Chapter 619 Violet's Warning
Clifford's voice was soft, yet carried an unmistakable threat. Like a stone cast into still waters, his words sent ripples through the silence.
The moment he spoke, the entire room fell into a deathly hush.
Violet's expression froze, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning, her hands clenched into tight fists.
She had always assumed Clifford was simply willing to save Yvette, but she had never imagined that despite his own deteriorating health, he would be prepared to use his own body as a test subject to save her.
Was it truly worth it for Clifford to endure such torment, even risk his life, all for Yvette?
Violet's lips parted slightly, but no words came.
David had said Clifford was much like Albert, and Violet was beginning to see it once again.
Lost in thought, Violet was jolted back to reality by Gabrielle's agitated voice.
"Clifford, do you even hear yourself?" Gabrielle's voice cracked with emotion.
Clifford's words cut like a blade through Felix and Gabrielle's hearts.
Their faces had turned ashen, brows furrowed deep, eyes blazing with fury.
Felix's hands were balled into fists, his knuckles white as he fought to contain his rage. Gabrielle's body went rigid, trembling slightly, her chest heaving with each labored breath that carried the fire of her anger.
Felix glared at him with barely contained fury, his voice cold as steel. "Clifford, you have no right to say such things!"
Each word dripped with disapproval and reproach, his eyes filled with bitter disappointment.
The air in the room seemed to thicken, suffocating in its oppressive weight.
Yet Clifford's expression remained eerily calm, as if Felix and Gabrielle's words meant nothing to him at all.
Clifford's willingness to face death for Yvette ignited something fierce within Violet, her emotions blazing to life in an instant.
Violet drew a deep breath, trying to quell the storm within her, but it was useless.
She snapped her head up, locking eyes with Clifford, her gaze dripping with obvious disdain.
Violet let out a cold laugh. "You already have Yvette's medical records, don't you? Without my specialized medication, all her bodily functions will deteriorate rapidly—surely you understand that?"
Clifford met Violet's gaze steadily, his expression cold yet unwavering, remaining silent as he waited for her to continue.
Violet's lips curved into a sardonic smile. "Mr. Hayes, even if you give him the medication, even if you're willing to use yourself as a test subject, would he dare use an untested replica directly on you? And even if he did have the audacity, do you have any idea how long it would take to determine the side effects and stability of an experimental drug? That endless waiting and testing would only kill Yvette faster."
Violet's words struck home, and Clifford's face visibly paled.
How could he not know this himself?
Even with Albert's considerable resources and expertise, the Hayes family was no slouch either. When they had repeatedly tested medications on Yvette for so long, they had never dared use them on him.
Without certainty, Felix and Gabrielle wouldn't dare proceed, and Albert would be even more cautious.
Clifford took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, but it did nothing to ease the tightness in his chest.
Violet glanced at Clifford, taking in every nuance of his reaction.
She rose slowly and approached him, leaning down to bring herself closer to his eye level.
Violet's voice carrying a subtle warning. "Mr. Hayes, I'm giving you one more chance. Think carefully before you answer me."
Clifford lifted his gaze slightly to meet her slightly upturned eyes. "What?"
"You should know how long medical trials take." Violet raised an eyebrow. "Your family has medical interests too, and you've done quite well in that field. If it were so easy, would your parents have come begging to me?"
Clifford's brow furrowed slightly, and he instinctively averted his gaze.
In that moment of averted eyes, Violet knew she had won this round.
Violet straightened slowly, glancing down at Clifford with undisguised arrogance.
"Clifford, don't threaten me. Otherwise, I'll cut off your medication supply entirely. Do you understand?"
Clifford's silence cast an even heavier pall over the living room, the quiet becoming almost tangible.
Sunlight filtered through heavy curtains, casting weak, dappled light that failed to dispel the oppressive atmosphere within.
Felix and Gabrielle watched Clifford intently, their expressions grave, their eyes reflecting an indescribable worry. They knew Clifford's stubborn nature and feared he might act impulsively, sacrificing his own medication for Yvette's sake.
The living room felt suffocating under the weight of tension, the silence pressing down on everyone present. Only Violet remained composed, though her eyes gleamed with victorious satisfaction.
In this stifling space, time seemed suspended, marked only by the persistent ticking of the wall clock.
After what felt like an eternity, Clifford finally broke the oppressive silence with a soft laugh.
"Ms. Swift, you've misunderstood my meaning." Clifford's smile was like a winter breeze, cutting through the tension. "I was merely suggesting that if medication runs short, we could ask Mr. Valdemar to conduct trials to increase production sooner, rather than depleting your reserves. After all, this would advance medical progress, wouldn't it?"
Violet could hear that Clifford was offering her a graceful way out. And his smile was so disarmingly infectious that she found herself momentarily defenseless against it.
For a moment, Violet felt dazed. If only Albert could be like Clifford—not always wearing that stern expression, but smiling at her more often—how wonderful that would be.
At this thought, a flash of viciousness crossed Violet's eyes.
Even if Albert smiled more often, his smiles were never meant for her.
Violet took a deep breath, her expression shifting slightly.
She settled back onto the sofa, casting a sideways glance at the three Hayes family members.
"It's getting late. Shall we proceed with the previous medication arrangement? What do you think?"
Violet's voice was calm yet carried an undertone of coldness and distance, as if warning Felix and Gabrielle.
Felix and Gabrielle immediately stood and bowed respectfully to Violet. "Ms. Swift, we have no objections whatsoever. After all, the medication is yours, and we're simply grateful for your willingness to help!"
Violet glanced at Clifford. "I know that's your position, but I'm curious about Mr. Hayes's thoughts?"
"Clifford." Felix and Gabrielle pleaded desperately.
Clifford rose slowly, meeting Violet's gaze directly.
He exhaled slowly. "Ms. Swift, I'll follow your lead. I have no objections."
Violet smiled triumphantly, nodding with satisfaction. "Excellent. In that case, please see yourselves out."
"Oh, and one more thing." Violet added, "Mr. Hayes, if you wish to continue receiving my medication, please refrain from interfering with my affairs. Understood?"
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