Liam Williams glanced at his younger brother, a perfect smile curving at the corner of his mouth.
He had faith that Benjamin wouldn't let him down in the days to come.
"Brother, from today onward, you're a married man. Congratulations—you'll be living in the tomb of marriage from now on..." Benjamin said mischievously.
He was genuinely happy that his brother had found a woman he truly loved, someone to spend his entire life with.
"Nonsense. How can marriage be a tomb? Brother, I wish you and my sister-in-law a long and happy life together, and may you have a son soon." Amelia White also chimed in with a warm smile.
Hearing this, the old man's face immediately lit up. "Well said. My daughter truly knows my heart. Liam, how about this—within a year, you give the Williams family a child? Whether it's a grandson or a granddaughter, I'll love them all the same."
What?
A baby?
Emma Johnson's mind went blank.
The wedding hadn't even happened yet. How could she and Liam already be discussing having a child?
Besides, one year... How was that even possible?
Emma screamed inside her head, but she kept a smile plastered on her face, frantically winking at Liam.
I can't agree to that!
Liam turned his head and looked at Emma, who was practically jumping out of her skin beside him. He couldn't quite read her expression.
This woman... still knew how to be afraid, did she?
Truth be told, he had known for a long time what Emma was thinking. Their marriage was fake, so children were out of the question.
He looked at Henry Williams and explained solemnly, "What's the rush, Dad? Emma and I... we both have our own careers. We haven't even considered the issue of having children yet. Within a year? That seems impossible."
The old man's face darkened immediately. He had brought up this topic for the first time, and his son was already brushing him off?
Was this his daughter-in-law's idea?
A low, serious voice came from across the table. "Emma, what do you think about this? As the daughter-in-law of the Williams family, is your career more important than your family and your husband?"
The question left Emma completely speechless.
If she and Liam were a normal married couple, she could agree to everything. But... she and Liam really couldn't!
Emma felt like she was about to collapse.
Forced into marriage, now forced to have a child...
Wasn't the two-child policy just announced?
In another year or two, she might have become the most productive lady in history.
"Dad, you're absolutely right. Of course, my husband and family are the most important. As for having a baby, I think Liam and I are still young. Could we wait two years?" Emma finished carefully, a hint of guilt creeping into her voice.
After all, she wasn't good at lying in front of the old man.
"What? Young? Liam is thirty years old, and he'll be thirty-one soon. And you... you're not that young either, are you? I don't care what you two discuss. I'm giving you one year. Otherwise, I'll be urging you every single day."
What could she say when the old man had already made up his mind?
Emma gently tugged at the hem of Liam's shirt, signaling him to talk to his father.
But he just casually glanced at the terrified Emma and said, "I understand, Dad. We'll do our best."
"Good. I'll be waiting for your good news."
Those words hit Emma like a bolt of lightning. Her mouth fell open as she stared at Liam.
This guy did this on purpose, didn't he?
She wanted Liam to persuade his father to drop the idea. Instead, he was pushing her deeper into the pit.
That was a promise!
Emma widened her eyes, staring at him in disbelief. Her gaze was filled with shock.
Liam had already guessed she would react this way. He raised his chopsticks and tapped her on the forehead. "What? Don't you believe in your husband's ability? Don't worry. I promised my father we'd give him a fine grandson within a year."
"Liam, but..."
But they had a prior agreement. How could they change it now?
Emma didn't dare say it out loud. She sat frozen in her seat, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She couldn't get a single word out.
It wasn't a matter of ability. Liam clearly didn't think things were complicated enough, so he had agreed to his father's request.
Amelia never expected that when it came to having a child, her brother and sister-in-law would look like this.
It seemed her brother really wanted a child.
But when she turned to look at Emma sitting beside her, her face was hesitant and unnatural. Was she unwilling to have a baby with her brother?
Or was there something wrong with their relationship?
Questions flashed through her mind, but she kept a simple smile on her face. "Brother, I don't think my sister-in-law seems willing. It looks like you two haven't discussed this yet."
"Amelia, you're overthinking. She's too happy to speak. How could she be unwilling? Isn't that right, my dear?" Liam wrapped his arm around Emma's petite frame and said.
At a time like this, could she say no?
The answer was no.
"Yes, sooner or later, I'll have a baby anyway. Since Dad has already said so, of course, I have no objections."
Even though she knew she was only saying this to appease the old man and to deal with all the eyes staring at them, Liam still felt a surge of happiness in his heart.
Wasn't everyone like this?
Even if you knew it was a beautiful lie, you couldn't help but feel happy after hearing it.
After hearing Emma's reply, Amelia felt a little disappointed and took a sip of the milk in front of her.
And all of this was clearly seen by Benjamin, who was sitting next to her.
He didn't say a single word throughout breakfast.
His expression was strange, and his mood was slowly cooling down.
On the surface, he seemed calm, but inside, his heart was turbulent.
He had only seen...
Amelia looking at her brother's expression, still so focused, so tender.
It might have been a nameless sadness and jealousy.
Benjamin forced himself not to think too much, but the more he tried, the more painful it became.
After breakfast, everyone started to get busy.
Liam and Benjamin would first go to the banquet hall at Las Vegas Entertainment City to receive the guests.
The wedding ceremony would officially begin at half past four.
After the ceremony, there would be dinner, toasts, and so on.
Liam's suit had been delivered by the Milan Fashion House staff that morning.
Emma had to go to the store to get her makeup done, so her wedding dress was still at the shop.
She had made an appointment with Olivia Davis and Mia Lewis earlier. They would be her bridesmaids.
Emma planned to do a face mask in the afternoon, then head to the bridal shop to meet her two bridesmaids.
Everything was planned perfectly. She never expected the accident to come so quickly.