The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"The Watsons? Why? Besides me, has anyone else from the Watson family given you trouble?" Bryan shot back at Michael, not missing a beat. Emily glanced at Michael, curious.

Michael, however, was staring Bryan down with a determined look. "Wasn't six million dollars enough back then? If I do business with the Watsons again, I might lose everything." Bryan snapped, "Michael, what are you talking about?"

Businessmen were always cautious. They not only prayed for good deals but also watched their words carefully.

Even though Bryan wasn't directly involved, he knew his family took these things seriously.

Michael's words were definitely out of line.

The tension between them thickened.

Emily felt awkward, stuck in the middle.

Just then, Bryan's phone rang. He answered, and a playful woman's voice came through. "Hey, darling, you're still up! My parents didn't catch us today! When are you picking me up tomorrow?"

If Emily hadn't met Alice, she might've thought Bryan was seeing someone else.

But the voice on the phone was unmistakably...

"Alice?" Michael asked first, clearly curious too.

Alice heard Michael's voice, which only added to the confusion. Her sweet voice chimed in again. "Is that Michael? So you two are together? What are you guys up to behind my back? Michael, are you playing games with Bryan?" It was clear now; the caller was Alice.

Emily wasn't wrong; Bryan and Alice were definitely seeing each other.

So, Bryan's cold attitude towards Michael was probably because he thought Michael still had feelings for Alice?

Emily felt like she had found a new angle.

When Bryan hung up, she immediately asked, "Was that Alice?"

Bryan nodded, glancing at Michael. "Yeah."

Michael was surprised and asked Bryan directly, "Are you dating Alice?"

What started as curiosity was taken by Bryan as jealousy. His eyes flickered, and he frowned. "Are you surprised?"

Michael was confused. "Anyone would be surprised, right? This is good news. Ms. Blair likes Alice too. Why are you two keeping it a secret? Are you seeing other people too?"

Good news? Bryan looked at Michael's self-righteous expression.

He couldn't help but think that business had really changed Michael.

The once naive and straightforward Michael had become as good at acting as Jessica, all for the sake of Smith Corporation and the future.

Bryan replied, "Michael, can you drop the act? You must be really upset, right? Do you hate me?"

Michael was left bewildered by these questions.

What kind of nonsense was this?

Michael glanced at Emily.

Bryan noticed and continued, as if revealing a big secret. "Alice and I have decided to be together. No matter how unhappy you are, you can't take Alice from me. Michael, I hope you cherish the people around you and stop clinging to the past."

Michael had been sitting across from Bryan, feeling accused, questioned, and misunderstood.

This dinner was clearly a bust.

Michael stood up, pulling Emily with him, and said to Bryan, annoyed, "Thanks for bringing my wife back safely. But that doesn't give you the right to lecture me. As for Alice, if you two are together, it's because you have a strong connection. I'll wish you well as Alice's friend. And you think I'd take Alice away?"

With that, Michael held Emily's hand, and Bryan could see their fingers tightly interlocked.

Michael continued, "Let me make this clear, Bryan. I never liked Alice, and now I have someone I care about. There's no need for you to be on guard against me. Look at the photos in this house. Think about who's really stuck in the past." With that, Michael pushed his chair back and left Bryan's house with Emily.

Bryan, hearing Michael's words and his final warning, lost his appetite too.

He angrily threw down his fork, the clatter echoing in the silence.

Emily said, "Michael, be gentle! It hurts!"

Michael almost dragged Emily out the door.

Hearing her plea, Michael didn't hesitate and pulled her close, pressing her against the car.

They were so close, their breaths mingling.

Emily could feel Michael's heavy breathing, his hot breath on her face, making her inexplicably anxious. "I know you're angry, but can you first..."

Before she could finish, Michael kissed her.

He couldn't stand the thought of Emily slipping away from him.

Even if it was with his once closest friend, it was unbearable.

That possessiveness made Michael uncomfortable, like he couldn't breathe.

Just like now, their lips pressed together, Emily's hands on Michael's chest, breathing heavily. She couldn't resist the fierce, domineering kiss. Michael seemed to want to merge Emily into his body.

He changed angles, one hand on the back of her head, the other around her slender waist.

Everything happened so quickly and ended just as fast.

By the time Michael got into the car, Emily was still standing there, dazed.

She gradually felt weak, her body becoming soft from the intense kiss.

Then, Emily started to cry. She opened her eyes, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

After a while, the passenger window rolled down.

"What are you waiting for? Get in..." Michael was about to tell Emily to get in the car, but seeing her tear-streaked face, his anger melted away.

Emily said, "It's almost dawn. I'm going straight to the office."

With that, Emily walked away without looking back.

The sound of her high heels echoed, making Michael even more irritated.

What was wrong with Emily? Michael didn't know. He only knew that Emily was becoming more sensitive. He seemed unable to vent his anger on her anymore. More importantly, he was finding it harder to deal with Emily.