Chapter 575 Irresistible Temptation
Albert's lips claimed Yvette's with fierce determination, leaving no room for escape. The sudden kiss sent her heart racing as his breath mingled with hers, his tongue gently parting her lips to dance with her own.
The kiss was passionate and powerful, yet tender and loving all at once. Yvette couldn't quite read him, but she could feel the depth of emotion pouring through his touch.
They pressed against each other, skin warming skin, the kiss seeming to meld them into one being while the world around them faded away. Time stood still, leaving only their breathing and heartbeats echoing in the quiet room.
As the kiss deepened, Yvette sensed Albert's urgency and that invisible dominance of his. She and Albert had always shared an unspoken understanding in these moments, so she could almost anticipate his next move without thinking.
Yet his hands remained respectfully placed on her lower back, as if he were fighting some internal battle.
Yvette's cheeks flushed as she surrendered to his intensity, the kiss growing deeper still. Her nightgown had shifted slightly from their movements, and Albert seemed to notice, instinctively arching away to avoid further contact.
When Yvette's body moved closer of its own accord, Albert suddenly pulled back as if he'd touched something scalding.
Yvette opened her eyes, gaze hazy with confusion. "What's wrong?"
Albert's Adam's apple bobbed as his already tense jaw tightened further. His voice came out rough and low. "Your body... it's not ready for this."
Yvette blinked, her voice floating like silk with an entirely different kind of allure. "Are you still angry with me?"
"No." Albert's frustration was palpable.
He was the one suffering, the one holding back, and somehow he was still being misunderstood?
"Then why won't you?" Yvette met his gaze directly, her tone challenging. "Why?"
It was less challenge than seduction, and Albert felt like he might combust. He drew in a sharp breath but maintained his composure. "I told you, your body isn't ready."
"Is that so?"
Yvette bit her lower lip and rolled over, pinning Albert beneath her. Albert stared up at her in surprise. "You—?"
"If I say I'm ready, then I'm ready." Before Albert could respond, Yvette's delicate hands began their exploration.
She pressed a kiss to his throat, meeting his eyes with deliberate precision. "I say I'm ready, so I'm ready. Can't you handle it?"
No man could back down from that challenge.
Albert's low chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Whether I can handle it or not—you can judge that for yourself in a moment."
The Valdemar Group conference room buzzed with nervous energy as Albert sat expressionless at the head of the table, hands clasped before him, listening to the various presentations.
Everyone had pulled an all-nighter, their exhaustion evident, but they pressed on with their explanations, walking on eggshells around their CEO.
When it came to the project manager who had nearly crossed Albert the day before, he split his attention between his PowerPoint and stealing glances at Albert, desperately trying to read his reaction.
But Albert had never been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, and despite the manager's intense scrutiny, he revealed nothing.
The man finished his presentation with gritted teeth, slowly lowering his hands and awaiting his fate.
The conference room's fluorescent lighting cast everything in stark relief, and the tension was thick enough to cut. Every face around the table reflected a mixture of hope and dread—after all, Albert's mood would determine the severity of the storm they were about to weather.
Albert's gaze swept over the project manager. "This is what you produced overnight?"
The manager's anxiety spiked as he nodded. "Yes, Mr. Valdemar. If there's anything that needs improvement, I'll fix it immediately."
"Good work." Albert raised his hand dismissively. "Vincent, move forward with it."
The air seemed to crystallize as everyone stared at Albert in shock.
Move forward? Did that mean... approved?
The project manager exhaled in visible relief. "Thank you, Mr. Valdemar!"
"Continue."
His simple, direct approval without a single criticism or suggestion left everyone stunned. The outcome exceeded all expectations, much like the first rays of sunshine after a long winter, bringing unexpected warmth and renewed hope.
People glanced at each other in confusion, finally noticing that Albert, though still expressionless, no longer had that icy aura he did yesterday.
Every pair of eyes in the room reflected confusion and disbelief.
How had Albert's entire demeanor shifted overnight?
Seeing their shocked expressions, Albert's cold gaze swept across them. "What? Do you think his proposal was inadequate and I shouldn't have approved it?"
"No, no! We think his proposal was excellent."
"Absolutely, we should all learn from his example!"
The meeting proceeded with surprising smoothness. Everyone sailed through their project approvals, and even the less-than-perfect proposals received constructive feedback and direction from Albert.
For the team, this was nothing short of miraculous. Albert's guidance meant that following his suggestions virtually guaranteed project approval and the Valdemar Group's backing.
Everyone's spirits lifted considerably, recognizing they had Albert's good mood to thank for this turn of events.
Once Albert left the conference room, curious eyes immediately turned to Vincent.
"Vincent, why is Mr. Valdemar suddenly so cheerful today?"
Vincent shrugged helplessly. "I honestly don't know. Nothing's changed work-wise."
"So you're saying his change stems from personal matters? Something involving his wife?"
Vincent held up his hands. "I didn't say that! You're reading between the lines. Maybe your proposals were just that good today."
Nobody bought it.
Seeing Vincent's sealed lips, they abandoned their interrogation and began speculating among themselves.
"This is like a completely different person from yesterday's Mr. Valdemar."
"I love this version of Mr. Valdemar. I really think it's because his wife came to pick him up yesterday!"
"Exactly!"
Just as their excited discussion reached its peak, the conference room door swung open again.
Albert walked in, his cold gaze sweeping over the group, freezing them in place.
He retrieved his forgotten phone from the table and turned to leave.
Clearly, something monumentally good had happened to Albert last night—he wasn't even annoyed by their gossip.
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