Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 214: Clashing with Him

Chapter 214: Clashing with Him

Before Emma Hart could even get her words out, Damien Sterling cut her off abruptly, forcing Emma to swallow her words and look up at him in surprise. Where had all the gentlemanly demeanor he cultivated during his studies in England gone? Was it now so easy for him to rudely interrupt others?

Emma Hart fixed her gaze on Damien Sterling, waiting for whatever he had to say to her. "From tomorrow on, you are not to come to the office anymore."

What? Emma Hart looked at Damien Sterling in astonishment. What had she done now to receive such an order from him?

Damien Sterling was ready to leave after dropping this bombshell, making it clear that it was a decision not up for debate or disagreement from Emma.

In a rush, Emma Hart turned and grabbed Damien Sterling’s arm, halting him in his tracks. No one had ever dared to grab his clothing and hold him back like this, and Emma knew her actions were bold, perhaps even reckless. But she couldn’t help herself.

"What are you saying? What did I do? Why can’t I go to work at the company anymore?" Emma barraged him with questions.

"This was already discussed with you," he said dismissively.

Discussed? That was hardly a discussion; it was more like a unilateral notification.

Earlier that morning, Emma had awakened alongside Damien Sterling. Squinting her eyes, she saw Damien carefully getting out of bed, as if trying not to wake her, unaware that Emma had been awake for a while, watching him with half-closed eyes. Damien glanced back at the still ’sleeping’ Emma before quietly leaving the room, apparently not intending to get ready there.

The door closed softly behind Damien, making no sound. He had never been this cautious around anyone else.

As he left, Damien wondered to himself why such a life wasn’t appealing. Staying at home, being taken care of, living a life of ease much like the ladies of leisure in the past. He couldn’t understand why Emma Hart was so determined to work at the company. Was it her overwhelming ambition, her workaholic nature, or was there another reason entirely?

Pressing her ear against the door, Emma Hart waited until she heard the sound of Damien Sterling descending the stairs before she tiptoed to the closet, retrieving her baggy workout clothes.

At work, her wardrobe was always modest, starkly contrasting with her colleagues who favored bold and heavy makeup.

This discrepancy in style, where her peers were trendsetters, left Emma described best by the term "plain." Yet, this was a boon for Emma, ensuring her pregnancy remained unnoticed.

Despite a few suspicions from colleagues who questioned her slightly bulging belly, Emma brushed off their concerns, attributing it to recent weight gain, thankfully her pre-pregnancy slimness helped disguise her growing bump.

The restaurant downstairs gradually fell silent, indicating to Emma that Damien must have left. She then quietly made her way downstairs with her belongings.

Mrs. Harris, spotting Emma, expressed her surprise, "Miss Emma, you’re off to work today?" It seemed Damien hadn’t mentioned anything; Emma nonchalantly confirmed her departure, leaving Mrs. Harris puzzled but uninquiring, respecting Damien’s silence on the matter.

Upon arriving at the company, Emma inadvertently bumped into Sofia Greenwood. Emma’s instinct was to turn away, but Sofia called out to her, staring in disbelief.

Sofia had been informed by Damien early in the morning that Emma wouldn’t be coming to work, stirring confusion. However, Sofia withheld her questions, instead handing Emma a file, "Could you deliver this upstairs for me?"

Puzzled, Emma questioned, "Which upstairs?"

"To Mr. Sterling’s office," Sofia replied earnestly.

Emma glanced down at the file then back at Sofia, perplexed. She had always detested the idea of seeking out Damien, yet here was Sofia, providing her with an opportunity to do just that.

Before Emma could inquire further, Sofia hurriedly excused herself, "I must attend a meeting. Please, deliver this as soon as possible."

With her head bowed, Emma Hart pondered the inevitable discovery of the document by Damien Sterling if she proceeded to submit it. Yet, what choice did she have? Bracing herself, she entered the elevator and, upon reaching the top floor’s executive office, immediately encountered the two secretaries. Hastily handing over the document with a quick turn to leave, she stated, "This is for Mr. Sterling."

Before the secretaries could inquire about the specifics, Emma’s hurried departure left them no chance to question her as she nearly reached the elevator door.

Just as Emma was about to step into the elevator, a familiar male voice called out from behind, "Emma Hart." Her heart leaped to her throat. What now? Had that man found out?

Emma took another step forward, only for the man’s voice to ring out once more behind her. Each word was firm and resonant, betraying a hint of anger that made Emma freeze, realizing she had been discovered.

Swallowing hard, Emma reminded herself there was no need to fear. Having decided to face the day, she was prepared for this confrontation. Turning around, she found Damien Sterling already close by, causing her to instinctively step back.

In a swift motion, Damien reached out, pulling Emma towards him just as the elevator doors began to close behind them, displaying a lack of caution.

The secretaries, wide-eyed, watched enviously from a distance, wishing for such attention, their adoration unmistakably evident.

Coughing awkwardly, Emma was mindful not to make enemies, aware that the secretaries might view her even less favorably next time. Yet, with Damien’s current demeanor, a next time seemed uncertain.

Damien’s gaze locked with Emma’s, fully aware she was looking past him at the secretaries, who were undoubtedly watching them. With a slight tilt of Damien’s head, the secretaries scrambled back to their tasks. Damien then turned and commanded in a deep tone, "Come to my office," his face shadowed with discontent.

Despite feeling intimidated, Emma bolstered her courage internally. After a moment, Damien slowly said, "You seem to listen less and less."

"I do listen," Emma responded with a smile, her eyes subtly avoiding Damien’s as she looked around his imposing office, her words echoing as if in a vast space.

Entering Damien’s office, Emma resembled a child who had erred, her head hung low.

Damien, with his legs crossed and fingers interlaced on the desk, peered at her through deep-set eyes that gleamed with a cold intensity from beneath his somewhat mixed-heritage features.