ASHER
"Mr. Spellman. I understand your family feels wronged and humiliated. We can always find another way to settle those scores but reneging on our deal to expose Billion-Err is not a wise decision. It will only hurt us conglorates more and more in the future. Please. If you’re not interested in loaning us your best tech guys, then allow us to hire them briefly. That blog is the bane of our existence and must be exposed."
Mr. Hugh shook his head. "I don’t know, Asher. Seems to that Billion-Err is far more interested in dragging your family down more than any other billionaire family in this country. It mostly reports on you guys and your many, many secrets and sins." He let out a short laugh and swirled the glass of scotch in his hand. "Billion-Err appears to be a Rollins family problem from where I am sitting. Let’s be clear on that. I was only going to help as a gesture of goodwill because of the relationship our families were trying to establish but your asshole of a brother thought it wise to make a laughingstock. Give one good reason why I shouldn’t sit tight and enjoy the view as Billion-Err continues to find dirt on your family for Danvarr’s entertainnt and my company’s upliftnt?"
He’s right. I was kind of hoping he doesn’t clue in but nevertheless, I am prepared for this jab. I stare at him lounging on his sofa like a king and sit upright.
"Billion-Err may enjoy reporting on my family almost all the ti but that doesn’t an it would refuse to publish a juicy news tip about any other billionaire family in this country. You and I know how easily scandals can be created. My family has been the subject of attack because we have been running the business scene for years in Danvarr. Do you really think we will sit back and watch so other company knock us off our pedestal and enjoy success by default without putting up a fight?"
"Are you threatening ?" Hugh asks with a conspicuous twitch of his beard.
"Far from it. I am only reminding you of the dirty gas conglorates play to stay at the top. Of course, my family won’t stoop as low as creating scandals about you or your company but we do have a penchant for ticulously digging up long buried dirt. We only report the truth, Mr. Hugh. I wonder what we would find when we dig deep enough about the Spellman family. There’s no way you made it this far without soiling your hands in one way or another. Do you think Billion-Err would ignore a tip just because it isn’t about my family?" I indulge in a devious laugh as I rise to my feet and tug my suit close.
"I really hope you will have a change of heart, Mr. Hugh. We will make such good business partners." As I try to leave, his words make freeze.
"And you will make a very good son-in-law, Asher Rollins. It isn’t too late."
I grit my teeth before turning around slowly. "What was that?"
Hugh drops his drink and pulls himself to his feet. "It’s no secret that you were always my first and only pick for a son-in-law. None of your brothers match up to your business acun, work ethic and charm. You have your head screwed on straight and a tunnel vision focus on what matters. You lead with your head and not your heart, the very telltale sign of a formidable CEO in the making."
He pats my shoulder. "I don’t care what Mila saw in Ashton. She’s learnt her lesson that love is never enough and not as important as fierce commitnt. If you marry my daughter and turn this disgrace into a celebration, Spellman technologies can be your playground. Together, we will destroy that blog once and for all. We will dominate this country. I don’t have a male heir so you can be rest assured that you will be running the show in Spellman Group after . No need to jostle for the position with your brothers. It will all be yours. How does that sound?"
Long after I get into my car and drive away, I am still pondering Hugh’s offer. The irony of the situation is that a month ago, this would have been an easy YES. I might not have been thrilled but since it will help Rollins Group, I would accept it, because father will also welco the idea. However, I can’t understand the heaviness lodged in my chest. It’s the first ti I am feeling hesitant about slavishly obeying my father’s wishes.
I have my phone on silent because I don’t want to take father’s calls. Hugh must have conveyed the details of our discussion to him already. Father must be wondering why I didn’t imdiately accept it.
Sure, it will make things easier for him. He would have a good reason to hand Rollins Group over to his biological son, Josh. He would also have his finger in the pie called Spellman Group with my position as its CEO. His empire will expand. It’s a win-win for everyone except...?
It shouldn’t matter that I don’t love Mila. I don’t believe in love anyway so why do I feel like I am being used?
I laugh out loud in my car. "Asher, you’ve always been used so why is this any different?"
Ashal’s words start ringing in my head. Is this really how I want to carry on in my life after getting a second chance? Do I really want to work so hard and please so many people and still not be guaranteed to have anyone at my death bed? What would it an if I desired more? How would my life change if I bared my heart and gave love a chance? If I said NO to things that were unpleasant to do, like marrying the woman Ashton dumped? If I risked father’s anger by not treading the path he has charted for ?
What would happen? Would I feel happier? Should I prioritize my happiness over my family’s convenience? I shelve my thoughts to focus on the rest of my day.
I pull up in front of a house tucked away towards the outskirts of town. It’s surrounded by lush green plants and trees. I double check to ensure the address is right. Once confird, I get down from my car and head over to the front door.
It amazes how cool and collected I am being over this new approach I am adopting today. It is definitely not my style to show up at soone’s doorstep and, in spite of the anger bubbling within , attempt to have a civil conversation with them. A part of wants to be a brute and get this over with but I recall the promise I made to my brothers and keep still.
The door swings open.
"Hello, Liv."
***
"How did you find ?"
I smirk at her dumb question. She must have forgotten so soon but there were a few nuggets she shared with while being vulnerable over our first night together. She had talked about this little family vacation house as an escape hatch. I figured I’d check it myself while my n dug for information elsewhere.
My eyes drop to her little baby bump and when she sees , she pulls the shawl wrapping her shoulders over her tummy. We are sitting on a wooden bench overlooking a placid lake behind the house. The air is cool. The view is simple. It’s quiet all around us. I can see why she would co here. I can actually hear myself think. I could use a break from the bustling city right about now.
Liv steals a glance at . "Why aren’t you dragging back to that penthouse? Isn’t that why you are here, Asher?"
"Oh, trust , that was my initial plan."
"What changed?"
I shrug my shoulders. It sucks to be so predictable. Maybe I do need to switch things up.
"I want to hear your side of the story, Liv. Ashal gave you everything you asked for. Why’d you run?"
"I’m not sacrificing my sister for my own freedom!" she replied with red-rimd eyes. "I’d rather go back and live in that cage than let Maddi be his next victim."
The venom dripping from her words lances at my heart almost as much as it would have hurt Ashal’s if he were in my place right now. It gives a glimpse of how Ashal must feel around people who know about his weakness. His past actions will never be written off in Olivia’s head. This is why she could never trust him with her life and why she is wary of trusting him with her sister’s. I don’t bla her at all.
"He got better at managing his temper and you pushed him away to go find love elsewhere. Sohow, he ended up falling for Madeline."
"He’s not in love with her! He sees in her and wants to replace his plaything. It’s not love, Asher. Don’t pretend to be that naïve because he’s your brother." She shakes her head. "You don’t have a sister or you’d understand how I am feeling."
Now I flip the script in my head and imagine Adriana in Olivia’s shoes. Though I don’t know much about her and have never t her, I have so reservations for the simple fact that she is my blood. If I am allowed to feel this protective for a sister I only just found out about, who am I to judge Olivia?
"Look, Liv, I know an apology won’t cut it with you right now so I won’t bother with that. You can live wherever you damn well please since you both are already divorced. I am just here to make sure you have no intentions of breaking your NDA or disappearing off the face of the earth with my brother’s child. Should I be worried about either?"
Olivia is shocked at my words. I am also shocked at how good I am with this new thod.
"No. Of course not. I don’t want any problems. Ashal will always be a part of this baby’s life. Asides that, I don’t want him anywhere near my family, especially Madeline." She sniffles. "He almost destroyed our sisterly bond by getting her to believe his lies. I won’t let her fall for it and end up like ."
"What do you an? Does Madeline have feelings for him too?"
Olivia springs to her feet with a bland expression. "I will keep my NDA. You already know where to find . Is there anything else?"
I join her on my feet. "I need to know that Maddi feels the sa way about keeping a lock on your past. Where is she?"
"She won’t be a problem."
"She didn’t sign an NDA. What’s stopping her seeing as you’re now free of Ashal?"
"Free? I have his baby growing inside ." She grinds her teeth. "I love my child of course but the point I am making is that Maddi won’t be a problem either."
I narrow my eyes and think of telling her. "I’ll have you know that it would be a dangerous idea to lie to . You got what you wanted. Live quietly and peacefully. You do anything reckless and I assure you, it will end in more tears." But Ashton’s words hit again and I paraphrase.
"Fine. I’ll take your word for it. For all our sakes, I hope you’re right."
That’s a softer threat, right? She nods at as I leave.
"Asher?"
"Yeah?"
"Please convince your brother to stay away from my sister. Our families can’t go down that road again."
This ti, I nod in agreent.
The minute I enter the mansion, father calls into his study. I take in a sharp breath and ntally prepare myself for the onslaught of questions regarding my hesitance towards Hugh’s deal. I don’t know why I am still skeptical. It’s not my character to hold back on a deal that will put a smile on father’s face but hard as I try, I can’t bring myself to do it.
"Father I..." I trail off when I notice an unfamiliar visitor in his study.
"Co in, son. I’ve been expecting you." Father circles his table to pat my shoulder and make a hasty introduction. The lady at his desk gradually stands and beams at . "This is Michelle. She’s Hugh’s niece, his elder brother’s last daughter. We ca to an agreent over lunch today that since it will be weird to pass down Ashton’s fiancée to you, we can still beco a family by having you wed Michelle here. She’s a Harvard graduate with a degree in Business Administration. She works in her uncle’s company."
He smiles at Michelle. "Michelle is exactly like you. She’s the Asher to Spellman Group. She understands this is a marriage of convenience and is always committed to making her family proud, as I am sure you are." Now he turns to , ignoring the shock in my eyes. "You know the drill."
"Father..." I begin to protest but get ignored.
"The PR departnt will announce your engagent tomorrow morning. You two can talk and go over the formalities." He pats my shoulder and leaves us in his office. I stare at the door after him in utter shock. This is the last thing I expected to hear from him. How did I beco such a puppet that my opinion ceased to matter in life-changing decisions concerning my life?
I definitely have to talk to father. Surely, there has to be so other way to redy Ashton’s ss. I am unwilling to be the scape goat in this.
Turning, I realize Michelle is still in the room. Poor girl. She must be as flustered as I am.
"Michelle, right? Um, I am so sorry if all that ca as a shock to you too. I have no idea why our families think this is the best solution but trust , I will figure sothing out to get us out of this..."
"Excuse ?" Michelle cuts off with an arched eyebrow. "You’re Asher Rollins, right?"
"Correct."
"I must say I am disappointed. My uncle spoke so highly of you as a man who understands the importance of family obligations. Well, I don’t know what makes you and your brother so bold but I will have you know that I am nothing like my cousin, Mila. I am not a pushover. I won’t be insulted or dumped." Her eyes narrow to slits. "I WON’T SIT IDLY BY AND WATCH YOUR FAMILY MOCK MINE TWICE. That announcent might be going up tomorrow morning but a few news channels have already been inford. OUR WEDDING IS HAPPENING, ASHER, SO PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON AND DEAL WITH IT. Have I made myself clear?"
Smiling deviously, she kisses my cheek and walks out, her heels clacking all the way.
I am utterly speechless. What the hell just happened?
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