Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 388: Into the Tiger’s Den（1）

Chapter 388: Into the Tiger’s Den（1）

Inside the Sterling family villa, Emma Hart hurriedly opened the front door. Her instructor was already sitting on the sofa, waiting.

"Mrs. Sterling." Hearing the door, the instructor stood up and greeted Emma Hart with a smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Emma Hart apologized.

"No problem. Let’s get ready and start the lesson!" the instructor replied kindly.

The afternoon’s focus was on yoga practice. Although Emma Hart found it strenuous, she felt very relaxed afterward. During the final relaxation technique, she even started snoring.

At dinner, Mrs. Harris prepared a low-fat, nutritious meal for Emma Hart. She ate alone because Damien Sterling had called earlier, saying he would dine out with Matthew Taylor.

"Matthew Taylor..." Emma Hart thought as she poked a piece of lettuce with her fork. Maybe it’s best to keep some distance from that man, she mused.

Exhausted from the day, Emma Hart bathed and fell asleep before Damien Sterling returned home.

Her sleep was deep and undisturbed until she felt the mattress sink slightly and a warm, soft touch on her face.

"Mm..." she murmured.

"Sleep," a familiar, deep, magnetic voice whispered gently.

Emma Hart stretched and turned toward the voice, lazily saying, "You’re back."

"Don’t talk," Damien Sterling replied curtly.

Emma Hart reached out to wrap her arm around Damien Sterling’s waist, and they both gradually fell asleep.

The light spring rain always made people feel restless and uncomfortable.

"You reeked of alcohol again last night!" Emma Hart said as she leaned in to sniff Damien Sterling at the breakfast table.

Damien Sterling, annoyed, pushed her head away and said, "Are you a dog? Why are you sniffing me so closely?"

"Why haven’t you been home for dinner the past few days, and why do you always come back smelling like alcohol?" Emma Hart asked, her tone full of jealousy, which amused Damien Sterling.

"Really? Do I?" Damien Sterling propped his chin on his hand, a smile playing at his lips.

"Don’t deny it! You definitely do!" Emma Hart pounded him lightly with her fists.

Unable to hold back, Damien Sterling laughed.

"You! You’re laughing? Oh, I see, you’re making fun of me!" Emma Hart shouted.

Damien Sterling scratched his ear, disliking her nagging. He decided it was best to tell her the truth to avoid further complaints.

"I’ve been accompanying Matthew Taylor," Damien Sterling began to explain. Matthew Taylor liked to drink and often encouraged him to join. Last night, Taylor even suggested they check out the 17th floor of Sky Heaven, which Sterling reluctantly did. He didn’t tell Emma Hart that James called this morning, reporting that Taylor spent the entire night on the 17th floor and left only recently. Since Taylor was a business partner, it was better for Emma Hart not to know too much.

"By the way, tomorrow I have to go with Matthew Taylor to the outskirts of City A to check out a plot of land. It’s quite far, so stay home and behave," Damien Sterling said as he reached for a glass of juice on the table.

Emma Hart suddenly reached out to stop him and said, "I’m going too!"

She didn’t quite believe what Damien Sterling had said and insisted on seeing for herself whether Matthew Taylor was indeed being dragged out for drinks or if he was out womanizing again.

With nothing to hide, Damien Sterling agreed.

The next morning after breakfast, Emma Hart and Damien Sterling set off for the outskirts to meet up with Matthew Taylor.

Emma had a habit of keeping her eyes on the scenery outside the car to avoid getting carsick, a habit she’d had since childhood. As they drove, the view transformed from bustling skyscrapers to the simple charm of small towns, then to lush green fields, and finally to desolate ruins.

Their Bugatti two-seater sports car came to a halt at the edge of this wasteland. Nearby was a Rolls-Royce that Emma Hart recognized from a previous encounter.

Getting out of the car, they saw Matthew Taylor standing by the ruins, talking on his phone. Damien Sterling and Emma Hart approached him.

"Mr. Taylor," Damien greeted Matthew Taylor proactively.

"Mr. Sterling, Emma," Matthew Taylor responded warmly.

"Take a look. This stretch of ruins, extending to the road at the far end of the town, covers the entire area. It’s perfect for building a school, and a prestigious one at that. What do you think, Mr. Sterling?" Matthew Taylor introduced the site.

Emma Hart looked around, the vastness almost stretching beyond her sight. She had to jump a little to see the road Matthew Taylor mentioned.

Damien Sterling was quite satisfied with the location. If it were for his usual line of business, he would have agreed on the spot.

"This place is indeed very good. I’ll think it over and get back to you by tomorrow at the latest," Damien said after a moment’s hesitation.

"Great, I’ll be waiting for your good news then," Matthew Taylor replied.

"It’s only a bit past ten. Though it’s still early, how about we have lunch together? I know a great private kitchen nearby that serves excellent Thai food," Matthew Taylor suggested, glancing at his phone for the time.

Unable to refuse his hospitality, they agreed.

"Watch your step!" Emma called out as she walked behind Damien Sterling, nearly losing her balance. Fortunately, Matthew Taylor was quick to catch her by the shoulders.

In the car, Emma Hart seemed uneasy. She had noticed earlier that Matthew Taylor’s gaze made her skin crawl, giving her a sense of unease.

The Thai restaurant was about fifteen kilometers from the site, situated on the twentieth floor of a riverside skyscraper, exuding a complete Thai ambiance.

Matthew Taylor appeared quite familiar with the owner, a strikingly attractive Thai-Chinese woman. They exchanged respectful greetings and warm hugs upon meeting.

The dishes were served quickly, and as Damien Sterling had mentioned to Emma Hart, Matthew Taylor started pouring drinks for them.

"Don’t worry, this liquor has a very low alcohol content; it won’t be a problem," Matthew Taylor said, encouraging them to drink.

"Mr. Taylor, you still have to meet with the elderly couple later," Matthew Taylor’s assistant tried to intervene.

"No problem, I’ll drink a little less. If necessary, we can reschedule the meeting for the evening!" Matthew Taylor assured, patting his assistant on the shoulder.

"Alright!" Matthew Taylor applauded Damien Sterling.

In one go, Damien Sterling downed a glass of the liquor.

"Don’t drink so fast!" Emma Hart quickly tried to stop Damien.

But Damien just waved her off and poured himself a glass of juice. "It’s fine," he said.