Chapter 1681


    Chapter 1681


    Not far away, a car was parked on the side of the road. Inside, Garrett looked over at Zavier with


    concern etching his features. “Zavier, you sure you don’t want to step in?”


    Zavier remained silent, unresponsive.


    Garrett pressed on, “Zavier, like it or not, Skyler is your fiancée. What if something happens to her?”


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    Zavier lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and exhaled slowly before he replied, “If she can’t handle this,


    how’s she gonna hold her own with the Riveras?”


    Garrett’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Zavier, those thugs out there are notorious bullies from the Capital.


    No one gets away from them unscathed. What if Skyler gets hurt? Can you live with yourself?”


    Still, Zavier said nothing, just smoked his cigarette.


    Garrett wouldn’t let up. “Are you hoping something happens to Skyler? So you can call off this


    engagement and send her back to the Blue family with some dignity?e2


    “Look, I know you’re not thrilled about this arranged marriage, but Skyler’s just as much a victim in this


    as you are. You can be mad at the world, but don’t take it out on her.


    “And Reid’s sister, is no angel either. Acts like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth when she’s with us, but


    behind our backs, she’s as vicious as theye.


    “Zavier, if you won’t save her, let me do it. If anything happens to Skyler… Ah, Zavier, are you even


    listening to me? Skyler’s the one who’s truly innocent here.


    “Zavier, you must know why Reid’s sister is after Skyler, right? It’s all because of you. Desiree got a


    thing for you, and Skyler’s caught in the middle, an object of her jealousy.”


    Garrett was on a roll, but Zavier remained silent, his brooding gaze fixed on Skyler, surrounded by


    three goons.


    That usually meek woman was surprisingly calm. Her slight frame stood tall, her voice clear and


    decisive, “I choose the first option.”


    Zavier’s lips twitched into a half-smile at her answer. Smart girl, he thought, ying her cards right.


    The thugs weren’t surprised by her choice; they seemed to have expected it. “Typical foolish girl! Did


    you really think we’d offer you a choice?”


    Skyler retorted, “Even in your world, a deal’s a deal.”


    The lead thug was growing impatient and signaled his cronies with a look. “Let’s get this over with, and


    quick.”


    Skyler clenched her fists, trying to remainposed. Her phone was in her purse, out of reach for a


    discreet call for help. She had to think of a way out before things escted. “How much did Desiree


    pay you?”


    The thug scoffed, “What? You trying to outbid her?”


    As long as they were willing to talk, Skyler had a chance. “I bet you don’t even know why Desiree sent


    you after me.”


    The thugughed, “We’re here for the cash. Why should we care about her reasons?”


    Skyler pressed on, “Do you even know who I am? Let me tell you, if anything happens to me, you’re all


    dead men walking”


    The lead thug’s face darkened, anger ring in his eyes. “Little girl, you can’t scare me. And today,


    you’ll learn what happens when you try to intimidate us – it’ll cost you double the pain.”


    Skyler continued, undeterred, “I think you should know about the Rivera family. Desiree has her sights


    set on Zavier, but I’m the one Hudson picked for him. If you mess with someone from the Rivera family,


    do you really think they’ll let you off easy?”


    The lead thug barked augh. “Ha! You’re Zavier’s fiancée? Like I’d believe that. Stop your squirming,


    girl. y nice, and maybe you’ll suffer less.”


    The tension was palpable as the stand-off continued, with Garrett still imploring Zavier to intervene. But


    Zavier’s expression was an unreadable mask, his thoughts hidden behind a cloud of cigarette smoke.