And at such a critical moment.
"Is it serious? How is Liam? Is he okay?" Henry Williams rose from his seat, leaning on his cane as he walked toward Christopher Martin. His voice was heavy with concern.
"Sir, I'm not sure. It seems quite serious. What should we do now?" Christopher stepped forward, gently supporting the old man.
"Christopher, I'll leave this to you and Benjamin to handle the full story. I don't want to see any negative headlines tomorrow. Amelia and I will go to the hospital first to assess the situation."
After a pause, the old man sighed and placed a hand on Benjamin's shoulder. "I'm trusting you with this. Watch your behavior and think before you speak."
"I understand, Father. Go see my brother and sister-in-law first. I'll take care of things here." Benjamin raised his hand to glance at his phone.
Five forty.
The guests in the hall had grown restless.
Benjamin exchanged a look with Christopher, both wearing grim expressions.
They both knew the next three to four hours would be anything but peaceful.
Amelia was stunned by the news.
Hearing the old man's arrangements, she stood up and supported Henry, asking in a low voice, "Father, should we go directly to the hospital?"
"Yes. I'll feel uneasy unless I see my son and daughter-in-law with my own eyes. Have the butler drive us." Henry's face was pale.
The blow had come too suddenly for him.
But nothing would stop him from going to the hospital.
Though Henry had never openly admitted it, he had always considered Emma Johnson as good as his daughter-in-law.
Now, with something this terrible happening... he was worried about the young woman.
Amelia nodded and helped the old man out.
Inside the noisy banquet hall, chaos reigned.
Time had passed, yet there was still no sign of the bride and groom.
Guests and media reporters began speculating about the reasons.
The scene was nearly out of control.
Amelia and the old man slipped out through the back entrance of Las Vegas Entertainment City.
At that moment, Benjamin stood on the second-floor balcony, watching Amelia's retreating figure from a distance.
His brow furrowed. When he heard about Emma's accident, he had clearly seen a strange expression cross Amelia's face.
He couldn't quite identify it.
It wasn't just surprise, was it?
Benjamin gripped the balcony railing, his expression growing serious.
Could this incident have something to do with Amelia?
The terrible thought crossed his mind. He bit his lip and let out a soft sigh.
Never mind. The most important thing now was to calm the guests.
Benjamin straightened his suit jacket and walked downstairs.
At Brookhaven General Hospital.
When James and Sophia Johnson rushed from Las Vegas Entertainment City, Emma was still in the operating room.
Seeing the anxious expressions on the two elders' faces, Liam felt an indescribable weight in his heart.
He took a long drag from his cigarette, threw the butt to the ground, and stamped it out.
The panicked look from earlier had vanished. Liam stepped forward and said, "Dad, Mom... you're here."
"What happened? My daughter was fine just a moment ago! Liam, did the doctor say anything? Is Vivi serious?" Sophia's voice was hoarse with barely contained panic.
"Mom, it's okay. The doctor will be out soon. Vivi will be fine. Don't worry. Please sit down and rest." Liam guided Sophia to a chair.
He looked up and saw James's worried face. Guilt surged through him.
Even though Emma's accident wasn't his fault, he hadn't protected her well enough. Now her parents were suffering because of it.
Olivia Davis and Mia Lewis also stepped forward to comfort Sophia. "Auntie, it's okay. Didn't you always say Vivi has been lucky since she was a child? She'll be safe this time."
Sophia let out a heavy sigh. Despite their words, her daughter was still in the operating room. Life and death were uncertain. How could she be at ease?
James walked to the operating room door and stood on his tiptoes, trying to see inside. So much time had passed, yet there was still no news.
He faced the cold wall, his right hand resting gently against it. He kept his head down, saying nothing.
He had never imagined that after living such a long life, he would experience his first real parting in a situation like this.
He understood life, aging, sickness, and death. But his daughter was still so young. She hadn't experienced enough of life's joys and sorrows to have to endure this kind of torment.
If he could, James would trade places with her in an instant.
Liam watched James from a distance. His heart ached, but he couldn't find a single word of comfort.
Now, the only thing he could do was wait.
Wait patiently.
Liam had experienced countless moments of waiting in his life. But this time, it felt like it was draining all his patience and strength.
It had become the longest and most agonizing wait of his life.
By the time darkness fell, Amelia and the old man had finally arrived at the hospital.
Sophia and James saw Henry approaching. They stood up and nodded, their faces heavy. "Father-in-law, you're not in good health. You didn't have to come all this way..."
Henry glanced toward the operating room and said, "Don't worry about me. I feel the same as you do right now. In my heart, Emma is already half my daughter. Don't worry. I've spoken to the hospital director. They've sent their best doctors to operate on her. She'll be fine."
Hearing the old man's words, Sophia and James finally felt a little more at ease.
But who could say for sure?
She had been in there for almost three hours, and there was still no movement.
Amelia glanced at Liam, who was standing off to the side. His face was pale, and his dark eyes held no light.
She quickly walked over to him, reached out, and gently tugged at the corner of his sleeve. "Brother, don't worry too much. Sister-in-law will be okay... okay?"
Her eyes were filled with concern and sincerity.
Liam didn't answer. He just nodded.
Amelia...
It seemed Benjamin was right.
Judging by his expression, anyone could see how important Emma was to Liam.