The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Michael and Nicholas were left speechless. Michael, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Emily could design jewelry, now had to process the news that she had been accused of plagiarism. One bombshell after another. 'What else is my wife hiding from me?' he wondered.

"Plagiarism? What's this about? Weren't you..." Nicholas started to ask.

"It's all a big misunderstanding, Mr. Jackson. Let me explain," Abigail quickly cut in, worried Nicholas might spill the beans about Emily's identity.

Before Emily and Abigail could say anything, Sophia jumped in, "Mr. Jackson, back in college, Emily got in trouble for plagiarism. She can't even get into the jewelry design industry. She even..."

"Shut up, Sophia. Don't act like I don't know what you're up to. You and I both know the real story behind that plagiarism mess," Emily snapped at Sophia.

Turning to Nicholas, Emily said, "Mr. Jackson, it's all a misunderstanding. Trust me." She gave him a determined look.

Abigail managed to send Nicholas away, and Michael, looking pissed, grabbed Emily and started to leave. Emily yanked her arm free.

"Come with me," he said, barely holding back his anger.

"Say whatever you need to say right here," Emily shot back, knowing exactly what he wanted to ask.

Michael sneered. "Emily, how many things are you hiding from me?"

Emily thought about her pregnancy. She was hiding a lot. "Does it have anything to do with you?" she replied coolly.

Michael almost laughed at his own anger. "Emily, you've got some nerve. All that meekness before was just an act, huh?"

Seeing them argue, Sophia's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, though she pretended to be innocent and tried to mediate. "Michael, don't blame Emily. She must have been confused back then. How could she tell you something so embarrassing? Don't be mad."

Emily shot Sophia a deadly glare. 'Embarrassing? Fine, I'll make you pay back a hundred fold and show you what real embarrassment is,' she thought.

"Yeah, I'm embarrassing. I plagiarized. I'll leave so I won't be an eyesore to you." Emily lifted her dress and turned to leave.

Michael angrily loosened his tie. He had really underestimated her.

When the evening event started, Emily returned to her seat next to Michael. She had Abigail sit next to her, leaving no room for Sophia.

Sophia kept pleading with Michael. Seeing that Emily was ignoring him, Michael had someone arrange another seat for Sophia. Sophia glared at Emily and then walked away.

Emily pretended not to notice and quietly asked Abigail if she was ready. Abigail gave her a reassuring nod. Then they watched the jewelry show together.

The audience was packed with big shots. Besides Michael and Nicholas, there were other industry leaders, their wives, and wealthy heirs, all there to watch the show.

Emily watched as models in revealing outfits showcased the jewelry one by one. The host introduced the designers, explained the meanings behind the pieces, and announced the release dates, reminding everyone they could pre-order. Emily seemed distracted. Abigail noticed and squeezed her hand, whispering, "Emily, focus. Your work's coming up soon. You've never been to one of your own showcases, right? Enjoy this."

Emily smiled and nodded. She had never attended in person before but always watched live streams or replays. It felt different being here. Michael glanced over and saw her looking nervous. He almost reached out to hold her hand but stopped, remembering their earlier fight.

The lights dimmed and changed with the music, and one jewelry piece after another was showcased. The audience buzzed with chatter until Emily's work appeared. But the designer's name was listed as Sophia.

Emily and Abigail exchanged a knowing look. Just as they suspected, Sophia had stolen her design.

Emily knew Sophia too well. Sophia wouldn't let Emily's designs be showcased without a plan. Sophia would definitely claim them as her own, just like in college. So Emily had made two copies of her sketches. One was submitted under her own name to Moonlit Treasures' design department through Abigail. Sophia had indeed seen her design.

Emily glanced back at Sophia with a sly smile and saw panic flash in her eyes. She quickly sent Sophia a message on her phone.

Emily: [Don't worry, Sophia. The real show is yet to come.]

Seeing the message, Sophia felt her heart gripped by fear. She had no idea what Emily was planning. Finally, the jewelry designed by Emily, under the name Ella, was showcased.

There were three pieces: a necklace, a bracelet, and a pair of earrings. Each piece was so stunning that the audience present couldn't turn their eyes off them as if they were under a spell to purchase them on the spot.

Emily had been inspired by a TV show she watched while she had been busy with the draft design of her jewelry back then. TV shows often used winter scenes for romantic or confession moments.

The snow was the design theme. It fit perfectly and could be a couple's series. The first snowfall was perfect for confessions, so the gift for a confession would be the First Meeting series. That was the name Emily gave this set of jewelry, First Meeting.

Everyone who saw First Meeting in person couldn't help but praise its beauty. Emily couldn't hide her satisfied smile.

"Do you like it? I'll get it for you," Michael suddenly whispered in her ear. Emily ignored him.

The final segment was for the designers to come on stage.

When the host announced, "Let's welcome the mysterious jewelry designer Ella to the stage," Emily froze because she saw Sophia slowly walking onto the stage.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

Emily and Abigail couldn't believe it. Sophia had the audacity to be this shameless.

She thought Sophia was shameless enough to plagiarize her design, but now she was even impersonating her as Ella.

"What a surprise! Our mysterious jewelry designer Ella, who has never appeared in public, is actually Sophia from Moonlit Treasures' design department," the host said with a look of surprised delight.