Chapter 1648: Chapter 1648

Chapter 1648

As Zavier leaned back against the worn leather of the booth at the local pub, the memory of Hudson’s call earlier that day grated on his nerves. “Zavier, you’re presenting with Skyler at the event. It was my doing. You’ve got no choice but to show up.”

Zavier knew all too well that it was a command from Hudson, and Skyler was merely a pawn in whatever game Hudson was playing.

The thought of Skyler’s petite frame, her vulnerability that seemed like a house of cards ready to collapse with the slightest gust, did little to soothe his restlessness. With a flick of his lighter, he lit a cigarette and took several deep drags, the smoke swirling around him like fleeting spirits.

Garrett slid into the seat opposite him, his presence a stark contrast to Zavier’s brooding silence. “Hey Zav, what do you think of my girlfriend?” He asked, a cheeky grin playing on his lips.

Exhaling a ring of smoke, Zavier’s response was dry and devoid of interest. “Which one?”

“Man, what’s that supposed to mean?” Garrett scoffed, pretending to be offended. “Sure, I’ve dated a few girls, but I’m not the kind to juggle. I always make a clean break before moving on to the next.”

Zavier shot him a cool glance. “Can’t live without a woman, can you?”e2

Garrett laughed it off. “You think everyone’s like you and plans to join a monastery or something? You’ve never had a girlfriend; you don’t know how sweet it is to have one. I can’t blame you for not understanding.”

Zavier just scoffed in response.

Pushing on, Garrett probed. “So, tell me, Zavier, what’s the deal with Skyler?”

Zavier’s hand stilled briefly at the mention of her name as he snuffed out his cigarette. “Is she your latest conquest?”

“Not yet,” Garrett smirked. “But she will be soon enough.”

“Do you even know who she is?” Zavier asked, his tone flat.

“No matter who she is, if I set my sights on her, she won’t escape my grasp…” Garrett boasted before a sudden realization dawned on him. “Wait, Zavier, you’re not trying to compete with me for her, are you?”

“You like her without even knowing her background?” Zavier finally said, his voice edged with disapproval.

Garrett shrugged it off. “Why bother with a background check when you’re not planning to marry the girl?”

Zavier just looked at him. His gaze conveyed all his thoughts about Garrett’s naivety.

Feeling unnerved under Zavier’s gaze, Garrett’s voice wavered. “She doesn’t have some ulterior motive, does she? She knows I’m a Horton, so is she playing the tutor to get close to me?”

Zavier merely snorted, too tired to deal with Garrett’s foolishness. Long exposure to such idiocy could be detrimental to one’s intellect.

Garrett, now sensing something was off, whipped out his phone and made a call. “Check out the girl who spoke at the school’s orientation today. Skyler. I want all the dirt on her, pronto.”

He didn’t need to wait for an answer, as the other end quickly informed him, “Dude, aren’t you Zavier’s best bro? How can you not know who Skyler is?”

Garrett’s mind went blank, failing to see the connection. “What’s my friendship with Zavier got to do with Skyler?”

The voice on the other end was patient. “Skyler is Zavier’s fiancée, you know, the one Hudson arranged for him a while back. Their joint presentation today? All orchestrated by Hudson.”

Garrett’s world spun. “What? Say that again…”

After getting confirmation, a sense of betrayal by his best friend washed over Garrett. He whirled around to confront Zavier, his eyes blazing. “You’re playing me, aren’t you, Zavier?”

“Who has the time to play you?” Zavier replied nonchalantly.

Garrett, feeling played and not getting the acknowledgment he wanted, exploded. “So, she’s your fiancée, and you meet at my place, acting as if you don’t know each other. And when I say I’m going after her, you don’t stop me… How Is that not messing with me?”

Calm as ever, Zavier simply replied, “Who said I acknowledged her as my fiancée?”