Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 368: Charity Gala

Chapter 368: Charity Gala

After lunch, Damien Sterling and Emma Hart hurried back to the office, leaving Harper Clark to stay behind and help Ryan Garcia prepare for Brianna Baker’s funeral.

The funeral took place three days later at the cemetery. The entire Sterling Group family, many of Brianna Baker’s friends, and relatives attended. Even Mrs. Harrington from Harrington Global Enterprises was there. Since Logan Harrington and Amelia Davidson were on their honeymoon, they were not notified.

Light rain drizzled as a group of people in black stood in the cemetery, each laying flowers at Brianna Baker’s grave before departing.

In the days following the funeral, Ryan Garcia frequently visited Damien Sterling’s office. Today, like usual, he arrived early, teasing the tall-legged secretary, and despite being repeatedly and coldly rejected, he persisted shamelessly.

"Ryan Garcia! Stop bothering her!" Emma Hart, reaching her limit, stepped out of the office and scolded him.

"Mr. Sterling! Your wife is so fierce! Aren’t you going to do something?" Ryan Garcia whined to Damien Sterling, who paid him no mind.

"You’d better behave! If you’re going to stay, then stay quietly!" Emma Hart said as she pulled Ryan Garcia back into the office.

"No way! That would be as boring as you!" Ryan Garcia grumbled, unhappy with Emma Hart’s suggestion.

"I’m doing just fine," Emma Hart retorted.

"Enough! Both of you, sit down and be quiet!" Damien Sterling, now unable to concentrate, snapped at them.

They had only been quiet for a few minutes when the office door knocked. The tall-legged secretary walked in.

"Mr. Sterling, the secretary of Yidian’s president just called to inform us that tonight’s charity gala has been delayed to 8 PM," the secretary said.

"Alright, no problem. Don’t forget to inform Director Allen," Damien Sterling replied, and the secretary nodded and left.

"Charity gala?" Emma Hart asked, puzzled. "Why didn’t you mention this earlier?"

"I forgot to tell you. The dresses are on their way, so don’t worry," Damien Sterling assured her.

Emma Hart frowned; it wasn’t the dress she was worried about. She had promised to pick up the kids from school that afternoon, and now she didn’t know what to do.

Seeing her distressed, Ryan Garcia asked, "What’s wrong?"

Emma Hart explained the promise she had made to the kids. Eventually, they decided that Ryan Garcia, along with the bodyguard and Mrs. Harris, would pick up the kids while Emma Hart, Damien Sterling, and Lucy Allen attended the charity gala.

At 8 PM, the three arrived at the entrance of the Yidian gala. This was a children’s charity event, attended by prominent figures from City A and some international investors.

As they entered the hall, the sound of elegant classical music filled the air.

"Oh, this is my favorite minuet!" Lucy Allen exclaimed excitedly upon hearing the music.

"By the way, Director Allen, you came alone. What about Daniel?" Emma Hart asked, suddenly remembering that Lucy Allen was a single mother.

"It’s fine, he’s at the after-school program. The teachers will take care of him," Lucy Allen said, naturally taking a glass of red wine from a passing waiter and drinking it in one gulp.

At events like these, the main objective is networking, so everyone was clustered in groups chatting. Lucy Allen and Damien Sterling were no exception.

Emma Hart, feeling a bit out of place, left the room and stood on the balcony with a glass of wine and a piece of cake, enjoying the view.

Feeling slightly tipsy, she decided to go back inside and find a place to rest. As soon as she opened the door, she collided with a female server.

"Oh! I’m so sorry!" The server apologized repeatedly, having spilled the cake she was carrying all over Emma Hart’s black dress, covering it in white cream.

"How could you be so careless?" Emma Hart complained. Now what? She didn’t have a spare dress.

"Move aside!" Lucy Allen hurried over with some napkins, trying to wipe the cream off Emma Hart’s dress.

"This probably won’t come off. Mrs. Sterling, come with me; I have a spare outfit," Lucy Allen said, leading Emma Hart to the restroom.

"Wait here, I’ll go to the front desk to get the clothes," Lucy Allen said before leaving.

A short while later, Lucy Allen returned with a large paper bag. "Here, the dress should fit, though it’s not a formal gown. I’m sorry about that."

"No problem. Thank you," Emma Hart said, gratefully accepting the clothes. As long as she could change into something clean, she wasn’t picky.

The dress was a long casual one, and though Emma Hart and Lucy Allen had different heights, it fit well enough.

"Sorry, Mrs. Sterling, my stomach suddenly feels upset. I need to use the restroom. If you’re in a hurry, you can go back to Mr. Sterling so he doesn’t worry about you," Lucy Allen said, rushing into a stall.

Emma Hart agreed, and after saying goodbye to Lucy, she headed back to the gala.

As soon as she took a few steps, a man in a work uniform grabbed her. "Where have you been? We’re short on time! Come with me!" he said, dragging her backstage and forcing her into a bear costume before pushing her onto the stage.

Before she could react, Emma found herself on stage.

"Hello, everyone! Next, we have the dancing with the bear segment! All the kids, come on up and join our adorable bear for a dance!" the host announced, and applause erupted as children swarmed the stage, pulling and tugging at Emma Hart.

Overwhelmed by the kids, Emma had no choice but to sing and dance with them.

Meanwhile, Damien Sterling noticed Emma Hart was missing and began searching the venue. He finally spotted the bear on stage, whose movements and height were strikingly similar to Emma’s.

"Emma Hart!" he shouted.

Sure enough, the bear paused.

Damien Sterling hurried to the stage, forcefully pulling the bear backstage. He removed the bear’s head, revealing a very familiar face.

"Phew, it’s so hot in there." Emma Hart was dizzy, her cheeks flushed from the wine she had drunk earlier.

"You’re something else! Getting on stage in a bear costume!" Damien Sterling angrily tossed the bear head on the ground.

"Stop scolding me! I didn’t know how I ended up there!" Emma Hart was startled by Damien Sterling’s outburst.

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