Chapter 611 A Kiss of Encouragement
After the event concluded, the host made a mental note never to seat David and Albert together again. The rare sight of them coexisting peacefully had become an impossibility.
During the ride home, Yvette glanced back several times, catching only glimpses of Albert's profile as he stared down at his phone, fingers working across the screen. Once they arrived, he disappeared straight into his study without a word.
Yvette knew the media backlash would be brutal.
Exhausted, she dragged herself to the bedroom and sank into the chair at her vanity. As she slowly removed her makeup, worry clouded her eyes and a heavy weight settled in her chest. The evening's events replayed in her mind like a broken record, and something felt off.
David and Violet's sudden appearance had caught them completely off guard—which was exactly what the pair had been counting on. Violet's theatrical stumble when Albert "pushed" her had been deliberate, perfectly timed for David to weaponize the moment.
They had to have an ulterior motive. David was too calculating to air the brothers' dirty laundry in public without a strategic purpose. This kind of mutually destructive spectacle served no one—unless it was laying groundwork for something bigger.
Yvette bit her lower lip, replaying every gesture, every calculated smile from the evening.
Then it hit her like lightning: were David and Violet orchestrating public opinion for some future move?
Her mind raced through possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. She had to protect Albert, had to shield their family from whatever storm was brewing.
Rising from her vanity, Yvette padded to the kitchen for a glass of water, then knocked softly on the study door.
"Come in," Albert's voice was clipped and distant.
She entered quietly, setting the water beside his keyboard. "Busy night?"
"Unfortunately. Today's mess requires damage control." His fingers never stopped typing as he glanced up briefly. "Don't wait up—I'll be pulling an all-nighter."
"Alright." Yvette nodded but lingered, clearly wrestling with something.
Albert caught her hesitation. "What's on your mind?"
"We should keep our distance from them going forward. Stay on guard." She chose her words carefully. "I know how David's mind works—you need to be extremely careful."
Honest people were predictable; the underhanded ones were dangerous wildcards.
Sensing her genuine concern, Albert's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. "I've got this handled. Don't worry."
"Just... get some rest when you can." Yvette turned to leave, but Albert's amused voice stopped her.
"That's it? You're just going to abandon me to my misery?"
She paused, confused. "What do you mean?"
Albert tilted his head, tapping his cheek with a playful smirk. "A little encouragement wouldn't go amiss."
Despite everything, he was still trying to make her smile. Yvette blinked in amazement at his ability to find lightness in chaos.
When she stood frozen, Albert chuckled. "Never mind, sweetheart. Get some sleep."
Yvette nodded and walked slowly toward the door. Just as Albert assumed she was leaving, she spun around and crossed the room in three quick steps.
Before he could react, soft lips brushed against his cheek—a whisper of warmth that sent electricity straight through him. Her breath was sweet and gentle, carrying the faintest hint of her perfume.
Albert's heart slammed against his ribs as heat flooded his system, splitting his blood between his racing pulse and a more primal response. Yvette had an infuriating talent for derailing his focus at the worst possible moments.
Unfortunately, duty called.
He reached for her waist, but she slipped away like quicksilver. His second attempt caught only the hem of her shirt, which he tugged gently, pulling her off balance and into his arms.
"Albert!" she gasped, trapped against his chest as his arm locked around her waist.
She looked up into his dark eyes, now burning with unmistakable hunger. He leaned down, lips hovering just inches from hers, but she turned her face away with a shy laugh.
"Okay, okay—I won't distract you anymore. Finish your work and get some rest." She pressed her hands against his chest, creating distance.
"Is that so?" Albert's grip tightened as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You're right—the sooner I finish my work, the sooner we can... rest."
The deliberate emphasis on his last words made Yvette's cheeks flame. "Albert, stop being ridiculous!"
His phone buzzed insistently on the desk, breaking the spell. In that moment of distraction, Yvette slipped free and bolted for the door, leaving behind only the lingering scent of her perfume and Albert's rueful smile.
He watched her hasty retreat with fond exasperation before the phone's continued buzzing snapped him back to reality. The warmth vanished from his eyes as he answered.
"Talk to me." His voice was all business now.
Vincent's voice crackled through the speaker. "Mr. Valdemar, our PR team is working overtime, but with all the witnesses tonight—media and guests alike—we can only contain so much."
Albert rubbed his temples, feeling a headache building. "The story will break regardless."
He paused, remembering Yvette's warning. His jaw tightened with resolve. "David's making his move against Yvette. Start buying back every share we can get our hands on."
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