Chapter 1636: Chapter 1636

Chapter 1636

Two days flew by in the blink of an eye.

Zavier hadn’t been home these past two days, and Skyler had been cooped up in her room with her nose buried in books, only descending to the dining room for meals.

Today was the day she was supposed to register at the university. She woke up at the crack of dawn, and after a quick breakfast, she was ready to leave. Marissa watched Skyler pack her bags, seemingly on the verge of sharing a wealth of unsaid advice, but in the end, she simply said, “Miss Skyler, why don’t you wait a moment? I’ll arrange for the driver to take you.”

Skyler replied, “Marissa, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I don’t have much luggage; I can just hail a cab.”

With only her violin and a small suitcase in tow, Skyler preferred not to be a burden to the Rivera family whenever possible.

Unexpectedly, Zavier, who had been absent for the last couple of days, suddenly appeared at the front door. He glanced at Skyler’s luggage without a word and ascended the stairs.e2

Marissa felt awkward on Skyler’s behalf, but Skyler acted as if everything was normal. “Marissa, I’m off then.”‘

“I’ll walk you out,” Marissa offered.

“There’s no need to bother.”

Marissa could tell Skyler genuinely didn’t want to be a nuisance and didn’t press further. She watched her leave, only to turn around and find Zavier standing right behind her. She didn’t even know when he had come down. “Mr. Zavier…”

“Have the driver take her to the university. We can’t have people saying the Rivera family mistreats a young girl.”

Upon hearing this, Marissa’s face lit up with joy. “I’ll call the driver right away”

After the call, Marissa added, “Mr. Zavier, Skyler seems timid and fragile, but I think she’s actually quite strong-willed and determined…”

“So what? Are you also trying to convince me to obediently marry her?” Zavier countered.

“I didn’t mean that. It’s just… she’s a young girl who’s just come of age and has been sent here to the Capital all alone. It’s quite pitiable. Since you’ll be at the same university, could you maybe look out for her a bit more?”

Zavier pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. “There are plenty of pitiable people out there.”

Marissa was about to say more when the doorbell rang. “That couldn’t be Miss Skyler returning, could it?”

The next moment, through the peephole, she saw Kalene standing at the door. “Mr. Zavier, your mother is here.”

Zavier remained silent.

Marissa hurriedly opened the door and stepped out to greet Kalene. Quickly, she ushered the visitor inside.

Kalene entered and immediately asked, “I just saw Skyler on the road. Where is she off to?”

“Miss Skyler is moving to the university dorms,” Marissa explained.

“Marissa, you may leave us. I want to have a word with Zavier alone.” After dismissing Marissa, Kalene sat next to Zavier and gently ruffled his hair. “My

son…”

Zavier stubbornly shrugged off Kalene’s hand. Kalene then gently patted his back. “I know you’re upset, my boy. I don’t want your marriage to be arranged any more than you do. But you know the state of our family right now.

“Your father has been devastated after your brother left us, and your grandfather favors your two uncles more. If it weren’t for your father being the eldest son, our branch of the Rivera family might have lost its place long ago.

“All our hopes are pinned on you now. You’re an adult; you can’t always act on impulse, or your grandfather will eventually cast you aside.”

Zavier crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. “Mom, what matters more to you, me or the Rivera family fortune?”

“Of course, you matter more.” Kalene’s eyes welled up as she looked at Zavier’s face. It was so similar to his older brother’s. “I’ve already lost your brother; you’re my only child now. You are my life.”

“I’m your life?” Zavier gave a wry smile, tinged with desolation. “Yet you chose the Rivera family fortune over me.”

Kalene, with tears in her eyes, insisted, “The Rivera family fortune and you were never a choice of one over the other. Your brother started working with your father in the family business when he was just fifteen. They worked tirelessly all these years, and Rivera Inc. has grown stronger under their leadership.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away. “After your brother’s death, before we could even grieve, the board, led by your uncles, stripped your father of his position. I absolutely refuse to believe your brother’s death was an accident.”