Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 200: The Man with Ulterior Motives

Chapter 200: The Man with Ulterior Motives

Damian Sterling looked down, with Emma Hart watching him eagerly, hoping he wouldn’t be too harsh in pursuing the matter of his shoes further.

"Not bad," Damian said with satisfaction, pausing before he looked up at Emma, "One hundred and fifty thousand!"

The collaboration had halted due to Nina Waters’ soaked appearance, but it seemed Damian’s approach was never truly about discussing a partnership with Nina. After all, such minor collaborations didn’t necessitate Damian’s personal involvement.

Nina Waters hadn’t given up on partnering with the Sterling Group, pushing aside all her engagements, determined to persistently follow up with the Sterling Group, albeit not too obviously – just showing up at the Sterling Group every day. This persistence was enabled by Damian’s seemingly indifferent attitude, allowing Nina’s daily visits to go unobstructed.

The topic of conversation among the company’s colleagues these days revolved around the gossip that Nina Waters’ nanny car was spotted downstairs every day. A partnership with the Sterling Group wasn’t just profitable; it was prestigious. For publicity and hype, colleagues would fabricate various baseless news stories every day.

Within just three days, numerous media outlets reported on Damian Sterling’s new interest in Nina Waters, crafting stories that seemed as real as actual events. Beyond the demanding daily tasks in the design department, indulging in entertainment gossip had become a way for everyone to relax.

Emma Hart’s colleague, stretching and picking up their phone, flicked through it and then showed it to Emma, sharing the gossip that was happening so close to them. "Emma, look, Nina Waters’ past love life is quite something! But lately, it seems she’s doing quite well with Mr. Sterling!"

"Where’d you get that?" Emma replied half-heartedly, not particularly interested in such gossip, especially when it involved that man, making her even less interested. Yet, she couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty. Was she really not concerned at all?

"Think about it, if Mr. Sterling didn’t like her, would he let her come by every day? That’s not in line with Mr. Sterling’s character," her colleague said with the air of a great detective, as if they had witnessed it firsthand, or even more convincingly than seeing it with their own eyes.

"Yeah, I think you’re right," Emma conceded. After all, men were all the same. Considering Nina Waters’ long legs rubbing up against Damian Sterling, Emma couldn’t believe that Damian was completely unaffected.

In the executive office at the pinnacle of the skyscraper, Nina Waters sat, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Damian Sterling as he worked. There was something about him – always so handsome and affluent. As she looked around the spacious and luxuriously decorated office, Nina couldn’t help but let out a covert chuckle. Despite having met numerous wealthy individuals, she had never encountered an office quite as grand and tastefully appointed as this. It stood in stark contrast to the gaudy extravagance of some nouveau riche she had come across.

The secretary entered, carrying the meticulously scheduled coffee that Damian required at three specific times each day. Nina’s eyes momentarily shifted to the secretary, her face a clear display of the jealousy that can sometimes flare between women. Even the secretary’s attire was distinctively elegant, and with her looks, she could easily pass for a B-list celebrity in the entertainment circle. It dawned on Nina that winning Damian’s favor was no small feat, given the array of attractive distractions constantly surrounding him.

Rising from her seat, Nina sashayed over to the secretary, her high heels clicking authoritatively on the floor. Blocking the secretary’s path with an air of disdain, she declared, "I’ll take it to him." Despite the secretary’s internal reluctance, a glance towards Damian, who remained engrossed in his work without lifting his head, led her to hand over the coffee to Nina.

Nina’s face quickly transitioned from disdain to a flirtatious eagerness as she took the coffee, her body undulating seductively as she approached Damian. "Mr. Sterling, are you feeling tired? How about some coffee?" she cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness.

The secretary, about to exit, could hardly hide her disgust upon hearing Nina’s simpering tone. Turning away with a roll of her eyes and making for the door, she was abruptly stopped by Nina’s commanding shout, "You, stay right there!" Nina’s tone suggested she owned the place.

Damian merely glanced over casually from his desk. Undeterred by his silence, Nina marched up to the secretary, pointing a finger accusingly at her face, "What was that look for?"

The secretary, caught off guard and attempting to maintain a polite smile despite being exposed, found herself at a loss for words. "Oh, nothing, Miss Waters. You must be mistaken," she managed to say, despite knowing she stood no chance against a celebrity like Nina Waters in a confrontation.

"Mistaken? How could I be? Shall we review the surveillance footage?" Nina’s voice was filled with a resolve that wouldn’t be easily quelled. The real reason behind her anger was unclear, even to herself, but perhaps it stemmed from the secretary’s undeniable beauty—a potential threat in Nina’s eyes. Better to eliminate such threats wherever possible.

The secretary, looking utterly embarrassed, glanced at Nina Waters and then at Damien Sterling, but she knew all too well that Damien Sterling would not stand up for her.

Nina Waters turned towards Damien Sterling with a coquettish complaint, "Mr. Sterling, look at her. What kind of treatment is this? I’ve never been subjected to such indignity."

Damien Sterling suddenly remembered the incident from yesterday when that foolish woman, Emma Hart, splashed a cup of water on Nina Waters’ face. He pondered how yesterday’s grievance would be accounted for.

With an indifferent expression, Damien Sterling announced, "You’re fired." The secretary, caught off guard but aware of Damien Sterling’s infamous temper, burst into tears and hurriedly left the office.

Downstairs in the design department, the secretary approached Emma Hart, "Miss Emma, the president requests your presence upstairs."

"For what purpose?" Emma inquired.

"We had a secretary dismissed this morning, and we’re short-staffed, so you’re needed," the secretary explained.

"Me?" Emma was bewildered, her hands already full of work. How could she be expected to go upstairs now? A shortage of secretaries? Such an excuse would hardly convince anyone. A secretary for Damien Sterling of the Sterling Group? They must be lining up for the position, how could there possibly be a lack of staff? Was this another of Damien Sterling’s schemes?

Emma followed the secretary upstairs with trepidation, as if bracing for another battle. "Do you know why I’ve been summoned?" she asked.

The secretary pondered briefly before replying, "Perhaps because Miss Nina Waters is quite troublesome?"

Emma halted, "What? Nina Waters!" She had splashed water on Nina Waters’ face just yesterday, and Nina Waters was probably too busy circling Damien Sterling to seek her out.

Yet here was Damien Sterling, seemingly ready to deliver her straight to the doorstep. What was this man plotting?