Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 54: Lies

Chapter 54: Lies

Indeed, as Emma Hart lifted her gaze, she met Damien’s eyes, staring right back at her.

In a rush, Emma tugged down one side of his suit, then slid it off his solid back.

Feeling Emma’s fingers tracing over his skin, Damien’s eyes momentarily gleamed, then quickly dimmed.

As Emma was about to hang up the suit, Damien Sterling abruptly spun her around.

It was a rough motion, yet his hands were protective behind her, avoiding contact with her waist, so she wouldn’t feel his touch.

With a swift motion, the man lifted Emma’s chin, forcing her to meet his eyes, a method Damien Sterling favored to ensure Emma’s gaze was helplessly fixed on him alone.

Her delicate face, perhaps more radiant due to her pregnancy, shone like polished jade, her features meticulously arranged as if calculated to captivate any man’s desire.

It was this fairy-like face that bewitched Damien Sterling’s heart.

A flicker of disdain crossed the man’s eyes as he recalled the day’s events, his possessiveness fully awakened in that moment.

Even if she were merely a possession, he would not allow her to be tainted by others.

Emma Hart forcefully turned her head away, unable to confront the bloodthirsty depth in the man’s eyes, like staring into an abyss.

Damien Sterling suddenly broke into a mischievous smile, releasing his hold on Emma Hart.

He took a step forward, his tone casual as he inquired, "What have you been up to today?"

Emma, rubbing her chin, felt bewildered by the man’s sudden actions, which often caught her off guard.

Through the fragmented pieces of the decorative mirror on the wall, Emma clearly saw the faint redness on her chin.

Being with Damien was like dancing with a tiger; even ancient kings probably didn’t possess half the intimidation that Damien Sterling exuded.

Setting the clothes aside, Emma followed him. "I took the soup Mrs. Harris made to the hospital to see my mother."

"How is she?" Damien asked nonchalantly, already at the kitchen, lifting a glass of water to his lips.

Emma hesitated, unsure of the underlying meaning in his question.

His initial permission for her visits was because her mother was hospitalized, but now that she was about to be discharged, would he restrict her freedom again?

"Well... the doctor said she needs to be observed for a couple more days."

Emma spoke cautiously, her eyes nearly closing, her heart racing with fear that Damien might detect something amiss in her words.

As soon as she finished speaking, Damien paused with the glass at his lips, a moment of silence, then a nonchalant "Hmm," before he drank the water and set the glass down calmly.

Did this woman dare to lie to him?

It seemed she had something to hide.

Yet her little tricks were insignificant in his eyes.

Seeing Damien walk to the dining table without pressing further, Emma finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t want the freedom she had just started to enjoy to be snatched away so soon.

Early the next morning, Emma rose from bed, drew back the curtains, and stood on the balcony, feeling different.

Before, she used to dread getting up, as waking meant facing another day locked in a cage.

But ever since Damien Sterling restored her freedom, everything had changed.

Stretching languidly, Emma glanced at the time. Damien Sterling must have already left.

Emma Hart gathered her things and dressed, ready to step out the door.

Her humming filled the air, light and carefree.

"Feeling particularly cheerful today?"

The deep, raspy voice struck Emma like a bolt from the blue.

Lifting her head in shock, Emma’s eyes met Damien Sterling, sitting nonchalantly in the kitchen.

Glancing at Mrs. Harris for some clue, Emma found none; Mrs. Harris shook her head, seemingly just as clueless about why Damien hadn’t gone to the office as usual.

This was out of character for him; he was always punctual to the office. What could have caused this change today?

"Why stop singing?" Damien casually picked up a piece of toast from the table, his glance at Emma carrying the weight of his usual commanding tone, "Come have breakfast."

Emma’s entire body stiffened almost to the point of paralysis.

Her gaze locked onto Damien’s stern face and icy demeanor as she awkwardly made her way to the dining table.

"Why... why aren’t you at the office today?"

"My company, my rules. Who would dare question me?" Damien’s reply was arrogant, a statement of fact rather than conceit.

Emma chose to stay silent, focusing instead on her meal.

"Why so early? Doesn’t the hospital have visiting hours?" Damien’s voice was casual as he bit into his whole grain toast, his gaze fixed ahead.

Yet, to Emma, the predatory coldness in his eyes seemed directed right at her.

"I..." Emma Hart was momentarily at a loss for words, pausing several times before continuing, "I wanted to head to the nearby supermarket early to pick up some things for my mother."

"Oh, shopping." Damien Sterling stood up, fetched a card, and extended it towards Emma. "Take this."

"What is this?"

"My supplementary card. Spend as you please."

Offering her money?

How many times had it been? Did he really regard her as...

"I don’t want your money."

Emma spoke resolutely.

Damien Sterling’s money made her deeply uncomfortable, almost as if he was using it to trample on her dignity.

The last thing Emma wanted was to be diminished by Damien Sterling into a woman who sells herself for money.

Although he hadn’t explicitly said so, his actions made her feel more demeaned than words ever could.

Emma didn’t realize that all her actions, in Damien’s eyes, seemed nothing more than a pretense of innocence, merely a façade, a game of cat and mouse he had seen all too often.

And in his opinion, Emma wasn’t particularly adept at it.

If that was the case, he had his ways.

"Then don’t go out personally. Whatever you need, I can have someone deliver it to your mother."

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