Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 303: Emma’s Breakdown

Chapter 303: Emma’s Breakdown

"Ah!" Harper Clark bit down hard on Ryan Garcia’s arm, causing him to cry out in pain and release her.

"Hmph!" Harper scoffed, sitting down on the bench in front of them. "Spit it out. I don’t have time to waste on you," she snapped, crossing her arms and turning her head away. She couldn’t afford to miss any chance to be around Damien Sterling.

Ryan looked at the feisty girl in front of him and raised an eyebrow slightly. Such a spicy little firecracker, he thought, but with a heart of stone. What a pity.

He sat down next to her, but Harper immediately scooted away, rolling her eyes at him.

"Fine, why are you trying to get close to Damien Sterling?" Ryan asked, his tone both curious and mocking.

"Because I like him," Harper replied defiantly.

"Like him? Ha! Lots of people like him. What makes you think he’ll notice you?" Ryan pressed, watching her intently.

"I just know he will. One day, he’ll be mine, no matter what," Harper declared, getting up to leave.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Emma Hart and Damien Sterling?" Ryan said, stopping her in her tracks.

Harper hesitated for a moment.

"And... Mr. Sterling Senior," Ryan added, lighting a cigarette and crossing his legs.

"Ryan Garcia, I’m not interested in you. I want Damien Sterling. If you want to tell them, go ahead!" Harper snapped before storming back to the banquet hall.

Ryan threw his cigarette to the ground and cursed under his breath.

What neither of them noticed was that there had been a third person in the garden.

Back in the banquet hall, Harper searched for Damien Sterling but couldn’t find him. Just then, she caught a whiff of a strong perfume. A voluptuous woman with a beautiful face appeared in front of her.

"Sophia? Ms. Greenwood, weren’t you abroad?" Harper asked, having thoroughly investigated everything about Damien and Emma’s circle. Sophia Greenwood was supposed to be in Country A right now.

"I came back specifically for Mr. Sterling’s babies’ full-moon banquet. After all, Mr. Sterling and I go way back. Our families have known each other for years," Sophia said, extending her right hand to Harper. "Hello, Miss Clark. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m honored that you keep such close tabs on me."

Clark Group’s little heiress, Harper Clark, who preferred the stage over business, was well-known to Sophia Greenwood.

Harper was slightly surprised by Sophia’s familiarity but maintained her composure and extended her hand, "The pleasure is mine, Ms. Greenwood."

"I’ve seen your performances on stage, Miss Clark. They were truly spectacular. I’m sure Mr. Sterling feels the same," Sophia remarked, her words stoking Harper’s annoyance.

Harper frowned, her carefully arched brows drawing together. "What do you mean by that, Miss Greenwood?"

Sophia’s smile widened. "Your relationship with Ryan Garcia seems quite close. I saw you two getting rather cozy in the garden."

Leaning closer, Sophia whispered in Harper’s ear, "If you want to win, I can help you. Meet me in the underground garage after the banquet."

With that, Sophia walked away, leaving Harper staring after her, wondering what this woman’s true intentions were. She had heard everything? What did she want? Harper’s thoughts raced as she watched Sophia’s retreating figure.

The banquet continued smoothly, with guests savoring the exquisite dishes prepared by Sterling Group. Mr. Sterling Senior and Damien Sterling stood on the stage, toasting the attendees. Mrs. Harris and Ella Moore held the babies, adding to the joyful atmosphere.

"Strange, where’s Emma?" Brianna Baker wondered aloud while playing with the children. She suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Emma Hart since their brief greeting earlier.

Mrs. Harris and Ella Moore exchanged a look before Mrs. Harris replied, "Miss Baker, Miss Emma locked herself in a room and refuses to come out..."

Ella Moore added, "Mr. Sterling asked us to bring the children out to avoid gossip. The bodyguards and maids upstairs are trying to persuade Mrs. Sterling to come down."

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner!" Brianna exclaimed, rushing upstairs. Something was clearly wrong with Emma.

"Everyone, get out! Leave me alone!" Emma Hart’s desperate screams echoed through the hallway as Brianna reached the third floor.

"What’s going on?" Brianna asked the helpless maids gathered around.

"We don’t know. Mrs. Sterling won’t come down or eat anything," one maid explained.

"Alright, let me handle this. All of you, step back," Brianna ordered, moving everyone at least ten feet away. She stood at the door, her voice soft and gentle. "Emma, it’s Aunt Brianna."

When there was no response, she continued, "Emma, can I come in? Just me, no one else."

Emma Hart’s voice, tinged with tears, came through the door, "I don’t want to see any of you!"

Brianna Baker quietly instructed someone to bring one of the babies to the door, coaxing the child to laugh. "Do you want to see the baby? Do you know if this is Gabriel or Joshua? He was crying downstairs, but when we brought him up to find his mommy, he started laughing. Would you like to see him?" Brianna said, tickling the baby.

Sure enough, Emma opened the door.

"Gabriel!" Emma cried, snatching the baby from Brianna’s arms.

"Careful, Emma," Brianna cautioned gently.

Seizing the opportunity, Brianna slipped into the room and closed the door behind her. Emma, now focused on the baby, paid her no mind.

"Emma, why won’t you come out?" Brianna asked softly.

"You... you all... I’m not important. You only care about the babies! No one cares about me! I only have Gabriel and Joshua!" Emma’s voice broke as she began to sob uncontrollably, frightening Gabriel, who started crying as well.

Emma’s headache intensified, and in her distress, she almost dropped the baby onto the bed. Thankfully, Brianna reacted quickly and caught him.

"Emma!" Brianna exclaimed, a mix of anger and helplessness in her voice.

Emma collapsed to the floor, clutching her head and crying hysterically. She felt an enormous weight pressing on her chest, suffocating her. The sight of Emma’s breakdown terrified Brianna, who immediately sent a maid to fetch Damien Sterling.

Emma felt her world darken, as if she was being swallowed by a black hole of her own making. She felt utterly helpless. Her mother, grandmother, and brother saw her only as a money tree, and to Damien Sterling and the Sterling family, she was merely a surrogate.

She was used by everyone around her. No one truly cared for her; she was just a tool. No one in this world loved her.

"Emma Hart! Emma Hart!" Damien Sterling knelt in front of the curled-up Emma, shaking her shoulders desperately, but she remained unresponsive.