Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 353: Going to the Countryside（1）

Chapter 353: Going to the Countryside（1）

Emma Hart set down the dishes she was cleaning, her brows furrowing with a hint of unease. Damien Sterling’s expression suggested something serious.

"This afternoon, I need to go to City B for a business trip. I’ll be gone for three days. Take good care of yourself and the kids. Stay at home and don’t sneak out," Damien Sterling instructed.

"Why so suddenly? Are you going alone, or with someone?" Emma’s eyes dimmed with sudden disappointment. Usually, Damien’s constant presence made her feel secure. But now, even a short separation made her heart feel empty.

"I’ll have my assistant with me. We’re heading to Peach Blossom Town, 28 kilometers from City B. We’re going to evaluate it as a potential development site for Sterling Group," Damien explained.

Peach Blossom Town was beautiful but lacked medical and educational resources, making it an ambitious target for Sterling Group’s new tourism project.

"I want to go too!" Emma exclaimed.

"No way!" Damien retorted.

In the end, Damien was completely defeated.

It turned into a family trip, with Emma, their two kids, and Mrs. Harris all coming along. Despite Damien’s initial firm stance, Emma’s persuasive charm won him over after several rounds of intense negotiation. Reluctantly, Damien agreed, bringing the whole family and even the maid, making it impossible to keep a low profile.

If Mr. Sterling Senior found out, he’d likely chastise Damien for not acting like a true Sterling man, unable to handle a business trip without his wife. Even worse, if Logan Harrington discovered this, he’d surely mock Damien as a "super dad" and probably broadcast it to their social circle.

Better not to dwell on the negatives, Damien thought, feeling the mental burden grow the more he considered it.

Outside the window, the scenery changed constantly. Inside, Emma held the kids, showing them everything outside. Damien leaned back in his seat, eyes half-closed, thinking that this wasn’t so bad after all.

The car drove southward, and the weather grew increasingly hot. Eventually, the air conditioning was set to nearly its lowest temperature. Everyone wore light clothing. When the windows were rolled down, the fresh simplicity of the farmland outside brought a sense of tranquility.

Warm rural air rustled Emma Hart’s hair, brushing against the peaceful, chubby faces of the sleeping children. They had a quick lunch in City B before continuing their journey to Peach Blossom Town.

Long car rides with children often came with challenges—spit-ups, crying, and the like. Fortunately, the Sterling family’s two precious grandsons had their preferences: one clung to their mother, the other to their father, making it somewhat easier to manage.

However, it wasn’t long before Emma Hart began to feel unwell. She experienced dizziness and nausea, classic symptoms of motion sickness.

"Stop the car! Stop right now!" Emma urgently called out to the driver.

As soon as the car stopped, she carefully placed the baby on the seat, then rushed out and began to vomit violently until tears streamed down her face.

Mrs. Harris quickly exited the car, tissue in hand, to check on Emma. "Emma, how are you feeling?"

"I’m fine," Emma replied, taking the tissue from Mrs. Harris.

"Mrs. Harris," Damien Sterling called out, motioning for her to take care of the kids.

He then grabbed a bottle of water and helped Emma to rest under an old tree along a shady path. Gently patting her back, he encouraged her to drink some water.

"I told you not to come, but you never listen..." Though his words were scolding, Damien’s tone was filled with tenderness.

"I’m sorry... I’ve wasted your time," Emma said, her face pale, holding her weak stomach. The downward curve of her lips showed her guilt.

Damien ruffled Emma’s round little head and smiled. "Isn’t this nice too? Look, we’ve never taken the time to enjoy the scenery along the way. We have you to thank for that."

The gentle natural breeze swept through, rustling the crops and leaves of various sizes in the fields, accompanied by the soothing symphony of chirping insects and birdsong. It was a unique melody that could only be experienced in the countryside.

Emma Hart’s clothes were drenched in sweat. Damien Sterling instructed the driver and assistant to step out of the car, giving Emma some privacy to change inside. She quickly slipped into her favorite white cotton T-shirt, feeling instantly refreshed.

They parked by the roadside, relaxing in the forest path, enjoying the breeze, and capturing the beautiful scenery with their phones. After a half-hour rest, they resumed their journey.

As they neared Peach Blossom Town, the road became increasingly rugged and bumpy, much like the thrilling rides Emma always despised at amusement parks.

As the sun began to set, they turned onto a dirt path almost entirely obscured by vegetation, stopping beneath a sturdy old tree. The sound of car doors slamming disturbed the town’s tranquility, drawing the attention of an elderly man in a blue short-sleeved shirt and gray trousers.

"Welcome, Mr. Sterling, everyone, to Peach Blossom Town," the elderly man greeted them with a deeply wrinkled face and eyes that crinkled into slits as he smiled, his breath carrying the strong scent of cheap beer.

"I’ll take you to the guesthouse. This way, please, and watch your step on the rocky path," he said, leading Damien and his group down a stone path.

Along the way, flocks of chickens, ducks, and geese roamed freely, children darting from one house to another. Emma Hart and Mrs. Harris carefully carried the children, watching their steps.

Night fell quickly, and the town’s roads lacked streetlights. To find their way, everyone had to use a flashlight.

The guesthouse was a two-story wooden building with lit corridor lamps. A stray dog curled up on the porch, alert to any disturbances.

"Welcome to our distinguished guests! The first floor has standard double rooms, and the second floor has a large suite," announced one of the three staff members, two men and one woman, who ran the guesthouse.