Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 444: It’s Not That Simple

Chapter 444: It’s Not That Simple

"We really didn’t talk about anything, just some small talk," Emma Hart replied, trying to stay calm.

"Alright." Seeing that Emma Hart wasn’t keen on talking, Damien Sterling didn’t push her.

The atmosphere between them was very awkward. Neither wanted to say much, or perhaps it was because Emma Hart was too reserved. The tension was noticeable, but no one knew how to break the ice.

The next morning, they arrived at the office together as usual.

"Mr. Sterling, Mr. Taylor from City B called earlier. He wants to meet you this afternoon," the long-legged secretary informed them as they entered the office.

"Okay, let him know I’m available anytime this afternoon," Damien Sterling responded simply. The secretary nodded politely and returned to her desk. Hearing that Matthew Taylor was coming, Emma Hart felt a wave of panic, so much so that she accidentally dropped the folder she was holding onto the sofa.

The sound echoed through the office.

"What’s wrong?" Damien Sterling turned abruptly to Emma Hart, looking at her with a somewhat dazed expression.

"Nothing, nothing. I just slipped," Emma Hart hurriedly explained, turning her back to Damien Sterling as she picked up the folder, hoping he wouldn’t notice her distress.

Damien Sterling frowned but quickly shifted his focus back to work.

Emma Hart sat on the sofa, playing on her phone as usual, but today she felt particularly anxious. She kept thinking Matthew Taylor’s visit wasn’t going to be simple. Just as she calmed down a bit, a message from Matthew Taylor arrived: "Why did you delete me?"

The simple words sent a shiver through Emma Hart. She glanced quickly at Damien Sterling, who was working at his desk, then swiftly deleted the message and blocked Matthew Taylor.

This is bad, she thought. Why did I ever agree to add him? If only Damien Sterling weren’t right next to me, I’d slap myself for this.

Lunch was prepared by Emma Hart: mapo tofu and some simple boiled vegetables, but today it was unusually salty. Damien Sterling drank a lot of water to get it down.

"The food isn’t up to your usual standard today. What happened?" Damien Sterling asked curiously. Usually, she was very careful with the oil and salt proportions.

"I probably didn’t sleep well last night. I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling," Emma Hart apologized nervously.

"With our relationship, there’s no need to apologize so easily," he said, sipping his water.

"Alright, I understand." Emma Hart didn’t know how to respond. The afternoon arrived quickly. Around three o’clock, Matthew Taylor drove himself to the Sterling Group building. The doorman enthusiastically opened the car door and parked the car for him. He recognized the tall, handsome man as Matthew Taylor, president of Taylor Group in City B, but was puzzled why he would drive such a long distance alone.

"Mr. Taylor, I’m Assistant Lee, Mr. Sterling’s assistant. He sent me to welcome you," Assistant Lee greeted warmly downstairs.

"Thanks a lot," Matthew Taylor said with a smile.

With that, Matthew Taylor followed Assistant Lee to Mr. Sterling’s office by elevator. Assistant Lee knocked on the door and then led Matthew Taylor into Damien Sterling’s office.

"Mr. Sterling, Mr. Taylor is here," Assistant Lee announced, then stepped aside to give Matthew Taylor and Damien Sterling plenty of space.

"Mr. Taylor, long time no see." Standing nearby, Emma Hart greeted Matthew Taylor officially to conceal their past relationship.

"Hello, and thank you for your hospitality last time in Peach Blossom Town," Matthew Taylor replied, smiling warmly at Emma Hart, as if the questions he once had for her were only a distant memory.

Matthew Taylor continued, "I’m here this time to discuss the real estate partnership we talked about last year. Since we need to change the spokesperson, I wanted to see if there’s anyone suitable in your media department."

Emma Hart found this strange. Usually, celebrities or models were chosen as spokespersons. Why specifically come to the media department to find someone?

Damien Sterling thought the same but didn’t oppose Matthew Taylor’s decision since Taylor was the client. "It’s an honor for the Sterling Group to be considered by the Taylor Group. We can head over there now," Damien Sterling said, gesturing for Matthew Taylor to proceed.

"I’d like to come along too," Emma Hart decided, uneasy about what Matthew Taylor might say to Damien Sterling.

"Sure," Damien Sterling responded nonchalantly.

Damien Sterling, Matthew Taylor, Emma Hart, and Assistant Lee headed towards the media department. As they walked, Matthew Taylor and Emma Hart were side by side. Emma felt that Matthew Taylor kept glancing at her, though she wasn’t sure if she was just being paranoid.

After wandering around the media department, Matthew Taylor found nothing satisfactory, finding faults with almost every model and broadcaster. They eventually headed back to the office.

"It seems today was a bit of a wasted effort. Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Sterling," Matthew Taylor said, still smiling.

"It’s no trouble at all. Feel free to reach out whenever you need anything," Damien Sterling replied.

"By the way, I bought some tea. Would you honor me by trying it?" Matthew Taylor said, pulling out a few small yellow packets of tea from his pocket and showing them around.

Assistant Lee adjusted his glasses and said, "Is this golden chrysanthemum tea?" Surprised that Matthew Taylor liked this type of tea.

"The chrysanthemum has a lovely aroma. It’s from my family’s tea garden, but I had to grab some from the store as I left in a hurry today," Matthew Taylor explained, a bit embarrassed.

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Let’s have the secretary brew it," Damien Sterling suggested, about to call the long-legged secretary, but Matthew Taylor stopped him.

"No need, I’ll do it myself. Only I know the best way to brew it. Where’s the tea room?" Matthew Taylor turned to Assistant Lee.

"Right off the elevator on the 21st floor," Assistant Lee replied.

"Mr. Taylor, let me help you," Emma Hart offered, stepping forward.

Matthew Taylor nodded with a smile and said, "That would be great, thank you, Mrs. Sterling."