Chapter 1618


    Chapter 1618


    Zavier knew all too well that even if he hadn’t shown up today, the union between the Riveras and the


    Blues was a done deal. As soon as the two of them were of legal age, they’d be trotting down to city


    hall to tie the knot.


    He quickened his pace, taking two steps at a time. The yard was sprawling, and it took a minute to


    navigate his way to the living room.


    He hadn’t gone far when the elegant strains of a violin reached his ears. “Who’s ying?” he wondered


    aloud.


    The butler, his face creased with a smile, replied, “That would be Miss Blue. Before you arrived, she


    even yed the piano for us. They say she’s a jack-of-all-trades when ites to music, and she’s as


    beautiful as she is talented. Next to the eldest grandson, you’re the apple of Hudson’s eye, no doubt


    about it. The match he’s picked for you? The cream of the crop.”


    The words “eldest grandson” stung Zavier like a barb to the heart, but his expression remained


    unchanged as he continued inside.


    The living room was crowded, the Rivera elders all present. A few unfamiliar faces must have been the


    Blues, Zavier guessed.


    The girl sat in the center, her violin cradled in her arms, ying with focused intensity. Her hair, soft and


    long, cascaded over her shoulders. Since she had her back to the door, he couldn’t see her face.e2


    But he could sense her difort. How could she be at ease?


    Surrounded by the elders of both families, she was showered with praise for her talent and skill with the


    violin. It was meant to beplimentary, sure, but it felt more like they were appraising an object rather


    than celebrating a person’s gifts.


    Everyone appeared to be listening intently, but they weren’t really; they were too busy chatting with


    their neighbors to notice Zavier’s entrance.


    He deliberately cleared his throat. “Grandpa, I’m back!”


    All heads turned towards him at once, except for the girl with the violin, who only trembled slightly


    before continuing as if she’d heard nothing.


    Hudson, Zavier’s grandfather, voiced his displeasure. “So you’ve decided to grace us with your


    presence.”


    “Grandpa, I didn’t want toe back. Your goons practically dragged me here,” Zavier retorted, not


    sparing any courtesy for the most authoritative figure in the Rivera family.


    As expected, his words turned Hudson’s frown into a full-on scowl. Without saying much more, Hudson


    nced at Kalene, Zavier’s mother, his eyes seeming to say, “Look at the son you’ve raised, without a


    hint of discipline. How am I to entrust the future of the Rivera empire to him?”


    Kalene, ever the peacemaker, interjected, “Zavier, these are Bernard and Barbara, your future inws.


    Say hello.”


    Not wanting to put his mother in a tight spot, Zavier stood and turned to the Blues. “Good to meet you.”


    Bernard and Barbara scrutinized Zavier, clearly pleased with their daughter’s match. “Oh, Zavier, we’re


    all family now, no need for formalities.”


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    He nodded, taking their words to heart.


    Just then, the girl finished her violin piece. She stood up, bowing to all the elders, and finally turned


    toward Zavier to offer a bow in his direction as well. Zavier caught a proper look at her then. She was


    indeed a charmer, with a face as fresh as a daisy and eyes that seemed to brim with innocence.


    As he watched her, their eyes met, and she seemed startled, quickly averting her gaze. She reminded


    him of a frightened bunny – unexpectedly endearing.


    Zavier couldn’t help but take a second nce as she handed her violin to a servant and then sat down


    beside Skyler.


    She seemed obedient as a porcin doll, devoid of any spark of life.