Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 318: The Importance of Being Decent

Chapter 318: The Importance of Being Decent

Emma Hart sat in the backyard of the villa, bundled up in a thick coat, surrounded by various small treats made by Mrs. Harris herself. She was sketching Bailey, who was napping nearby. This month had been quite pleasant for her, largely because her grandmother hadn’t pestered her for money.

Although she didn’t understand why, Emma knew that when it came to her grandmother, no news was good news.

"You seem to be in a great mood lately!" Damien Sterling remarked, watching her paint from a wicker swing.

"Yeah, I never realized before how beautiful our backyard is," Emma replied.

"That’s because you were always trying to escape before, so you couldn’t appreciate its beauty," Damien said.

However, good things never last long.

"Mrs. Sterling, your phone!" Mrs. Harris hurriedly ran out from the house, holding Emma’s phone.

"Who is it, Mrs. Harris? Why the rush?" Emma asked, frowning slightly as she took the phone from the breathless Mrs. Harris.

It was her brother, Max.

Max? Sigh, the debt collector had come after all.

"Hello? Max?" Emma felt a deep sense of despair when it came to her family. She figured Max must have run out of money and was calling to ask for more.

"Sis... I...," Max stammered, his voice choked with tears.

"Max? What’s wrong?" Emma sensed something was seriously wrong. Max must have gotten himself into big trouble again.

"Hello, this is the University Town Police Station. Are you a relative of Max? Please come down here as soon as possible," a police officer said, having taken the phone from Max.

"Okay, I’ll be there right away!" Emma’s heart began to tremble. Max had ended up at the police station! Should she tell their mother and grandmother?

Emma patted her face, telling herself that no matter what, she couldn’t let their mother and grandmother find out. Max was their only hope for the rest of their lives!

"Emma, what’s wrong?" Damien Sterling asked with concern, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"My brother’s in trouble again. He’s at the police station. I need to go!" Emma said.

"Alright, I’ll go with you. Mrs. Harris, get the car ready!" Damien ordered.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling!" Mrs. Harris said, quickly going to notify the driver.

The black Bugatti cruised smoothly down the road, the scenery outside the window gradually shifting from concrete jungle to rural farmland as they approached University Town, hidden away in the suburbs. Emma Hart’s mind was a storm of worry, wondering what trouble Max had gotten himself into this time. The police had been frustratingly vague on the phone, leaving her agitated.

Inside the University Town Police Station, Max was already in custody.

"Sis! Save me!" Max cried, his face streaked with tears as he looked at Emma through the glass. But he was too distraught to explain what had happened.

A middle-aged police officer approached Emma and Damien Sterling. "You must be this boy’s family. Well, he’s done it now! A student from a prestigious university caught dealing drugs. Unbelievable!" His contemptuous glance at Max, who wished he could disappear, was unmistakable.

"We’re following standard procedures today. If you have anything to say, say it now. Once we report this, he’s facing jail time," the officer added before stepping aside to drink his water. He had seen too many cases of students getting involved in drug dealing and had lost hope in them.

"Sis, you have to save me! If I get a record, my life is over!" Max pleaded desperately.

"And what were you thinking about your future when you decided to do something so disgusting?" Emma shouted back, furious.

Max couldn’t fathom his bad luck. His two friends had been dealing for months without getting caught, and he got busted on his first attempt, and it was a significant deal, no less.

"How long is he looking at?" Damien Sterling asked calmly.

The officer glanced at Damien, impressed by his composure. "Maybe a year or two," he replied.

"Understood. Emma, let’s go," Damien said, taking Emma by the arm and starting to lead her away.

"Damien Sterling! Let go of me! That’s my brother in there!" Emma shouted, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.

Once outside the station, Damien pulled Emma aside. "Quiet. Stand still," he ordered.

Then, Damien took out his phone and made a call, his tone icy. "University Town, Max. Release him." With that, he hung up.

Within minutes, the middle-aged officer who had spoken to them received a call. He listened, nodding and bowing repeatedly before grabbing the keys and heading toward the holding area.

Emma quickly followed, this time without Damien stopping her.

"Get out!" The middle-aged officer grumbled as he unlocked Max’s cell door, gesturing for him to leave.

"Emma!" Max cried out, rushing into Emma Hart’s arms the moment he was free, just like he used to when he was a child seeking comfort.

Emma led Max out, with Damien Sterling observing with a satisfied smile. The officer followed behind them, and upon seeing Damien, he immediately removed his hat and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Sterling! I didn’t recognize you. Please, don’t hold this against us. It was our mistake, and we’re truly sorry for the inconvenience," he apologized profusely, bowing deeply.

Emma was accustomed to such scenes, but Max was utterly shocked. He knew the drugs were his, and he had been caught red-handed with undeniable evidence. Damien Sterling seemed almost godlike to Max, who couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and fear.

"Let’s get you back to school," Damien said coldly.

During the ride, Emma assured Max that their mother and grandmother wouldn’t hear about this incident. Damien questioned Max about the whole affair, laying down a stern ultimatum: Max was to cut ties with the street thugs and his two dubious friends. Damien promised to provide Max with a regular allowance, with the amount to be decided by Max. However, Max would have to repay every cent after graduation unless he earned his degree.

Max knew he had no other option. Without Damien’s intervention, he’d likely be facing prison. Reluctantly, he agreed to Damien’s terms. Embarrassed by his predicament, Max only requested an average student’s allowance, vowing to stay out of trouble and focus on his studies.

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