Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 210: Bailey Falls Ill

Chapter 210: Bailey Falls Ill

As dawn broke, the chirping of the birds outside the window gently woke Emma Hart, who then stealthily slid out of bed to sneak into another room. This was Damien Sterling’s study—a sanctuary where an unfinished PowerPoint presentation awaited completion.

Emma knew she had to seize this quiet moment to wrap up the presentation, as a crucial meeting with the partners was scheduled for the afternoon. Completing this task would mark a significant milestone. However, as she began to work, the computer screen suddenly went black.

Emma, puzzled, inspected the computer to identify the malfunction. Bending down in her black wool dress, she discovered the power source was also dead. "What’s going on here?" she muttered to herself.

Unexpectedly, the door to the study swung open, revealing Damien Sterling standing in the doorway, shrouded in darkness as well.

"Did you cut the power?" Emma questioned.

"It was me," Damien admitted, pulling a USB drive from the pocket of his pajamas and dangling it in front of Emma. "Everything you need is on this drive," he stated. But then, he paused, gripping the USB tightly before putting it back into his pocket, lifting his gaze to Emma, "However, I have no intention of giving it back to you."

Emma slammed her hands on the desk, anger washing over her face. "What do you mean by that?" she demanded.

"It has severely disrupted the rest of the mother of my child," Damien replied, his brow furrowed in anger.

Realizing that a direct confrontation with him would lead to no positive outcome, especially with a crucial partnership discussion looming that afternoon, Emma knew any further delay in presenting the design drafts could complicate matters for Amelia Davidson.

Swallowing her pride, Emma decided not to play the hero. It was not the time for stubbornness. With a heavy sigh, she realized that in front of Damien Sterling, this was the only stance she could take. Softening her previously angry expression, Emma adopted a more conciliatory and gentle tone, even pleading, "Can you please give it back to me? I’ve already finished it, and it’s really important to me."

However, Damien’s stern expression did not waver; it only grew colder. "You are no longer allowed to work on such things. From today, you are to stay at home. You are forbidden from going to the company!"

Emma was stunned. Wasn’t this man supposed to prefer obedient women? Despite her efforts to speak kindly, he was only becoming more unyielding. She had begged him to let her work, and now, it seemed all her efforts were reverting back to square one.

Anger flared within Emma. "What right do you have to forbid me from going to the company?" she challenged.

"Because it’s my company," Damien declared with an undeniable authority, as if he were a sovereign making his decree. But the truth was undeniable; it was his company, and his word was law. And Emma Hart had no choice but to comply.

Damien Sterling made his exit. Following this, Emma Hart was preparing to leave when she was unexpectedly stopped by Mrs. Harris and several servants!

"Mrs. Harris, would it be alright if I go to work now?"

Mrs. Harris, with a heavy heart, couldn’t do more than serve the Sterling family. Coming to Emma’s side, Mrs. Harris spoke gently, "Miss Emma, please, heed Mr. Sterling’s advice. He’s only concerned for your well-being and that of the child within you. What matters more, your job or the baby?"

Emma Hart looked at Mrs. Harris, realizing even she shared the same sentiment. It made Emma wonder if she was indeed in the wrong. To an ordinary person, her actions might seem misguided, but her relationship with Damien Sterling was anything but ordinary. She sought only to secure a better future for herself and her unborn child. And if it meant taking her child with her, how could that be wrong?

Nearby, Bailey rubbed against Emma Hart’s leg, eliciting Emma’s attention. She knelt down to meet Bailey’s pleading gaze, the dog whimpering softly before lazily crawling towards its bed.

Emma felt a sense of unease, sensing Bailey’s lack of spirit today. Following the dog, Emma took some dog food from Mrs. Harris and placed it before Bailey, but the dog merely sniffed it without showing any appetite.

Gently stroking Bailey, Emma asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Bailey whimpered again in discomfort, prompting Emma to grow increasingly worried. Looking up, she asked, "Mrs. Harris, do you think Bailey might be sick?"

Mrs. Harris hurriedly crouched down, observing, "It does seem off, not as lively as usual."

In a flurry of concern for Bailey, Emma fetched the household’s medical kit. Rummaging through it, she found herself at a loss, holding an adult thermometer, wondering, "How do we use this on a small animal?"

Mrs. Harris, taking the thermometer, explained, "I’ve seen it done before; people place it behind a dog’s bottom to check its temperature."

After a while, Mrs. Harris removed the thermometer, confirming, "The temperature is indeed a bit high. Could Bailey be having a fever?"

Emma Hart scooped up Bailey, her voice laced with urgency as she said, "We need to get him to the vet immediately."

Mrs. Harris glanced at the bodyguards outside, "But Mr. Sterling insisted that you must call him before going out."

Emma pulled out her phone and dialed Damien Sterling’s number, but despite her attempts, the calls went unanswered. With Bailey in her arms, she fretted, "Why isn’t he picking up?"

"Maybe Mr. Sterling is in a meeting," someone suggested.

After several attempts, there was still no response from Damien.

Emma dashed to the doorway, urging the driver, "Hurry, we need to get to the pet hospital now!"

The drivers exchanged hesitant looks, none daring to make a move without Damien Sterling’s direct order. Who would take the risk without his approval?

Emma repeated her plea, but seeing their reluctance, she returned inside, clutching Bailey tighter. His condition seemed to worsen; he could barely stand, collapsing weakly on his mat. Emma, distraught, cried out, "Bailey, Bailey..."

Finally, Damien answered her call.

"Hello. Come back. Get the driver to take us to the vet now."

Damien, on the other end, dismissed her with a sneer, "What now? Another excuse?"

Emma frantically explained over the phone, "Bailey is sick, really sick."

Damien glanced at the clock. Amelia Davidson’s collaboration was set for two, suspecting this was yet another ploy by Emma. Decisively, he responded, "Don’t waste your effort! We’ll take care of it after 3 PM."

He hung up, rationalizing that the meeting would end by three, and Emma’s delivery of the design drafts wouldn’t matter by then. Perhaps letting her ’fall’ this once would temper her ambitious spirit, he thought.

"Hello...?" But the line was dead.

Emma looked down at Bailey, now limp on his mat.

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