Chapter 554 On the Verge of Breaking Out
Albert's words sent shockwaves through the gathering, every face turning toward him in stunned silence. Yvette's expression remained unreadable, her eyes downcast. Albert's gaze lingered on her before sweeping coldly across the assembled family members.
"Besides, this matter was never proven," Albert's voice cut through the tension like ice. "I deal in facts, not rumors."
James's face cycled through a spectrum of emotions before settling on fury. "The situation between your mother and me can't be explained in a few sentences. Whatever happened, she was my wife, and I will not allow the daughter of my wife's killer to live peacefully within the Valdemar family!"
"Are you really in a position to make that call?" Albert's tone dripped with mockery. "The Valdemar family isn't exactly yours to command anymore, is it?"
James's composure shattered. He hurled his umbrella to the ground with violent force. "Albert, are you trying to usurp me now?"
The atmosphere plunged to arctic levels, suffocating everyone present. Since Sarah's death, the father-son relationship had been a powder keg waiting to explode. Something had happened later—James had apparently crossed one of Albert's red lines—and now they couldn't be in the same room without warfare erupting.
Cheryl's disapproving gaze swept between them. "Today marks the anniversary of Hayden's death. Are you really going to stage a family breakdown in front of his grave?"
As the Valdemar matriarch, Cheryl's sharp rebuke finally cut through their standoff. "For Hayden's sake, you'll both back down. James, hold your tongue. Albert, you and Yvette will stay for dinner."
Albert's jaw tightened, but Cheryl pressed on. "If you still acknowledge me as your mother and grandmother, you'll do as I say today!"
Both men fell silent, their acquiescence grudging but absolute.
The Valdemar Villa
The oppressive sky had darkened further after the family left the cemetery, threatening to plunge into complete blackness.
The Valdemar Villa's dining room could accommodate the entire extended family, but each person sat with their own agenda written across their face. The meal passed in suffocating silence, food barely touched.
Afterward, they gathered in the sitting room for coffee. Lisa poured for James, whose thunderous expression made it clear he was still seething from his confrontation with Albert.
"You should know your youngest son's temperament by now," Lisa murmured soothingly. "After all these years dealing with him, why do you still let him get under your skin?"
James's anger simmered dangerously. Albert had been defying him for years, and somehow the boy always managed to find exactly the right words to twist the knife. "Anyone would be furious at that kind of disrespect. If we hadn't been at my father's grave, with my mother watching, I would have put him in his place—reminded him about the proper hierarchy between father and son!"
Lisa felt a familiar stab of jealousy when James referred to Sarah as his "wife." She let out a bitter laugh. "Well, your first wife certainly knew how to breed—gave you a son who torments you daily. I keep telling you, children only turn out well when both parents are present and devoted. But you refuse to cooperate."
Recently, James had been even less accommodating about her ovulation schedule, always claiming work stress or his battles with Albert as excuses to avoid intimacy. When she pushed too hard, he'd simply sleep at the office, cutting off all opportunities.
"Having a child of our own shouldn't be this difficult," Lisa sighed heavily.
"Enough," James waved dismissively. "Stop making everything about having a baby. Once Mother releases us, we're leaving early. The company has a mountain of issues waiting."
A figure suddenly settled into the chair beside them. James and Lisa looked up to see David, recognizable by his distinctive tie—a charcoal gray with subtle patterns against his black suit.
James frowned disapprovingly. "Today is your grandfather's memorial. What kind of tie is that?"
David's expression remained serene, his smile gentle. "It's a simple tie. The black suit is what matters."
"It's inappropriate. You need to be more mindful of occasions," James asserted his paternal authority.
David recognized his father's desperate need to feel respected somewhere, since Albert constantly undermined him. It was almost pitiable—David could relate to being overshadowed.
"Understood."
James's demeanor softened at David's compliance. "See? David has always been the obedient one, from childhood to now. Unlike Albert with his terrible temper and stubborn streak."
Lisa smiled warmly at David. "Exactly. Your father has always preferred you. You've been such an asset to the Valdemar Group over the years."
David's eyebrow arched with subtle irony. "Really? Father has always preferred me?"
"Absolutely!" James leaned forward enthusiastically. "You and Albert are night and day. Of course I prefer you. You're not stubborn, you understand what's beneficial, and you don't let pride and arrogance keep you from family obligations like Albert did—making everyone worry sick."
James began cataloging David's contributions to the family business. "You've always helped us convince Albert to return home. Who knew he'd be so ungrateful? If it weren't for the inheritance Father dangled, he probably would have stayed away forever. Knowing how tyrannical he's become, I should never have wanted him back."
"Didn't you want him back to use his presence to secure a larger share of the inheritance?" David's voice carried amused undertones. "Mission accomplished, isn't it? Your branch of the Valdemar family has gained far more than any of the other uncles or aunts."
James shifted uncomfortably. "I just wanted our family reunited, to be a proper family. But now he's completely turned against us—he wants to rule everything alone!"
James leaned toward David conspiratorially. "That's why I'm asking if you'll work with me. Together, we might find a way to strip Albert of his power."
"Yes, David, your father cares so much about you," Lisa added, her words making David's eyes flash coldly.
A mocking smile curved David's lips. "Father, do you actually care about anyone?"
"Of course!" James declared without shame. "I definitely prefer you!"
"You've never truly cared about anyone," David rose slowly, looking down at James with cold calculation. "You married my mother for what you could gain from her."
His gaze shifted to Lisa with pointed meaning. "And you're with her purely for exploitation too, aren't you?"
James's face went ashen.
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