Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 227: I Don’t Want to Go

Chapter 227: I Don’t Want to Go

"That’s right, Damien is going to take me to the banquet tonight." Sophia Greenwood raised her head and said proudly. What seemed like a boast was actually a diminishment of her own value. If it were something truly boast-worthy, she would be like Emma Hart, for whom accompanying Damien Sterling was a routine matter, not a rare opportunity that warranted such excitement.

Emma responded coolly, "Oh, I’m aware. It’s just that I’m too tired to attend tonight, I simply can’t be bothered. Otherwise, I doubt it would be your turn, would it?" Emma deliberately provoked her with these words.

As Emma finished, she watched the change in Sophia’s expression, her face turning a shade paler. The jubilation previously evident when holding the invitation faded, "What do you mean by that?"

Stepping aside from Sophia, Emma continued with a smile, "Thank you, Ms. Greenwood, for attending the gala in my stead. I really need to rest, especially now with a baby on the way."

As Emma walked away, leaving a bewildered Sophia behind in the corridor, the latter’s frustration was palpable, nearly distorting her face with anger.

Emma didn’t feel like laughing, though. She sighed. Flaunting Damien Sterling was not her style; if she were to truly boast, it could be too much for the other women to handle. While they cherished rare moments with Damien, Emma saw him every day.

A little exaggeration here and there could easily deflate Sophia. And without even embellishing, simply sharing the warm moments she shared with Damien would be unbearable for Sophia to hear.

Emma Hart looked down at her colleagues diligently absorbed in their work, a sense of envy unexpectedly washing over her. Despite having had the upper hand in their earlier confrontation in the break room, Emma found little joy in it. She had intended to avoid Sophia Greenwood, yet it seemed increasingly impossible to escape her presence, and Sophia’s arrogance only appeared to grow.

Emma realized she couldn’t keep enduring without pushing back. Sometimes, when soft drinks don’t work, one must be ready for the stronger ones. Perhaps it was time to revise her approach.

Sophia Greenwood sifted through numerous cases before finally finding a somewhat valid excuse to approach Damien Sterling for his signature. She meticulously inspected her appearance in the mirror, dabbing her face with powder to ensure flawlessness, then sat back down, finding her lipstick slightly lacking. After touching it up to her satisfaction, she stood back in front of the mirror to straighten her attire before heading towards Damien’s office. It was crucial for her to present the best version of herself in front of Damien.

Outside the CEO’s office, the secretaries watched Sophia pass by. Despite their efforts to dress well, they couldn’t match Sophia’s inherent grace, which was simply unattainable for them. They treated her with great respect, acknowledging her role as the company’s head designer. However, Sophia’s demeanor towards the elegantly dressed secretaries was far from friendly. She treated them with a cool, dismissive air, peering down her nose at them with disdain.

"Quickly go and inform Mr. Sterling," Sophia instructed coldly. Previously, she had moved freely without needing to report her movements, but that had changed after Damien issued new orders restricting her access.

After the secretary relayed the message, Sophia slowly made his way to his office. When Sophia entered the office, Damien Sterling was busy working with his head down, paying no attention to Sophia Greenwood in front of him.

"What is it?" Damien asked without much interest, his brief glance barely pausing on her, which inevitably filled Sophia with a sense of disappointment.

Sophia placed the documents on his desk, "You need to look at this."

"Alright, I’ll check it," Damien responded, his attention quickly returning to his tasks.

Sophia Greenwood didn’t leave after speaking; instead, she stood in front of the desk, biting her lip slightly. She pulled a chair closer with a soft hum to catch Damien Sterling’s attention, sitting down and inadvertently causing her skirt to hike up slightly.

Her legs, long, fair, and impeccably shaped—surpassing even a model’s ideal proportions—crossed elegantly, but Damien seemed as if he hadn’t noticed at all.

He looked up indifferently, "Is there anything else?"

In a fluster, Sophia nodded quickly, deliberately adjusting her skirt again, gazing at Damien with her chin propped on her hand. His sharp features were distressingly handsome.

"Damien dear, what are you planning to wear to the gala tonight? Should I coordinate with you?" she asked coyly.

"I’ll wear this," he replied nonchalantly.

Sophia was taken aback by his casual response but dared not comment further.

"Hmm, that’s not bad. So, you’re wearing navy; maybe I’ll go with red. What do you think—burgundy, maroon, or true red?" Sophia mused aloud, her face flushing slightly as she pictured them together.

She continued dreamily, "Would burgundy look too mature? Then I’ll choose..."

Damien looked up, cutting her off abruptly, "Whatever you like!"

His tone was icy, silencing Sophia mid-sentence.

Recognizing the dismissal, Sophia prepared to leave, but Damien called out just as she reached the door, "Wait a second."

Sophia turned around eagerly, "Yes? What is it?"

"How long are the design department staff spending in front of computers now?"

The hope in Sophia’s eyes flickered out, disappointed it was just a mundane query. "Around six hours or more, sometimes even longer. Why do you ask, Damien dear?"

Damien waved dismissively, "Okay, I got it."

Later that afternoon, two large boxes were delivered to the design department. Curious, the colleagues gathered around as an assistant, sweating profusely, announced, "These are anti-radiation suits, a company benefit to protect everyone from excessive exposure."

Emma Hart accepted her anti-radiation suit from a colleague, impressed by the thoughtful provision. Damien Sterling’s company really did care about its people.

As the day neared its end, Sophia grabbed her bag, eager to prepare for the evening gala.

Emma watched Sophia’s triumphant departure with discomfort. Just the thought of her wrapped around Damien at the gala was unsettling.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Oliver Westmore: Dinner tonight?

Staring at the overwhelming workload on her computer, Emma initially declined, but remembering Sophia’s plans with Damien, she erased her response and typed a new one, "Yes."

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