Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 207: Courting Disaster

Chapter 207: Courting Disaster

Nina Waters stared at the invitation in her hand. It was all in foreign languages, and she couldn’t understand a word of it. Embarrassment crept over her face, her lips trembling slightly, but she quickly lifted her head in defiance and tossed the invitation to Sophia Greenwood.

Sophia looked at the invitation lying on the floor with disdain, lifting her head to gaze at Nina with a look of scorn.

"What does it say, Miss Nina Waters?" Sophia asked deliberately, aiming to tease Nina for her lack of foreign languages proficiency.

Nina knew Sophia was mocking her and was determined to outdo her in some other way.

It wasn’t long before Nina’s gaze fixed on Sophia’s face. She leaned in closer to Sophia, reaching out to touch her face.

Sophia instinctively pulled back, her expression full of disgust, "What are you doing!"

Nina retracted her hand with a smile and said to Sophia, "Miss Greenwood, if I’m not mistaken, you’re pushing twenty-seven or twenty-eight this year, aren’t you?" Nina snorted coldly and continued, "Always clinging to the same branch. It would be unfortunate if Mr. Sterling disregards you, and other men lose interest as well. That would be a pity, unlike me, who is only 22 this year."

Sophia Greenwood’s face visibly changed upon hearing Nina’s words. She could outshine Nina in many areas, but she could do nothing about her age—a harsh reality that cannot be altered, and Nina’s words were an undeniable truth.

Not long ago, Sophia had spent a considerable sum to treat the fine lines just beginning to show at the corners of her eyes. It was a minor change, but it admitted her fear of aging. She was only a few months younger than Damien Sterling, calling him "brother" might seem insignificant to others, but Sophia knew all too well the anxiety a woman nearing thirty might feel.

Nina’s words weren’t something Sophia hadn’t considered before. If Damien Sterling disregarded her, let alone one day when no man would give her a second look!

Nina’s words were like a sharp needle piercing Sophia’s heart. Nina looked triumphantly at Sophia, watching her face contort with anger, and cheerfully shouted, "Where’s my lemonade!"

At this moment, Emma Hart, who was hiding behind the lounge, heard Jenny’s shouting and had to carefully walk out with the lemonade she had already taken a sip of.

It was imperceptible, really, and she couldn’t very well go back to pour a new glass. That would only signal to Nina Waters and Sophia Greenwood that she had witnessed their recent altercation!

As Emma Hart approached, Sophia Greenwood’s gaze quickly found her. Emma wasn’t just anyone; she was Sophia’s biggest rival. It wasn’t just a personal vendetta; to all the women circling around, Emma Hart posed the most significant threat.

Sophia could use others to infuriate Nina Waters, despite her own shortcomings. Sophia’s smile widened as she approached Nina, her natural aura of authority making Nina’s heart skip a beat with anxiety. What was Sophia planning?

Sophia sidled up to Jenny, stealing glances at Emma Hart nearby. Leaning in, she whispered to Nina, "You’re not entirely correct. For instance, that girl behind you is a few years older than you, yet Mr. Sterling prefers her type. Perhaps it’s her innocence or the lack of scandal and unwritten rules surrounding her."

Sophia straightened, a smirk of satisfaction on her face as she stepped back, her demeanor icy yet triumphant.

As expected, Nina’s expression soured further at the mention of Emma Hart, her dislike for Emma, whom Damian Sterling had sent to look after her, intensifying. She had never dared to complain about Emma, considering her Damian’s appointed caretaker.

Now, pondering over Emma’s relationship with Damian, Nina felt her irritation grow. Why send her, of all secretaries? Handing the water to Nina, Emma’s innocent facade seemed contrived to Nina, who suspected Damian was merely enchanted by Emma’s appearance.

In a deliberate act, Nina knocked the glass from Emma’s hand, shattering it on the floor with a loud crash, the shards scattering.

An assistant rushed to Nina’s side to check for injuries, while Sophia, standing a short distance away, remarked, "Even if you were hurt, it would be for naught. Would you dare lay a finger on Mr. Sterling’s people?"

Already displeased by Emma Hart’s mere presence, Nina Waters acted on impulse, spurred by Sophia Greenwood’s provocation. Shaking off her assistant’s hand, Nina strode toward Emma and, with a deliberate push, sent her tumbling to the ground.

Emma, caught off guard, found herself on the floor, pain radiating from her abdomen. She wondered how she, merely an observer carrying a glass of water, got dragged into this fray.

Confused and seated on the ground, Emma had no time to decipher how this situation unfolded. Clutching her waist and grimacing, the pain in her abdomen intensified.

Sophia, who had been making snide remarks moments ago, now rushed to Emma’s aid with a look of urgency, "Call 911 immediately, notify Mr. Sterling right away!"

Nina stood by, stunned, as Sophia seemed to transform into Emma’s protective sister, despite having just fueled the conflict. Nina fretted over the repercussions if Emma was indeed important to Mr. Sterling and something grave happened because of her actions.

In the dimly lit hospital corridor, the sound of footsteps grew louder, approaching with the speed of the wind. Turning the corner, Damien Sterling appeared, his expression dark. Standing at the emergency room door, he glared fiercely at the women on either side.

Sophia Greenwood hurriedly stood to explain, "My dear Damien, Emma and Nina Waters had some disagreement, but Nina had no right to push her!" In her panic, Sophia directed all blame towards Nina.

Nina, witnessing Damien’s stern face and recalling Sophia’s words, wondered if she had indeed caused a major problem. Her complexion turned pale, sweat beading on her forehead like peas, an unprecedented fear taking hold. The coldness in Damien’s eyes seemed to threaten her very being.

Known for his ruthlessness in business and his harsh treatment of women close to him, Nina stepped back in fear. She attempted to explain, retreating in her panic, but Damien’s anger did not subside, his eyes burning with fury.

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