“Thank you, Grandpa.” Zavier turned to look at Skyler. Despite having a thousand words on his mind, he simply uttered a brief sentence. “Skyler, you just hang tight here, okay? I’ll be back before you know it.”
Hudson waved dismissively, “You’re a grown man. Stop fussing like an old maid. Go and handle your business. You can only protect the ones you love when you’ve got your own affairs sorted.”
No sooner had he left than Skyler heard Hudson’s sobering words, “Skyler, the Blue family going bust means you’re no longer playing in the same league as the Riveras, you get that, right?”
Hudson seemed pleased, “I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
Skyler laughed bitterly, “I just wish I wasn’t so clear on the situation right now.”
Hudson continued, “You’re a good kid, a real catch for any regular family. It’s just a damn shame that my grandson Zavier’s got too much on his plate.”
The implication was subtle, but to Skyler, it already felt too direct, “What would you like me to do, Grandpa?”
The thought of breaking up the kids himself did make Hudson’s heart twinge, but that was nothing compared to the future of Rivera Inc. “We’re at a critical juncture. Zavier’s reputation can’t afford the slightest scratch. It’d be better for his image if you’re the one to call off the engagement.”
“Hudson,” Skyler’s address to him shifted with the gravity of the moment, “Did you even discuss this with Zavier before making your decision? Does he want this?”
She forced a smile, “If this was Zavier’s wish, I wouldn’t hesitate. But we both know he has no intention of calling off our engagement. He trusts you completely, and that’s why he left me in your care. If he knew you’d tricked me here, then sent him away, knowing his temper, he’d resent you for sure.”
Hudson gripped his coffee mug a little tighter, his tone even, “So you want him to resent
Skyler was taken aback, “I don’t want him to hate you, but your actions will lead to that.”
Hudson deflected, making it about her choice, Whether Zavier resents me is entirely down to what you decide.”
Skyler was silent. She had thought Hudson genuinely cared for her happiness with Zavier, but reality was a stark reminder that in the face of great interests, she was always expendable.
However, that wasn’t anyone’s fault. If their positions were reversed, she might have made the same call as Hudson.
Hudson pressed on, “Skyler, I know you’re a good girl. I know you have your own aspirations, and I know you want to break free from the Blue family’s control and take your sister out of there. As long as you promise me and take the initiative to propose the annulment of the engagement with Zavier, I can make all these come true.”
Two years ago, when they were arranging the engagement between Zavier and her, no one asked them in advance if they were willing. Now that Hudson wanted them to annul the marriage, again, no one had asked them in advance if they were willing.
Whether it was getting engaged or breaking it off, Zavier and Skyler, the two people it concerned most, had the least say.
Skyler felt a bitter laugh coming on but fought back tears instead, “Mr. Hudson, do I have another choice?”
Hudson delivered the ultimatum with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Unless you want to never see your sister again.”
Chapter 1749
Back then, the Blue family arranged a marriage for her in the Capital, using her younger sister to threaten her. Now, the Riveras wanted to dissolve the engagement, again using her sister as leverage.
Everyone knew her younger sister was her Achilles’ heel, and everyone could manipulate her as they pleased.
She had never had a second option to choose from.
Skyler stared at Hudson with bloodshot eyes, but Hudson remained eerily calm as he met her gaze. He knew all too well that she had no other choice but to agree to his terms.
Skyler bit her lip so hard it turned white before she finally released the pressure. “Hudson, can you give me a few more days to think about it?”
Hudson smiled, “Zavier will be tied up for the next few days and certainly won’t have time to return. I’ll give you twenty-four hours to decide. Once that time is up, I expect the answer I want.”
His words effectively extinguished any hope she held onto, but she was still not ready to give up. She pulled out her cell phone to call Zavier, only to find she had no signal.e2
Hudson pointed upstairs with a smile, “We’ve installed a signal jammer in the house. You won’t be able to make any outgoing calls. If you receive any calls, we might let you answer as long as you watch what you say.”
This move by Hudson effectively severed her contact with Zavier. Without a connection to Zavier, she was left to fight alone. And how could she, alone, outsmart the cunning Hudson?
In an instant, Skyler felt as if an iron grip had tightened around her throat, and no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.
Hudson continued, “Good girl, if you truly care for Zavier, then you surely know what’s best for him. Unless you don’t really love him at all, and you’re only with him to escape the clutches of the Blues.”
Skyler clenched her fists tightly, “Respecting him, considering his wishes, that’s what’s truly best for him.”
“Respect him? If he fails, who will respect him then? Once he successfully takes over Rivera Inc., who would dare not to? We both know this world is survival of the fittest.” Hudson’s smile was no longer the gentle facade Skyler knew but a chilling sharpness.
This version of Hudson sent shivers down her spine. It took her a long while to find her voice again, “But it was you who initially pushed for the alliance between the Riveras and the Blues. I don’t understand why you now want us to split now.”
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Chapter
Hudson replied, “How can you not understand? You know better than anyone that when I encouraged Zavier to ally with the Blues, it was because Zavier wasn’t yet strong enough to challenge Matthew and Owen head-on. He needed to keep his edge hidden. Back then, marrying into a less powerful family was a form of protection for Zavier. Now that Zavier has the strength to vie for Rivera Inc., and he’s determined to win, what he needs is a partner who can help him in this battle. If the Blues had maintained their status, even if they couldn’t assist Zavier, at least they wouldn’t hold him back.”
Hudson’s gaze on Skyler sharpened menacingly, “But your family have declared bankruptcy at this critical moment. To outsiders, it’s as if Zavier has lost an arm. If Zavier doesn’t cut ties with the Blues quickly, those who support him will undoubtedly waver. I love my grandson, and I can’t bear to see him lose in this battle for succession.”
Skyler understood all of this perfectly well.
Chapter 1750
But deep down, she clung to a sliver of hope, hoping there was another path she could take. For more than two years, she had been engaged to Zavier, and for at least that long, he had treated her with kindness and respect.
Zavier was the one who made her believe not everyone in the world was out to get her, that there was someone willing to cherish and respect her.
He would often reassure her, “Scaredy-cat, from now on, I’ve got your back. You don’t need to fear anything. Just focus on your music. You’ve got talent, and I believe you’ll make it big.”
He also promised, “Scaredy-cat, once I take over Rivera Inc., I’ll bring your sister to the Capital. No one will ever threaten you again.”
And he had once teased, “I must be out of my mind to fall for a scaredy-cat like you.”
He said he loved her. He said he wanted to marry her. They had agreed that a little over a year from now, once she graduated from college, they would go and get their marriage license. Everything was moving according to plan, so how had it turned out like this?
Ironically, it was her most despised, the Blue family, who had brought her to Zavier’s side. And it was again the Blue family that forced her to leave him.e2
Hudson insisted, “Skyler, if you truly love Zavier and wish him well, then you should stand
on the same side as me.”
Skyler let out the frustration that had been building inside her before replying slowly, “Of course, I truly like Zavier, and of course, I wish the best for him, but I don’t think your approach is what’s best for Zavier.”
Hudson’s expression darkened, “Then tell me, what would be best for Zavier? Indulge him in sensual pleasures? To see him defeated in this competitive battle? Do you understand what he’ll have to face if he fails?”
Skyler knew, but how she wished she didn’t. Then she could rebel just this once.
Hudson, sensing her inner turmoil, continued to persuade her, “Skyler, Zavier’s father and brother are gone. He must finish what they started. He can’t afford a single misstep before he takes over Rivera Inc. If he still holds you in his heart and wants to bring you back when all this is over, then no one will be able to stop you from becoming his wife.”
At these words, Skyler chuckled, “You know Zavier’s temperament better than I do.”
Skyler understood everything, yet for the sake of her sister and what Hudson claimed was best for Zavier, she was coerced into playing Hudson’s game with Zavier.
The Capital was frigid, and so was Skyler’s heart, yet Zavier’s touch was scorching.
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Chapter 1750
That night, it felt like she had walked through the gates of hell and back. She knew Zavier was furious, yet she still managed to utter a sentence that pierced his heart as they lay together.
“Zavier, no matter how much I despise the Blue family, they are still my flesh and blood. I don’t want to see the Blue family ruined. I want to see them rise again. Don’t hate me for playing you like this, but I must carry the Rivera family’s heir to secure my place as your wife and give the Blue family a chance to stand tall once more.”
Zavier glared at her with bloodshot eyes, as if he wanted to devour her alive, “You’d choose the Blue family, who treat you like a pawn, over me?”
She wanted to say that wasn’t true.
She wanted to say she chose him.
But she couldn’t.
She managed a smile and said, “In the end, we’re together, isn’t that all that matters?”
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Chapter 1751
“In the end, we’re together, isn’t that all that matters?”
As Zavier echoed Skyler’s words, he suddenly reached out and tightened his grip around her neck, a dangerous breath hot against her ear. “Skyler, repeat what you just said.”
His grip was so intense that Skyler instantly struggled to breathe, her face turning a deep shade of red. Yet, she defiantly met his gaze. “Was there something wrong with what I said?”
Zavier’s voice was icy. “What do you think?”
Skyler tried to wriggle free but failed. “Zavier, if you can’t handle the truth, I can go back to telling sweet little lies to keep you happy.”
She couldn’t finish her sentence before the hand on her neck squeezed tighter, so tight she thought he might snap her neck at any second. “Zavier.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.e2
After what felt like an eternity, an eternity that seemed to drag her through the depths of hell, Zavier finally let go. He stared at her, his expression as dark as if he’d just stepped out of the underworld. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you die. I’ll just play with you slowly, make you wish you were dead.”
Skyler was overwhelmed by a wave of pain once again. She didn’t know how long she suffered, or how she eventually fell asleep, but when she woke up, she was in a dark, gloomy room. It was pitch-dark, the kind of darkness where you can’t even see your own, hands.
Disoriented, Skyler tried to get out of bed to find a light switch or draw back the curtains, but even the slightest movement brought a fresh onslaught of agonizing pain, making it nearly impossible to get up.
Enduring the excruciating pain, she managed to get out of bed. Unable to see the switch or the windows, she groped around in the dark, inch by inch. Despite her searching, she couldn’t find a light switch or even locate the windows.
A terrifying premonition slowly crept over her. She moved back to the bed, hoping to find her phone for some light. Her situation worsened – her phone was nowhere to be found. She was trapped in a pitch-dark cage, cut off from any source of light and any connection to the outside world.
With no other choice, Skyler lay back down on the bed. Time passed indeterminably until she finally heard a faint sound.
Skyler immediately got up and saw a door, blending seamlessly with the wall, slowly opening. Light flooded into the room, blinding her, and she instinctively raised her hand to
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Chapter 1751
shield her eyes. As she gradually lowered her hand, she saw a stoic woman standing in the doorway.
Skyler, barefoot, rushed toward the woman. “Where am I? Where’s Zavier?”
The woman handed Skyler a tray of food. “This is your lunch. From now on, I’ll be bringing your meals three times a day.”
Skyler demanded, “Where’s Zavier? Where is this place? Who locked me up here?”
The woman ignored her questions and pushed the tray of food closer. “Are you eating or not?”
Skyler persisted, “Where am I?”
The woman’s patience waned, and she frowned, ready to retract the tray. “If you’re not eating, I’ll take the food away.”
“Unless you let me out, I won’t eat a thing.” No sooner had Skyler made her defiant declaration than her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble.
Before the woman could turn away, Skyler grabbed the tray. Her body was her own, and if she didn’t care for it, how could she expect anyone else to?
No matter what, she needed to eat well now and keep her strength up.
Chapter 1752
The woman glanced at her with a sneer, a scornful grunt escaping her lips. “Hmph.”
Clutching the meal box tightly, Skyler asked once more before the door shut, “Where’s Zavier? Is he the one keeping me locked up here?”
The woman didn’t bother answering Skyler; she just closed the door and walked away.
Thankfully, a lamp was left on inside the room, allowing Skyler to eat the food the woman had brought in the light. The meal was hearty enough, but as Skyler chewed, there was only one taste that overwhelmed her senses bitterness. But no matter how bitter, she
had to eat. She wanted to live.
There was a camera in the solitary room, and right after Skyler finished her meal, the door opened again, the woman’s face expressionless as she collected the utensils.
Skyler thought about making a run for it while the woman was off guard, but a single sentence from her extinguished that thought. “If you manage to get out of here, you won’t make it past the front door,” the woman said coldly.
Skyler’s step halted, and she turned to look at the woman, pleading, “I want to see
Zavier.”e2
“Do you think you can see Zavier just because you want to?” The woman dropped the biting comment and walked out with the tray.
The light went out again, plunging the room into darkness. Skyler lay back down on the bed, losing track of time once more until the woman came back with another meal.
This cycle repeated day after day. Without sunlight or any way to tell time, Skyler could only keep track of the days by the number of meals brought to her.
One day, two days, three days… ten days, twenty days…
Time slipped by, and Skyler’s appetite worsened. About a month later, she couldn’t stomach anything. Everything she ate came right back up, and her hair began to fall out in clumps.
Without a mirror in the room, Skyler didn’t know what she looked like, only that her body wouldn’t hold out much longer. So, when the door opened again, she lunged at the entrance with a weak, desperate cry, “Let me out. I don’t want to die in this lightless cage.” “Die?” A dark, male voice suddenly echoed above her.
Skyler struggled to look up. It wasn’t the woman who brought her meals but Zavier. He no longer bore any resemblance to the man Skyler once knew. His gaze was frightening. He stood before her like a sovereign lord looking down at his slave. “Do you really wish to die?”
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Chapter 1752
Skyler wanted to laugh, but tears betrayed her, spilling out uncontrollably. “Zavier.”
Zavier slowly crouched down, his hand gripping her chin. “It’s been so long, and you still recognize me. Should I be pleased?”
Skyler wanted to swat his hand away, but she had no strength left. She just lay on the ground, looking up at him. “When I die, could you bury me somewhere with sunlight?”
She curled up miserably, “I hate cold and darkness. If I can’t see the light while I’m alive, at least let me have it in death.”
Before she could finish, Zavier suddenly picked her up. “Skyler, those who deceive me don’t get off easy, even in death.”
“You’re insane!” Skyler retorted.
“You’re not the first to think that,” Zavier replied coldly.
Skyler knew she should never have used normal logic to guess Zavier’s thoughts; he never played by the rules.
Based on Hudson’s analysis and her own understanding of Zavier, she had expected him to call off their engagement once he found out he’d been played.
But Zavier didn’t. Instead, he locked her away in a place devoid of daylight. And when her body was on the brink, he whisked her away to the town hall at breakneck speed to pick up a marriage certificate.
Chapter 1753
Staring at the marriage certificate in front of her, Skyler hadn’t yet escaped the grips of her own terror when she heard Zavier’s words, “Just keep me happy, and I might just help the Blue family rise again.”
Skyler couldn’t care less about the fate of the Blue family; she wished for nothing more than their downfall. It was her sister Iris who mattered to her the most. “What about my sister? She must have tried to get in touch with me. If she couldn’t reach me, she must be worried.”
“Dead,” Zavier said bluntly.
Skyler’s heart seemed to stop for a second. “What did you say?”
Zavier let out a small chuckle, leaning close to whisper in her ear, “I said, your precious little sister is dead.”
“You’re lying!” Skyler blurted out.
“Sent by your precious Blue family to please some high roller. They played too rough, ended up killing her,” Zavier said with a tone of mock regret.e2
In that instant, Skyler felt as if she could hear the sound of her heart shattering. Drained of all strength, she collapsed to the floor, wanting to ask more but finding herself voiceless. She feared hearing even more brutal truths, knowing full well her own family was capable of such inhumanity.
In a hazy daze, Skyler faintly heard Zavier’s voice tinged with a rare urgency, “Skyler, I’m taking you to the hospital now. You better hang on for dear life, cause if I haven’t given you permission to die, you better not even think about it. If you die, I’ll bring down the entire Blue family.”
Whatever else he said was lost to her; she didn’t care to listen, as a buzzing noise filled her
ears.
When she came to, Skyler was lying in a hospital bed, a TV hanging on the wall across from her. She immediately turned it on, catching a news flash.
Nora was being arrested on suspicion of murder. Could Nora have something to do with the deaths of Zavier’s brother and father?
Before Skyler could see more, the door opened. Thinking it was Zavier, she quickly turned off the TV in fright, but to her surprise, it was Marissa, Zavier’s caretaker. “Ms. Skyler, I made you your favorite soup. Come on, have some.”
Skyler shook her head weakly, “I’m not hungry.
“You’ve been out for days, surviving on IV drips. You need to eat something.” Marissa set down her thermos and cranked the bed upright. “Silly child, just a month, and how much
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Chapter 1753
weight you’ve lost…”
Seeing Skyler’s gaunt appearance, Marissa’s eyes welled up with tears. “You don’t need to worry about the Blue family with Zavier around.”
It seemed Marissa was unaware of the truth, and Skyler had no intention of enlightening her. Taking the soup bowl, she sipped a little, then casually inquired, ‘Marissa, about
Nora…*
The mention of that name set Marissa off into a tirade, “That Nora, no good, after all the kindness Mr. and Mrs. had shown her, who would have thought she’d stab the family in the back.
Thank goodness for Zavier, he’s so capable. Not only did he seize control of Rivera Inc., but he also exposed that murderer.”
From Marissa’s lips, Skyler pieced together the events that had unfolded during her captivity. Zavier swiftly seized control of Rivera Inc.. Subsequently, he exposed the culprit responsible for the tragic deaths of his father and brother.
Marissa was usually reserved, but now she couldn’t stop talking about it, only pausing when she heard Zavier’s cough.
Both women were startled. Marissa recovered first, “Oh, Zavier, you’re here. I should get going.”
Once Marissa left, Skyler lost all appetite, not wanting another sip of soup. As she went to cover the bowl, Zavier’s voice cut through the silence, “Finish that soup.”
His voice was cold and deep, making Skyler shiver with fear.
“You wanted to marry me, have my children, and help the Blue family rise from the ashes. I’ve given you all that,” Zavier moved closer, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “From now on, your life is mine. Get better, so you’re ready whenever I need you.”
Chapter 1754
Skyler said nothing, just picked up her spoon and continued to sip her soup.
Taking in her frail figure, Zavier spoke again. “Your sister hasn’t…”
He could hardly bring himself to say the word “died” when Skyler abruptly looked up at him, “My sister? I have a sister?”
Zavier was at a loss for words. She didn’t remember having a sister?
The news of her “sister’s death” had overwhelmed her with grief. She had fainted and then slept soundly for an entire week. Upon waking, she was eerily calm.
He should have known something was wrong. Was she truly unable to remember? Or was she pretending, putting on a show just for him?
Zavier couldn’t be sure. The only thing he was certain of was the immense hurt his lie had
caused her.e2
Memories of the past flickered through Zavier’s mind like scenes from a movie, relentless -and vivid. He had known for years the real reason why Skyler had been manipulating him.
He knew everything and yet, he hurt her like a madman.
Even after she had fled from him, wounded by his actions, he failed to see his own mistakes until she faked her own death to escape from his life completely.
That was when he truly realized the extent of his folly over the years. That was when he understood the depth of the pain he had inflicted upon her.
All Skyler ever wanted was simple. It’s to live well, to live with dignity. That was all.
And he had destroyed her most cherished sense of self-worth, keeping her like a pet. She
had lived a life worse than death.
In the two years following her ‘death’, he had been a shell of a man. Holding onto a sliver of hope that Skyler was still alive, he searched for her across the globe, as hope dwindled, ever so faintly. Just when he thought he could never find her again, there she was before his very eyes.
Zavier gazed intently at the woman under the distant streetlamp. Even from afar, even though the view wasn’t clear, his heart pounded violently in his chest. It was as if he had been brought back to life.
Zavier suddenly began to cough violently. Garrett, who was behind him, quickly stepped forward to support him, “Zavier.”
Zavier’s eyes remained fixed on the woman under the streetlamp, “Is that Skyler? Is Skyler really still alive?”
He was terrified. Terrified it was just a dream, afraid that upon waking, he would be alone
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Garrett assured him, “It’s Skyler! Skyler is truly alive!”
Zavier seemed not to hear what Garrett was saying, repeating, “Is Skyler truly alive?”
Garrett said, “If you don’t believe it, let’s go to her. The moment you touch her, you’ll believe that Skyler is indeed alive.”
Garrett moved to guide Zavier forward, but after just one step, Zavier froze, “I can’t go over
there. I can’t disturb her life now.”
Garrett looked at Zavier with puzzled eyes, “You’ve searched for her for two whole years. Now that we’ve finally found her, why…”
Before he could finish, Zavier clutched his chest and began coughing violently again. Amidst the coughing, a mouthful of fresh blood spilled from his lips.
Garrett was startled, “Zavier, what’s happening to you?”
Even as his body weakened to the point of barely standing, Zavier’s eyes remained fixed on the woman under the streetlamp.
After she led her friends inside, leaving the spot empty, he still could not look away. He whispered, “I’m scared.”
Garrett was even more confused, “We’ve found her, what are you still afraid of?”
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Zavier was afraid of so many things.
Chapter 1755
Fear gnawed at him fear of losing control again and hurting Skyler.
Fear that Skyler would run away from him once more.
Fear that he might never even catch a glimpse of Skyler again.
Just fear…
Sensing his silent turmoil, Garrett grew impatient. “Zavier.”
Zavier waved him off, “Find a hotel and get some rest. I need some solitude.”e2
“How can I leave you alone in this state?” Garrett glanced at the small house nearby. “Skyler and the others have gone inside. You can’t see her from here, what’s the point in staying?”
Zavier replied, “Just knowing she’s there, that she’s alive, that’s enough for me.”
Garrett sighed, “You’re hopelessly romantic, you know that?”
At that, something clicked in Zavier’s mind. “Garrett, you go right now and arrange for men to monitor the area for miles around. I have to know Skyler’s whereabouts at all times. She can’t vanish from my life again. But remember, she mustn’t notice. We can’t disturb her life.”
“Alright, I’m on it.” Garrett shook his head as he left.
Back in college, Garrett had thought Zavier was the least likely to be tied down by love. Now, it seemed Zavier was the only one ensnared by it. Some people might seem crazy and heartless, but they were the most devoted in love.
After Garrett left, Zavier, with trembling hands, lit a cigarette and took a harsh drag. “Skyler, I know I’m a bastard. I know everything. I could have explained it all to you, but I chose a path that hurt us both.”
Back then, Zavier knew everything. He knew that Skyler had tricked him under her grandfather’s coercion. He knew it all.
He could have chosen to talk it out with her, but instead, he hurt her in the most extreme way. Because he thought, in Skyler’s world, her sister would always come first. He would always be second to her sister.
Until the day Skyler faked her own death and he saw her young sister again, now grown up and the spitting image of eighteen-year-old Skyler. Not just in looks, but even the timid demeanor was identical to Skyler’s. That was when he had his epiphany, In Skyler’s heart, her sister was another version of herself. She didn’t want her sister to live in constant fear as she had.
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Despite being barely an adult herself and unable to escape the clutches of her own family, she did everything she could to protect her sister. She refused to let her sister suffer as
she had.
He knew all of this, yet he let jealousy drive him to wound her so grievously. He could still vividly recall the light dying in Skyler’s eyes when he told her that her sister was dead.
After that, she never mentioned Iris in front of him again, and to this day, he didn’t know if she had truly forgotten her sister.
He had consulted psychologists who told him that some people choose to forget certain events because they’re too painful to remember. Maybe Skyler had indeed forgotten Iris. Otherwise, how could she bear to fake her own death?
It was his selfishness, his jealousy, his madness, and his obsession that made her decade with him akin to living in hell.
“Skyler, I know I made a mistake. Is there any chance for me?” Hot tears rolled down from Zavier’s bloodshot eyes.
He knew, all too well, that regret was the one thing you couldn’t buy in this world.
