Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 218: Excuse Me, Coming Through

Chapter 218: Excuse Me, Coming Through

Emma Hart awaited Damien Sterling, holding her breath as if even the slightest exhale could betray her presence. Fortunately, her nights were free of snoring—a habit she was grateful for, lest she feared she might never dare to sleep.

With a mix of resignation and impatience, Emma queried, "Mr. Sterling, what do you need from me?"

Turning to face her, Damien’s gaze carried a frosty severity, chilling Emma as though intending to freeze her in place.

Approaching his desk, Damien pulled out a chair, intending to sit. Yet, faced with Emma’s repeated inquiry, "Mr. Sterling, what exactly do you want?" he paused, his movements deliberately slow. Her impatience seemed to prompt him to reduce his pace even further, leisurely opening the chair and taking his seat.

Resting his arms on the desk, Damien gradually lifted his gaze to meet Emma’s. "Is there something urgent? Running off to some other man, perhaps?"

Emma bristled at the disparaging term—again with "other men." Was there not a more pleasant term he could use? His proficiency in insults was unmatched, it seemed.

This was not the first time they had clashed over his choice of words, and yet, Emma’s stance remained unchanged. Let him say what he will.

Emma lowered her head, wishing to swiftly conclude their exchange.

Each day, Emma found herself evading Damien within the confines of their office, yet paradoxically, he was her most intimate companion by night, sharing the same bed.

Their relationship was an intricate tapestry of contradictions.

Catching Damien’s warning look, he advised, "Remember your place. Do not engage in actions unbecoming of your status."

Emma frowned, puzzled by Damien’s cryptic message, finding it unsettling. What did he mean by ’her place’? What status was he referring to?

Challenging him, Emma asked with a hint of defiance, "Mr. Sterling, could you enlighten me on what my ’status’ is supposed to be?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Damien replied, his voice steady and cool, his frosty demeanor enveloping Emma in an icy draft, as if a cold wind had swept through the room, chilling her to the core.

Rising from his desk, the man circled the expansive office to stand before Emma Hart, a palpable pressure emanating towards her. Damien Sterling reached out, gently lifting Emma’s chin with his hand, his gaze unwavering, "Isn’t it clear to you yet?" His eyes briefly darted down to Emma’s abdomen with a scoff, tinged with disdain and mockery.

Emma met Damien’s scorn with a cold laugh of her own. Was she to be acknowledged as the mother of the child she carried, or did their relationship entail something less conventional, something not meant for public disclosure? She was genuinely curious about how Damien perceived her status.

It felt as though Damien had claimed something precious, only to vehemently assert its ownership to others, a notion Emma found absurd.

Dismissing his hold, Emma stood up, ready to leave. "Where do you think you’re going?" came Damien’s stern demand from behind.

"On a date," Emma retorted, her head held high as she dropped the words like a challenge.

Her declaration carried a trace of defiance, meant solely for Damien’s ears.

No sooner had Emma stepped out than a call from Oliver Westmore came through, "Emma, I’m waiting downstairs. Where are you?" His voice carried a hint of concern, fearing she might avoid him again.

Remembering Damien’s authoritative tone back in the office, Emma was determined to do exactly what he forbade. "I’ll be right down," she replied.

As Emma reached the elevator, Damien quickly caught up, blocking her path. His expression was neutral, as if it were a casual encounter. Glancing at him, Emma said, "Excuse me, I have a date! A date!" She emphasized the word "date" deliberately.

Damien stood in front of the elevator reserved for the CEO, "Can’t you read the sign?"

Emma rolled her eyes at him, finding his pettiness maddening. It was clear he was doing this on purpose.

To take the elevator from his floor, she would have to descend five flights of stairs to reach an alternative lift.

"Just five flights," Emma thought, undeterred. "As if that could stop me, Emma Hart. As long as he doesn’t tie me down, I can go anywhere." With that, she turned towards the stairwell, determined.

With each step Emma Hart took down the staircase, her irritation towards Damien Sterling grew. She was determined to infuriate him, to show an exaggerated affection towards Oliver Westmore, ensuring Damien was green with envy—if only he were watching.

Emma’s dramatic flair seemed wasted as she reached the stairwell door, scanning her surroundings only to find Damien nowhere in sight. Perhaps, she mused, her performance in the stairwell had been too grand, and Damien hadn’t cared as much as she hoped.

Disheartened, Emma exited into the lobby, where Oliver Westmore was waiting at a distance. Doubts began to surface, and she wasn’t as eager to approach Oliver as before. Yet, recalling her commitment, Emma resigned herself to the evening ahead. After all, a dinner to clear the air couldn’t hurt.

Oliver was already by the car, smiling broadly—an expression so filled with genuine joy that it seemed his face was brimming with collagen, a stark contrast to Damien’s icy demeanor. Emma couldn’t help but notice that even in Oliver’s presence, her thoughts drifted back to Damien. Why did his shadow loom over every moment?

Oliver held out a rose, his gesture shy, reminiscent of a teenager confessing first love. "Emma, this is for you," he said, "Today, you’re my only one." His words, though not smoothly delivered, carried a charming sincerity, tinged with a shy awkwardness.

Accepting the rose from Oliver, Emma felt a twinge of guilt. Her intentions weren’t genuine; she wasn’t there to date Oliver but to spite Damien. This realization made her slightly uneasy.

Oliver opened the car door for her, the vehicle empty save for them. Once Emma was seated, he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. Oliver had dismissed the driver, opting to drive themselves. Where was he planning to take her?

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