Chapter 580 Hugging David from Behind
"David! You've lost your mind!" James's eyes bulged with rage, veins throbbing on his forehead, his gaze burning with fury that threatened to erupt at any moment. His fists were clenched, poised to lunge at David.
Sensing the explosive tension between them, Lisa rushed forward, positioning herself between the two men with arms outstretched to prevent James from doing something rash.
"Calm down! David isn't well. You can't get physical with him—what if you hurt him?" she shouted.
Her words only fueled James's anger. "It's precisely because he's unwell that I'm trying to secure a better future for him! And what does he do? He seems determined to ruin his life and make enemies of everyone around him!"
David regarded James and Lisa with cold detachment. He straightened his back, his expression resolute, showing no sign of backing down.
Though James's words sounded noble—claiming everything was for David's benefit—David knew the truth.
For James, who couldn't have children with Lisa, Albert and David were his only sons. Albert would never follow his orders or conform to his plans, so James's only hope rested on David, who had always been obedient and easily manipulated.
James wasn't upset that David refused the blind date with Calliope; he was upset that David was no longer the compliant son he once was.
With an internal scoff, David spoke with his characteristic gentleness: "I'm an adult capable of making my own decisions. This is just how I feel now—who knows what the future holds." He left them with this ambiguous statement, nodding slightly. "I'm going upstairs."
As David turned away, his steps were slow and unsteady, but his tall, straight posture conveyed his determination to James and Lisa.
Watching David ascend the stairs, James's fury intensified. His face turned ashen, his chest heaving with barely contained rage, his eyes blazing with such intensity that no one dared meet his gaze. He never imagined that his typically obedient son would deliver such a shocking blow.
Everyone in Luken knew what kind of person Violet was. She had manipulated her way into Rodolfo's life, forcing out his first wife, only to find herself unhappy in the end.
Now, having failed to marry Albert, she was setting her sights on David—like a persistent ghost haunting the Valdemar family. It was revolting.
"Absolutely disgraceful!" James muttered through clenched teeth.
Lisa observed James's explosive anger with an expression of concern and unease, though her eyes betrayed a barely concealed delight. She turned to him, gently patting his shoulder in an attempt to calm him.
"These things can be discussed. Talk to David properly—he's always been the sensible one. He might still come around," she said in a soothing voice.
"Neither of them listens! They're going to be the death of me!" James's eyes were bloodshot as he pounded his chest, trying to calm himself.
Lisa knew he was referring to both Albert and David. Inwardly jubilant, she stroked James's back reassuringly. "Don't upset yourself—your health comes first. Whatever happens, I'm here with you."
James pointed at the now-empty staircase, his eyes flashing with rage. "After all these years raising him, bringing him into the Valdemar Group, he stabs me in the back! I can't count on either of them!"
Lisa sighed deeply. "I shouldn't say this now, but I can't help myself." She caressed James's arm while continuing, "Both boys have inherited your ex-wife's stubborn nature. If you hadn't been so resistant, I would have loved to have our own child. Then we'd have someone who truly cares for us. A child I gave birth to and raised would be like me—always on your side."
David made his way upstairs laboriously, each step a struggle. He had returned home before fully recovering, his rehabilitation interrupted, and the constant strain on his legs had worsened in recent days.
Yet thinking of the unfinished business ahead, he gritted his teeth and pressed on.
Since Violet had agreed to collaborate with him and shown good faith by providing certain documents, he was willing to cooperate with her.
When David pushed open his bedroom door, he found Violet standing by his bookshelf, leafing through one of his photo albums. His expression hardened as he strode over and snatched the album from her hands without ceremony.
"Is rummaging through someone else's belongings your idea of good manners?" he asked coldly.
Momentarily startled by the empty space in her hands, Violet raised an eyebrow. "Since we're supposedly a couple now, what's wrong with me looking at your life story?"
"What we have is merely a transaction," David replied, his gaze distant. "Know your place."
As David carefully reorganized the album pages before returning it to the shelf, Violet's voice came from behind him: "You truly loved Yvette, didn't you? This entire album is filled with photos of you, her, and your two children."
David's hand paused briefly before resuming its motion. "That's none of your concern."
Violet let out a soft laugh. "David, I have what you want, but you need to give me what I want in return."
David scoffed with evident contempt. "And what you want is the title of Mrs. Valdemar, isn't it?"
Before he could finish, he felt Violet press herself against him from behind, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. "What I want includes this body—identical to Albert's."
Surprise flashed across David's face before hardening into cold resolve. He forcefully pushed Violet away.
"Don't touch me," he said, his voice quiet but filled with icy determination.
Violet stumbled backward, nearly falling. Looking up, she saw the distance and disgust in his eyes. His words and expression were perfectly aligned, warning her to keep her distance.
Her smiling face darkened instantly. She looked David up and down, seemingly finding him wanting—merely a defective "substitute."
With a cold laugh, she said, "How boring. No fun at all."
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