Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 466: A Missed Encounter

Chapter 466: A Missed Encounter

Matthew Taylor didn’t say anything further, understanding that Emma Hart had become wary. Bringing up the subject again too soon would likely provoke a stronger reaction. Instead, he decided to change the topic: "Emma, what about the child? When do you plan to bring them back?"

Emma Hart, already feeling uneasy, had momentarily forgotten the issue thanks to Matthew’s distraction. Now, reminded of the child, she perked up, knowing she still needed to take care of them.

Even though Emma Hart had no appetite, she forced herself to eat, bite by bite, knowing she would soon have to go out and needed the strength. The entire meal felt tasteless, like chewing wax.

Matthew Taylor didn’t rush her. He simply sat there, waiting patiently for her to finish, keeping her company. Feeling a bit self-conscious under his gaze, Emma Hart finally spoke up: "Why are you looking at me like that? It’s making me uncomfortable."

Matthew Taylor chuckled, "Actually, I find it cute seeing you in such a flustered state." Hearing his teasing tone, Emma Hart blushed.

After the meal, Matthew Taylor left without lingering. Emma Hart then went to pick up the child but learned they had gone abroad on a trip and wouldn’t be back until next month. Relieved, she put her worries to rest.

As soon as he left, Matthew Taylor called Riley Turner, his tone cold: "Sorry, I couldn’t get what you wanted. Considering how much you’ve tormented her, I can’t bring myself to deceive her for the ring. You’ll have to find another way."

Riley Turner, though disappointed, wasn’t surprised by the outcome. Seeing how Emma Hart rejected him, he knew that out of spite alone, she wouldn’t hand over the ring.

With nothing more to say, they both hung up, and Riley Turner returned to the hospital, reassured. Damien Sterling had no further suspicions, so Mr. Sterling Senior didn’t bring it up again.

Mr. Sterling Senior understood that he typically wouldn’t trouble Emma Hart unless necessary. After all, even a cornered rabbit will bite. If they pushed Emma too far, the situation could spiral out of control.

Now, Mr. Sterling Senior was pleased to see Damien Sterling and Riley Turner getting along harmoniously. He avoided interrupting them, and with his improved mood, his health recovered quickly, allowing him to be discharged from the hospital.

In the meantime, there were some gossiping nurses, but Mr. Sterling Senior, not wanting Damien to catch wind of it, alerted the hospital shareholders, who promptly fired the two nurses. After that, the staff were much more cautious, knowing that meddling in the affairs of such a powerful family was unwise.

The following weeks passed peacefully. Riley Turner read the newspaper to Damien Sterling daily and discussed family matters, while Damien spent most of his time playing a mobile game.

Riley Turner didn’t disturb him, letting him relax since he wasn’t working. However, since the incident, she felt like she was living with an invisible ticking bomb. She tiptoed around Damien, terrified of saying the wrong thing, of making a mistake, of someone exposing the truth, or worse, Damien suddenly remembering everything. Only she knew the true extent of her inner turmoil.

After a few weeks, Damien Sterling was discharged. Riley Turner finally felt a sense of relief, knowing they wouldn’t have to be together constantly anymore. Being around each other all the time would surely lead to some slip-up.

Once Damien was discharged, Mr. Sterling Senior didn’t let him return to his own home. Instead, he brought Damien back to the family estate, where they lived together. The household staff was replaced, leaving only a few trusted aides behind.

After a few days, Damien Sterling grew restless and asked Mr. Sterling Senior when he could visit the company, but he was promptly denied, being told to focus on recovering and spending time with Riley Turner.

Damien Sterling couldn’t shake the strange feeling that something was off. Despite everything seeming perfectly normal and comfortable, there was an underlying sense of unfamiliarity, as if he hadn’t lived there before.

Even with Riley Turner—though they slept in the same bed—he felt nothing for her. Riley tried to get closer, but there was an inexplicable sense of repulsion from deep within.

Damien Sterling felt like he had lost his memory. Being in such a foreign environment, he couldn’t adapt at all and thought that he needed to get out and walk around. Staying cooped up at home for the past few days was driving him crazy.

After mentioning this to his grandfather, the old man readily agreed with a chuckle, "Of course, take Riley with you. Buy her some new clothes while you’re at it. You’ve finally got some time off, so make the most of it."

A vague image flashed through Damien’s mind, as if his grandfather had said something similar before but more along the lines of missing work. He shook his head to clear the thought, realizing that being stuck at home had him overthinking everything.

Riley Turner was also thrilled to finally get out. Although she could technically leave the house, the old man was always concerned that someone might accidentally let something slip, so she stayed put to avoid any trouble.

As Damien and Riley walked side by side in the mall, a fleeting image popped into Damien’s mind—a light, slender figure that always seemed to walk ahead of him, bouncing along in contrast to Riley’s steady pace.

Suddenly, Riley turned around, looking at Damien with curiosity. The figure in his mind also turned, but as Damien tried to focus on the face, a sharp pain shot through his head. The image blurred and slowly merged with Riley’s face.

Damien forced a smile, thinking that perhaps the car accident had changed Riley so much that even his amnesia made her seem unfamiliar. As the headache subsided, he pushed the thoughts away.

Determined to focus, Damien put all his attention on accompanying Riley as they shopped. When Riley picked up a red dress, that mysterious figure flashed in his mind again, causing an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

Noticing Damien’s distraction, Riley softly called out to him, "Damien, what’s on your mind? You’ve been unresponsive for a while now."

Damien snapped back to reality, seeing Riley’s concerned face. He smiled apologetically, "I’m not sure. My head was hurting just now, so I couldn’t concentrate." He was surprised at his own instinct to withhold the truth.

Riley decided to drop the subject and suggested, "Let’s head back. You don’t look so great, maybe you didn’t rest enough. Plus, you’ve only just recovered; Grandpa might scold me if anything happens."

She made a playful face, and Damien agreed. As they prepared to leave, they passed a woman on the stairs. Riley felt a strange tension but noticed that Damien didn’t react at all.

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