Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 436: The Young Master Takes Charge

Chapter 436: The Young Master Takes Charge

"Emma, calm down first and let him finish talking," Damien Sterling said, pulling the agitated Emma Hart back.

Max was at a loss, seeing his sister so upset.

"Let’s talk in the office," Damien Sterling suggested to Max, placing a reassuring hand on Emma Hart’s shoulder and leading her back the way they had come.

Max followed behind them, feeling as though he was walking on air, disconnected from reality.

Inside the Sterling Group office, Emma Hart sat on the couch with her arms crossed, staring at Max, who stood silently before her, his head bowed.

"Speak up. What’s going on?" Emma Hart asked, trying to suppress her anger.

Max glanced nervously at Damien Sterling and then at Emma, unsure of how to begin.

"Go on, talk. Do you think being silent makes this any less embarrassing?" Emma Hart said sharply. Dealing with her troublesome brother always gave her a headache, though she was somewhat relieved that he had come to her instead of her having to fetch him from the police station.

"Sis, Mr. Sterling, I don’t want to go to school anymore. I want to find a job," Max said, his voice trembling.

"A job? You haven’t even started your second year of college, and you’re thinking about working?" Emma Hart fumed, wondering what she had done in a past life to deserve such a troublesome sibling.

"There’s some trouble at home, and I don’t want to go to school. I keep failing my classes, and at this rate, I don’t know when I’ll graduate," Max said, his eyes filled with despair as if he had lost all hope in himself and the world.

"What happened at home?" Emma Hart asked, suddenly standing up, her concern evident.

"Grandma... she got into trouble. We need a lot of money," Max said quietly.

Emma Hart clicked her tongue in frustration.

"Just tell me how much you need," Damien Sterling said nonchalantly.

"Thank you for your offer, Mr. Sterling, but I’ve grown up now. I want to take responsibility myself," Max replied.

Damien Sterling smiled slightly. It seemed this rebellious youth had matured a bit since they last met, though at this age, ambition often outstripped ability.

"What exactly happened at home?" Emma Hart asked again.

Max’s eyes welled up with tears as he spoke in a choked voice, "Grandma went to Macau to gamble secretly. Now she owes 5 million. We’ve mortgaged our house, but we still need over 3 million. I came to ask if I could borrow some money to help us out."

He was really seeking some comfort and reassurance from Emma, the only family he had besides their grandmother.

"This is a nightmare!" Emma Hart stomped her foot in frustration, the sound of her high heels echoing loudly in the room and striking Max’s sensitive nerves.

"So you want to work to pay off the debt?" Damien Sterling asked.

"Yes," Max replied firmly.

"I can help you find a job, but as a college student who hasn’t graduated, what skills do you have? What can you do?" Damien Sterling asked, leaning against his desk, hands in his pockets, waiting for Max’s response.

Max thought for a moment and then shook his head sadly. "I can only do some photo editing."

Emma Hart chuckled. "Are you planning to work at one of those little photo studios?" Her words cut Max like a sharp, unfeeling blade.

Max wanted to argue but found he had no grounds to refute her.

"Emma, don’t laugh. I actually find his idea interesting," Damien Sterling said, stroking his chin. "You transferred to the design school last semester, didn’t you? How about you start in our company’s design department as an intern?"

"Mr. Sterling! Are you serious?" Max was astonished, and Emma Hart couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

"Of course, I believe you’ll do even better than your sister!" Damien Sterling said, picking up the phone to call HR. Turning back to Max, he continued, "I’ll cover your grandmother’s debt for now. We’ll deduct it from your salary. Spend your spare time here."

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling!" Max took a deep breath, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief.

Emma Hart, dissatisfied, pulled Damien Sterling aside. "What about his studies if he works here?"

"He said he’s always failing his classes. What’s the point of wasting time in university? It’s better for him to gain practical experience early. Besides, he’ll be working in his spare time, so it won’t interfere with his studies," Damien Sterling replied, spreading his hands to emphasize his point.

Emma Hart stood by the bright floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought. Max watched the two quietly.

"Fine, but you need to work hard and not trouble Mr. Sterling. And don’t reveal your identity at the company," Emma Hart ordered.

"Yes, sis!" Max saluted her excitedly.

Soon, an HR colleague arrived. "Mr. Sterling, you called for me?"

"This is the new team member for the design department. Take him to complete the paperwork and remember what to say and what not to say," Damien Sterling instructed.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling," the colleague replied, leading Max away.

"Well, that’s one problem solved," Damien Sterling said to Emma Hart.

The office returned to its usual quiet. Emma Hart sat heavily on the sofa, holding her forehead. "Do you think I should visit Grandma tonight?"

"Up to you. If you want to go, I’ll come with you," Damien Sterling offered.

After work, Damien Sterling, Emma Hart, and Max headed to the new place where Max and his grandmother were staying. They moved into a shabby apartment near a market.

A stray dog tied with a rope barked at them incessantly, and a child in dirty clothes ran away scared.

Max led Emma Hart and Damien Sterling up to the third floor. "Here we are," Max said, pulling out a key from his pocket to unlock the battered door.

Emma Hart and Damien Sterling followed Max into the small apartment. Max turned on the living room light. The place was tiny but tidy, with one bedroom and one living room. The floor was cement, and Max and his grandmother shared the small bedroom. The strong smell of instant noodles lingered in the air.

"Grandma should be out buying groceries. Food is cheaper at this time," Max said softly.

Since moving there, their financial situation had been dire, so Grandma Hart would go to the market at closing time to buy leftover vegetables at a lower price.