Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 196: Becoming His Waitress

Chapter 196: Becoming His Waitress

Emma Hart had just returned to the design department when her colleagues immediately started gossiping. "Did you guys hear? The company’s planning to have Nina Waters as the spokesperson for the new project," one woman said, her eyes sparkling as if she herself was the one being chosen.

Another woman sashayed into the conversation, "Nina Waters? The one always caught up in scandalous headlines? Do you really think the company would collaborate with such a celebrity?"

"But I heard Nina Waters is here exactly for this discussion. She’s got connections. In this society, as long as you have money, what can’t you accomplish?"

Emma Hart didn’t want to eavesdrop, but the voices of her colleagues were too loud to ignore. Every bit of office gossip, from major company decisions to the janitorial staff’s family events, was common knowledge among them.

Emma couldn’t help but admire these women for their ability to turn even the dullest days into something entertaining. She wondered how much less joy there would be without them in the design department.

In the executive office, an assistant was reporting the day’s schedule to Mr. Sterling. "Ms. Nina Waters is prepared to discuss the collaboration project with you," the assistant said. Damien Sterling raised a hand, "The project? What does a female star have to discuss with me?"

"Delegate it to someone else."

The assistant nodded, about to leave when Sterling suddenly changed his mind, "Wait, call her in. And have Emma Hart from the design department serve us."

Though the assistant didn’t understand Sterling’s intentions, they nodded obediently. Given Sterling’s status, such matters were kept strictly confidential.

Hardly sitting down for a moment, Emma was found by the upstairs secretary, who whispered, "The president requests your presence in the meeting room."

"The meeting room?" Emma was puzzled. What would she do there? Attend a large meeting?

Following the secretary, Emma almost wanted to run to keep up with her. The secretary’s high heels clicked steadily on the floor, a feat Emma marveled at. Rushing to catch up, Emma almost had to look up to speak to the secretary, "What does the president need me for?"

"To serve water," the secretary glanced at Emma, finding her question rather silly.

"To serve water?" Emma raised an eyebrow. What kind of task was that?

The secretary nodded as if to say, "What else did you expect?"

Emma shook her head. She hadn’t expected anything, really. But then again, what else could she expect from that man?

At the entrance to the conference room, even the executives were buzzing with curiosity about Nina Waters inside.

Murmurs filled the air, "Nina Waters is truly formidable, to think Mr. Sterling actually granted her a personal audience?" A few men peered through the door crack, barely concealing their lust, "Look at those long legs, a perfect golden ratio."

"I’d love to see what’s under that dress..."

Listening to these vulgar comments from the company’s higher-ups was disheartening. It seems men, especially when confronted with a seductive woman, really do all react the same way.

The secretary, clicking in her high heels, cleared her throat pointedly. The men at the door immediately straightened up, adjusting their ties and pretending as though they hadn’t said or seen anything, and walked away.

Emma Hart couldn’t help but overhear the crass remarks of the men at the door. She wondered if Damien Sterling inside was also ogling inappropriately. The mere thought made her want to kick him in the face, despite not understanding where this sudden surge of anger came from. Hadn’t she always maintained that what Sterling did was his business and not hers?

Inside the conference room, only Nina Waters, Damien Sterling, and Nina’s secretary were present. This was Nina’s first meeting with Damien, a chance given to her by a recent connection with a real estate mogul who had facilitated introductions, citing past collaborations with the Sterling Group.

The mogul had made it clear, however, that the final decision would rest with the Sterling Group, ultimately meaning Damien Sterling. Winning over Damien, therefore, meant securing this opportunity without a hitch.

Nina sat opposite Damien, flirtatiously playing with her wavy hair and crossing her long legs, making it almost impossible not to catch a glimpse of her alluring features. Despite her efforts, she noticed Damien hadn’t spared her a single glance.

Not one look from him, as if he had absolutely no interest in her. Nina even began to question his sexual orientation.

Growing irritated at his indifference to her charms, Nina gestured to her assistant, "Where’s my silver ear mushroom soup?" As her assistant handed her the thermos, Nina glanced at the lid, deliberately knocked it off, sending it rolling in Damien’s direction.

The thermos lid fortuitously fell at Damien Sterling’s feet. Glancing down, Damien caught sight of the object by his foot, then his gaze lifted to meet Nina Waters’. With a coquettish pout, Nina sent a flirtatious glance his way, confident that Damien couldn’t possibly remain unaffected by her charm.

Sounds came from the door.

Outside, the secretary handed Emma Hart a tray of drinks, instructing her, "Please take these in. Don’t forget to refill the water during the meeting." Emma felt a mix of resignation and annoyance. Was this additional task part of her job now? She wondered if a raise was in order, suspecting this setup was Damien’s idea—to have her play the spoiler in a meeting with a beautiful woman.

Upon opening the door, Emma immediately noticed Damien Sterling looking at Nina Waters with a gleam in his eye, while Nina appeared all too seductive. Were they exchanging surreptitious glances? This man was just like all the rest! What was in his hand? Was the object of their covert exchanges really just a thermos lid?

Hands! They’re about to touch!

And they actually made contact!

Emma’s heart raced as her eyes fixated on their hands. She wondered why they hadn’t let go yet. What were they doing, whispering sweet nothings?

Damien Sterling, the womanizer!

Approaching Damien and Nina, Emma saw there was space beside Damien to place the cup, yet she deliberately walked up to them. Looking down at their hands, seemingly glued together like they were coated with superglue, she frowned and said irritably, "Excuse me, I need to set this cup down."

Nina finally let go, looking at Emma with a puzzled expression. What’s with this Sterling Group server’s odd behavior? But Nina’s mind wasn’t really on that; Damien’s look had just confirmed his interest in her.

Nina suppressed a smile, thinking to herself that no man could ever escape her grasp.