Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 173: Show of Skill

Chapter 173: Show of Skill

The basketball court at the school hadn’t changed a bit, prompting Emma Hart to fondly recall past memories as she followed behind Damien Sterling, who seemed lost in his own thoughts as he moved forward.

The court was probably a sanctuary for many high school boys, a place free from the heavy burden of academics and parental nagging, where they could freely express their youth and vigor.

Around the court, girls at the cusp of first loves watched, each harboring a crush on a boy shining under the sun like a prince charming.

Emma remembered rushing to the cafeteria to grab her meal, then hastening to the court just to steal more glances at the boy she fancied.

Reflecting on those days, the crush seemed somewhat childish, yet the memories were undeniably sweet.

Regardless of whether those relationships were meant to be, they remained cherished memories of youth.

Suddenly, Damien Sterling, as silent as a cat, appeared beside Emma, observing the spark in her eyes and the smile on her lips.

What was she thinking about? Following her gaze to the court, he wondered what could possibly be on her mind.

"Thinking about some guy again?" he asked, his voice cold and detached, breaking into her reverie.

Emma rolled her eyes at Damien’s insinuation, confused by his habit of making a scene out of nothing.

Wanting to escape his scrutiny, Emma walked forward, her memories merely fleeting thoughts.

After all, she could barely recall what that young athlete looked like – just a vague recollection of a youthful crush.

"I’ve thought about quite a few," she quipped, deliberately provoking him.

Unbeknownst to her, Damien’s annoyance was palpable, though it quickly faded as he followed her gaze toward the basketball court.

As he picked up a basketball left on the side, the rhythmic bouncing of the ball against the ground sounded almost professional, catching Emma’s attention.

She turned to see Damien approaching, the basketball effortlessly in his control.

His tall figure was silhouetted against the backlight of the sun, the black coat and boots he wore oddly mismatched with the basketball.

His movements hinted at a level of skill akin to a professional athlete.

Damien Sterling approached Emma Hart, casually spinning a basketball in his hand.

His long fingers played with the ball as if intending to grip it entirely, "How’s your guy doing in basketball?"

"Whose man?" Emma Hart feigned ignorance, well aware that Damien’s knack for almost reading minds was at play again.

Just a glance towards the basketball court had apparently given away her thoughts of the past.

But was this really the time to pretend to be clueless, as if she was about to sit down, brew some tea, and discuss her "basketball team captain" with Damien Sterling?

With a scoff, Damien quickly advanced, making several expert moves with the basketball.

Coordinating his legs’ thrust with the finesse of his hands, he performed a flawless series of steps and launched the ball in a perfect parabola.

The basketball seemed to follow an invisible string guided by Damien, sinking straight into the hoop!

Emma couldn’t help but gasp, cheering naturally as if not doing so would be an injustice to the moment’s vibe.

In the midst of her bewildered cheering, Emma questioned her excitement. Was she turning into a little fan, a mini admirer of Damien Sterling?

No, no, no!

Emma withdrew her hands, coughing lightly to mask her embarrassment, but the cough seemed to amplify her unease.

Her eyes shifted away, wondering if her excited demeanor might inflate the man’s ego even more.

Emma’s fingers aimlessly traced patterns on a tree, hoping to divert Damien’s attention.

Clearly, this tactic was hardly effective.

"Got it memorized?" Damien walked up to Emma, swinging the basketball in front of her.

"Memorized what?" Emma looked up, puzzled. What was there to remember? She hadn’t done anything wrong or anything to upset him, so why suggest she needed to learn a lesson?

Then, with the swiftness of lightning, Damien turned and strode forward, each step deliberate and powerful, his posture impeccable.

Every movement seemed meticulously calculated, not a bit more, not a bit less. Extending his arm with the precision of hundreds of rehearsals...

With a "thud," the basketball hit the backboard and then swooshed downwards through the hoop.

The basketball rolled away on the ground.

Emma Hart watched Damien Sterling’s retreating figure with her jaw nearly hitting the floor.

Was it even legal to be that cool? The allure of a man playing basketball was one thing, but Damien Sterling took charm and suaveness to a whole new level.

A satisfied smirk played across Damien’s lips, pleased with himself and unsurprised by the outcome.

It had been a while since he last played, but his skills remained sharp, his touch unblemished by time.

He turned, his demeanor cool as he approached Emma.

Emma quickly lifted her hand to her chin, pushing it up as if to prevent any drool from escaping in awe. "Got all that?" he teased.

Emma faced him with a blank expression, utterly baffled. Why couldn’t he just speak plainly, like a normal person? "I... remember what?"

Despite the grand rehearsals of her arguments and justifications inside her head, the moment she met Damien’s icy gaze, her resolve fizzled out. Intimidation, it seemed, was her Achilles’ heel.

"Who were you reminiscing about on the basketball court?" he pressed, his eyes flickering dangerously, almost as if laced with a threat.

She couldn’t possibly tell him the truth, especially since her memory was a bit fuzzy.

It might have been someone from an earlier class, or perhaps someone from her own year.

But regardless, she couldn’t just spill the beans. "I wasn’t reminiscing about anyone?"

"Liar!" Damien closed the gap between them, his cold gaze pinning Emma in place.

His stare was as effective as any lie detector. She had merely allowed her thoughts to wander briefly, nothing more.

"Speak up!" he demanded.

"Speak up about what?" Emma asked, her voice tinged with guilt, her gaze darting away, unable to meet Damien’s penetrating look.

"Who were you thinking about?"

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