The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"Your old flame is totally setting you up! And that guy? He's just making things worse. They're obviously working together, trying to push you over the edge in front of the media."

Patrick suddenly had a realization and turned to Michael. "Oh no, they took those photos to give the media something to twist and smear you with! Michael, should we..."

Before Patrick could finish, Michael had already calmed down. He grabbed his suit jacket and stood up to leave.

"Michael, chill out. Now's not the time to run away!"

Patrick tried to stop him, but Michael responded. "I'm not running away. The media can write whatever they want. I don't care, and I don't want to care. I'm tired. I'm going home to sleep."

With that, Michael walked out, and Patrick couldn't stop him.

Left with no choice, Patrick had to let it go for the night.

But the more Patrick thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Why did Mark invite him for drinks, only for Michael to get set up?

Could there be a connection?

Patrick was filled with doubt and decided to investigate privately to help Michael.

Meanwhile, Sophia and Dean left the bar with smug smiles, knowing their plan had succeeded. The media would blow everything out of proportion, tarnishing Michael's reputation.

What could Emily do then?

It was all part of a meticulously planned scheme, with every step under their control.

Michael's outburst and the media frenzy would set the stage for their next move to get revenge on Emily.

"Hey, you two!"

Just then, Mark, wearing a floral shirt like a flamboyant butterfly, emerged from the shadows, interrupting Sophia and Dean's gloating.

"Nice performance you put on! But don't forget about me. I helped too! I deserve some credit!"

Hours ago, Sophia had just come to the bar to unwind.

Unexpectedly, she saw Michael drinking to drown his sorrows, with a supportive friend by his side.

Sophia didn't know who the friend was, so she went back to discuss with Dean.

Dean immediately grasped Sophia's intention, and the two quickly hatched a plot to get back at Michael.

However, Michael's friend was an obstacle that needed to be removed first. That guy was probably another rich kid. Sophia recalled hearing about a character named Mark Lopez, who was a notorious fixer in high-society circles.noveldrama

His business involved helping rich guys deal with messy love affairs and other such entanglements.

So Dean and Sophia decided to invite Mark for drinks and got him to help them.

After a few drinks, he let slip that he had helped Patrick to deal with a pregnant ex- girlfriend.

He had promised to keep it a secret. But in his drunken state, he walked right into Dean and Sophia's trap.

They had Mark send Patrick away, then secretly watched Michael until he went to the restroom. Sophia went in to lock the door and provoke him, then had the media capture the evidence.

When the media frenzy erupted, the so-called "scandal" would ruin Michael's image.

Assault? Drunken misconduct? Any accusation would be enough to trouble the Smith family!

Mark had indeed played a crucial role. Dean pulled out a few hundred dollars from his wallet and tossed it to him. "Your payment."

Mark knew when to quit while he was ahead.

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After all, he hadn't done much, just had a few drinks with Patrick.

Now, in his drunken state, he had completely forgotten that he had revealed Patrick's secret to Dean and Sophia.

He staggered away, disappearing into the bustling bar street.

Dean and Sophia exchanged a smile, got into their sports car, and sped away.

The next morning

Emerald City was shrouded in a thin mist, with few people on the streets and leaves swirling in the wind.

Emily stood in her office, gazing at the waking city through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The cup of milk in her hand was steaming, brought by Penelope, who was softly talking

on the phone, inquiring about the progress of the media coverage on Michael's "scandal."

Every mention of Michael made Emily's brow furrow deeper.

"Okay, I understand. Thank you." Penelope hung up and turned to Emily.

Seeing the serious look on Penelope's face, Emily understood something and pursed her lips, pulling out a chair for Penelope to sit.

"Penelope, Michael wouldn't do that."

Penelope knew Michael well. Her son was good friends with Michael, and they all lived in the same city, excelling in their fields, so they knew each other to some extent.

And Emily was Michael's ex-wife. Despite their past conflicts, seeing Emily so worried, Penelope knew Michael couldn't be that bad. How could he get drunk and lose control, putting himself in such a disgraceful situation?

"I can't believe he would assault a female customer while drunk. Emily, I know you think it's impossible too."

"I've seen him drunk. He can control himself," Emily replied.

With her years of business experience, Penelope had a hunch.

She looked at Emily and said, "Do you think someone set him up?"

Penelope's words sparked a realization in Emily.

Of course, it was possible!

A sharp glint flashed in Emily's eyes. After a moment of thought, she spoke slowly.

"Penelope, can you check this morning's reports for me?"

Initially, Emily had no idea about this. She had come to JM early for the Monday meeting.

But before the meeting started, Penelope had called her to the office to show her the morning's social news.

Emily couldn't believe Michael had made the front page of Emerald City's social news with the headline: #The Simth Heir Accused of Assaulting Female Customer While Drunk.

Those words stung Emily's heart, making her feel incredulous.

Her heart sank, and she felt a wave of discomfort, unable to fully read the report before collapsing into a chair.

Penelope quickly took the report away, called for a secretary to bring in a hot cup of milk, and helped Emily calm down.

Emily took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, and sipped the milk.

A determined look flashed in her eyes as she told Penelope, "I don't believe it."

Penelope immediately contacted her media friends to find out the truth.