Chapter 1715: Chapter 1715

Chapter 1715

Skyler felt a pang of sympathy for Zavier, though she couldn’t quite understand the depth of his pain. She suspected that, unlike her, he had known affection at some point in his life.

Zavier spoke again, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability beneath its calm veneer. “It hasn’t been that long. I’ve lost my brother, and now my dad’s gone too. Mom’s had a breakdown, and she’s bedridden.”

Despite his stoic delivery, Skyler’s heart ached for him. Instinctively, she reached out and placed her hand gently atop his. “Zavier, if you don’t mind that I’m not of much use, I could be your friend. We could stand together and change this twisted fate that was never meant for us.”

Zavier turned, his icy gaze meeting Skyler’s naive yet resolute eyes, making her feel slightly uneasy. “If you don’t want to, just pretend I never said anything.”

“You want to be my friend, to stand with me, but do you even know what I’m up against?” he asked.

“Does it matter?” Skyler replied.

“You might end up like my brother and father, gone in the blink of an eye, “e2

Skyler’s mouth dropped open as she realized the implication. “Are you saying there was foul play involved in your father and brother’s deaths?”

Zavier’s smile was cold. “Even if you are scared, you’ve got no way out now. The Blue Family sent you to be my wife. Like it or not, we’re in the same boat now.”

Skyler bit her lip, her eyes fierce with determination. “I’m not scared.”

“Really?” he asked.

“I’ve always wanted to live a life of dignity and freedom. No matter what happens, I remind myself that nothing is more important than life itself. But sometimes, I feel that living in such a wretched way is worse than dying.”

“Coward,” Zavier scoffed.

“But those thoughts are fleeting. I would never do something foolish. I have to live well, to live the life I want.”

Zavier looked at her, a rare smile breaking through. “Just don’t regret it.”

“I won’t.”

His gaze shifted back to the urn on the altar. “Who told you to come here?”

“My mother,” Skyler answered.

Zavier fell silent, having anticipated much of this.

After the passing of the eldest son, rumors spread that old man Hudson had been stricken with grief and bedridden.

The mourning lasted seven days, and throughout, no one saw Hudson. There were only two people Hudson would see, his private physician and his personal nutritionist.

Thus, Skyler only met Hudson after Samuel’s ashes were buried. She didn’t know how Hudson had coped these past few days, but

it was evident that his condition had worsened.

As the guests departed, the Rivera family remained at the manor.

Unexpectedly, all the major directors and executives of Rivera Inc. attended. Even without much understanding of such affairs, Skyler could tell they were there with a purpose that was far from friendly.

She sat quietly by Zavier’s side, not daring to utter a word amid the crowd.

Matthew, ever the opportunist, addressed Hudson. “Dad, your friends were concerned about your health and came to see how you’re doing