Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 441: Owing a Favor

Chapter 441: Owing a Favor

"You’re not that young, yet you’re quite the liar!" Matthew Taylor teased, lightly brushing Riley Turner’s nose.

Riley’s heart skipped a beat.

"Mr. Taylor, please don’t expose me! I’m begging you, please don’t!" Riley grabbed Matthew Taylor’s arm in desperation, then quickly let go, realizing how inappropriate that was.

Matthew Taylor smiled, "What’s in it for me if I keep quiet?"

"Please, I promise I won’t cause any trouble for your company!" Riley pleaded desperately. Matthew Taylor said nothing, just watched her with a smile.

The car had silently entered the city. The lush green trees outside had turned into cold steel and concrete. Riley’s heart began to race, and her hands and feet felt cold. They were getting closer to the Taylor Group headquarters.

"Mr. Taylor?" Riley called out anxiously. She needed an answer from him, would he help or not?

"But I hate liars. What should I do?" Matthew Taylor teased, enjoying her distress.

Riley fidgeted nervously, her face pale. "How about this, I’ll owe you a favor. Does that work?"

"So I can ask you to do anything in the future?" Matthew Taylor smirked. Riley closed her eyes and nodded.

"Alright then. I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything," Matthew Taylor finally agreed.

The car slowly stopped in front of the Taylor Group building, and the driver respectfully got out to open the door for Matthew Taylor.

"I need to go upstairs to get something, so you can go ahead," Matthew Taylor said before walking away, leaving Riley standing at the entrance.

Riley quickly glanced around. Her parents hadn’t arrived yet, so she immediately put her plan into action. She hurried into the Taylor Group building, positioned herself near the front desk, and checked the time. Her parents were always punctual; they would arrive in three minutes.

Taking a deep breath, Riley walked to the front desk, pretending to chat with the receptionist. A familiar voice called out from behind her, "Riley!"

She turned to see her parents. They had timed their arrival perfectly.

"Dad! Mom!" Riley walked towards her parents with the graceful steps she had learned from Lucy Allen.

Seeing their daughter looking so composed, Mr. Turner felt reassured. "You’ve really grown up! How are you settling in here?"

"Everyone’s been very kind to me!" Riley replied.

"Here, I made you some pork bone soup. It’s your favorite, to keep you nourished!" Mrs. Turner handed Riley a thermos.

"Thank you, Mom!" Riley said, taking the soup. She then urged her parents to leave, citing her training schedule.

"Alright, we won’t keep you from your training. Right, dear?" Mr. Turner said, guiding his wife back to the car.

"Riley, be sure to stay safe. Call us if you need anything!" Mrs. Turner reminded her before they left.

"I will, I promise. Now you two should head back before it gets dark. Bye!" Riley said, pushing her parents towards the car and waving as they drove away. Watching the familiar family car speed off, Riley felt a mix of emotions but also a sense of relief.

"Home is certainly the warmest harbor, but to truly live, one must venture out into the storm."

"All sorted out?" came a low male voice from beside Riley Turner. Matthew Taylor’s tall, imposing figure reappeared in her sight.

"Mr. Taylor, were you watching the whole time?" Riley Turner asked skeptically. Even though she was at fault, she didn’t appreciate someone taking pleasure in her predicament.

"Not at all. I just happened to be out here." Matthew Taylor held up the paper bag in his hand. The Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of them again.

"Alright, it’s time to head back," Matthew Taylor said as he opened the car door for Riley Turner once more, gesturing for her to get in.

The round trip would take about three hours. After an hour and a half on the road, Riley Turner was already exhausted. The gentle rocking of the car felt like a cradle, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

### Peach Blossom Town

The sun had lost its earlier intensity, and the restaurant staff had set up some outdoor seating in the courtyard. Damien Sterling had received a call from Matthew Taylor two hours ago, informing him of his visit.

The staff set up a large table in the yard and placed many bowls and utensils.

"Are we having dinner outside?" Emma Hart asked curiously.

"Yes, Matthew Taylor will be here soon. We should at least show some hospitality," Damien Sterling replied.

"Don’t forget to prepare some good dishes, like braised chicken with potatoes, or..." Emma Hart began listing a long series of dishes, leaving Damien Sterling amazed. This woman must have been a chef in her previous life, or maybe Pigsy from the novel.

"Enough, stop talking!" Damien Sterling couldn’t take it anymore; her list was making him hungry.

Seeing Damien Sterling cover his stomach while yelling for her to stop, Emma Hart understood his predicament. She mischievously ran over to him and whispered in his ear, "Fatty, juicy beef topped with pepper and cumin, the taste is simply—"

"Emma Hart, will you knock it off!" Damien Sterling interrupted her food attack.

"Aww, someone’s getting cranky!" Emma Hart teased before quickly darting away from him, hopping into the restaurant.

Damien Sterling watched Emma Hart’s retreating figure with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Had playing with the kids for a few days made her completely childish?

As the sun began to set, a waiter came out to inform Damien Sterling that dinner was ready, just waiting to be served. Damien Sterling nodded in satisfaction.

Soon, the sound of a car approaching reached everyone’s ears. The Rolls-Royce stopped nearby, and the passengers got out. Damien Sterling hurried forward to greet them.

"Good evening, Mr. Sterling!" Riley Turner, with her sharp eyes, quickly recognized her boss, Damien Sterling. She immediately lowered her head to greet him, her silky black hair covering her entire face like a ghost from a horror movie.

Matthew Taylor chuckled at Riley Turner’s behavior. Didn’t she realize she might scare her boss with that look?

Damien Sterling had already recognized Riley Turner but chose to ignore her. Instead, he extended his hand to Matthew Taylor. "Welcome, Mr. Taylor. Please, come inside!"