The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains
Chapter 169 Manipulation Behind the Scenes

Bryan handed Emily a steaming cup of milk.

Emily was taken aback, not by the milk, but by the fact that Bryan's place was plastered with photos of him and Michael. It was obvious from the pictures that they used to be super tight. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..." Emily started to apologize for snooping around Bryan's house.

But Bryan didn't seem to care. He plopped down on the sofa, turned on his tablet, and asked, "So, what went down between you and Michael?"

Emily took a deep breath, thinking about all the fights with Michael. It felt like a never-ending cycle of frustration.

She said, "I guess Michael and I were never meant to be. Even if there's love, it can fade over time. I don't think I can keep going. Marrying into a rich family just isn't for me." Feeling really down, Emily chugged the milk.

Bryan paused for a second, then said, "That's milk, not booze. I'm glad I didn't let you go. If a girl like you went to the bar district, got drunk, and something happened, Michael would kill me." Emily laughed. "He wouldn't."

Bryan looked at her and said, "Ever heard the saying 'can't see the forest for the trees'?"

Emily looked confused and was about to ask when Bryan stood up with his tablet. "I'm not trying to lecture you, just saying. I've never seen Michael go out of his way for any woman. He's rich, not stupid. Maybe there's a misunderstanding between you two. Isn't it a bit early to give up on love?"

With that, Bryan headed to his room to sleep.

As he walked past Emily, she said, "I'll give you the same advice. You clearly don't want things to be tense with Michael, or your house wouldn't be full of photos of you two. If your friendship is that deep, don't let misunderstandings ruin it. Isn't it a bit childish for two grown men to be so stubborn?"

Emily's quick comeback caught Bryan off guard.

"Are you getting back at me now?" Bryan asked.

Emily shook her head. "Thanks for the milk. I'll crash on the couch tonight..."

Before she could finish, her phone rang. It was Abigail.

Emily quickly changed her tune. "I might be able to leave soon."

She answered the phone, and before she could say anything, she heard Abigail's urgent voice. "Emily, where are you? I've been swamped with work, my phone was on do-not-disturb. I didn't know you'd call so late!"

So she was working. Emily decided not to bother Abigail. "I'm fine, just called because... I missed you. I'm already home."

"You're lying to me," Abigail shot back. "Michael called me, he said he couldn't replace you and asked if I took you home! Emily, where are you? Don't make me worry!"

So it was Michael... Did he really care where she was, or was he just worried about getting chewed out by Mason?

With a bitter smile, Emily filled Abigail in on her evening and then reassured her. "I'm really fine, I even had a cup of hot milk just now. I'm crashing at a friend's place tonight. We'll talk tomorrow. I really don't want to fight with Michael anymore. It's ridiculous for a couple to end up like us."

Bryan raised an eyebrow but kept his face blank.

Abigail said, "Alright, that annoying Michael, why does he always upset you! It makes me so mad. Emily, you rest early, leave Michael to me!"

Knowing Abigail's personality, Emily had a bad feeling. "Abigail, what are you going to do?"

Abigail replied, "What can I do? You go to sleep, don't you trust me? Alright, I'm hanging up now."

Abigail dodged the question and hung up.

Emily, exhausted, didn't care what she would do. Whatever happened, Michael would have to deal with it. She no longer wanted to protect him. She was starting to realize he wasn't worth it. Suddenly, Bryan spoke from behind. "Is your friend going to stand up for you?"

Emily realized he hadn't gone to his room and had been eavesdropping. She smiled bitterly and shook her head, hearing Bryan ask again, "Has Michael ever mentioned me?"

Meanwhile, Michael returned to Emerald Lake Manor, exhausted. Facing the empty villa and the missing Emily, he was in a foul mood.

Soon, the phone rang. Michael answered with hope, only to replace it was Benjamin from the Smith Mansion. "Mr. Mason Smith wants to know if Mrs. Emily Smith has been found."

Hearing this, Michael couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Mason. But at the same time, he asked, "Grandpa never leaves the house, yet he knows everything so clearly. Benjamin, can you tell me how he does it?"

Years ago, Mason retired, and Michael took over as president of Smith Corporation. He thought he could break free from the family and be truly independent, but he was still under Mason's control, monitored in every move.

It was then Michael realized he was just a puppet, with Mason as the real mastermind. Mason seemed to retire but continued to control Smith Corporation and Michael in a way that suited him better.

Young and rebellious, Michael tried various ways to oppose Mason, even dreaming of creating his own business empire independent of the Smith family.

But he was betrayed by Bryan and ended up with a $6 million debt. Michael had no choice but to submit to Mason, and years passed.

Lost in thought, Michael gritted his teeth as he listened to Benjamin on the other end. "Mr. Michael Smith, this isn't something you should worry about. After all these years, you should know Mr. Mason Smith's methods and power far exceed yours. Go replace Mrs. Emily Smith, that's your main task now."

The call ended, and the dim light in the living room cast a shadow over Michael, like an invisible pressure suffocating him.