Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 356: Don’t Cut Down the Tree

Chapter 356: Don’t Cut Down the Tree

In the afternoon, the cicadas’ chorus became the soundtrack of Peach Blossom Town. Inside the mayor’s office, Damien Sterling and Mayor Walker were discussing whether the towering ancient tree needed any decorations.

"Yes, that tree is truly a treasure! Mr. Sterling, did you know that for generations, every New Year’s Day, our townsfolk have gathered beneath that tree to pray for peace and prosperity? It’s why we’ve had such a peaceful life all these years. But... times change, and so must we!" Mayor Walker’s voice was filled with reverence and love for the tree.

"Please trust that Sterling Group will bring you an even better life," Damien replied with a smile.

The office door was ajar, and a group of mischievous children, driven by curiosity, pressed their ears against it to eavesdrop. They strained to hear words like "tree," "not possible," "cannot change," and "must change." The children exchanged fearful glances and then ran off, gathering two kilometers away from the mayor’s office to discuss in hushed, anxious voices.

"Do you think they’re going to cut down the tree?" one girl asked.

"If they do, where will we play? I’ll be so sad," another girl whimpered.

"Hey, isn’t Aunt Emma married to that man who wants to cut the tree? Maybe she can help us!" one boy suggested.

They all looked at each other, doubtful but desperate.

"Don’t think too much. Let’s at least try! Even if there’s just a one percent chance," the first boy said, determination shining in his eyes.

Inside the large wooden house, Emma Hart and Mrs. Harris were enjoying afternoon tea, a local specialty of peach blossom cake and peach blossom tea.

"Mmm! This is amazing! Pink, soft, and fragrant. Mrs. Harris, get my phone! I need to take a picture to show Amelia!" Emma exclaimed excitedly. Amelia Davidson loved all things pink, and Emma was eager to bring her some peach blossom cake and tea when they returned. She also wondered how Amelia’s wedding preparations were going.

"Emma Auntie!" A childish voice piped up from behind Emma Hart.

"Hm? Oh, Jack, it’s you all! Would you like to join us for some snacks?" Emma said, waving the peach blossom cake in her hand. She recognized Jack and his friends as the kids she played hopscotch with the night before.

"Thanks, Auntie Emma, but no need, we grew up eating these! By the way, would you like to try some other treats? We made them ourselves!" Jack said, presenting a plate of purple pastries from behind his back.

"What are these?" Emma asked, curious.

"Auntie, these are our homemade taro cakes! Try one!" A little girl with pigtails next to Jack offered a piece on a toothpick to Emma.

Emma’s heart melted at the sight of the adorable girl offering her food. She couldn’t resist and took a bite.

"Delicious!" Emma exclaimed genuinely, impressed by the kids’ culinary skills.

"Great! If you like them, Auntie, you can have them all!" Jack said, beaming with joy.

"Thank you! Wait, hold on a second..." Emma realized something was up. These kids were sweet and innocent, but not without reason.

"Do you need my help with something?" Emma asked with a playful smile, still enjoying the taro cake.

The children shyly looked down, avoiding her gaze.

After a moment, Jack mustered up the courage, "Auntie Emma, can you help us with something?"

Jack then explained that Damien Sterling and his team were planning to cut down the ancient tree.

"Auntie Emma, please help us! That old tree has been here for so long, it would be so sad to see it go. It holds all our memories..." Jack’s voice wavered, tears welling up in his eyes.

The other children started to sniffle, their eyes filled with hope and desperation. Emma, moved by their heartfelt plea, decided to talk to Damien.

When she agreed to help, the children’s faces lit up with smiles.

Emma immediately called Damien.

"Hello? Mr. Sterling? Where are you right now? I need to talk to you... Yes, it’s important. Okay, see you soon." Emma hung up the phone.

"Don’t worry, Auntie will do her best to help you! Stay here and have fun, and wait for my good news!" Emma reassured them with a wink before heading back to the inn with Mrs. Harris and the two babies.

In the master suite on the second floor, Emma Hart arrived first. She put a few drops of eye drops in her eyes and closed them, waiting for Damien Sterling to arrive.

The door opened.

"Emma? What’s so urgent?" Damien asked, having just been in a meeting with Mayor Walker about the design plans.

Emma took three seconds to gather her emotions, then abruptly turned to face Damien. The eye drops trickled down her cheeks.

"Damien, you can’t cut down that old tree! It’s a priceless treasure to the people here. If you do, the children will be heartbroken... they were crying!" Emma blurted out, not giving Damien a chance to speak.

Damien was puzzled. He had never mentioned cutting down the tree. Sterling Group had just signed the agreement with Peach Blossom Town, so how could Emma have known anything?

As Damien pondered this, he noticed a purple stain at the corner of Emma’s mouth, the same color he had seen on the children’s mouths the night before.

"What’s this?" Damien pointed to the corner of Emma’s mouth.

Emma wiped the spot with her finger. "Oh! It’s taro cake! Jack and his friends shared it with me!"

Jack? Damien smirked, understanding now. The kids must have overheard something and misunderstood, then enlisted Emma to plead their case. Clever little ones.

"Are you going to agree or not?" Emma’s voice was anxious, seeing Damien’s smirk and silence, feeling something was off.

Since this little wildcat had misunderstood so deeply, Damien thought he might as well go along with it.

"Well, it’s not a big deal. If you want to save the old tree, that’s doable. But you know, your husband is a businessman!" Damien teased, draping an arm around Emma’s shoulder with a sly grin.

"Mr. Sterling, please be serious!" Emma huffed, annoyed. Damien always had to tease her whenever something came up.