Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 328: Island Getaway (2)

Chapter 328: Island Getaway (2)

Tom unloaded the suitcase from the plane and handed it to a staff member in a white shirt. Emma Hart and Damien Sterling got off the vehicle, holding their sleeping children.

"Why are we here?" Emma Hart asked, thinking they would stop by the beach so she could finally take off her fur-lined sneakers, which felt unbearably hot on the island. She regretted not changing into a cooler pair before leaving.

"Vana Mountain is one of Sterling Group’s island projects. It’s convenient to stay here, and I can check on the operations while we’re at it," Damien Sterling replied.

As soon as Damien Sterling stepped out of the car, a middle-aged man in a suit jumped off the reception vehicle and hurried over. "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, and your lovely children, welcome to Vana Mountain. I’m the general manager overseeing operations here. Let me take you to your rooms," he said respectfully, extending his right hand towards the reception vehicle.

Damien Sterling nodded to Tom, who then flew the plane away.

The resort staff, responsible for driving them, stood by the car and bowed deeply, welcoming Damien Sterling and Emma Hart until they were seated. Once they were settled, he straightened up and began to drive.

The fragrance of the vegetation enveloped them as they traveled. Emma Hart felt an instant clarity in her mind, closing her eyes and reveling in the moment.

Since stepping off the plane, Damien Sterling’s brow had not relaxed. His gaze alternated between the driving staff and the general manager, Emma Hart, their children, and the surrounding foliage.

The manager had initially planned to chat more with Damien Sterling, but realizing his intimidating aura matched the rumors, he decided against it. One wrong move could spell trouble he couldn’t afford.

The reception vehicle glided smoothly along the VIP lane. Damien Sterling’s eyes were fixed ahead, assessing the quality of the landscaping and cleanliness of the path.

Emma Hart, overwhelmed by the endless greenery, closed her eyes and leaned against Damien Sterling’s shoulder.

The car entered the VIP rest area, passing luxurious wooden cottages and treehouses, but it didn’t stop there. It drove further into the depths of the estate.

The manager passionately introduced Damien Sterling to the surrounding precious woods and how Vana Mountain had thrived under his supervision. His animated voice woke Emma Hart.

She opened her eyes, noticing that the children were still asleep. Damien had one arm securely holding his child and the other carefully supporting the one in Emma’s arms to prevent any accidents. How thoughtful, she mused, realizing that Damien was becoming quite the devoted father.

The car stopped beside the most luxurious villa on the mountaintop, far more extravagant than the ones they had passed earlier. Three maids stood at the entrance, awaiting their arrival.

"Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling!" they greeted in unison.

These maids, all over thirty-five, had been specifically chosen by Damien. He had insisted on hiring experienced caretakers to help for the week, considering Emma’s needs and avoiding any potential discomfort with younger, more attractive staff.

As soon as they stepped out, one maid rushed to handle the luggage, another took Joshua from Emma’s arms, and the third opened the door.

"Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Hart, I wish you a pleasant stay. I’ll take my leave now," the manager said, bowing slightly.

Damien nodded, and the manager left.

Inside, the villa was warm and romantic, dominated by yellow hues. The sunflower-themed ceiling lights, when lit, gave a sunny, cheerful atmosphere.

The babies woke up in the unfamiliar arms, their eyes widening in search of familiar faces. Seeing their mother, they reached out, wanting to be held.

Emma smiled, taking them from the maid and sitting on the master bedroom’s couch. She comforted them for a while before getting up to change clothes.

The island’s heat was intense. Both Emma and Damien had worn white fleece sweatshirts and jeans, feeling the warmth as soon as they stepped off the plane.

They changed into breathable, comfortable summer clothes—Damien in white, Emma in black. He had suggested black for its slimming effect, noting Emma’s recent weight gain. But actually it’s because white is more transparent and underwear can be easily seen.

Finally, Emma dressed the babies in cool summer outfits. Ready for their adventure, the family of four set out to explore.

In front of the villa, the resort staff who had driven them earlier returned with the reception vehicle. One of the maids, holding Joshua, stood behind Emma Hart and Damien Sterling, use a big umbrella to shield them from the sun. She was the most experienced with children among the three maids, making her the ideal companion for the trip.

As they rode in the vehicle, the staff member explained the park’s rare plants, activities, restaurants, and more. Damien and Emma, each holding a child, sat in the middle, while the maid took the back seat.

Vana Mountain boasted eighty-eight attractions, including Pavilion Lake, Dark Stream, and the Flame Suspension Bridge.

Emma Hart snapped several photos at each stop, even dragging the camera-shy Damien into some of them. In front of so many onlookers, Damien couldn’t throw a fit and silently tolerated Emma’s enthusiasm. If captured by journalists, he would surely be praised as a family-loving man, reinforcing the sterling reputation of the Sterling family.

However, inwardly, Damien was resisting. He planned to "get his revenge"tonight.

Around four or five in the afternoon, they arrived at Vana Mountain’s most famous attraction—the Flame Suspension Bridge.

The "Flame Suspension Bridge" is Vana Mountain’s most renowned tourist attraction, famous for its breathtaking design. It has served as a filming location for both disaster and science fiction movies. Spanning 180 meters and hovering about 20 meters above the ground, this bridge stands out from typical suspension bridges. Below it isn’t a forest or a raging river, but a 12D "volcanic eruption" experience developed by Sterling Group’s tech department in collaboration with various experts. The red magma flows beneath, emanating heat and white smoke, making the scene incredibly lifelike.

"Oh my god..." Emma Hart gasped. She had only seen this scene in movies and assumed it was special effects. She couldn’t believe it was one of Sterling Group’s star attractions.

"Damien Sterling, how many fields are you involved in?" Emma was dumbfounded by the impressive sight.

"Many... You’ll find out gradually," Damien replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the count himself and deciding not to elaborate.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, would you like to experience it firsthand?" the resort staff member asked with a smile.

"Can we?" Emma looked at Damien with hopeful eyes.

"Let’s go," Damien said, taking her hand and leading her towards the bridge.

Seeing them ready to cross, the staff called out to Damien, "I’ll drive the car to the other side of the bridge to wait for you!" He avoided addressing Damien formally due to the crowd, knowing the high-profile man could attract unwanted attention.

Damien nodded in acknowledgment.

Emma held Gabriel while the maid carried Joshua. The boys were thrilled by the spectacular view, and if not restrained, they might have tried to leap into the scene themselves.

Damien had personally tested the bridge numerous times during its design phase, so he was unfazed by the experience. What mattered more to him was seeing Emma’s happiness.

Suddenly, jets of white steam shot up several feet, eliciting delighted screams from the crowd. Emma looked up at the billowing steam, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Seeing Emma’s joy and their sons’ excitement, Damien couldn’t help but smile with contentment.

As the sun set, casting a golden glow, visitors began to disperse, bringing an end to their eventful day.

Damien Sterling and his family, led by the resort staff, arrived at the mountaintop restaurant, an exclusive dining club for Vana Mountain’s VIP guests. This restaurant featured different song and dance performances at various times of the day, and tonight, just before midnight closing, there was a promised special surprise.

Emma Hart and Damien Sterling were seated at the highest level of the restaurant, offering the best view in the house. From this vantage point, they could enjoy professional performances while also taking in the entire panorama of Vana Mountain. The daytime attractions were marked with white lights, creating an illusion of a sea of stars rather than trees below.

Their dinner was served, featuring island seafood delicacies: salmon sashimi, garlic crab, and steamed grouper, each dish perfectly complemented by a homemade sauce. Unfortunately, their two babies, not yet old enough for such food, had to settle for formula while watching.

Midway through the meal, Emma’s stomach began to ache painfully, likely from the sudden intake of cold, raw food. "I need to use the restroom. You keep eating," she said, leaving her seat hurriedly and half-bent over.

In her haste, Emma collided with what felt like a wall of muscle at the restroom entrance.

"Hey, watch where you’re going!" the wall grumbled.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry!" Emma quickly apologized. Suddenly, the voice sounded very familiar.

She looked up to find herself face-to-face with Logan Harrington, the human wall she had nearly bounced off.

"What are you doing here?" Emma exclaimed in surprise.

"I could ask you the same thing! Where’s Damien Sterling?" Logan began scanning the area, looking for Damien.

"Find him yourself! I’m in a hurry!" Emma, nearly doubled over in pain, couldn’t waste time talking. She rushed into the ladies’ room, leaving Logan to his search.

Emma spent a painful yet somehow relieving twenty minutes in the restroom. Feeling much better, she checked her reflection in the mirror and then returned to her table.

Predictably, her seat had been taken when she got back.

"Logan Harrington!" Emma Hart called out.

"Oh, there you are! I was just telling Damien about our little encounter twenty minutes ago!" Logan Harrington replied cheerfully.

Emma’s face flushed. Bumping into someone at the restroom entrance wasn’t exactly something to celebrate. She couldn’t understand Logan’s enthusiasm.

"What are you doing here? Are you alone?" Emma tried to change the subject quickly.

"Of course not! I’m here with my goddess," Logan said, gesturing towards Amelia Davidson.

Amelia approached, holding a wine glass. "What a coincidence, Mr. Sterling, Emma," she said, giving Emma a big hug.

"Oh! And the little ones are here too! Come to Auntie Amelia!" Amelia said, placing her glass on the table and reaching for the Sterling twins.

The babies, thrilled by Amelia’s attention, laughed and reached out for her, proving Amelia’s undeniable charm even with the little ones.

"Why don’t we join tables?" Logan suggested.

With no objections, he called a waiter to add two chairs.

Their family dinner turned into a festive gathering of six.

Logan, delighted to see Damien, drank a few more glasses and started to act playfully. "Damien, it’s been so long! Why haven’t you called? I’ve missed you so much!"

His overly affectionate words made both Amelia and Emma cringe.

"Amelia, how are the wedding plans coming along?" Emma asked, eager to steer the conversation to safer ground.

Amelia wrapped an arm around Emma, saying warmly, "Don’t worry, dear. We’re doing great. We’re here to meet Logan’s grandmother."