The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"Mrs. Smith, why don't you just talk to Ms. Smith through the door?" Lexine suggested cautiously, standing in front of the guest room door, worried about Emily's safety.

She had worked for Veda for years and knew her temper all too well. If something ticked her off, she'd lash out, no questions asked. And everyone in the Smith family knew Veda had a special kind of hatred for Emily.

Emily got where Lexine was coming from and gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Lexine. I know you're worried. Grandpa didn't send Veda back to her room because he was afraid she'd break stuff in a rage. There's only a bed in the guest room, not much to destroy. And as for fighting me, like you said, she hasn't eaten in days. She probably doesn't have the strength."

Lexine thought about it and realized Emily had a point. With no other options, she opened the door.

As soon as Emily stepped in, she was hit by a foul smell mixed with the sour stench of old food.

Veda might not be the brightest, but when she was stubborn, she was a force to be reckoned with.

She hadn't eaten or even changed out of her pajamas in days, tear stains marking her cheeks. Clearly, she wasn't crying over Scarlett but because, without her, she had no one to ask for pocket money.

Hearing the door open, Veda thought, 'Could it be Grandpa? Forget it. He only lectures me. Michael? Even less likely. He is stingy and already under Emily's spell, so how could he genuinely care about me?'

As Veda thought about it, she grew increasingly resentful of Emily. When she looked up and saw that it was indeed Emily who had dared to come see her, she became even angrier.

"Bitch, get out," Veda spat, not even trying to be polite.

Emily had expected this and calmly sat down on the sofa.

"Emily, you're really shameless. I underestimated you! Now you've got what you wanted. You must be thrilled!" Veda sneered, her energy low but her words still sharp.

Emily was used to this. She even felt a bit sorry for Veda-sorry that she could never control her own life, sorry that without Scarlett, she was lost.

"Got what I wanted? Did I plan all of this? Your mom almost had someone rape me. If Michael hadn't saved me, I would've been ruined and lost the baby," Emily shot back.

Veda suddenly felt a pang of embarrassment and fell silent. But then something clicked, and she looked at Emily in shock. "What did you say? Lose the baby? Are you pregnant? It's Michael's, right? It can't be Daniel's, can it?"

Emily responded with a cold laugh, "No matter how you insult me, I haven't done anything immoral. The child is Michael's, but he doesn't know. I'm telling you today, not expecting you to tell him. The child is over three months old." As she spoke about the child, Emily's previously stoic face softened with emotion.

"I'll have the baby, but Michael won't know, and he won't be raising the child. Also, we're getting divorced in a few days. Don't worry, I won't be the mistress of the old Mansion for long, and I won't be in your way," Emily added. Veda was stunned. "Divorce? You're really getting divorced? But your child..."

She couldn't believe Emily had kept her pregnancy a secret for so long. Based on what she knew about Emily, she should be flaunting her power in the Smith family by now. That child would be her golden ticket.

"Are you wondering why I don't use the child to control Michael? So I could have everything in the Smith family, right?" Emily said, placing a hand on her belly.

She had been with the child for three months now, from the initial uncontrollable nausea to getting used to it. Emily gradually felt that the child had become a part of her.

No matter if the child would cause trouble or play around in the future, even if it made her suffer immensely, Emily was willing to accept it all.

Because a child carried for ten months would ultimately become the closest person to her besides Isabella.

All the wealth and houses, in the end, were just like a game, a dream. Only the child truly belonged to her.

"Veda, not everyone is like you, only loving money and caring about money, or at worst, those so-called fame and status and the identity of the Smith family heiress," Emily said sincerely. "Not everyone is like your mom, using children as tools for making money and scheming. Those things shouldn't take up your whole life."

Veda looked down on Emily, so she wasn't really listening. But mentioning Scarlett, her own mother now in prison, hit a nerve.

Once, Veda had despised Emily, calling her motherless. But now? She was in the same boat.

"This world is beautiful, and the happiness of being with family is something money can never buy. But I'm not here to lecture you today. I know you probably think I have no right to lecture you. Yes, you can consider everything I said today as nonsense," Emily continued.

"But there's one thing I must say, Veda, your body is your own. If you mistreat yourself, you'll suffer in the end," Emily added.

With that, Emily had Lexine bring in some fresh food. It was clear that effort had been put into it, with dishes Veda liked.

"Eat something. The Smith family lady shouldn't look so disheveled. After eating, take the money and buy some new clothes, start a new life," Emily said, handing a VIP card to Veda.

Veda recognized it as Michael's card and looked at Emily.

Emily looked back at her steadily. "I know you recognize it. Yes, Michael asked me to give it to you. Think what you want, whether you think I'm pretending or being arrogant. But this is the Smith family's money. You can use it without feeling it's charity from me. I don't have that power anyway."

With that, Emily got up to leave.

According to Mason's orders, Veda was to remain confined. So, the guest room door was closed again.

Not long after, Veda shouted through the door, "Lexine, bring me another steak!"