Overbearing CEO's Contract Love-Chapter 291: Happy New Year!

As Emma Hart was about to spring up from Damien Sterling’s embrace, he firmly pressed her back against him. "Don’t move," Damien commanded. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"How did I end up sleeping on you?" Emma asked, utterly baffled.

"You leaned over on your own," Damien responded.

The seasoned driver upfront smirked meaningfully. Ah, to be young!

"That’s impossible, you’re lying," Emma retorted, clearly not convinced.

"Why is that impossible?" Damien then turned towards her, whispering, "This driver is one of my grandfather’s men. We need to appear affectionate in front of him, understand?" Damien leaned in closer and swiftly pecked Emma on her soft lips, mimicking a pecking chick.

The driver thought to himself how worthwhile this drive had been, as dim lights occasionally swept over Emma’s blushing cheeks—whether from the blush or Damien’s audacious actions was unclear.

Damien turned his gaze towards the window, looking out at the night-draped fields, but his arm remained tightly wrapped around Emma.

Exiting the freeway, the car headed deep into a small town brightly lit, with smoke curling. Emma’s stomach growled in anticipation. When would they finally arrive?

"We’re almost there," Damien seemed to read Emma’s thoughts.

The car turned into a bamboo grove, navigating the rugged road that jostled the vehicle repeatedly, Damien protectively keeping Emma safe. Mr. Sterling Senior could have easily had the road fixed with just a word, but he always believed this place should retain its original character.

As the car’s shaking subsided, they approached a thirty-acre bamboo grove villa that came into Emma’s view.

The moon hung high, and the bamboo swayed gently—a place any literary enthusiast would dream of inhabiting. After a lifetime of competing for fame and success, Mr. Sterling Senior ultimately sought a tranquil place to reside.

"Mrs. Sterling, we have arrived," the driver announced before hastily stepping out to open the door for Emma.

As the car door closed with a soft thud, the villa’s maids hurriedly lined up in two neat rows to welcome their guests.

"Damien, Emma, you’re finally here! Come in, Emma, quickly—it’s too cold at the door!" Mr. Sterling Senior exclaimed with joy upon seeing Emma Hart.

"Someone bring a bowl of hot soup for Emma," he ordered, his tone laced with concern. His precious grandchild is still in her belly; they must take good care of her and not let her go hungry.

"Thank you, Grandfather," Emma smiled graciously.

"Ryan and the others haven’t arrived yet; we’ll wait a bit longer. Ah, that rascal!" Mr. Sterling Senior grumbled about Ryan Garcia, feeling a headache coming on.

"Oh, Mr. Sterling Senior! Stop fussing over me!" Ryan laughed as he and Brianna Baker arrived just as Mr. Sterling Senior mentioned him. Emma greeted them and noticed a fashionably dressed girl shyly hiding behind Ryan—it was Harper Clark.

"Harper Clark? What are you doing here?" Emma was surprised, and even Damien Sterling’s eyes widened.

"I... I just..." Harper stumbled over her words, embarrassed.

"This is the young lady I’ve introduced to Ryan!" Mr. Sterling Senior declared, clearly pleased with Harper Clark.

Emma thought to herself how small the world was—last time they met as business partners, and now they might soon be related by marriage.

"The master, dinner is ready," a maid respectfully approached Mr. Sterling Senior to announce.

"Let’s go have dinner!" Ryan exclaimed enthusiastically.

"No respect!" Mr. Sterling Senior playfully swatted Ryan’s backside, eliciting chuckles from everyone.

"Emma, Harper, eat up, both of you are too thin!" Mr. Sterling Senior’s attention was constantly on his granddaughters-in-law and future granddaughter-in-law.

Though Ryan wasn’t his blood grandson, being the sole heir to the Garcia Corporation meant that he was still very much family, and Mr. Sterling Senior made sure Ryan was attentive to Harper, nudging him to serve her food.

Damien Sterling was also meticulously caring for Emma. Only Brianna Baker seemed a bit isolated, occasionally receiving attention from the others, but her solitary state felt somewhat desolate.

After dinner, Mr. Sterling Senior called Damien into his study alone. "Damien, I’ve brought you here to discuss something of utmost importance. You remember Kevin Garcia, right? He’s heard that Brianna Baker is back."

"Grandfather, are you suggesting...?"

"He said he’s been remorseful over the years towards Brianna Baker. If we help him find her, he will let Sterling Group participate in next year’s ’Red Sun Project’."

"The ’Red Sun,’ that secretive project that could yield profits in the millions of Euros."

"That’s right."

"Given what I know about Kevin Garcia, handing over Aunt Brianna to him would not bode well for her. She’s as good as dead already..."

"I know, and now that most of my power has been transferred to you, I just want to see my grandchild. I’ve relayed Kevin Garcia’s message to you; the decision is yours to make."

"Yes, Grandfather!" The words of Mr. Sterling Senior took Damien Sterling by surprise; the Mr. Sterling Senior he knew was not an easy man to deal with.

After his discussion with Mr. Sterling Senior, Damien returned to the living room on the first floor. Emma Hart, having sent New Year’s greetings to her mother and Amelia Davidson, settled onto the sofa to watch the New Year’s Eve concert with Ryan Garcia and others.

Harper Clark cheered for the stars performing on stage, occasionally serving tea and offering sweets to everyone. Emma felt that although Harper was young, she was very caring—admirable traits, but something seemed off about her.

"Harper, aren’t you going to spend New Year’s with your family?" Emma asked.

"My parents are abroad, and we’re all too busy with work to get together. So, Grandpa Sterling invited me to join the celebration here," Harper replied, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Brianna Baker lay half-asleep on an armchair, her demeanor cold and distant, as if she and Emma were meeting for the first time. Ryan Garcia’s behavior was also peculiar—seemingly playful like a child yet distant from both her and Damien, as if deliberately avoiding contact.

Despite their affluence, this family suffered from a deep emotional disconnect. Whether Harper’s story was true or not, she seemed content without her parents during such a family-oriented time.

The TV blared: "And now, let’s count down together: ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!"

TV and Harper Clark: "Happy New Year!"

Amid Harper’s jubilant shouts, the dynamic dance of a boy band on the TV, and the continuous bursts of fireworks in the sky, they welcomed the new year.

Damien moved forward and passionately kissed Emma’s lips. After several seconds, he reluctantly broke away, struggling to maintain composure. Then, looking into her flushed, enticing eyes, he whispered with a smile, "Happy New Year, my dear."