Chapter 169 Albert Didn't Become a Traitor
Everyone else scattered, and Albert's eyes went ice-cold.
Albert never brought up Sarah in public, so his sudden mention threw James off. James shot Albert a glare, trying to mask his guilt. "Albert, we're happy to have you at the family banquet, but could you try not to stir up trouble?"
Albert raised an eyebrow, his stare frosty. "What do you mean by trouble?"
"We're here for a family banquet, not to hear you dig up the past." James stepped closer, changing the subject. "Since you're back, come see Grandpa with me later."
"Yeah, Albert, he'll be thrilled to see you," Lisa chimed in with a gentle smile, playing the understanding stepmom.
Albert gave them both a cold look. "I'm here for myself. It has nothing to do with you."
His bluntness made things awkward, and they exchanged uneasy glances.
James cleared his throat. "In a few days, there's a dinner with the Horizon Group. Join me."
"Nope." Albert shot back without a second thought. "I'm just here to see Grandpa, not to rejoin the Valdemars."
Albert glanced over at David, who was chatting with Violet, and said coldly, "I won't be a traitor."
The ball wrapped up, and most of the distant relatives who just wanted to show face to Hayden had already left, leaving only the closer family members.
Hayden had been out of the loop for too long due to illness, with a lot of people and issues to catch up on.
Yvette waited idly, watching the endless stream of people around Hayden, and sighed lightly.
Just then, David, who had just seen Violet off, came back and walked over to Yvette. "Yvette."
Yvette looked up, instantly feeling more at ease, and gave a reassuring smile.
"Are you okay?" David asked, worried. "Did anyone give you a hard time?"
Yvette hesitated for a moment, then said nothing.
Halfway through the ball, Yvette had left Albert and sat alone on the side. Even though she tried to stay invisible, Hayden was the center of attention, and her chat with him drew a lot of eyes, putting her in the spotlight.
Yvette thought for a moment and said, "No one gave me a hard time, just felt a little uncomfortable with all the staring."
Everyone looked at her with different expressions, sizing her up. Even with her composure, it was hard to ignore it all.
But luckily, the chat with Hayden not only drew attention but also gave Yvette some protection, as no one dared to mess with her too much.
After all, being called over by Hayden and treated kindly meant she wasn't someone they could easily push around.
David nodded knowingly. "I figured. Grandpa calling you over was probably for that reason."
Yvette nodded, hoping not to attract too much attention. She opened her mouth to speak, but a few elders called David over.
David turned back. "I'll be right back."
Yvette replied, "Okay."
The ball ended, and the hotel's banquet hall gradually emptied.
The hotel, part of the Valdemar Group's properties, was cleverly designed, with an entertainment area in the back.
It was late, and the moonlight lit up the whole entertainment area along with the lights.
The entertainment area wasn't as bright and spacious as the hotel's banquet hall, with walls dividing different sections. For a moment, David and Albert were nowhere to be found, and even Hayden was missing.
Yvette, alone in this unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers giving her scrutinizing looks, felt a bit nervous and bit her lip subconsciously.
Feeling uneasy, Yvette was about to get up and look for Hayden when Loren Valdemar approached.
"Are you Yvette?" Loren, in a silver gown, hid her scrutinizing gaze behind a smile.
Yvette looked at Loren warily and asked cautiously, "Yes, and you are?"
"I'm Albert's aunt." Loren smiled. "I know about your marriage. I saw you alone and bored, why not come with me?"
Yvette's smile was a bit stiff as she declined, "No need, Grandpa asked me to wait for him, so I'll just stay here until he's done. You don't need to worry about me."
Yvette wasn't sure if Loren was on her side or not, but considering Albert's poor relationship with the Valdemars, she stayed on guard.
"He invited you here?" Loren was a bit surprised. "Then he may have forgotten. He's not feeling well lately, and he's already gone upstairs to rest. Let me contact someone close to him and see what to do about you."
With that, Loren walked aside with her phone.
Yvette stood there, feeling a bit at a loss.
The area Yvette was in was the pool area, and many people had already changed into swimsuits and were swimming, passing by Yvette quickly.
Afraid that Loren would lose her after getting the information, Yvette subconsciously followed.
Albert sat on the couch, while Hayden lay on a high-end leather couch, an oxygen tube under his nose. His face was pale, and he was struggling to speak.
Albert frowned at Hayden, his hands clenched into fists, wanting to express concern but not knowing how.
Hayden had recovered a bit by now, breathing slowly. Seeing Albert's awkward and worried expression, he felt both heartache and discomfort.
Hayden coughed lightly, and a servant immediately patted his chest to help him breathe. "Albert, as you can see, talking too much tires me out. You've seen my condition; I really hope you can return to the Valdemars."
Albert's facial muscles tightened slightly, his eyes full of worry as he looked at Hayden. "Then you should hold fewer events like this."
"I haven't shown up in a long time, and who knows what stories people are making up." Hayden, though weak, still had a sharp gaze. "Everyone is waiting for me to die, yet everyone is afraid of my death."
Hearing the word "die" so directly, Albert suddenly felt a pang in his chest.
Noticing his expression change, Hayden asked, "If you had come back earlier, you would have found out something sooner. Albert, while I'm still alive and can help you, come back. Find out the truth about your mother, so I can let go of everything and die in peace."
Albert tensed up, his mind in turmoil.
At that moment, a servant rushed in from outside. "Mr. Hayden Valdemar, something happened at the pool."
