Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 283: First Encounter with Ryan Garcia

Chapter 283: First Encounter with Ryan Garcia

"Are you Emma Hart? You have such a spirited presence. Come in, I’ll prepare some delicious food for you!" Brianna Baker greeted them warmly as they entered.

Inside the house was a serene haven, filled with calligraphy, vibrant flowers, small incense burners, and yoga mats—Brianna Baker had created a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world.

"This is my aunt’s private kitchen; today, it’s reserved just for us," Damien Sterling explained.

"It’s been a while since Damien last visited! His sudden arrival almost caught me off guard," Brianna laughed as she spoke.

Emma Hart and Damien Sterling settled on the tatami as melodious guzheng music filled the room, and the aroma of the dishes wafted over.

The server, dressed in Zen attire, brought out dish after dish of home-cooked meals—chicken stewed with potatoes, lotus leaf rice, and Longjing shrimp...

"I never thought you, who usually dines only at upscale restaurants, would appreciate this too!" Emma eyed the feast, her mouth watering.

"Are you mocking me?" Damien’s eyes deepened, and he raised an eyebrow teasingly.

"My aunt is a Michelin-starred chef who retired early to live this simple life," Damien said with a proud smile.

Watching the conversationless Emma, Damien sighed, "Eat!"

Emma had always been a food lover, and now, pregnant, her appetite was even more impressive, completely disregarding any image. Brianna Baker watched with joy, knowing Damien rarely brought women to her place. This time, it must be true love, and Emma was a fine girl indeed.

"Mom! I’m back! Someone, please come help me!" A robust baritone suddenly echoed from outside, its magnetic quality potent enough to dazzle any auditory aficionado.

"Ryan? You’re back!" Brianna rushed outside to greet the man at the door—her beloved son, Ryan Garcia.

"Hmm?" Damien put down his chopsticks and walked towards the door.

"Ryan?" Damien wasn’t surprised; after all, this was Ryan Garcia’s mother’s home, and he could arrive anytime. But that baggage...

"Damien dear, you’re here?" Ryan felt somewhat awkward, especially after his earlier shout like a helpless gentleman.

"Just visiting my aunt. And my wife, Emma Hart," Damien said.

Engrossed in her meal, Emma was startled to hear her name from Damien. What’s going on now?

Rising, Emma walked over to see what the matter was.

"You’ve arrived just in time. This is my brother, Ryan Garcia. Ryan, this is Emma Hart," Damien Sterling made a brief introduction.

"Hello," Emma smiled and nodded. "Hello sister-in-law," Ryan Garcia responded. Emma took a moment to assess the man before her. He exuded a strong, masculine aura, his skin was slightly tanned, and he was even more robust than Damien, handsome in a way that matched his warm and sunny name, Ryan.

"Come in, we were just eating. Ryan, your timing couldn’t have been better," Brianna Baker expressed her delight. This was one of her happiest days; since the brothers had graduated from high school, it had been rare for them to visit and dine together. And now, Damien had even brought his girlfriend, reminding her how quickly time flies.

"Damien dear, how about we take a walk by the beach later?" Ryan knew his brother was usually busy, and his coming all this way meant he might have some free time.

"Sure," Damien replied.

"Emma, why don’t you stay and chat with me? It’s damp and chilly by the beach, not good for you or the baby," Brianna’s sweet voice was hard to refuse.

"Okay," Emma agreed, partly because she didn’t want to engage in too much conversation with Damien; a slip of the tongue could easily anger him.

By the seaside, the rhythmic sound of the waves filled the air, seagulls flew low, and the sunlight was less harsh than at noon, now soft and mild.

"She’s the reason you were so upset that day, right?" Ryan looked out at the sea, questioning Damien, who remained silent.

"Ah, my brother Damien, finally going to be tied down, huh?" Ryan joked, but Damien was not offended. Ryan and their aunt Brianna were his only real family, the ones who truly cared for him.

"Are you planning to stay for good this time?" Damien asked. Since Ryan had gone to college, he rarely visited home. If Ryan truly decided to return, Damien would be overjoyed, though he wouldn’t show it.

"Yes, I’m back to stay with mom. You know about her illness," Ryan said with a wry smile.

"Yes, nothing escapes me," Damien replied. His aunt’s doctor at last week’s hospital check-up was a friend of Damien’s—she had been diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer.

"I’m worried my dad might come back to harass her again," Ryan Garcia said, picking up a pebble and throwing it into the vast ocean.

Kevin Garcia, the president of Garcia Group and a notorious philanderer and abuser, had been troubling Brianna Baker intermittently since their divorce, forcing her to flee the country. Recently, after being diagnosed with cancer, Brianna just wanted to return to her hometown to peacefully leave this world.

Damien Sterling and Ryan Garcia sat in silence on the beach for a long time.

Inside Brianna Baker’s home.

"Emma, I heard from Damien that you’ve been participating in the Sterling Group’s design competition and you’ve advanced!" Brianna Baker said.

"Yes," Emma Hart responded, unsure of how to start the conversation...

"Have you met Sophia Greenwood?"

"Yes."

"Do you know about her relationship with Damien Sterling?"

"They?"

"Sophia and our Damien have been childhood friends, but I could tell from the start she had a questionable character. Be careful around her if you cross paths."

After finishing, Brianna took a sip of her tea. "You must cherish the time and avoid doing things you’ll regret. Never do that."

One moment was cheerful and the next reflective, Emma thought: Damien Sterling’s aunt really was a sentimental woman. But when elders offer advice, the younger simply listen and agree.

"Auntie is right, don’t worry, we will be fine," Emma responded earnestly.

"Ryan and Damien have been like brothers since they were little. As I grow older and time becomes scarce, my biggest concern is Ryan. If he finds a girlfriend in the future, you’ll have to help keep an eye on him for me! I can tell you’re a good girl," Brianna rambled, leaving Emma a bit bewildered.

"Of course!" Emma assured her.

Although it felt somewhat inappropriate for Brianna to speak so gravely upon their first meeting, Emma held back from commenting. Brianna walked over to the guzheng and began to play a beautiful melody, enchanting and as refreshing as a gentle breeze on a summer day, softly stirring the lotus blossoms in the pond.