With the help of several bodyguards, Zachary was quickly pulled from the wreckage. His leg was injured, leaving him unable to stand without support. "Zachary, you're still bleeding!" Chloe cried out, her voice tight with worry as she took in the extent of his wounds. "I'll live. Don't worry about me, Chloe," Zachary replied, though his face was pale. He let out a strained breath. "Looks like someone really didn't want you at that banquet." Then, with a faint, forced smile, he added, "If even fate couldn't take you down tonight, you'd better go there and own the room." Eugene stepped closer, gently wiping the blood from Chloe's cheek with his handkerchief. Her scratches were minor, especially compared to what Zachary had endured. Hearing his words, Chloe's expression hardened, her voice turning cold and steady. "Whoever did this... they're going to regret showing up tonight." "I don't think I can make it," Zachary said weakly, "but I'll be rooting for you. Go win this thing..." He broke off, coughing, before his body went limp and he lost consciousness in the arms of the bodyguard holding him. "Zachary!" Chloe called out, moving toward him, but Melinda was quicker. Almost the instant he passed out, she rushed over and took him from the bodyguard, her voice rising in panic. "Zachary! Hey—look at me! You have to be okay! I never asked you to save me, damn it. Don't you dare die on me. If you're gone, I'll owe you forever, you hear me?" Melinda's words tumbled out as she shook him lightly, her usual cool and collected demeanor completely shattered. Her face was etched with worry and guilt. "Zachary, please—wake up!" Her normally steady voice grew sharp, almost a scream. She kept pulling at him, desperate to rouse him, forgetting all about grace or composure. "He's unconscious," Chloe said firmly, stepping forward to pull Melinda back to her senses. Melinda blinked, registering Chloe's presence. She took a shaky breath and steadied herself. "Chloe, he saved me. Even when he was hurt, he shielded me. If he doesn't make it, I... I won't be able to..." She fumbled for her phone, panicked. "I need to call my grandfather. He'll know what to do—" But her phone was nowhere to be found, lost in the chaos of the crash. "Take a breath. We're getting him to the hospital now," Chloe said firmly, eyeing the blood still seeping from Zachary's injuries. Her anger burned colder and deeper.Zachary had protected everyone in that car when it mattered most. Without him, things would have been far worse. Chloe reached for her own phone, but before she could dial, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist. She looked up into Eugene's intense gaze. "You need to head to the banquet. Now. Take my car," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I'll handle everything here." After a brief pause, Chloe nodded. She turned toward the others. "Robert, Oralia—are you two alright?" "I'm okay, Mom," Robert answered calmly, wiping dirt from his face. Oralia straightened up beside him. "I'm fine, too." Chloe gave a quick nod, then glanced at Melinda, who spoke before she could. "Go. I'll stay with Zachary." "Alright," Chloe replied. She took Robert's hand, then gestured for Oralia to follow as she headed toward Eugene's car. Eugene turned to Bruce, who stood nearby. "Do whatever it takes. He makes it through this." Bruce gave a firm nod. "Understood." Eugene strode to the car and slid inside. Because of the changed circumstances, Lawrence—who'd originally been seated in back with Eugene—had moved to the front passenger seat without a word. In the rear, Eugene held Robert securely in his lap. Chloe sat close beside them, while Oralia tucked herself into the far corner, trying to stay out of the way. Oralia felt like she could barely breathe easily. Even though the luxury SUV was spacious, Eugene's overwhelming presence made her feel like a third wheel—glaringly out of place. If the situation hadn't been so urgent, there was no way she would've chosen to ride anywhere near him. It hit her then what "awkward tension" really meant. The phrase had just become very, very real. Back when Eugene had first shown up on set, she'd sensed there was something different about him. But now, sitting this close, she understood—compared to Eugene, someone like Arthur seemed almost ordinary. From the corner of her eye, Oralia watched Eugene. He held Robert protectively, but his attention was entirely fixed on Chloe. The way he looked at her—completely absorbed, as if no one else existed—was unmistakable.