Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 294: Hiding at the Office

Chapter 294: Hiding at the Office

After breakfast, to dodge Ella Moore’s grueling training, Emma Hart turned on her puppy-eyed charm mode.

"Mr. Sterling... Boss... please take me to the office with you today..."

"You need to stay home and train for the sake of the children."

"But the competition is coming up, and my designs are ready... I’d like to discuss them with Harper Clark..."

Emma diligently massaged Damien’s shoulders and back. This woman, resorting to flattery to skive off her duties. It would be too boring to give in too easily. Damien thought, a sly smirk creeping across his face.

"I can take you to the office. But... there’s a condition," Damien said, lifting her chin with his finger, his smile loaded with implication.

Emma felt uneasy but considered that enduring Damien’s demands might be easier than surviving Ella’s torture. Better to submit temporarily to Damien than die in sweat under Ella’s regime!

"Fine! Name your condition," Emma said through gritted teeth, choosing to deal with Damien.

"I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll owe you one, and tell you later," Damien said, his grin devilish.

"Okay... alright," Emma agreed, shivering a bit at Damien’s smile.

"Juice, feed me," Damien demanded, looking very pleased with himself.

"Here... Mr. Sterling... your juice," Emma complied perfectly.

"Good girl!" After drinking the juice, Damien swept Emma into his arms with one firm arm and settled into the black Bugatti, speeding away.

In Damien Sterling’s office.

"Hey, Harper Clark. I’ve finalized my designs. If you’re free, come over to Sterling Group so we can finalize everything," Emma told Harper over the phone.

"Sure, Emma," Harper’s sweet voice responded from the other end. Emma really thought Harper could make it big as an actress or singer if she chose.

While Emma could have finalized the designs alone, involving Harper, a professional model with a unique fashion insight, seemed like a smart move.

"Did you make the arrangements?" Damien asked, looking up at Emma.

"Yes, she’s on her way now," Emma responded.

"Good, I have to step out for a bit. You two can talk here. Stay in the office and don’t go anywhere," Damien instructed before striding out of the office, his long legs carrying him swiftly past the secretary who stood to see him off.

After Damien Sterling left, Emma Hart began playing game.

"Hey! Watch this!" Emma was so engrossed in her game that she didn’t notice a man standing behind her.

"Wow!" The man suddenly shouted, startling Emma almost enough to drop her mouse.

She spun around to see Ryan Garcia.

"It’s you, kid! How did you get in here without saying anything?" Emma scolded Ryan, clearly annoyed.

"I did call out to you, but you were too into your game to hear me," Ryan explained.

"Why are you here?" Emma asked, her gaze drifting towards the glass door where the leggy secretary was no longer in sight.

Ryan followed her glance. "What’s up?"

"Don’t bother looking, Amy took off with a stack of files as soon as she saw me. Ah, women!" Ryan seemed a bit downcast.

"Spit it out. What are you doing here?" Emma pressed.

"I’m here to find Har... dear Damien," Ryan joked.

"You’re here for Harper Clark, aren’t you? She hasn’t arrived yet," Emma quickly saw through Ryan’s fib.

"Oh, then I’ll wait," Ryan said, settling onto the sofa by the desk.

Emma ignored him and dived back into her game, getting deeply absorbed once again.

Ryan watched Emma, looking like an internet-addicted teenager, and couldn’t help but feel irritated. This woman hadn’t matured at all. What did dear Damien see in her, anyway? Ah, love is truly blind!

"Emma!" Harper Clark’s voice interrupted Ryan’s thoughts.

"Harper Clark, you—"

"You finally arrived!" Ryan cut in before Emma could speak, earning himself an eye roll from her.

"Ryan? You’re here too," Harper greeted Ryan, scanning the office briefly with a hint of disappointment.

"Let’s get down to business," Emma said, pulling out a folder from her bag and smiling at Ryan, "Could the irrelevant people please leave?"

Ryan bristled at the request. Damien never asked him to leave! "Why should I go? I’ve contributed here too, you know? Harper Clark is here because I chose her for you!" After saying this, Ryan glanced at Harper, and both of their cheeks turned a shade of red.

"Alright, alright, keep it down," Emma said, feeling a bit awkward.

In the office, Emma and Harper were enthusiastically discussing fashion, while Ryan played some online game on the computer, clearly bored. Just then, he noticed the leggy secretary returning.

Ryan Garcia swiftly exited the office, calling out to the long-legged secretary, "You’re finally back, I’ve missed you!"

The secretary rolled her eyes at Ryan, but he didn’t take it to heart and continued to chatter around her. Inside the office, Harper Clark, annoyed by the scene, made the excuse of going to get some water and deliberately stepped on Ryan’s foot.

Emma Hart watched their antics with a secretive chuckle. If Harper and Ryan really ended up together, they’d probably be another pair of love-hate sweethearts, much like her and... no, no, she was just a surrogate for Damien Sterling...

"Mr. Sterling!"

"Dear Damien!"

Both Damien and the long-legged secretary called out simultaneously.

"Ryan, what are you doing here?" Damien asked, somewhat surprised.

"I’m here for love..." Ryan responded, winking and making exaggerated facial expressions.

"Mr. Sterling," said Harper, who was standing behind him, holding two glasses of water.

"Here’s your water," Harper offered, lowering her head as she handed one of the glasses to Damien.

"No, thanks," Damien coldly declined Harper’s offer, motioning for her to go inside.

Embarrassed, Harper lowered her head and walked back into the office, placing the water in front of Emma with a smile, "Emma, here’s your water."

Emma thanked Harper, noting her peachy, spring-blossom-like demeanor.

Emma saw all that unfolded and felt her suspicions were confirmed.

Damien Sterling walked into the office and started reviewing documents on the desk.

From her seat, Emma could see Ryan, who continued to flirt with the secretary who ignored him yet occasionally kicked him.

This man really has a tough fate... Emma thought to herself with a resigned shake of her head, continuing to discuss the upcoming fashion show outfits with Harper.