Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 85: Help Me Take Care of the Dog

Chapter 85: Help Me Take Care of the Dog

The boy’s mother was clearly swayed by the hefty price Damien Sterling was willing to pay for the dog.

Recalling her earlier words and with an embarrassed look on her face, she said to her son, "How about Mommy promises to buy you another dog just like this one?"

"No, it won’t be the same!" the boy protested vehemently.

"How can it not be the same? Just listen to me," the voice of the boy’s mother raised a few notches, hinting at growing frustration.

Upon hearing this, the boy squatted down, scooped the dog from under Emma Hart’s feet, and glared at her fiercely, "You’re a villain! You want to steal my dog!"

Emma Hart quickly tried to reassure the boy, "I wouldn’t actually take your dog away!"

Hugging the dog close, the boy retorted, "I don’t believe you!"

Emma Hart felt at a loss; it was clear the boy was convinced she was the bad guy. She turned to Damien Sterling, "You talk to him."

"Me?" Damien Sterling pointed to himself, puzzled.

"Yes, you! You’re the one who upset him."

Taking a step forward, Damien’s expressionless face only served to intimidate the boy further.

But there was no easy solution, as Damien, known for his stoic demeanor, was clueless about interacting with children.

"How much do you want to sell the dog for?"

"Seriously?" Emma Hart looked at Damien Sterling in disbelief, wondering if he was really bargaining with a child.

"Damien Sterling, I wanted you to explain, not to..."

"What should I say then? How many Transformers will it take for you to give it up, or how many hamburgers?" Damien Sterling expressed his helplessness with a shrug and a helpless gesture.

Business negotiations were his forte, but dealing with children was beyond him.

Emma Hart gently pushed Damien aside and squatted down to sincerely tell the little boy, "I really don’t want to take your dog. I just find your puppy adorable. Besides, it has already chosen you as its forever owner. It wouldn’t want to leave with me. You see how well you treat it; it can feel that."

The boy, half-convinced, asked, "Really?"

"Yes, really. Pinky promise," Emma Hart extended her hand.

This gesture indeed worked on the boy, who relaxed his guard and smiled, reaching out to pinky promise with Emma Hart.

Though the boy’s mother looked somewhat disheartened, as if she had missed a golden opportunity to strike it rich, seeing her child’s happy expression, she reluctantly managed a smile.

Emma Hart stood up, watching the two depart.

Despite the mother’s current inclinations, Emma believed that years from now, she would realize some things can’t be bought with fifty thousand dollars, like the child’s smile at this moment.

If the mother had actually traded the boy’s beloved dog for money, no amount of wealth could ever reclaim the lost affection.

"Do you not like that dog?"

"I do...," Emma started to reply but quickly reconsidered, knowing if she expressed her liking, Damien Sterling might actually go out of his way to buy it for her.

It wasn’t about how much Damien valued or loved her but rather his approach to women: spending money. For Damien, anything purchasable with money was easily attainable.

"I don’t like it."

"But you seem to like it."

"I prefer larger dogs."

Their outing seemed to have served its purpose, as Emma found herself tossing and turning only in the early part of the night.

By the latter half, Damien Sterling noticed Emma’s breathing had evened out into the steady rhythm of deep sleep.

In the morning, yawning, Damien got up.

"Why are you so tired?" Emma inquired curiously, unaware of the significance behind Damien’s glare.

Last night, watching Emma sleep, Damien felt restless, staying awake until dawn to ensure she was sound asleep.

"I stayed up late looking at documents."

"But I remember you lying down to sleep with me?"

"I got up again," Damien casually remarked, getting dressed not far from the bed.

Emma didn’t press further, getting out of bed feeling unusually clear-headed. She had slept well, despite initially tossing and turning. Unlike the previous days, she woke up without the usual grogginess.

As the day went on, Damien left for work, but in the afternoon, a noise came from outside the villa.

Damien had returned.

Standing at the door, Emma mused on the perks of being a CEO – no one to report to, coming and going as one pleases.

Outside the villa, a sleek black Bugatti was followed by a pickup truck, which carried a large iron cage on its bed.

Inside the cage, to Emma Hart’s surprise, was a giant dog.

It was only upon closer inspection that she confirmed it to be a Labrador Retriever.

Emma had always adored these large breeds, known for their gentle nature and loyalty, making them perfect as guide dogs and for search and rescue missions.

Emma approached the dog with excitement, and to her surprise, the Labrador started wagging its tail at her approach, as if it felt a special bond with her.

"Do you always attract dogs like this?" Damien Sterling approached Emma, suddenly coughing as he realized what he had implied.

Did his comment suggest that, aside from the dog, he too harbored affection for Emma? It sounded almost like he was mocking himself.

"This dog..." Emma, pointing at the Labrador, asked with a hint of confusion.

Had Damien heard about her fondness for large dogs and acquired it specifically for her, recalling the scene at the plaza the day before?

While Emma was still pondering, Damien spoke up coolly, "A friend air-shipped this purebred Labrador, insisting I take care of it for a few days. Couldn’t really say no, so I decided to bring it home."

"Oh." Emma realized she might have been too vain to think...

As she was contemplating, four bodyguards unloaded the Labrador from the vehicle.

Upon opening the cage, the dog made a beeline for Emma, eager to leap onto her in affection.

Damien’s sharp gaze caught the scene, and he quickly stepped in front of the Labrador, catching the dog in his arms.

The Labrador, undeterred by Damien’s intervention, began licking his face, seeking affection.

Damien, who was known for his meticulousness about cleanliness, how could he allow a dog to kiss him?

"Hey, get off me!" His protest, however, seemed to encourage the Labrador, who playfully tackled Damien to the ground.

Emma, watching the scene unfold, couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.