Chapter 1655


    Chapter 1655


    Skyler couldn’t quite discern how much of Mrs. Rivera’s demeanor was genuine and how much was


    fake. Even if it was all just for show, Skyler was ha to be on the receiving end of some kindness. “Mrs.


    Rivera,” she beamed, “Zavier is really good to me, you know.”


    She was sticking up for Zavier, but the boy himself didn’t seem to appreciate it. “Good to you? There’s


    just us here- who are you trying to fool with thi act?”


    Skyler was taken aback.


    “Young man,” Kalene intervened with an easy grace, holding onto Skyler with one hand and grabbing


    Zavier with the other, “Skyler here is trying to be ni and just listen to you! You can’t be talking like that


    when we’re in front of Grandpa Hudson.”


    Zavier fell silent.


    Kalene then reassured Skyler, “Don’t mind Zavier. He’s got a bark worse than his bite. Just ignore him.”


    Skyler wouldn’t dare to argue, “Okay.”e2


    Nothing much happened that day.


    The Rivera n had a tradition: every three months, no matter where they were or what they were


    doing, all the Riveras scattered across the globe had 1 return to came back for a meal with Grandpa


    Hudson. This tradition had never been broken over the years.


    ording to Hudson, it was sharing meals that kept the family bond strong and prevented rifts.


    However, greed and ugliness in human nature couldn’t always be tamed by a simple dinner.


    Skyler, and Zavier were thest to arrive at the gathering after school, having been dyed by traffic.


    As soon as Kalene ushered the youngsters through the door, they were greeted by Jillian’s teasing


    voice. “I missed Zavier’s engagement partyst time because I was tied up. But I heard that the Blue


    family’s daughter is quite the catch-smooth skin, a beautiful face, legs for days, and a waist so slender,


    any man would be lucky to hold her. Our Zavier is a fortunate man indeed.”


    Her words seemed like a joke, but in reality, she was implying that Skyler was merely using her charms


    to get what she wanted.


    Skyler, still young and in someone else’s house, blushed crimson and didn’t speak up for herself.


    Unexpectedly, Zavier spoke up. Perhaps not for her, but because insulting her also insulted him.


    “Jillian, don’t assume everyone is like you,” he said firmly.


    Jillian whirled around, her gaze flitting from Zavier to Skyler, “Well, Zavier, and what kind of person do


    you think I am?”


    Zavier could have made a scene right then and there, but Kalene nudged him discreetly and introduced


    Skyler to Jillian, “Skyler, this is Jillian, Zavier’s aunt.”


    Despite her reservations, Skyler stepped forward politely, “Nice meeting you, Jillian.”


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Great to see you too. What a delightful young woman you are,” Jillian cooed, taking Skyler’s hand and


    giving it a firm squeeze.


    Skyler’s hands, calloused from years of practicing various musical instruments, felt rough in Jillian’s


    grasp.


    Jillian deliberately squeezed where the calluses were thickest. Skyler winced and tried to pull away, but


    Jillian’s grip only tightened, “My dear, what’s with all these calluses on your hands?”


    Skyler tried to pull away again without sess, “Well, it’s from ying musical instruments for many


    years.”