The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Chapter 9 Sleeping in Meetings

Emily mulled over the report. She'd had Abigail take all the pregnancy tests for her-blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, the whole nine yards.

They swapped samples in the bathroom, and there was no way Michael would catch on. But Emily knew this ruse wouldn't last forever, so she had to make her move before Michael figured it out. "Relax, he won't find out just yet," Emily murmured, patting her still-flat belly. 'Hang in there, little one. We can't let Michael know, or you might never get to see the world,' she thought. After a hectic morning, she was wiped. She said goodbye to Abigail and headed home for a nap.

Maybe it was normal to be this tired during pregnancy. After sorting through some design sketches Abigail had sent over, she crashed. Meanwhile, Michael, who'd just walked into the office before noon, was feeling a bit drowsy himself. He wasn't one for naps, so he brushed it off. Having already lost half the day, he had Andrew Anderson, his assistant, rally all departments for a meeting as soon as he got in.

Andrew was a rockstar assistant, especially sharp in business matters, which made him Michael's go-to guy at the company.

Seeing Michael back, Andrew went straight up to brief him. "Mr. Smith, Mr. Brown from EverBuild Construction Group is waiting for you in the small conference room."

Michael's brow furrowed. "EverBuild Construction Group? What is it? Can anyone just waltz in to see me?" His sharp gaze zeroed in on Andrew.

Andrew knew this was a sign of Michael's irritation but pressed on, "It's Mrs. Smith's father."

Michael let out a bitter laugh. 'Great, just when I'm already pissed at Emily, now her dad thinks he can push me around?'

"Did he say what he wants?" Michael asked.

"Seems like he's here asking for an investment," Andrew replied coolly. In other words, he was there to ask for money. Michael snorted and gave Andrew a look. "Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

before heading out. Not long after, security escorted

silent. The top brass from various subsidiaries and department heads were all there, sitting up straight

of the Smith Family, Michael had a natural air of authority.

silence. "Why's everyone so quiet? A week ago, I told you about Phantom Beauty coming to check out the project. Has your design

head of Moonlit Treasures, was the one in the hot seat. He quickly replied, "Mr. Smith, we're working on the design sketches and aiming to lock down the collaboration with Phantom Beauty." Joshua had a background in jewelry design. Otherwise, Michael wouldn't have put him

him, his voice cold and

be okay. Joshua felt a shiver run down his spine.

knew about Phantom Beauty, and Joshua was painfully aware that landing their collaboration was way out of his league. But he had no choice but to nod reluctantly. "Alright, Mr. Smith, I'll get those design sketches to

So after grilling them about that, Michael leaned back

leader, after passionately pitching their vision, looked at Michael, hoping for some feedback and approval. But after a long silence, people started thinking Michael was just resting his eyes. He

lightly tap Michael, only to

meeting spread like wildfire through the company. Michael was in a foul mood all day. He'd always been like a precision machine, never making mistakes and not tolerating any. Falling asleep during a meeting was the biggest screw-up and humiliation of his

Mrs. Smith is up to," Michael barked at Andrew after slamming a folder down on his desk when he got back to his

call. Michael yanked at his tie in

Ava said Mrs. Smith is sleeping. Do you want me to call her

sharp look, and Andrew wisely backed off. He knew it was because of Emily again. She was

Then she heard her phone buzzing like crazy. She

the messages from the first one, finding them increasingly unbelievable. The topic was that Michael