leaned back too far, stumbling and twisting her ankle.

Damien quickly caught her, lifting her effortlessly and setting her down on a nearby chair.

He then knelt, gently removing her shoe with careful attention.

Emma, looking down at Damien, felt as if the person who had just fallen wasn’t her at all.

His expression was one of genuine concern, tenderly looking after her, warming her heart unexpectedly.

As Damien examined Emma’s ankle, she remained unresponsive, her gaze indifferent.

Catching her staring blankly, he questioned with a hint of accusation, "Are you pretending just to avoid dancing with me?"

Well, perhaps a little, Emma thought, as she had only slightly twisted her ankle. Seizing the moment, she exclaimed, "Ouch!"

Damien, increasing his grip slightly, retorted, "Keep pretending, then."

Emma pushed Damien away and stood up, putting her shoe back on herself, dismissing the whole episode as "Boring!"

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