Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 170: Changing Boyfriends

Chapter 170: Changing Boyfriends

The car slowly moved away.

Despite not being a regular driver, Damien Sterling’s driving skills seemed superior to any chauffeur’s.

The passenger seat offered a direct view ahead, proving to be a tad more comfortable than the backseat.

Emma Hart found her mood inexplicably uplifted, gazing out the window.

The golden sunlight sprinkled across the road, making the asphalt twinkle, while the swaying shadows of green trees moved backwards, compelling Emma to hum a tune.

"Feeling joyful?"

Emma glanced at the man beside her, who had a knack for dampening her spirits, whether she was happy or not. Being around him was quite the challenge!

As they drove on, the road felt familiar to Emma.

It was only after Damien turned into an alley that she realized: they were headed to her high school alma mater.

Upon stopping in front of the school, Emma’s suspicion about their destination was confirmed.

"Why are we here at the school?" she inquired.

"To learn about your past," the man replied calmly, then stepped out of the car.

"What are we doing here?" Emma looked at her former campus, a place she knew all too well.

She had spent four years of her life here, years that felt like her youth itself.

While some cherish their college years, Emma’s fondest memories were of high school.

Despite the hardships and sleep-inducing classes, recalling those times brought her more joy than hardship.

The familiar cry of a vendor selling Emma’s favorite tiger-skin pancakes caught her attention.

The thin, pan-fried mochi wrapped around generous fillings like red bean, mung bean, chestnut, and Emma’s beloved taro filling, a delicacy she hadn’t tasted in years.

Emma, like a little gluttonous cat, darted towards the stall.

Having locked the car, Damien turned around to find Emma gone.

After scanning the surroundings, he spotted her at the stall, marveling at her insatiable appetite.

"Ma’am, I’ll have the taro filling," Emma requested, shivering slightly in the cooler air post exiting the car, warming her hands by the stove. "It’s been so long since I’ve had this."

Damien Sterling, trailing behind, couldn’t muster much interest in the street food around them, his first thought being its lack of cleanliness.

Emma Hart, noticing the slow pace of Damien Sterling behind her, offered to treat him, "What filling would you like? It’s on me."

She caught a disdainful glance from him, without any reaction.

Emma Hart grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, urging, "Come on, what filling do you want?"

Damien Sterling moved a bit closer, yet his face still displayed utter disdain.

Emma Hart knew all too well that these heirs of wealth looked down upon simple street snacks, always putting on airs.

But she believed these snacks were truly delicious!

"Mung bean filling?" Emma Hart asked, turning to gauge Damien’s reaction.

His expression, still filled with disgust, suggested he wasn’t fond of that choice.

"How about chestnut?"

The man nodded, "Whatever you prefer."

"Ma’am, one with chestnut filling, please."

The vendor looked at Emma Hart with a smile, then glanced at Damien Sterling, teasing, "Got yourself a new boyfriend?"

Damien Sterling turned around alertly.

Emma Hart nearly choked on her own spit from shock.

She had intended to support the vendor’s business out of kindness, yet the vendor’s remark was startling.

If Damien Sterling heard this, Emma feared she would be in trouble.

Quietly turning around, Emma found herself blocked by Damien’s sturdy chest.

"I’ve heard that," he stated.

Emma laughed awkwardly, "That’s... the vendor was just talking nonsense, she might have mistaken me for someone else."

Emma couldn’t recall ever dating in high school, pondering why the vendor would say such a thing.

She did have a crush, but never officially dated anyone.

After graduation, they went their separate ways, never to contact each other again.

The vendor’s words today seemed almost lethal.

"Emma Hart, it seems you had quite the open high school life," the man remarked, looking at her as if evaluating.

Emma broke out in a cold sweat. She was innocent, unjustly accused.

She had only harbored a crush on a boy, hardly something that warranted being described as ’open’.

Another couple came up behind Emma Hart and Damien Sterling, chatting and laughing.

The girl couldn’t help but sneak glances at Damien Sterling now and then—who could blame her for looking a few extra times at such a man?

"Ma’am, we’ll have one with red bean filling, please." The girl said, handing over the money to the street vendor who bowed her head down to get busy with the order.

Emma Hart looked awkwardly at Damien Sterling, wondering how she could possibly explain this.

It seemed like no explanation would make him believe her. "Oh dear, you’re really putting me in a spot," she thought.

"Changed boyfriends again, young lady?"

...That voice.

Emma turned to see a girl with a similarly puzzled expression, mirroring her own confusion.

Suddenly, a boy rushed up, looking flustered. "I’m so sorry, everyone, my mother just says things," he said, taking something from his mother’s hands.

Instead of scolding, he gently chided, "Mom, you’re causing misunderstandings again."

The mother rubbed her head like a child, "What did I say wrong now?"

The boy then explained, "My mother is getting on in years and gets confused easily. She insisted on coming out here, claiming people love her cooking. But she often misspeaks. I had only stepped away for a moment, and it seems she misspoke again."

After his explanation, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

Emma Hart turned around, suddenly feeling a burden lifted off her shoulders, and pointedly accused Damien Sterling, "See? It wasn’t my fault. The lady was mistaken. Damien Sterling, I think you owe me an apology for what you said earlier."

"What did I say?" Damien seemed ready to feign ignorance.

"Miss, your tiger skin buns are ready," the boy called out to Emma with a smile, adding a few extra as an apology. "Sorry about the mix-up."

"It’s okay. It’s that man who’s too narrow-minded," Emma said, implying Damien Sterling, glancing back at him from time to time.

After all, she wasn’t wrong about him being petty and too concerned with appearances.

Damien led the way with Emma following closely.

Hearing her footsteps behind him, Damien finally slowed down.

Usually brisk and efficient, even his walking pace was faster than most, as if spending extra time on walking was a crime in Damien Sterling’s book.