Chapter 1101


    Chapter 1101


    Marcus didn’t get what Zavier was on about, but he knew the dude was going through the wringer after


    losing his wife. He didn’t pick a fight, “How’s the whole Skyler situation going? Holler if you need a


    hand.”


    Zavier chuckled, “President Hartley, ain’t you more clued in about the Skyler situation than I am?”


    Lucas jumped in, “Zavier, why you gotta be so rough around the edges?”


    Zavier retorted. “Am I being rough? If your wife kicked the bucket today, I bet you’d be even more


    ticked off.”


    Lucas shot back, “What’s your angle here? Are you ming Marc? We all get you’re gutted about your


    wife, but could you maybe tone down the fire and brimstone? Maybe you should take a hard look at


    what made Skyler want to bail on you in such a drastic way.”


    Zavier stared everyone down, “So what’s your agenda here? Are you here to rake me over the coals?”


    Evenid–back Lucas was getting riled up, “Zavier, why do you always have to be so caustic? If you


    think we’re here to make fun of you, consider our friendship


    loast.”


    Zavier responded, “Fine, I admit I messed up. You’re all right. I’ll handle the Skyler thing myself, no


    need for y’all to lose sleep over it. I’m nning on throwing a shindig at thergest hotel in Riverton,


    and it’s gonnast a few days. Everyone’s invited.”


    He turned to Cornelia, “Mrs. Hartley, you’re aware of this, aren’t you?”


    Cornelia was puzzled, “What are you talking about?”


    Zavier sneered, “Even though Hannah is a pro actress, her acting chops can’t hold a candle to an


    amateur like you”


    Hannah asked, “Mr. Rivera, did I do something wrong?”


    Rosie said, “He’s lost his marbles!”


    Zavier retorted, “Yeah, I’ve gone off the deep end! Just now catching on?”


    His gaze bore into Cornelia, icy and intense, “Mrs. Hartley, can we have a little private chat?”


    “No way!” Marcus immediately stepped in front of Cornelia, “Cornelia, go take a breather with the girls.


    I’ll handle the man–to–man stuff.”


    Cornelia had a ton of questions but knew this wasn’t the time or ce. She did as Marcus asked,


    “Rosie, Hannah, let’s find a ce to chill. Let the guys sort out their own crap


    Hannah shot a nce at Steven. Since Zavier showed up, Steven had barely said a word, which wasn’t


    his style. Hannah couldn’t figure out what was going through his head.


    Steven didn’t stop her, so Hannah quickly followed Cornelia, worried that if she hesitated, he’d call her


    back.


    Once she was away from Steven, Hannah felt like she could breathe easier. She threw her arms


    around Cornelia and Rosie, “Comelia, Rosie, with Skyler gone, we’ve gotta stick together. No more


    rash decisions.”


    Cornelia agreed. “Exactly, we’ve all gotta keep it together, no matter what.


    Rosie asked, “Cornelia, did you hear about Skyler? I heard she ran away, how did she end up back


    with Zavier? And how did she just vanish?”


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Thinking about Skyler still hurt Cornelia, “Skyler’s been in Riverton all along. She knew Zavier was


    giving Marcus a hard time, so she decided to go back to him. We were supposed to have dinner


    togetherst night. I could tell she was unhappy with Zavier. I could’ve saved her, but I backed off. If


    only…”