Chapter 589 The Changing Tides at the Eldoria Branch
Vincent scratched his head awkwardly, quickly averting his knowing gaze as embarrassment crept across his face.
Clearing his throat, he adopted a more professional tone. "I'm just happy to see your relationship with Mrs. Valdemar improving lately."
Albert fixed him with a piercing stare, his voice carrying a clear warning. "Then mind your own business."
Vincent lowered his head immediately, properly chastised. "Of course, of course."
Just then, Vincent's phone rang. Glancing down, he saw it was the driver sent by the Valdemar Group's Eldoria branch. His expression shifted instantly from embarrassment to professional composure as he answered.
After a brief conversation, he hung up and turned to Albert. "Mr. Valdemar, the driver is waiting outside. We can head to the hotel for rest and dinner, then meet them tonight."
"Fine," Albert replied curtly.
David collapsed onto his bed, his body soaked with sweat as if he'd been pulled from water. Completely drained from his rehabilitation session, he closed his eyes, seeking relief that wouldn't come. His exhaustion was bone-deep, leaving him without even the strength to move his fingers.
Each rehabilitation session proved more grueling than the last—not because of the therapists, but because of his own impatience. He pushed himself too hard, desperately seeking progress. Yet the more frantically he tried, the more his recovery seemed to stall. His legs showed no improvement.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. "Mr. Valdemar, it's me. May I come in?" Efrain's voice called from the hallway.
David gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright and composing his features to appear normal. He took a deep breath, willing the tension from his face.
When Efrain entered, concern immediately crossed his features at David's pallor. Despite David's efforts to mask his exhaustion, his eyes betrayed him, revealing a depth of pain and fatigue beyond words.
"How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do?" Efrain asked hesitantly.
David's brow furrowed slightly as he pressed his lips together in silence.
"Mr. Valdemar, are you alright?" Efrain pressed, anxiety evident in his voice.
David exhaled slowly, maintaining his façade. "I'm fine. Just tired from rehabilitation."
"The doctor mentioned you might be pushing too hard. For your own health, perhaps you should follow the recommended schedule—"
"Enough," David cut him off firmly. "Why are you here?"
Efrain paused, realizing David had no interest in discussing his condition. "Mr. Valdemar, Albert has arrived in Eldoria," he stated simply.
David's expression darkened, his eyes taking on an unfathomable depth.
"When will you return to Eldoria?" Efrain asked urgently. "They've already sent someone to meet him at the airport. If you don't go back soon, the situation there will shift entirely."
David responded with a bitter laugh. Return or not, the situation was already changing. He knew perfectly well that after he left Eldoria with Yvette, Albert had immediately begun purging and replacing his staff. The network they had built over four years was slipping from his grasp.
He fixed Efrain with a cold, penetrating stare. "Once he's set his mind to something, he'll find a way to make it happen."
"So what do we do now?" Efrain asked.
"We wait," David replied with a harsh chuckle. "To pull the rug from under someone, you sometimes have to sacrifice less important pieces." His lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes flashing with ruthless determination. "If he wants to play, we'll give him a game to remember."
Albert sat in the back seat of the car with his eyes closed, his expression unreadable. His breathing was steady and deep, as if his mind were elsewhere entirely.
Suddenly, the car lurched to a halt, throwing Albert forward. His eyes snapped open, displeasure evident in his furrowed brow.
The driver glanced anxiously at Albert through the rearview mirror, inwardly berating himself. He'd only recently joined the Valdemar Group as a driver and had been assigned to chauffeur the formidable Albert from Luken headquarters. Despite repeatedly reminding himself to be careful, his nerves had gotten the better of him.
"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Valdemar," the driver apologized hastily. "A car cut us off unexpectedly—I had to brake suddenly."
Albert glanced at the offending vehicle, now far ahead, but said nothing, simply closing his eyes again to resume his rest.
The driver's back was damp with sweat as he cautiously pressed the accelerator, driving even more carefully than before.
Vincent turned toward the driver, lowering his voice. "I haven't seen you before."
"I was hired recently," the driver replied, his voice slightly shaky. "Since I'm from Novaria, they assigned me to drive Mr. Valdemar."
"They're hiring new staff?" Vincent asked casually. "Business must be good. I thought the company already had plenty of drivers."
"I'm not sure about business, but two drivers left, which is why they hired me," the driver explained. "Those drivers worked for Mr. David Valdemar. I think they were let go recently. A friend told me about the opening, so I applied."
Vincent observed the driver's profile as he concentrated on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The man's unfiltered responses suggested he was speaking honestly, without calculation.
"Good to know," Vincent remarked. "Just drive carefully."
"Yes, of course," the driver nodded emphatically, eager to make a good impression.
As they pulled into the hotel parking lot, the driver hurried to retrieve their luggage.
Vincent glanced at the man, then turned to Albert. "It seems David really is abandoning the Eldoria branch? Letting us replace his people without a fight?"
Albert gave a cold laugh. "As long as he stops his foolish, reckless behavior, I'll return the Eldoria division to him." He paused, his eyes flashing with steely resolve. "But if he continues this madness, I guarantee he won't see a penny from the Valdemar family."
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