Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 204: Rainy Night, Don’t Leave

Chapter 204: Rainy Night, Don’t Leave

Damien Sterling’s phone rang, and it was his assistant on the line. Emma Hart glanced over unintentionally and noticed a hint of evasion in Damien’s demeanor. Slowly turning around, Emma then swiftly turned back, snatching Damien’s phone from him. Indeed, she hadn’t misheard earlier.

The assistant was reporting on the phone, "Mr. Sterling, we did find a woman’s dress in that room. We have reviewed the entire cruise video and there is nothing wrong with Miss Emma."

Despite everything, it seemed Damien still didn’t trust her, having her investigated so thoroughly, almost as if he was afraid they wouldn’t find anything incriminating.

Emma pulled the phone away from her ear, about to throw it out, but then shouted into the phone, "Repeat what you just said!" Following that, she threw the phone towards Damien, and, as fate would have it, it landed right below his abdomen.

Emma watched as the phone followed a perfect parabola towards Damien’s lower body. She covered her mouth in shock, her eyes fixated on the target.

After a moment, Damien slowly looked up, his brows furrowed in what appeared to be pain. "Emma Hart!" he shouted angrily.

Just then, the car had arrived at the villa. Emma quickly turned, opened the car door, and got out, slamming the door behind her as if fleeing from a monster. She ran ahead, shouting as she went, while Damien, expression still unrelaxed from the pain, got out of the car. His face showed the lack of moderation in Emma’s action.

Meanwhile, the assistant on the phone was unaware of the commotion, continuously asking, "Hello, Mr. Sterling? Hello?" The phone was left abandoned on the back seat of the car. Damien spared it a glance but had no intention of picking it up to continue listening to his assistant’s report, assuming Emma’s bold statement meant there was no issue.

Damien’s doubts were never that significant, merely seeking some peace of mind.

Inside the villa, Emma Hart leisurely sipped the chicken soup that Mrs. Harris had prepared.

As she savored the soup, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Damien Sterling, who was just entering the room. She quickly averted her eyes, lowering them back to the bowl of soup before her. She knew well that this man wouldn’t let things slide so easily; it seemed they were about to settle both new and old scores.

Damien Sterling walked towards her with light steps, seemingly unburdened by any troubles. Pulling out a chair, the grating sound of marble against the chair legs filled the air. His deep, magnetic voice broke the silence, "Is the soup to your liking?"

Emma Hart scooped up a spoonful and, straightening up, offered it to Damien Sterling, "Want to try?"

Damien Sterling glanced disdainfully at the spoon and then at the bowl of soup. He had never been fond of leftovers, finding them cluttered and chaotic. With a look of disgust, he observed Emma Hart, who glanced down at her bowl, now a messy swirl from her stirring. Carefully, she set the spoon down.

Damien Sterling’s gaze remained fixed on her, unblinking. As he was about to speak, his lips moving slightly, Emma Hart interrupted, "This has nothing to do with me!"

"And whose fault is it?" Damien retorted.

"It’s... It’s because you had me investigated, a punishment from the heavens!" Emma stuttered.

"What sort of logic is that?" he questioned.

"Why investigate me if you’re not aware?" she challenged, her head held high with righteousness. "I have nothing to fear if I’ve done nothing wrong. My conscience is clear, no matter how thoroughly you search."

Emma Hart’s defiant posture seemed to lend her an air of dignity. Outside, the wind howled, and the sky darkened suddenly, a heavy sense of oppression filling the air as if a storm was imminent. Returning earlier, the weather had already been turning foul.

Mrs. Harris, looking out the window, commented, "It seems we’re in for a heavy rain tonight."

"Ah?" Emma glanced at the sky, feeling uneasy. She had always despised thunderstorms, the thunder making her fear for the safety of the entire house, as if she had committed a grave sin and was afraid of being struck by lightning.

Then, a brilliant flash of lightning tore across the sky, followed by a thunderclap that resonated through the room.

Emma Hart startled, her body tensing involuntarily.

Meanwhile, Damien Sterling, standing at a distance in the living room with a cigarette in hand, was about to light it but paused, noticing Emma Hart’s fear. Was this woman really afraid of thunder?

Damien Sterling held a cigarette between his fingers, the smoke gracefully rising from his slender digits. Through the hazy veil, he watched Emma Hart from a distance, her face now a canvas of fear, visibly shaken by the unfolding events.

Damien extinguished the cigarette in his hand and pressed his phone, dialing through. "Hello? Oh, an emergency meeting tonight? Got it," Damien spoke as he made his way towards Emma, his phone conversation coming to an end.

Emma, catching bits of the conversation, watched as Damien moved towards the door. Was he leaving? She glanced outside at the rainy night, wishing he could stay. In that moment, Emma felt a profound sense of vulnerability, an overwhelming desire to lean on Damien. But how could she express this need?

As Damien slipped on his shoes, Emma, unable to contain herself any longer, approached him with a feigned indifference. "Where are you off to?" she asked.

"A meeting," he responded succinctly.

Emma hesitated, struggling to find the words to make him stay. It was a battle between her pride and her desire to keep him by her side.

"Something wrong?" Damien inquired, noticing her hesitation.

"No, it’s just... the weather doesn’t seem too good. Maybe you shouldn’t go out?" Emma ventured, her suggestion hanging between them.

"I have a driver," Damien replied coldly, turning away. Yet, he regretted his dismissiveness almost immediately, pondering if he had cut off any chance for Emma to voice a more compelling reason to stay.

Emma bit her lip, understanding that Damien was set on leaving. Despite her fears, she couldn’t find the words to persuade him otherwise. Damien was a man of his decisions, rarely swayed by others. Collecting his things, Damien stepped out into the night, where his driver awaited. As he settled into the car, the driver inquired about their destination.

"This stubborn woman!" Damien sighed, a mix of frustration and concern in his voice.