The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Archibald's headlights cut through the darkness, lighting up the grocery store sign.

He took a deep breath and strode toward the store, his eyes focused and his steps determined. Just then, Celeste noticed him coming and a smile spread across her face as she hurried over.

"Archibald, you finally made it!" Celeste called out, almost jogging to meet him.

She didn't really care for Archibald. When she first came to Emerald City, her plan was to use Archibald's connections to get close to Michael. Who would've thought Archibald had a thing for Michael's ex-wife? It was both laughable and pathetic.

Unexpectedly, Archibald grabbed her arm. "Hold up, Aunt Celeste."

Celeste wasn't in the mood for small talk; she needed to get in the car and charge her phone. Plus, the issue with the shares was still hanging over her, and it was stressing her out.

"What do you want?" Celeste snapped, her impatience clear.

But she quickly forced a smile. "Archibald, I've got urgent stuff to handle! I've been freezing out here forever. Let's talk in the car!"

She tried to head back to the car, but Archibald's cold stare and firm voice stopped her. "Aunt Celeste, we need to clear some things up right now."

Celeste reluctantly stayed put, thinking Archibald was being ridiculous. Was he so hung up on Emily that he'd lost his mind? It was beyond her.

But since she needed his help now, Celeste took a deep breath and asked, "What is it?" Archibald looked at her, his expression dark and intense, like a predator eyeing its prey. Celeste shivered at the sight.

She'd never seen Archibald like this before. It was genuinely scary.

Then Archibald's next words shocked her even more, catching her completely off guard.noveldrama

"Aunt Celeste, are you really that desperate for money?"

"What... what are you talking about?" Celeste denied it, but Archibald's disbelief grew.

"If you're not desperate for money, why are you so obsessed with the Smith family shares? And why would you go so far as to harm Emily? Do you realize she's pregnant? What if something happens to her? Can you live with that? How could you do such a thing!"

Celeste's face went pale, her lips trembling. She hadn't expected Archibald to find out so quickly. But there was no point in asking how he knew. It was likely Michael, in his desperation, had used all his resources to seek help and suppress Celeste, leading Archibald to discover the truth.

Thinking of Michael's dire situation, Celeste felt a surge of triumph. She knew she had no way back now, so she feigned calmness. "Archibald, what are you talking about!"

"Aunt Celeste, I know everything. Stop pretending! Do you really think the Smith Corporation is that naive? Their family's been around for decades, and the elders are still in charge. How dare you go after their shares! Michael would never hand them over!"

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Archibald's anger flared, his eyes bloodshot as he confronted Celeste, looking terrifying.

Celeste's heart tightened, and she decided to drop the act. The facade of family harmony was pointless now; she had to lay it all out.

"Yes! I did threaten Michael. If he wants to save Emily, he has to meet my conditions. What's the problem?

"Archibald, don't forget you're a Lancaster. You're my brother's son! How can you side with outsiders? Everything I do is for the Lancaster family. But your loyalty doesn't lie with the Lancasters!"

Archibald looked at Celeste, his eyes filled with a cold, sorrowful smile. "For the Lancaster family? Do you realize you're disgracing the Lancaster name?"

Celeste wasn't angered by anything Archibald said, except for this one sentence, which hit her sensitive nerve, making her furious and her face turn livid.

"Archibald! The one who disgraced the Lancaster family is your worthless brother Dean! I'll say it again, everything I do is for you all. I'm building our family fortune! You always wanted to pursue Emily. If I drag Michael down, wouldn't that make it easier for you? Why blame me?"

Archibald laughed bitterly, his voice icy. "Your actions only make Emily despise me more. You even tried to take her life." As Archibald was speaking, she suddenly caught sight of the Emerald City police, led by Murray, hiding not far away.

Celeste slapped Archibald across the face, cursing him as she did. "You worthless brat! You're sending the entire Lancaster family to the police! What good does that do you? Everything I do is for you!"

Even as she was led into the police car, Celeste continued to rage at Archibald. "When the Lancaster family falls, you'll understand my intentions!"

Her voice pierced Archibald's ears, reaching deep into his heart.

Murray watched coldly from the side. He couldn't believe that the once popular figure

in school had turned into a criminal, willing to push family into the abyss.

He had once been infatuated with Celeste, but now he saw her true nature.

Celeste's so-called intentions were nothing but a desperate hunger for power and selfish desires.

Murray had seen many cases like this, knowing that such people were consumed by greed, using supposed good intentions as a self-deceptive excuse.

He tried to console Archibald, but Archibald understood the truth well. There was just one thing he couldn't accept.

Yes, he had sent Dean to the Emerald City police. Was it the right thing to do? Would his father in heaven blame him?

That night, Archibald tossed and turned, haunted by Celeste's screams and Dean's

curses.

Perhaps the balance between justice and family loyalty could never be equal, but Archibald realized one thing: if he didn't remove the toxic elements, the Lancaster family would never find peace.

He would fall into the abyss with them, never to escape.