FreeNovel
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 playing?” he wondered aloud.
The butler, his face creased with a smile, replied, “That would be Miss Blue. Before you arrived, she even played
the piano for us. They say she’s a jack-of-all-trades when it comes 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.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe 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, playing 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 discomfort. 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 be complimentary, 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 to come 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 glanced 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 in-laws. Say hello.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
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.”
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 glance as she handed her violin to a servant and then sat down beside
Skyler.
She seemed obedient as a porcelain doll, devoid of any spark of life.
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