The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Candice's voice had a hint of helplessness as she tried to ease the tension. "Michael, you can't seriously think the Gonzalez family needs to use Emily to copy Smith Corporation's strategies and play such petty tricks, do you?"

Michael, having seen this kind of situation many times before, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Candice, business is war, and you can never be too careful."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Candice responded, her words cold. "Michael, if you're that suspicious, I have nothing more to say. I just hope our misunderstanding won't affect my relationship with Emily. As for the time and place of our meeting tomorrow, send it to me, and I'll be there on time."

With that, the sound of the call being disconnected was clearly audible on the other end.

Michael held the phone, his gaze deep as he pondered to himself.Candice's words were firm, but they also revealed her inner fear.

He knew the business world was cutthroat, and it wouldn't be surprising if Candice had ulterior motives. But if those motives involved Emily, that was absolutely unacceptable.

Just like Dean, who was always ready but never found the perfect moment.

Michael wouldn't allow anyone to harm Emily in any way. That was his bottom line, his most important principle.

Suddenly, a noise from upstairs interrupted Michael's thoughts.

He quickly deleted the call record and put his phone away. After sending Candice an address, Emily came down the stairs in a nightgown, her hair half-dried and still dripping water.

The sight made Michael's throat tighten, his heart racing.

Especially Emily's slender waist, her clear, watery eyes, and the way her every movement seemed to carry a certain magic, making his heart skip a beat.

Emily noticed his gaze and asked softly, "What's up?"

Michael snapped back to reality, his eyes lowering as a wave of panic washed over him. "It's nothing."

With that, Michael picked up Harry from the couch.

Emily didn't pay much attention. She walked straight to the fridge and grabbed a drink, her wet, alluring back visible and incredibly sexy.

This made Michael's heart race even more. He forced himself to look away, but holding Harry, he remembered the promise he made to Emily today.

With a sigh, he tried to calm his inner turmoil.

The next morning, after ensuring there was no danger around, Michael instructed Andrew to continue observing in secret. He then left Emerald Lake Manor ahead of time to meet Candice at the café.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the table as Michael sat in a corner, his gaze occasionally drifting to the door.

Sure enough, Candice arrived on time, dressed in a black business suit, her expression stern and her steps confident.

Seeing Michael, her face remained expressionless, even carrying a hint of resentment. Michael knew Candice had returned with a purpose. Just stepping into Emerald City, a place of fierce business competition, it was normal to be impatient.

Moreover, she would face more open and covert struggles in the future, learning the dangers of Emerald City more clearly. To be a big player in Emerald City required immense effort and sacrifice.

But if she wanted to establish herself in Emerald City, she had to learn patience and strategy, not act impulsively like now.

Michael picked up his coffee cup, took a sip, and then spoke, "Try the coffee here; it's pretty good."

Candice had expected Michael to start accusing her like yesterday, but he was calm and composed, actually drinking coffee with her. As the heir to Smith Corporation, he certainly had a steady demeanor.

Despite this, Candice didn't relax.

She had stayed up almost all night preparing to face Michael.

Candice didn't think she lost the phone call yesterday; she believed Michael was testing her limits.

"The coffee is good. I've had it here before."

Candice indeed presented herself as a strong businesswoman, and Michael secretly admired her composure.

He rarely saw such a woman with the combination of true elegance and courage in Emerald City.

Unfortunately, intelligence used in the wrong place would ultimately be looked down

upon.

Michael picked up a sugar cube, intending to drop it into Candice's coffee cup, but Candice misunderstood his gesture, frowning in displeasure.

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"Mr. Smith, there's no need. I don't like sweet flavors."

Michael smiled slightly, putting down the sugar cube, his tone calm. "No problem, Ms. Gonzalez. Sweetness can balance bitterness, just like life. If you can understand this, perhaps you'll find a bit of sweetness in the business struggles of Emerald City. Consider it my way of helping you."

Candice didn't understand what Michael was saying. She disliked being lectured by someone acting superior.

She decided to be direct. "Michael, say what you mean. Don't waste our time with vague words. I don't understand what you're saying. Did you invite me here just to talk nonsense?"

Michael's gaze was deep as he replied calmly, "Ms. Gonzalez, I have no other intentions. Considering you once helped Emily, I'll be honest with you. Being straightforward isn't always wise, especially in the business struggles of Emerald City.

"Your father's company abroad is already in trouble. You want to enter the domestic market, so from now on, we can be partners or competitors. There's no need to play dumb with me. I've been in this business long enough to distinguish between friends and foes."

Candice appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was a storm of emotions.

She had to admit, Michael's success wasn't accidental. Even if she wanted to hide her intentions, it would be a waste of time.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Candice spoke slowly. "Mr. Smith, since you're so honest, I won't hide anything. Yes, I want to enter the Emerald City business scene and compete with Smith Corporation. I know I'm just starting, and it's tough. Michael, you won't deny me a chance, will you?"

Seeing Candice's straightforwardness, Michael smiled slightly, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

That's right, this was the way to have an honest conversation.noveldrama