Chapter 1644 I Don't Want To Go
"Are you really willing to give up your career for a woman?" Carl was almost infuriated by Derek.
"Didn't you say that my career already has a blemish because of a woman? If that's the case, I might as well stop striving. It's not a bad idea." Derek lazily placed his hands behind his head and leaned back.
"You've got it all figured out, haven't you?" Carl's heart stirred, and he had an idea. His tone softened, "You're still young. A man should prioritize his career. Just recently, I was considering appointing you as the ambassador to Avaloria. You know that position is highly sought after. It's a great opportunity, especially since you have experience in the State Department."
Derek glanced at Carl, noticing that the previously angry Carl was now smiling kindly. Derek found it amusing. Carl really thought Derek was a gullible child. "Dad, I was just complaining about not having enough time for dates, and now you want to send me abroad, to Avaloria no less. It takes over ten hours to fly there, and I'd have to transfer flights. I wouldn't be able to date for years."
"You yourself said that both of you are still young. I believe Laura is a smart woman and won't hinder your future." Carl calmly said, "Besides, if time and distance can destroy a relationship, it just means your relationship isn't worth much."
Derek sighed, "Who was it that was urging me to get married quickly a while ago, insisting I must get married this year? Now it's not urgent anymore."
"I've thought about it, and matters of the heart shouldn't be rushed," Carl said earnestly.
Derek smirked, "Sorry, Dad, but I'm not going."
"Are you crazy? Do you know what a great opportunity this is?" Carl's body straightened in anger. "All for a woman?"
"Yes, all for a woman. I worked hard to win Laura over, and now you want to send me abroad. You call it a test of our deep love through a long-distance relationship, but I know what you're really thinking. You want time and distance to break us up."
Derek decided to be blunt, "We've only just started dating. How can I gamble that she'll wait for me? I'm not that charming. Besides, being together means being each other's support. How can I leave her here and expect her to wait for years? She's been hurt before; why should she trust me?"
"Then it just means your relationship isn't strong enough," Carl snorted. "Not worth it."
"Sure, you and Mom have a great relationship. Why don't you go work abroad for a few years, or even a decade, and see if you can trust Mom or if she can trust you?" Derek retorted.
Violet raised an eyebrow subtly. Carl, feeling a bit insecure, said, "Your mom and I have been married for decades. Besides, I'm the President. We're a team; we can't be separated."
"You don't like using yourself as an example, do you?" Derek chuckled. "Dad, putting aside the relationship aspect, do you really think it's a good idea to send someone as young as me to be the ambassador to Avaloria? Won't others be jealous? Will I be able to command respect? Aren't you afraid people will say you're using your position as President to benefit your son? Don't make things difficult for me."
Carl's face darkened immediately. "You."
"Alright," Violet interrupted, glancing at Carl. "You already had a candidate for Avaloria after several discussions. Now you suddenly want to appoint Derek as the ambassador. It will cause dissatisfaction. I understand your intentions, but national matters shouldn't be changed lightly. If one person makes a mistake, it could cause turmoil."
"Don't you know Derek's capabilities?" Carl, feeling his dignity hurt, muttered.
"He's still young. Haven't you noticed how many people are already jealous of him?"
Carl fell silent.
He knew his own temperament well. Over the years, if it weren't for Violet compensating for his shortcomings, he wouldn't have reached his current position.
"You're speaking up for Derek a lot today. Do you want them to be together?" Carl suddenly glanced at Violet.
"If I don't speak up, do you want Michael to keep saying that Derek and Laura were involved before she and Michael divorced?" Violet glared at Carl. "Some things, if you don't refute them strongly, will be taken as truth."
"Mom, you're so wise." Derek gave a thumbs up. "You raised me; I wouldn't be so immoral."
"And what you're doing now is so moral? Laura is your dad's and my goddaughter." Violet glared at him. "Derek, I admit Laura is a good girl. I like her and sympathize with her, but I don't support you two being together. For example, if you have a son in the future, and you have high hopes for him and nurture him carefully, how would you feel if he ended up with a divorced woman? Yes, I'm selfish because you're my biological son. I can't be so magnanimous as to not care about anything."
"Mom, I understand what you're saying," Derek nodded. "But matters of the heart aren't so easily controlled. I've tried to control my feelings, but I couldn't. I love her and want to be with her. It's that simple. If I can't be with her, I'd rather be single. I don't know how long that singlehood will last—maybe years, maybe a decade, maybe a lifetime."
"Are you threatening us?" Carl was furious.
"Dad, I don't need to threaten you. No matter how you try to stop me, I won't give her up. Want to send me far away for work? Fine, I'll resign."
Derek said straightforwardly, "But I sincerely hope my parents are reasonable. So what if she's divorced? Who wants to be divorced? Have you thought about who made her divorced? It was the Jude family trying to save Michael. You sacrificed Laura. Be decent people. Don't harm Laura and then despise her for being divorced."
"It wasn't us," Carl said with a dark expression. "It was James's family who harmed her."
"But when you agreed to take Laura as your goddaughter, didn't that mean you wanted to help them?" Derek said. "Honestly, I don't think Laura ever loved Michael that much. Laura's pregnancy was a setup. Her marriage was forced. After having the child, she wanted to give the child a home and start a good life. What I see in her is strength, optimism, and positivity. I can't miss out on such a wonderful woman."
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