Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 160: Serendipity

Chapter 160: Serendipity

"Mr. Sterling, the Westmore Group is prepared to offer a price ten percent lower than the initial offer in their negotiations with Matthew Taylor," the assistant reported.

Damian Sterling scoffed disdainfully, "Has Westmore resorted to price wars now?"

The assistant continued, "But such an offer is indeed tempting. As a businessman, no one overlooks profit. When the stakes are high enough, no one would refuse."

Damian bent down to pick up a branch and idly poked at the ground.

After a moment, he stood up, his gaze distant and thoughtful. "That pie might be too big for Oliver Westmore to swallow."

The morning sun shone brightly through the window as Emma Hart’s phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.

Answering the call, she was greeted by a gentle voice of a middle-aged woman, "Hello, Miss Emma, do you remember me?"

Recognizing the voice as belonging to the couple she had assisted the day before, Emma responded politely, "I remember."

"Let me hand the phone to my son," the woman said, passing the phone over.

Emma was puzzled, now her son wanted to speak with her? This family really valued expressing their gratitude.

A pleasant male voice came through, "Hello, thank you for saving my father. To express my gratitude, I’d like to invite Miss Emma to dinner."

Emma hurriedly declined, "No, that’s really not necessary."

If that man found out she went to dinner with another strange man, he would be livid.

Hearing Emma’s refusal, Matthew Taylor shrugged at his mother, "She says it’s not necessary."

Seeing this, Matthew’s mother quickly snatched the phone back, "Where are you, Miss Emma? I’ll have Matthew pick you up."

While speaking, she nudged Matthew, "Ask Miss Emma where she is."

Once again, with a sense of resignation, Matthew took the phone, "Where are you? I’ll come to get you."

Under his mother’s persistent coaxing, Emma Hart eventually found herself waiting at the entrance of a hotel.

On the way there, Matthew Taylor observed his mother’s elaborate attire from inside the car, "Why are you dressed so extravagantly? What if the girl sees your outfit and has ulterior motives?"

His mother gave Matthew a knowing look, well aware of the implication behind his words.

After all, too many women had been attracted to the wealth and power of the Taylor family.

Looking at her son, who never seemed to meet her expectations, she remarked, "Even if Miss Emma has ulterior motives, she would still be a better choice than the other girls."

Matthew felt helpless, wondering what kind of girl could have such an effect on his mother, making her behave as if under a spell.

Emma Hart, in an effort to avoid being picked up by Matthew, took a cab instead.

Matthew’s mother was already waiting at the hotel entrance, greeting Emma as if she were the prospective daughter-in-law.

Her enthusiasm was overwhelming for Emma, who extended her hand politely, "Hello! Miss Emma, it’s a pleasure to meet you formally."

Matthew Taylor, a man of grace and gentlemanly demeanor, young and accomplished, was dressed in a sharp suit that was understated yet far from ordinary.

Matthew’s parents were dressed more formally than they had been in their sportswear on that day.

From this, Emma could tell that Matthew’s parents were not ordinary people, and the restaurant they had chosen appeared quite upscale.

Throughout the meal, Matthew’s mother led Emma into the dining area, placed the menu before her first, and even insisted the waiter serve Emma water first.

Emma found the treatment and warmth somewhat overwhelming.

The dinner was dominated by Matthew’s mother’s conversation, with Emma maintaining her demure demeanor.

Being unfamiliar with them, she preferred to keep a reserved attitude.

Matthew’s gaze alternated between Emma and his mother.

He found the girl sitting before him quite appealing, though he hadn’t given much thought to his choice of partner, focusing instead on his career.

If his mother was indeed pressuring him, considering the gentle and smiling Emma, Matthew thought she might be a good match.

As the meal concluded, his mother couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer, leaning in to ask, "Miss Emma, do you have a boyfriend?"

Emma, seeing the eager look on Matthew’s mother’s face, understood her intention was to introduce her to her son.

Emma had grasped this from the start but wondered how to respond appropriately.

Boyfriend? Emma Hart couldn’t help but think of Damien Sterling. Could he really be considered her boyfriend?

Or, if not, then what? The father of her child?

Ultimately, Emma told Matthew Taylor’s mother, "Auntie, I appreciate your kindness deeply, but I have a boyfriend."

Disappointment and loss flickered across the face of Matthew’s mother, surprisingly mirrored in Matthew Taylor’s eyes as well.

He had thought there might be a chance to develop a relationship with Emma, only to find she was already spoken for. Yet, Matthew wasn’t too invested in pursuing romantic endeavors.

Seeing their reactions, Matthew’s father gave his wife a gentle tug, half-teasing, "You see, all your efforts were in vain."

Matthew quickly diverted the conversation, "Not at all in vain. I’ve made a friend, at least. May I ask, Miss Emma, what brings you on this trip?"

His mother, seemingly struck by a sudden thought, leaned closer to Emma, "Just a boyfriend, not married?"

Matthew looked helplessly at his mother, wondering just how much she liked Emma.

His father tapped the table in mild exasperation, prompting his wife to realize her possible overstep.

Matthew and Emma exchanged a smile.

"I’m here to discuss business with a friend," Emma explained.

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to reach out to me. I’ll do whatever I can to help," Matthew offered.

Despite the regret, Matthew’s mother couldn’t contain her fondness for Emma, insisting, "Must let Matthew Taylor send Emma Hart back!"

At the hotel entrance, Emma and Matthew unexpectedly ran into Oliver Westmore.

Emma, recalling her last awkward encounter due to Damien, couldn’t meet Oliver’s eyes.

"What a coincidence, Emma," Oliver remarked.

After a brief exchange of surprised glances between Oliver and Matthew, the former commented, "Mr. Taylor, you’re here too?"

"The world is indeed small," Matthew chuckled.

After a short exchange, they went their separate ways.

Insistent on escorting Emma Hart back, Matthew Taylor had the car pulled up in readiness, leaving Emma with no choice but to get in.

"Where to, Miss Emma?"

"Seven Stars Holiday."

The hotel name lingered in Matthew’s mind; it felt familiar, then he remembered it was where Damien Sterling was staying.

But they probably have nothing to do with each other.

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