Chapter 509 Don't You Dare Speak of Yvette Like That
The moment Efrain finished speaking, David shot him a glacial stare that made him freeze mid-sentence, falling silent instantly.
David had grown weary of standing and now leaned against the windowsill, his hands braced on the ledge as he gazed out with cold indifference. His sharp features were etched with severity, his brow carrying a hint of frost, while his pressed lips radiated an unmistakable chill.
"Don't overstep," David warned, his voice deceptively soft yet cutting like winter steel. There was no inflection, no emotion—just cold, stark command. This was his order, his boundary, and no one would dare cross it.
Cold sweat beaded on Efrain's back. Before joining David's service, he'd heard tales of a gentle, mild-mannered man. The reality proved far different—David was a master of deception, his warmth a carefully crafted mask concealing unpredictable darkness. Since the accident, this volatility had only intensified, leaving Efrain perpetually walking on razor's edge.
Efrain bowed his head quickly. "My apologies, Mr. Valdemar. I spoke out of turn."
David's icy aura receded slightly as he cast Efrain a dismissive glance. "Arrange our return home."
Efrain hesitated. "Your recovery isn't complete. Are you certain about traveling now?"
"Yes." David's gaze drifted toward the distant maple grove. "I'm concerned about Yvette's current situation. I need to see for myself."
"Of course." Efrain nodded, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
As Efrain bent over his phone checking flight schedules, David's voice drifted through the air like smoke. "While you're at it, probe Albert's next moves."
In the spacious first-class cabin, David reclined in his seat with closed eyes, appearing to sleep. But his irregular breathing and furrowed brow told Efrain he was merely resting his eyes, his mind far from peaceful.
Efrain sat beside him, wrestling with hesitation before finally breaking the silence. "Mr. Valdemar, the doctor emphasized you shouldn't remain seated too long. We're in stable flight now—perhaps you should walk around."
David's eyes opened slowly, fixing Efrain with a brief glance before remaining motionless. "Are domestic affairs handled?"
"Yes, everything's been arranged." Efrain hesitated before continuing. "Mr. Valdemar, regarding your previous mention of acquiring your and Sarah's shares—should we revisit that matter?"
A flash of sardonic amusement crossed David's eyes, as if Efrain's suggestion was beneath contempt. His lips curved slightly. "No rush. I have something far more devastating in mind."
Efrain started. "What do you mean?"
David settled back into his seat, closing his eyes again to veil his piercing gaze. His hands folded across his abdomen as he spoke with deliberate calm. "What I've lost, the pain and despair I've endured—simply stripping him of his position as head wouldn't be nearly enough."
A chill ran through Efrain, but he didn't dare inquire further.
Albert strode toward James's office, fists clenched in barely contained fury. James's recent decisions had been blatantly antagonistic, even going so far as to threaten him with Sarah's old shares. Albert had been too preoccupied with Yvette's situation to deal with James properly, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate such insubordination.
Albert burst through James's office door without ceremony, ignoring his startled expression as he marched directly to the desk. Planting both hands on the surface, Albert loomed over James with intimidating presence, his gaze boring down like a predator sizing up prey.
Perhaps Albert's intensity was too fierce, his taut features too menacing—James visibly flinched. He cleared his throat nervously, adjusting his tie with trembling fingers. "Barging into my office like this—what exactly are you here to settle?"
"Rein in your schemes." Albert's chiseled face was frost-cold, his eyes narrowing to reveal razor-sharp menace. "Stop testing my patience."
Albert's stare held no warmth whatsoever, only deep warning and unmistakable threat. His expression was so tightly controlled that it seemed one more transgression from James would result in Albert's hands around his throat without hesitation.
James sat behind his desk, feigning ignorance after a moment's silence. "You're the head of the Valdemar Group—how could I possibly challenge you?"
"Need reminders?" Albert arched an eyebrow, his laugh cold as winter wind. "Fine. Since you require clarification, I'll enumerate each offense."
Albert's gaze grew several degrees colder. "Your recent interference in multiple projects has been detected by my people. When I cut off your avenues there, you resorted to using my mother's assets to spite me."
James's eyes flickered with panic. "I did no such thing. Don't falsely accuse me."
"Whether you did or not, you know perfectly well." Dangerous shadows flickered in Albert's eyes. "I haven't touched my mother's belongings. I'm watching to see if you have the audacity to try."
Albert's words fell like icicles in winter—sharp, cold, suspended over James's head like the sword of Damocles. One transgression, and that blade would fall without mercy.
James swallowed hard. The Albert of recent years had become impossible to confront directly. He'd thought his behind-the-scenes maneuvering was subtle enough, but even his slightest boldness had been caught. The humiliation burned—being so thoroughly dominated by his own son.
He looked up defiantly. "Albert, look at yourself. You accuse me of scheming? I'm trying to save you! You're so obsessed with that missing Yvette that one wrong decision could destroy the Valdemar Group. I'm separating your mother's assets so when you need help, I can pull you back from the brink..."
"I don't make strategic errors," Albert cut him off coldly. "Don't use my mother to mask your corruption—not before, not now."
"I'm saying—"
"Furthermore," Albert's already cold eyes darkened to something truly frightening, sinister and ruthless, "don't speak of Yvette in that tone. That's more dangerous than your designs on my mother's legacy or the Valdemar Group."
Without sparing James another glance at his shocked expression, Albert turned and left the office as if another second in that space would contaminate him.
Albert strode from the office toward the conference room, but as he opened the door, he nearly collided with a wheelchair. Frowning, he stopped short, his gaze falling on the occupant. That familiar face bearing an unfamiliar expression made Albert freeze.
David!
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