fantishu
Chapter 1617
Chapter 1617
Chapter 1617
Ten years ago…
Capital.
A young man named Dustin was absentmindedly polishing his pool cue, his gaze not on the billiard balls but fixed on Zavier, who was smoking in the corner. “Hey, bro, I heard the Blue family from down south sent a girl your way. Aren’t you curious to check her out? Why are you still hanging around here watching us play pool?”
At the mention of this, Zavier took a deep drag of his cigarette and crushed it into the ashtray with more force than necessary. “If you’re so desperate for a woman, why don’t you go marry her?”
Dustin chuckled, “I’d marry in a heartbeat, but Grandpa would never agree to it.”
Dustin was Zavier’s cousin, a year his junior. And it was this one year difference that ensured all the privileges of the Rivera family would never land on Dustin’s shoulders.
The Blue family was a prestigious clan from down south, while the Riveras were the wealthiest in the Capital. The marriage between the two families was no small affair; the elders had meticulously chosen the match.e2
After much deliberation, the Rivera family had settled on Zavier, and hence, the Blue family sent their eldest daughter, Skyler, to be his bride.
Zavier remained silent, picked up his cue, and began potting balls with such precision that he left no chance for anyone else to play.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
Once the game was over, his restlessness grew. He tugged at his collar irritably. “Let’s get out of here. I need a drink.”
“Sure thing,” Dustin said, grabbing his coat. His phone suddenly rang loudly from his pocket. “Dude, did you switch your phone off again? The butler’s looking for you and the call’s come through to me.”
Zavier didn’t respond and strode out.
Dustin quickly answered, “Hey, it’s me, Dustin… Yeah, yeah, Zavier’s with me… Look, he doesn’t even listen to Grandpa. What makes you think he’ll listen to me?”
Whatever was said on the other end made Dustin change his tone, “Alright, alright, I’ll drag him back if I have to.”
After hanging up, Dustin rushed after Zavier. “Big bro, Grandpa’s laid down the law. If you don’t head back now, he’s going to have you brought back in chains.”
Zavier didn’t break stride, completely unaffected. Dustin followed him into the elevator. “I hear the Blue girl is quite the looker, really pretty. Maybe you should just meet her once. Who knows, you might not want to let go once you see her.”
Zavier snapped, “Shut it!”
Dustin clamped his mouth shut.
They reached the underground parking level and as soon as they stepped out of the elevator, stern- faced security guards surrounded them. “Mr. Zavier, Old Mr. Rivera has sent us to escort you back.” It was phrased as a polite request, but the setup screamed abduction.
With a slight raise of his eyebrows and a wry smile, Zavier asked, “And what if I refuse to go with you?”
The bodyguard replied with a firm tone, “He has instructed us to ensure your return. Should you resist, we’ll have no choice but to forcefully take you.”
Knowing when to pick his battles, Zavier was well aware of his grandfather’s bodyguards’ capabilities. He wasn’t foolish enough to resist and so he obediently got into their
car.
About half an hour later, they arrived at the Rivera family mansion. The guards parked the car and were immediately greeted by the anxious butler. “Old Mr. Rivera is furious. Please, try to sweet-talk him, and don’t make him any angrier.”
Zavier inquired coldly, “Are my parents here too?”
The butler nodded. “Everyone’s discussing your marriage today. How could your parents miss it?”
Zavier snorted disdainfully. It’s his marriage, yet from start to finish, no one had bothered to ask for his opinion. They were forcing a girl he’d never met upon him to become
his wife.
What an era it was, yet he was still trapped in the sad expectation of obeying his parents wishes, marrying a girl he had never laid eyes on.