Chapter 1637: Chapter 1637

Chapter 1637

“Mom, don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Zavier’s eyes suddenly turned icy, a chill forming in an instant. “If my brother’s death was foul play, I’ll make whoever was behind it wish they were never born.”

Kalene believed in her son’s abilities, but he was still too young and not yet strong enough. It was all too easy for him to be harmed by the world. “I believe in you, honey, but…”.

Zavier knew what his mother wanted to say and cut her off, “Mom, whether it’s just for show or not, I can’t marry the Blue family’s daughter.”

Zavier wasn’t the eldest son in the family, and the heavy responsibilities of the thriving Rivera empire had never been destined for him. Not being the heir apparent to Rivera Inc. meant that the family’s expectations of him were naturally less stringent.

He was the cherished child, raised in a cocoon of affection that perhaps led to his reckless streak.

Kalene knew her son’s nature all too well. She hoped he could live freely, but now, many things were out of their hands. She raised her hand to touch Zavier’s face tenderly. “Zavier, I won’t force you into a marriage you don’t want, but… could you maybe consider having a child with her?”

The slight smile on Zavier’s lips vanished as quickly as it appeared as if it had never been there at all. “Mom, I don’t love her. I won’t marry her. How could I have a child with her?”e2

Kalene pressed on, “Who says you need to be in love to have a child? Your Uncle Matthew fathered a child before he got married, didn’t he?”

Zavier retorted, “Mom, would you have accepted Dad if he had a child with another woman before marrying you?”

Kalene shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

Zavier continued, “Someday, I’ll meet a girl I truly like. I want to offer her the purest affection, without any shadows hanging over us.”

Kalene understood but still attempted to persuade Zavier. “Zavier, you’re a Rivera, not just anyone. If you stand tall enough, no one will care about the past.”

Zavier replied, “Mom, others might not care, but I would. I don’t want my child to be a bargaining chip. Look at Uncle Matthew’s son; he’s living a life that’s

neither here nor there.”

Kalene tried another angle. “He may have tried, but his child was born after your brother. Had I borne a girl, everything would’ve changed. Plus, your grandfather’s getting on in years, and his greatest wish is to see the Rivera legacy continue. If you and the girl Grandpa has chosen for you could give him a great-grandson, he’d hand you the reins of the Rivera empire.”

Zavier replied, “Yes, a great-grandson would please Grandpa, and I could shortcut my way to the head of the Rivera family. But have you considered where that leaves Skyler? She’s a living, breathing person, not a tool for the Rivera family to continue its line.”

Kalene said bitterly, “The Blue family doesn’t see her as a person. Why should we?”

That comment made Zavier pause. He looked at Kalene as if she were a stranger. Raised in a golden cradle, his parents and brother had always been kind to him. In his heart, they were all good, loving people. He had forgotten that he only saw what they allowed him to see. The side he didn’t see was cold and frightening.

Kalene asked, “Why are you staring at me like that, Zavier?”

He shook his head, smiling faintly. “Mom, I’ll handle the matter with the Blue girl. Don’t worry about our affairs anymore.”

Kalene tried one last time. “And the matter of the child…”

Zavier cut her off, “Mom, even if I’m not as outstanding as my elder brother in your eyes, believe that I’m not a pawn to be played with. What you want isn’t what I want-I have my own ways, my own means to claim it, and it won’t be through fathering a child with a woman.”

Kalene knew the path he chose was a hard one. “Do you know how tough that road is?”

Zavier replied firmly, “No matter how tough, I’d rather walk it than be manipulated forever.”

Kalene wanted to argue further but knew her son’s mind was set. “Son, whatever happens, Skyler was chosen for you by Hudson. Think carefully about how you handle her future.”