Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 288: Inspiration Offline

Chapter 288: Inspiration Offline

Emma Hart silently rejoiced in her natural flair for design, effortlessly sketching several elaborate drafts inspired by a melodramatic TV series she had watched. However, her designs were all adaptations based on ancient costumes.

Considering the contest was hosted by the Sterling Group, which owns the innovative fashion label zrse, Emma realized the competition was likely a hunt for new design talents aimed at bolstering their brand’s prestigious image. Winning would certainly require a clever approach.

Suddenly, she hit a creative block. Designing ancient costumes alone wouldn’t cut it; this was a Sterling Group event, after all, and Damien Sterling, the relentless CEO, would never engage in an endeavor without profit motives. The theme must focus on "Fairy" modern fashion. Emma opened her computer and meticulously reviewed other contestants’ entries. As the saying goes, "Know your enemies and yourself, and you will never be defeated."

Emma’s gaze fixed on the screen when she saw that the second-place contestant was Aria Davis! Aria, her middle school classmate and a recognized prodigy, had studied fashion design in Paris. Emma hadn’t expected to encounter her here and wondered if Aria still remembered her. A formidable opponent indeed!

After closely studying Aria’s designs, Emma noted they were more suited to the poised, mature woman — the quintessential professional. The innovative details at the collars and hems broke away from the traditional, conservative look of professional women’s attire. In stark contrast, her own designs leaned towards youthful fashion. Was this a sign of her immaturity? Perhaps, but it was merely a personal style choice.

Other contestants, recent design school graduates, presented works similar to hers, not quite matured. But why had she placed first? Could Damien Sterling have manipulated the results?

Emma decided not to dwell on these thoughts. If inspiration was lacking, intelligence would suffice. Now aware of the style direction she needed to pursue, she would design youthful, fairy-like fashion.

Meanwhile, in the Sterling Group’s CEO office.

"Mr. Sterling, as per your instructions, I’ve prepared the files on the top global models from the past two years," the long-legged secretary announced, placing a three-centimeter stack of model profiles on Damien Sterling’s desk.

"Alright, you may leave," Damien Sterling responded.

The secretary nodded to Mr. Sterling and exited the room.

"Hey, Ryan, come here," Damien called out next.

Ten minutes later in Mr. Sterling’s office.

"Choosing models? Me?" Ryan Garcia sprawled on the sofa in Damien Sterling’s office, his complaints echoing as he spread out stacks of model profiles. "Man, you’ve got to spare me! This is like making me recite ancient texts!"

Damien Sterling, holding half of the model files himself, flipped through them, "It’s not like I’m asking you to date them, hurry up!"

"Uh..."

"Don’t make that noise, young man!"

"Okay..."

The office quieted down for only a moment before Damien Sterling’s private phone rang.

"Mr. Sterling, sorry to disturb..."

"Speak up."

"When you select the models, please choose girls under the age of 22 because I’m planning a line for young women."

"A young women’s series? Got it."

Damien hung up the phone, pondering the young women’s series. That girl is finally getting it.

"Is that your sister-in-law? What are you guys talking about?" Ryan Garcia changed the subject. In his eyes, models were just decorative, and looking at them was annoying!

"Pick girls under 22," Damien Sterling, not easily sidetracked, clarified.

"Yeah! Narrowing it down!" Ryan cheered, realizing this meant he just needed to pick a few profiles of girls under 22 to make his job easy.

"Put some heart into it. This is crucial for Sterling Group’s future."

"Okay!"

Damien Sterling had no choice with Ryan Garcia; even picking beauties was a chore for him. After all these years, he’d never seen Ryan with a girlfriend—could it be he preferred boys?

"Cough! Ryan, haven’t you thought about getting a girlfriend?" Damien asked awkwardly.

"Haven’t met the right one, haha!" Ryan laughed helplessly.

Damien Sterling and Ryan Garcia spent the afternoon selecting models, settling on three for Emma Hart to make the final choice.

"Amy, have these three come in for an interview tomorrow afternoon," Damien handed the selected model profiles to the long-legged secretary.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling!" Amy took the profiles, bowing slightly before leaving without any fuss.

"Dear Damien, you do switch secretaries quite frequently," a visitor noted. "The last time I was here, it wasn’t her."

"It’s about finding someone dependable."

"How’s your mother?"

"She’s been doing well. I go home every night to be with her."

"I’ll have the driver take you back later."

"No need, I have my own car."

With that, Ryan Garcia pulled out his limited edition Jeep keys, waving them in front of Damien Sterling, "If there’s nothing else, I’m off then? Bye!"

"Bye."

Inside the Sterling family mansion.

Emma Hart wandered aimlessly, first around the study and then the living room, finally collapsing onto the sofa with a handful of candies. Could she have really forgotten she was pregnant?

"Miss Emma, are you hungry? Shall I start preparing dinner?" Mrs. Harris observed Emma’s despondent demeanor, finding it both amusing and heartbreaking.

"Yes," Emma nodded, "Mrs. Harris, I’d like some chicken cutlets and mushroom soup!"

"Of course!" Mrs. Harris couldn’t hide her delight. It was rare for Emma to express a preference for certain foods, and surprisingly, drawing seemed to have stimulated her appetite.

The door banged open as Damien Sterling entered.

"Mr. Sterling, you’re back! I was just about to start dinner. Is there anything specific you’d like?" Mrs. Harris asked.

"Anything is fine." Damien sighed heavily, his voice weary. After a grueling afternoon, he had developed a severe case of aesthetic fatigue; the last thing he wanted was to encounter more models.

"Emma, come to my office tomorrow afternoon to select models," Damien said without a glance at her and headed upstairs.

"Okay..." Emma responded.

Dinner was served, and Damien didn’t look up once, focusing solely on the food in front of him. Once finished, he immediately retreated upstairs. Emma sensed something unusual about Damien’s behavior tonight.

"Mr. Sterling has been acting so strangely all evening, even staring at me for a long time," Mrs. Harris said, puzzled.

"Who knows," Emma replied nonchalantly, masking her growing unease. "Mrs. Harris, could you please serve me some more rice?" Though Emma didn’t show it, deep down, she was beginning to feel anxious, even if she hadn’t fully realized it herself.

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