Chapter 605 Picking Up Albert's Leftovers
David wore an impeccably tailored black suit, a diamond-studded bow tie gleaming at his throat. His face was chiseled and strong, exuding determination through every defined line. Had it not been for his slight limp, one might have mistaken him for Albert.
Beside him, Violet floated in a magnificent evening gown, its cascading skirts blooming like an exotic flower as they swept the floor. Her long hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, radiating elegance and allure.
The moment they entered the banquet hall, all eyes locked onto them. The once lively atmosphere froze instantly. Their appearance was like a stone dropped into still waters, sending ripples of whispers throughout the crowd.
The guests stared wide-eyed, exchanging glances of surprise and curiosity, clearly astonished by the pair's arrival together. Hushed conversations erupted as everyone scrutinized this unexpected couple.
"Is that Albert with Violet?" someone whispered.
"Impossible. Albert and his wife arrived earlier—they're inside already," came the swift reply.
"So that's David? What on earth is he doing with Violet Swift?"
Speculation and gossip spread like wildfire. Some guests wore knowing smiles, others looked confused, and a few turned away with disdain.
"Didn't Violet wreck Rodolfo's marriage and then marry him? Why is she with David now?" one guest asked.
"Where have you been? Living under a rock? This is the talk of Luken!" another replied with a smirk.
The first man shrugged apologetically. "I just got back to the country. What's the story here?"
The gossip-mongers eagerly filled him in. "Home-wreckers eventually get their homes wrecked too. Violet lost her baby, then Rodolfo divorced her and tossed her aside."
"And afterward, Rodolfo discovered a whole new world—mistresses galore. His first wife kept him in check for years, nothing like this ever happened."
"Fat lot of good that did her when Violet swooped in at the first opportunity."
"You have to admit, Violet's got game. Loses Rodolfo and now she's hooked David?"
The confused man frowned. "David? But wasn't Violet with Albert for years? How did she end up with David?"
"That's the kicker—after Albert's wife Yvette disappeared the first time, she lived with David in Eldoria for years as husband and wife. She even returned with two children, still claiming to be David's wife!"
"What?" The man's jaw dropped. "What's going on with these four?"
Their voices carried just far enough for David and Violet to catch fragments of the conversation. David maintained his composure, his face a mask of dignified calm. Violet, elegant in her flowing gown, wore a slight smirk that seemed to say she had anticipated every whisper.
With Violet's arm linked through his, David guided her forward. The murmurs and speculations followed them as they made their way to the stage.
Once in position, with all eyes fixed upon them, David leaned toward the microphone. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm David," he announced, his voice deep and resonant. He held a champagne flute in his left hand while Violet clung to his right arm.
"It's my honor to represent the Valdemar Group as host of tonight's charity gala," he continued. Raising his glass slightly, he added with a subtle smile, "But before we begin this evening's festivities, I'd like to make an announcement."
His words caused a collective intake of breath throughout the room. In the midst of this charged atmosphere, David smiled and declared, "The woman beside me is my fiancée, Violet."
His voice rang out clear and confident, seemingly filled with pride and happiness, as if he wanted the whole world to know about their relationship.
The statement exploded like a bombshell, triggering an immediate uproar. People whispered frantically to one another, unable to believe their ears. In an instant, the entire gala became unbearably awkward.
In Luken's high society, gossip traveled at lightning speed, and the drama between these families always created waves. The room fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in a cacophony of shocked exclamations.
Yet Violet appeared utterly unfazed by the reaction. Beaming with apparent happiness, her eyes sparkled as she leaned gently against David's shoulder, her cheek briefly resting there in an intimate gesture.
Taking the microphone, Violet addressed the crowd. "Hello, everyone. I'm Violet. I'm honored to attend this gala as a soon-to-be member of the Valdemar Family. From now on, I'll be David's fiancée and part of the Valdemar legacy."
Their affectionate display left the audience speechless.
"They're going public with their relationship?" someone gasped.
"I thought she might just be his plus-one, but they're actually engaged? Getting married? You've got to be kidding me!"
"How can David accept this? Violet was Rodolfo's mistress, lost her baby, got abandoned, and her reputation is in tatters!"
"Exactly! What is David thinking? To announce it so boldly—does he really love Violet that much?"
"I'd love to know Violet's secret for landing these powerful men. It's absolutely brilliant!"
The murmurs grew louder, impossible to suppress as the entire venue buzzed with excitement and disbelief.
David and Violet, however, seemed oblivious to it all, gazing into each other's eyes as if they were the only two people in the room.
Though David looked at Violet with apparent devotion, inwardly he was laughing coldly. The world thought Violet wasn't good enough for him, but both of them were accomplished actors.
What did it matter if they didn't actually care for each other? If it served their purpose, how hard could it be to play a part? He'd been playing roles within the Valdemar Family for years.
David's gaze cut through the crowd, landing on Albert and Yvette standing side by side in the distance. Both were staring at them, their faces masks of astonishment and confusion, as if they still couldn't comprehend what was happening.
A smirk tugged at David's lips, a strange satisfaction warming his chest.
Just then, a jarring male voice reached David's ears. The voice itself wasn't grating—it was the words that cut like a knife.
"What is David thinking? With all his advantages, why does he keep picking up Albert's leftovers?"
The man suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Looking up instinctively, he found himself locked in David's ice-cold stare.
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