The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains
Chapter 182 Playing Along

"Hey, over here!"

"Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith, can I get a few more shots over here?"

"Mrs. Smith, you look stunning! And Mr. Smith, you're looking sharp! You two are the perfect couple!" "And here, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith, look this way..."

It was pretty unusual for Michael to show up at such a small event.

A lot of reporters didn't expect to get a chance to meet such a big name in the business world.

So, when they spotted Michael and Emily, they swarmed them, snapping pictures like crazy.

Luckily, Michael and Emily were eager to set the record straight, so they played along.

With all the camera flashes going off, the two of them stayed close together.

Michael even laced his fingers with Emily's, holding her hand tight.

That little gesture made Emily's cheeks turn pink, and she felt a jolt run up her arm, making her heart skip a beat. "Yes! Hold that pose!"

"Mrs. Smith, you look especially beautiful with that shy smile!"

As the photoshoot went on, it felt like a custom wedding shoot for the two of them.

What was supposed to be a business party quickly turned into a photo op for Michael and Emily.

The reporters turned into professional photographers, directing their poses and expressions, while the onlookers joined in the excitement and chatter.

"Who said Mr. and Mrs. Smith were having problems?"

"Yeah, they look perfectly fine! Look at how Mr. Smith adores her!"

"It's rare to see such a loving couple in Emerald City. Those online rumors are just nonsense!"

Emily could faintly hear some of their conversations.

She was already feeling flustered, and Michael's little gestures made her even more embarrassed.

She could feel the warmth and strength of his big hands, which gave her a sense of security. More importantly, Michael was gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, as if to calm her down. Every time he did that, her heart would race. Emily couldn't quite describe the feeling.

Just as she was feeling lost, a reporter suddenly shouted from the crowd, "Mr. Smith, can you kiss Mrs. Smith?"

A kiss? These reporters were really pushing it. Being their free model was already enough! And now they wanted them to kiss?

Emily was about to complain. But to her surprise, Michael responded softly, then looked at her, his strong hand holding hers firmly, and his face slowly moved closer to hers.

"Michael, you..." Instinctively, Emily started to pull away.

Michael gently said, "Don't move," and then kissed her, just a light kiss on the forehead, making Emily feel an overwhelming sense of affection.

It was like the gentle warmth of the winter sun, as if everything around them suddenly stood still.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith are really cooperative!"

"I didn't expect that after three years of marriage, they're still as sweet as when they first fell in love!"

"Yes, it shows that those online rumors are all false. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, may you always be happy!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Smith, and best wishes, Mrs. Smith. Thank you both for your cooperation! We wish you a baby soon!"

A baby soon? These reporters were really laying it on thick. Emily forced a smile, but inside, she was grumbling.

Then she heard Michael say beside her, "We definitely will."

Emily was speechless. "I..."

She couldn't do anything about Michael right now, so she just waited for the reporters to leave before confronting him.

"What were you saying to them, about having a baby soon and..." Thinking about the kiss, Emily felt embarrassed and stopped mid-sentence.

Michael found her adorable in this state and just smiled slightly. "It's just acting. If we don't act convincingly, how will they believe the rumors aren't true?" With that, Michael let go of Emily's hand.

It was at this moment that Emily realized it was all just a fleeting dream.

Michael was just playing along. But she believed it all and enjoyed it as if it were real. Maybe that was why she got hurt in this relationship.

Thinking about this, a trace of sadness flashed across Emily's face.

At the same time, Michael also felt a bit uneasy.

He noticed that Emily didn't like him touching her. Even a polite hand-hold seemed to make her uncomfortable.

Thinking about that kiss... if it weren't for the reporters, if it weren't for the Smith family... Would Emily have agreed? But they were a legitimate married couple, so why did everything feel so strange? Michael couldn't understand why Emily disliked him so much. It was even a physical aversion and resistance.

The next morning.

Michael received a call from Andrew. "Mr. Smith, the online articles are out. Most of them praise you and Mrs. Smith for your deep affection. Even Emerald City News has reported on it. If you're near a TV, you can turn it on and watch." Hearing this, Michael slowly went downstairs. He saw Emily standing stiffly in front of the TV like a mummy.

The TV was broadcasting a video of them attending the party last night, with exaggerated captions.

#Smith Corporation Couple Hand in Hand, Sweet Kiss Dispels Rumors

Sweet kiss? When? Wasn't it just a light peck on the forehead? These reporters were really exaggerating. But in this way, it was well-publicized in Emerald City.

Now, everyone probably knew that their relationship was a strong, unbreakable firewall.

Andrew said, "Mr. Smith, good news, our Smith Corporation stock is rising sharply."

Michael replied, "That's good, it means the rumors are dispelled, and things are warming up. Keep it up."

Michael gave his instructions, and then Andrew said on the other end of the line, "About the IP address near the Brown Villa..."

Before he could finish, Michael instinctively glanced at Emily, then turned and walked to the dining room to reply. "Keep investigating, we must get to the bottom of it."

After hanging up the phone, Emily walked over.

Michael, seemingly on guard, put his phone away, a subtle action that Emily noticed.

Well, now that he had used her, it was time to discard her. To Michael and the Smith Corporation, she was just a dispensable item.

Thinking about this, Emily felt a bit lost. She pulled out a chair and sat across from Michael. Already feeling nauseous from morning sickness, she now had no appetite at all.