Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 97: A Comforting Sensation

Chapter 97: A Comforting Sensation

Just moments ago, the haughty girl turned around, baffled, to look at the man behind her. "You know each other?"

The man nodded, striding forward with long legs, a warm smile gracing his face as he approached Emma Hart.

Though they had met only once before, Emma felt a surprising sense of familiarity with him.

"What’s the matter? Did you both have your eye on the same dress?" he inquired.

Embarrassed, Emma explained, "It’s nothing serious. I can choose another dress. It’s just that I was hoping to buy everything in one go due to some urgent matters."

She didn’t delve into the specifics.

"Oh, I see. Don’t worry," the man responded calmly, leaving Emma puzzled about his intention.

Recalling the last time she had run out of the church in her wedding dress, Emma realized that if it hadn’t been for this man, she might have been caught sooner.

Though the outcome remained unchanged, it felt like he had afforded her a brief spell of freedom.

"About last time..." they both began simultaneously.

"You first..." Once again, they shared a moment of understanding, exchanging smiles.

The man gestured for her to speak first, a show of courtesy.

Emma felt somewhat awkward, suspecting that her embarrassing moment had left a lasting impression on him.

"I never properly thanked you for last time."

Looking down, she felt shy about making eye contact, considering the unusual circumstances of their meeting.

With a gentlemanly smile, he simply said, "It was nothing."

"Not at all. Most people would hesitate to get involved in such a situation, but you were different," Emma spoke frankly, aware that anyone attending their wedding likely knew of Damian Sterling’s influence.

"It’s okay."

Emma looked up to find him still smiling, his demeanor relaxed.

He hadn’t asked a single question about that day, easing her discomfort. This man seemed to understand what made people feel at ease or uneasy.

"By the way, I never asked your name."

"Oliver Westmore," he introduced himself, his voice smooth and magnetic.

"Oliver Westmore," Emma repeated, acknowledging her benefactor.

Indeed, he was a man of integrity, yet not as stern. Rather than the biting cold of winter, he resembled the warm sunshine of spring, guiding people through the frost.

With a smile, Emma Hart looked up, "I’ll remember that." Continuing, she said, "I still don’t know how to thank you for last time."

"Then marry me," he joked.

"What?" Emma stared at him, bewildered, thinking she had misheard.

The man, Oliver Westmore, burst into laughter. "I’m kidding, you really don’t have to thank me."

He paused, noticing Emma wanted to say something, "If it makes you feel uncomfortable not to thank me, then treat me to a meal."

"A meal?" Emma confirmed, but considering the car Oliver drove that day, likely a limited edition, and his attire, she doubted there was much she could help him with.

Meanwhile, the attendant had finished packaging the dress and handed it over, "Mr. Westmore, here’s the dress you requested."

Addressing him by his last name suggested he was a regular, further convincing Emma of her decision.

Oliver took the dress and offered it to Emma, "Here, this dress is yours now."

Emma, feeling awkward, refused, "No, no, that’s not necessary. The other lady saw it first; I can’t accept it."

"It’s okay, she was just impulsive. Her closet is overflowing as it is. Maybe she liked it a moment ago and now she doesn’t," Oliver glanced at the woman, his eyes filled with indulgence.

The girl glanced at Oliver, feigning anger, "I want the bag we talked about last time."

"Didn’t I just buy you one?" Oliver asked.

The girl glared at him, about to retort, but Oliver quickly capitulated, "Alright, alright, buy, buy, buy."

Satisfied, the girl left to continue her shopping, surrounded by attendants.

Oliver spread his hands in resignation, "See, I told you. Any dress is the same to her."

Emma glanced at the girl, "Is this really okay? Won’t your girlfriend be upset?"

Oliver, momentarily taken aback, laughed, "You think she’s my girlfriend?"

"Isn’t she?" Emma asked, interpreting his doting behavior as that towards a girlfriend.

"I couldn’t handle having such a girlfriend," Oliver said, looking at the girl with a smirk.

"I couldn’t handle you either!" The girl stuck her tongue out at Oliver, her boldness evident.

Not girlfriend and boyfriend? Then they must be...

"She’s my sister."

"Sister?"

Right, there’s also such a thing as siblings.

Emma Hart offered a sheepish smile, "Let me take you out for a meal then."

Oliver Westmore glanced at his wrist, checking the time on his expensive watch. "It’s about time anyway."

As they were about to leave, the girl behind them feigned displeasure, indifferently stating, "Oliver, have you started to be swayed by women now? I’m telling mom!"

"Don’t be disrespectful, go pick out your clothes."

Emma chuckled softly, "You two seem to have a great sibling relationship."

"What can I do? She’s the only princess in the house."

Oliver was about to ask where they should dine when Emma’s phone rang.

The ringtone was melodious, lifting spirits, but the name on the display could sink hearts.

Damian Sterling.

Emma took out her phone, and Oliver inadvertently caught a glimpse of the screen.

"Go ahead and take it," he said, his understanding making the situation more comfortable for her.

Emma stepped aside to answer, a bit embarrassed.

As soon as she picked up, Damian’s cold, deep voice came through, "Why did it take so long to answer?"

"I was just paying," she lied, accustomed to fibbing to avoid trouble with Damian.

"Did you get everything?"

"Almost."

"What does ’almost’ mean?" Damian’s tone dropped, his impatience clear; he loathed uncertain answers.

Remembering the dress that Oliver’s sister had conceded to her, Emma responded, "I’ve bought everything on your list."

"Anything else you liked?"

"No," Emma answered succinctly. What Damian instructed her to buy was one thing; what she liked was another, and she kept those distinctions clear.