Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 202: The Embrace of Familiarity

Chapter 202: The Embrace of Familiarity

Emerging from the bathroom of Damien Sterling’s office, Emma Hart stumbled upon Nina Waters, who had just returned from outside. With a puzzled look, Nina seemed bewildered as to how Emma could have possibly used that particular restroom.

Caught in an awkward gaze with Nina Waters, Emma glanced over at Damien Sterling, realizing he had no intention of offering an explanation on her behalf.

Emma paused momentarily before speaking up, "Mr. Sterling, I’ll have the janitorial staff dispose of the trash from the restroom immediately."

Damien Sterling cast a brief glance at Emma, his silence speaking volumes. It was clear he found her less foolish than before.

Noticing it was time for his meeting, Damien observed the two women in front of him. Nina Waters looked expectantly at him, while Emma Hart, seeming utterly indifferent to his presence, stood aside, lost in her own thoughts, as if she wished to ignore him entirely.

Without another word, Damien headed straight for the door.

Nina Waters took a step forward, "Mr. President, where are you headed?"

Emma followed suit, curiously tilting her head from behind Nina, "Yes, where are you off to, Mr. President?"

Damien shot a glance at Emma, who was playfully shaking her head behind Nina. Wasn’t she supposed to cater to this high-maintenance lady? Well, she’d better do it well, hoping Damien to finally be satisfied with her performance.

"I’m off to a meeting," Damien replied tersely, his response directed solely at Emma, not Nina.

As Damien left, Emma felt a wave of relief, unlike someone else present. Nina Waters’s spirits deflated like a balloon. Initially here to discuss a business partnership, Nina’s aspirations had shifted. Why bother with business deals when she could aim to become the CEO’s wife?

Turning her attention to Emma, who she now barely acknowledged, Nina commanded, "Get me a glass of water."

"Of course," Emma replied, heading out only to return with a glass of honey water. It was the only refreshment available in the pantry, likely consumed by the secretaries.

Emma Hart walked in, carrying a glass of water, which caught Nina Waters’ eye. "What kind of water is that?" she inquired.

Emma paused for a brief moment before responding, "Lemon water."

Nina seemed taken aback. "I don’t want that. I want honey water!" She had expected honey water, just like the day before when the secretary had continuously brought her that. She had hoped to send Emma back for honey water, but to her surprise, the choice had changed.

Upon hearing this, Emma’s face lit up with a smile. "How coincidental, it is actually honey water," she said, handing Nina the glass.

Emma’s intuition was often right, not just about men, but women too. She could tell Nina’s posture wasn’t just about quenching thirst; it seemed more like she was trying to make things difficult. At this moment, Emma felt proud of her cleverness.

Nina frowned slightly. "What do you mean? Didn’t you just say it was lemon water?"

Emma feigned confusion, "Oh, did I? No matter, as long as it’s the honey water you wanted."

Nina huffed in annoyance, evidently upset she hadn’t managed to inconvenience Emma. After taking a sip, she set the glass down, glanced at the time, and looked up to inquire, "When will Mr. Sterling be back?"

Emma didn’t wish for his return so soon. After all, it wasn’t she who had sent Damien Sterling to the meeting, nor was she responsible for his schedule. How could she know when he’d return? Yet, she offered Nina a falsely cheerful response, "He might return shortly, perhaps?"

As Nina aimlessly wandered around Damien Sterling’s office, her touch on his desk revealed not admiration but desire. While the entertainment industry had men who could compete with Damien’s looks, none could match his wealth.

Immersed in the aura of Damien’s office, Nina caught Emma’s gaze and quickly masked her emotions, coughing awkwardly.

Her phone rang—it was her assistant. "Miss Waters, where are you?"

Nina whispered, "I’m in Damien Sterling’s office, why?" The assistant reminded her of the importance of not neglecting previously signed deals to avoid financial penalties.

The more Nina listened, the more irritated she became. Marrying Damien Sterling could free her from the need to undertake such menial, less profitable tasks. Yet, for now, she had no choice but to deal with them, despite her distaste for the sight of the corpulent bosses.

At least for the moment, she was nothing more to Damien Sterling.

Every day, the media wait downstairs, but today, Nina Waters isn’t in the mood to deal with them. Glancing at Emma Hart beside her, Nina says, "Later, put on my clothes and lead those reporters away."

Emma, pointing at herself, questions, "Me?"

With an eye roll, Nina retorts, "Who else, me?"

Suppressing a smile, Emma nods, "Alright."

The subtext is clear: Emma thinks, ’Why should I solve your problems? Why drag me into this?’

Downstairs, it’s a sea of people. Nina Waters still commands a significant presence in the entertainment industry. Emma, now fully dressed as a body double, thanks to Damien Sterling, grumbles, "Oh Damien Sterling, I must have owed you in a past life!" as she braces to face the reporters.

As soon as Emma steps out, a reporter shouts, "Nina Waters is here!"

Disguised with sunglasses and a hat, none of the reporters recognize her as not being Nina.

"Miss Waters, you’ve been seen frequently at Sterling Group. Anything you’d like to share?"

"Miss Waters, what’s your opinion of the president of Sterling Group?"

Questions fly, each with its implications. Being a star is tough, with every answer potentially a headline.

Caught in the press, Emma feels the air thinning, jostled on all sides, her head throbbing.

She steadies herself, but the incessant questions continue until the crowd parts suddenly, and she’s pulled into a familiar, domineering embrace.

Looking up, Emma finds herself in Damien Sterling’s arms, with the surrounding reporters in shock, "Mr. Sterling?"

The reporters’ eyes light up, all turning their attention to Damien Sterling.