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Chapter 1748
Chapter 1748
“Thank you, Grandpa.” Zavier turned to look at Skyler. Despite having a thousand words on his mind, he simply uttered a brief sentence. “Skyler, you just hang tight here, okay? I’ll be back before you know it.”
Skyler offered a warm smile, “Okay.”
Then Zavier said to Hudson, “Grandpa, please look after Skyler for me.”
Hudson waved dismissively, “You’re a grown man. Stop fussing like an old maid. Go and handle your business. You can only protect the ones you love when you’ve got your own affairs sorted.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Zavier nodded, “Got it.”
Skyler gave him an encouraging smile, “Hurry back.”
And with that, Zavier was gone.
No sooner had he left than Skyler heard Hudson’s sobering words, “Skyler, the Blue family going bust means you’re no longer playing in the same league as the Riveras, you get that, right?”
Skyler nodded slowly, “I understand.”
Hudson seemed pleased, “I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
Skyler laughed bitterly, “I just wish I wasn’t so clear on the situation right now.”
Hudson continued, “You’re a good kid, a real catch for any regular family. It’s just a damn shame that my grandson Zavier’s got too much on his plate.”
The implication was subtle, but to Skyler, it already felt too direct, “What would you like me to do, Grandpa?”
The thought of breaking up the kids himself did make Hudson’s heart twinge, but that was nothing compared to the future of Rivera Inc. “We’re at a critical juncture. Zavier’s reputation can’t afford the slightest scratch. It’d be better for his image if you’re the one to call off the engagement.”
“Hudson,” Skyler’s address to him shifted with the gravity of the moment, “Did you even discuss this with Zavier before making your decision? Does he want this?”
She forced a smile, “If this was Zavier’s wish, I wouldn’t hesitate. But we both know he has no intention of calling off our engagement. He trusts you completely, and that’s why he left me in your care. If he knew you’d tricked me here, then sent him away, knowing his temper, he’d resent you for sure.”
Hudson gripped his coffee mug a little tighter, his tone even, “So you want him to resent me?”
Skyler was taken aback, “I don’t want him to hate you, but your actions will lead to that.”
Hudson deflected, making it about her choice, Whether Zavier resents me is entirely down to what you decide.”
Skyler was silent. She had thought Hudson genuinely cared for her happiness with Zavier, but reality was a stark reminder that in the face of great interests, she was always expendable.
However, that wasn’t anyone’s fault. If their positions were reversed, she might have made the same call as Hudson.
Hudson pressed on, “Skyler, I know you’re a good girl. I know you have your own aspirations, and I know you want to break free from the Blue family’s control and take your sister out of there. As long as
you promise me and take the initiative to propose the annulment of the engagement with Zavier, I can make all these come true.”
Two years ago, when they were arranging the engagement between Zavier and her, no one asked them in advance if they were willing. Now that Hudson wanted them to annul the marriage, again, no one had asked them in advance if they were willing.
Whether it was getting engaged or breaking it off, Zavier and Skyler, the two people it concerned most, had the least say.
Skyler felt a bitter laugh coming on but fought back tears instead, “Mr. Hudson, do I have another choice?”
Hudson delivered the ultimatum with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Unless you want to never see your sister again.”