Liam Williams knew that Mayor Vincent Reed's health wasn't great, but he never expected Elijah Clark to become his primary physician.
The three of them shared a glass of wine before Elijah excused himself to use the restroom and slipped away.
Though Liam had been pulled into conversation with Mayor Reed and his family, his gaze kept following Elijah's retreating figure.
Sure enough, Elijah didn't head to the bathroom at all. Instead, he walked straight toward Emma Johnson. Olivia Davis, who had been standing by Emma's side, looked uncertain about what to do.
When they were alone, Liam could only see the smile crinkling the corners of Emma's eyes, but he couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Elijah? What are you doing here?" Emma asked, both surprised and delighted.
Normally, he and Liam couldn't stand each other. How did he manage to get in?
Did he sneak in?
Impossible. Security at this event was too tight. Olivia couldn't even get in earlier, so how could he?
Elijah raised his hand to ruffle her hair, but Emma dodged.
"If you have something to say, keep your hands to yourself. There are too many reporters here. I don't want to be photographed and accused of cheating on my marriage or something."
Emma popped a piece of fruit into her mouth and glanced sideways at him.
Perhaps because doctors were more observant, Elijah immediately noticed what was on her wrist.
Wasn't that the bracelet he had given her?
She was wearing it?
"Silly girl, do you know who Mayor Reed really is?" Elijah asked mysteriously.
"Everyone knows Mayor Reed. Of course I do. What about it? Don't tell me he's your godfather?" Emma blinked, speaking seriously.
"You're a young lady. Don't talk about godfathers. How improper," he said, though his heart felt like it was coated in honey.
"I'm Mayor Reed's attending physician now. After some time, once his health stabilizes, I'll perform surgery to remove the brain tumor cells. So now you know why I'm here?"
"Well, are you confident the surgery will succeed? He's the mayor. If something goes wrong, you'll lose your head." Emma must have watched too many period dramas to say something like that.
Lose his head?
Elijah laughed so hard he nearly choked on his wine. "Auntie, do you have any common sense? What century are we living in? Who's so tyrannical that they'd want someone's head? Besides, with my skills, no one in this country is better than me. Otherwise, why would he spend so much money to bring me back?"
Don't even mention it. In the medical field, everyone gave him a thumbs-up when his name came up.
"That impressive? How much did he pay you? Look at how proud you are. If you don't tell me, I'm just a poor soul living in dire straits!" Emma said, stretching out her palm in a gesture demanding money.
"Fine. If you divorce Liam, I'll give you all my money. I promise you that whatever Liam can give you, I can give you too. And what Liam can't give you, I can also provide."
With heaven and earth as witnesses, Elijah meant every word. Before, he didn't have the ability to stay by Emma's side. Now, he could give her the life she wanted.
"Pfft. Who cares about your money? Elijah, don't say that again. If Liam hears you, he'll misunderstand."
"Alright, I won't. But this bracelet suits you perfectly. Do you like it?"
Emma nodded. "I like it. But Elijah, don't send me anything anymore. You know how Liam gets."
Hearing this, a shadow of gloom swept across his handsome face. He took a deep look at Emma.
After all, she still cared about Liam. Every word she spoke revolved around that man, as if he was Emma's entire world.
Elijah reluctantly forced a warm smile onto his face and stepped forward two paces. He whispered vaguely in her ear, "You look different today. I can't tear myself away from such beauty..."
Before Emma could react, he turned and left.
How could Emma possibly understand the sadness and helplessness hidden behind that smile?
It was like a secret buried deep in his heart, like a flame in the darkness—unable to see the light, yet burning hot and painful.
He was always a little too late.
Seven years ago, when he returned to see Emma, she had just agreed to become Noah Taylor's girlfriend.
Seven years later, Elijah returned to the city again, only to find she had married someone else.
He never caught up. He was both persistent and timid when it came to Emma's heart.
The so-called deep love with shallow fate—that was exactly it.
There was a hint of desolation in Elijah's retreating figure. Emma watched him for a long time.
This wonderful scene was witnessed by Liam, who was sitting on the sofa.
Unconsciously, he clenched his fist. A vein pulsed at his temple.
The look in Emma's eyes when she gazed at Elijah—wasn't it tender as water?
First Noah Taylor, now Elijah Clark?
It seemed he still had plenty of rivals.
...
At the same time, on the other side of the ballroom.
After arranging for Benjamin Williams to meet several important figures, Christopher Martin suddenly remembered what William Thompson had said to him earlier.
So he went backstage to find Isabella Miller and took her to see William.
On the way, he only said one thing to her: "Don't worry. With me here, he won't do anything to you."
Isabella nodded.
Having been in the industry for a long time, Isabella understood William Thompson's character and style all too well.
Christopher's words relieved her a lot.
When they finally met William, he was very polite and didn't touch Isabella inappropriately.
He simply handed her a business card and said, "Xiaoxi, right? If you ever run into trouble, come find me. As long as you ask, I'll take care of it."
Isabella smiled and nodded, took the card, and sat down on the sofa with him to share a few glasses of champagne.
Christopher answered his phone and walked toward the door.
Just then, one of William's men approached.
He looked at Isabella with an unfriendly gaze, lowered his head, and whispered something in William's ear.
Isabella couldn't hear what they were saying, but she vaguely caught a few key words: "Kai is coming" and "Everything is under control."
She frowned. They were secretly plotting something.
It didn't look like anything good. Isabella didn't think much about it. She casually made a few excuses, stood up, and walked away.
Anyway, it was none of her business. What did she care what William Thompson did?