Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 140: Chapter 140

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 conglomerates 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 me 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 me a laughingstock. Give me 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 entertainment and my company’s upliftment?"

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 time but that doesn’t mean 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 some other company knock us off our pedestal and enjoy success by default without putting up a fight?"

"Are you threatening me?" Hugh asks with a conspicuous twitch of his beard.

"Far from it. I am only reminding you of the dirty games conglomerates 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 meticulously 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 me 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 acumen, 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 commitment. 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 me. 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 welcome the idea. However, I can’t understand the heaviness lodged in my chest. It’s the first time 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 immediately 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...me?

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?"

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 mean 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

my happiness over my family’s convenience?

plants and trees. I double check to ensure the address is right. Once confirmed, I get down from my car and head over to the

not my style to show up at someone’s doorstep and, in spite of the anger bubbling within me, attempt to have a

The door swings open.

"Hello, Liv."

***

you

question. She must have forgotten so soon but there were a few nuggets she shared with me while being vulnerable over our first night together. She had

when she sees me, 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

me back to that penthouse? Isn’t that

that was my initial

"What changed?"

my shoulders. It sucks to be so predictable. Maybe I do need to switch

side of the story, Liv. Ashal gave you everything you asked

not sacrificing my sister for my own freedom!" she replied with red-rimmed eyes. "I’d rather go back

it would have hurt Ashal’s if he were in my place right now. It gives me a glimpse of how Ashal must feel around people who know about his

away to go find love elsewhere. Somehow, he

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

don’t know much about her and have never met her, I have some 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

divorced. I am just here to make sure you have no intentions of breaking your NDA or

my words. I am also shocked at how good

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

mean? Does Madeline have feelings

bland expression. "I will keep my NDA. You

her on my feet. "I need to know that Maddi feels the same way about keeping a lock

won’t be

What’s stopping her

love my child of course but the point I am

got what you

it. For all our