The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"Mr. Smith's back."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Smith."

As Michael walked into the old mansion, he noticed a bunch of servants hanging around.

Usually, they'd be busy with their chores, but today, they were all gathered in the front yard.

Michael's curiosity got the best of him, and he bumped into Benjamin, who was leading a group of servants to the main hall to see Mason.

While they walked, Michael found out that Mason had been up all night and started early in the morning to figure out how the mole had snuck into the mansion. "Thanks, Benjamin."

"Just doing my job. Mrs. Smith got home last night without any major issues, right? She must've been scared. She needs to rest up these days. Mr. Mason Smith feels really bad about it. How about we ask Efrain Hubbard in the kitchen to whip up some of Mrs. Smith's favorite dishes later?"

Michael thought Benjamin's suggestion was a good idea.

He nodded and remembered Emily from this morning, taking a deep breath, feeling uneasy.

When Mason saw Michael return, he wasn't surprised. He just asked casually, "You said you weren't worried about Emily, but here you are, leaving your work to find the mole?" Mason had that vibe of someone who'd seen it all.

Seeing Michael so concerned about Emily, his attitude softened a bit.

But Michael was stubborn. "It's not that, Grandpa. I have important business to attend to."

He did have important business at the mansion today, but he was also worried about Emily's distress.

On the way, Michael secretly vowed that if he found the mole from yesterday, he'd give him a good beating before handing him over to the police.

Hearing Michael's response, Mason didn't argue, just turned away with a pout. "How's it going?"

Seeing Benjamin shake his head, Mason sighed. "Checked everything?"

"Yeah, everything. No one saw anything weird yesterday. Everyone's alibi checks out."

Michael felt a growing unease.

"It's strange. No one saw Emily come back yesterday? This investigation is a bit of a waste of time. Should I just call Emily and ask?"

"No. Absolutely not." Mason's words were immediately countered by Michael.

He said he wasn't worried, but at critical moments, he couldn't help but care.

"She was scared. She wouldn't want to recall yesterday's events. Asking her now would only upset her more, Grandpa."

"You're right." Mason raised an eyebrow at Michael and shook his head helplessly.

Sometimes he really didn't understand what these young people were thinking.

"Benjamin, keep investigating. Don't let a single fly escape. I need to give Emily an explanation!" Mason gave the order again.

Benjamin led the team out, and the living room went quiet.

Michael suddenly asked, "Where's my mom?"

Strange things kept happening one after another.

Mason looked at Michael in surprise.

Michael had never really gone out of his way to find Scarlett before. Even when they did cross paths, he was always cold and distant, nothing like the warm and caring mother-son relationships. So why was he looking for her today?

He must have something important on his mind.

But as soon as Scarlett was mentioned, Mason realized he hadn't seen her all morning either.

"Who knows where she went, probably out playing cards again..."

Before Mason could finish, Scarlett's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Oh my, how dare you steal from my room!"

She stormed in, dragging a frail maid like she was a rag doll.

"Dad, this person is asking for it! I must fire her today, absolutely!"

With that, Scarlett threw the maid to the ground.

Mason and Michael frowned and said, "Be gentle. She's a person, not a stuff. You can't be so harsh!"

Mason glared at Scarlett. "What did she do wrong?"

"She stole! She took several of my expensive necklaces. Dad, this isn't her first offense. Today, she even tried to steal from Veda's room, but I caught her in time!" Scarlett produced the jewelry she had prepared in advance, including dazzling jade and emeralds.

Michael's thoughts drifted again, recalling Emily's words, feeling deeply troubled.

He gritted his teeth and impatiently said to Scarlett, "You have so many necklaces. If she stole some, just fire her."

But she had to make it clear before sending her away, or what if Benjamin investigated?

Scarlett stiffened her neck and responded, "Fine, you ungrateful son. Nothing I do pleases you!"

She snorted and turned to Mason with a gentler demeanor.

"Dad, can I send this girl away? I won't hold a grudge. The necklaces are all recovered, not a single one missing. She'll get her wages, but a thief can't stay!" 'Not holding a grudge? You beat her like this! If word got out, people would say the Smith family was cruel and harsh to their servants!' Michael thought. Mason glanced at the tough Scarlett and then at the frail maid.

He suddenly thought of something, his eyes sharp.

Ignoring Scarlett, he asked the maid, "Where do you usually work? Did you see Emily yesterday?"

A simple question made the air tense.

The maid trembled, head down, stammering.

Seeing this, Scarlett panicked and started beating the maid again.

"Didn't you hear his question? Are you mute? You haven't even left the Smith family yet, and you dare ignore our orders. Imagine how you usually behave! Truly ungrateful!" In her panic, Scarlett said the most hurtful things.

She just wanted to remind the maid, 'Remember there are people around, don't say anything you shouldn't.'

Unknowingly, she revealed her true nature, making Mason very displeased.

Was this how the mistress of a prestigious family should act?

Absolutely disgraceful!

Michael, who had been merely watching from the sidelines, was clearly unsettled by Scarlett's last remark. "Ungrateful, Mom, are you talking about me?"