The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Just as Michael had suspected, Leo's illness was indeed a ruse.

It might fool Alice, but it sure wouldn't fool Bryan, and it definitely wouldn't fool

Michael.

Michael knew that no matter how good Leo's acting was, he couldn't hide the sharpness and calculation in his eyes.

Leo clearly hadn't anticipated Michael's visit today.

Leo's real goal was to lure Emily to his home, so he could probe her relationship with the Smith family and then take control of the situation.

In other words, Leo never wanted a compliant and well-behaved granddaughter or one who would only cause trouble. What he wanted was someone like Emily, who had her own value and could be used as a pawn to manipulate various forces.

Michael was fully aware of this but remained calm and observant.

No matter how deep Leo's schemes ran, they couldn't escape Michael's keen insight.

Michael knew that in this game, Leo's every move was meticulously planned, and he would never enter the fray lightly, nor would he allow Emily and the child to be dragged into it.

If the Smith family was complicated, then the Ward family was even more terrifying, like an abyss.

What angered Michael even more was that Leo saw Emily as a pawn, completely disregarding family ties, and now he was involving Bryan as well. It was a frightening calculation, hard to guard against and even harder to discern.

"Leo! I didn't come here for anything else today, just to check if you're healthy. From the looks of it, you're doing quite well, not at all like the rumors say, that you're gravely ill!"

Michael deliberately raised his voice for the last sentence.

The servants around who were cleaning all looked over but quickly lowered their heads and continued their work.

Leo coughed lightly, his eyes growing sharper, and coldly said, "Michael, why do you come here to mock me?

"You have no connection to the Ward family, and you've dissolved your marriage with my granddaughter, Emily. Has the president of the grand Smith Corporation become so bored that he comes here to chat with me?"

Leo's voice was strong and resonant.

This was nothing like the gravely ill patient Alice had described.

Michael chuckled, his gaze piercing as he stared at Leo.

"Mr. Ward, you seem to have forgotten. Although I dissolved my marriage with Emily, she recently gave birth to a child. Do you remember? He's a Smith. So, Emily is the mother of my child! Speaking of which..."

Michael deliberately dragged out his words, his tone carrying a hint of contempt and mockery.

"She's far better than some so-called grandfather who barely sees her and only thinks about taking advantage of connections."

Leo couldn't stand this insult.

He slapped his thigh, his eyes wide with anger, his voice rising sharply. "Michael, what do you mean! Do you know that if your words today spread, it'll be seen as totally disrespectful!

"The whole of Emerald City should see what kind of person you are, or maybe I should find your grandfather to teach you a lesson!"

Michael was indifferent, responding with a cold laugh. "The affairs of the Smith family are none of your business. My grandfather's got more heart than some people here!"

Michael's words nearly made Leo's face turn ashen, his hands trembling. "You, you!"

Seeing Leo unable to respond, Michael turned to Bryan.noveldrama

Bryan stood quietly, not speaking, his gaze fixed on the floor, seemingly uninterested in the tense scene.

"What are you here for?" Michael suddenly lowered his voice to ask him.

Bryan slowly raised his head, his eyes calm as water, and said softly, "I came just to witness the end of this drama."

With that, Bryan looked at Leo and continued, "Mr. Ward, Alice shouldn't be a sacrificial pawn for the Ward family. Your games with her only strengthen my resolve to take her away. Besides, Luna's pregnancy isn't Alice's fault.

"As the elder of the Ward family, you should be handling these troubles, shouldn't you?"

Michael and Bryan's back-and-forth left Leo momentarily speechless. These two were clearly here to cause trouble for him!

"What do you want! This is the Ward family, not your territory!"

Leo knew Michael was not to be trifled with, so he turned his anger towards the seemingly easier target, Bryan.

"Bryan, how dare you act out on the Ward family grounds? For years, you've deceived Alice's feelings, and I haven't even thought of settling scores with you!

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "You know our families have grudges, yet you still get close to Alice. What's your intention?"

Leo's words lacked conviction. Moreover, matters of love and relationships were voluntary; Bryan had never forced anything. It was just Leo grasping at straws, making a fool of himself.

Michael stood by, silently contemplating.

Bryan spoke again, his expression unchanged, but his words were firm and powerful. "Leo, Alice's happiness shouldn't be a casualty of family feuds. Whether you truly don't understand or pretend not to, I'm here today to make it clear that I won't let Alice continue to endure this.

"Since you have so much energy, you should use it to find the father of Luna's unborn child."

Hearing Bryan's words, Michael suddenly laughed.

Leo felt increasingly humiliated, his anger boiling, his cheeks flushed, almost ready to jump out of his wheelchair. Bryan was already turning to leave, and Michael quickly followed.

"Michael! Where are you going now!" Leo, ever the one to prioritize interests, despite his words, was most eager to connect with the Smith family.

Michael was used to Leo's contradictory behavior. He stopped, turned back, his face still carrying a smile and a hint of contempt.

"Going to find my friend! What else? Stay here and chat with you, you old fool?"

With that, Michael turned to leave, then seemed to remember something. He turned back and said directly, "Oh, I forgot to mention, Bryan and I have been friends since childhood. He's much closer to me than to you."

Another burst of mocking laughter filled the entire Ward family courtyard. Michael waved and left, leaving Leo standing alone, stunned.