Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 167: Chapter 167

ASHTON

I couldn’t sleep a wink last night, no one in the mansion could. Everyone has been feeling sad over Ashal’s predicament and angry too. Though planning a party was always mother’s favorite pastime, she looks withered as she makes arrangement for our birthday party. It’s almost like she’s not sure if she’s planning her sons’ birthday party or Ashal’s funeral. Many times, she dabs off a tear from her eyes or excuses herself to go use the bathroom.

Ashley’s been staying close to her, inviting guests via phone call. Like we suspected, many of them keep turning down our invitation without bothering to give a good excuse. Even father’s promise of a ’special gift’ has been unsuccessful in swaying them. No one of high caliber wants to be associated with the family who is currently being rumored to be responsible for a tranche of heinous crimes.

"What are we going to do? I’m almost halfway done with the guest list and no one has RSVP’d." Ashley asks Asher worriedly.

Asher scratches his head. "At this rate, they still won’t budge even if father offers them bonus shares in the company. No one wants to be a part of a sinking ship."

Mother sighs heavily. "She knew this would be impossible to accomplish from the start. She wanted to kill my son all along and merely threw us this bait so she can blame us for not doing everything within our power to save Ashal."

I grit my teeth. "We don’t have time for this. Give me the phone."

My family looks surprised. Hesitantly, Ashley passes the phone in his hand as well as the guest list when I gesture for it too. I scan through the list and find just the right contact.

"People might not want to party with us but they won’t ignore one of the biggest news scoop there’s ever been in the country." I dial the number and after a few rings, someone picks up.

"Danvarr Morning News, how may we help you."

"Ashton, don’t."

I ignore mother and turn away to continue the call. "This is Ashton Sawy...Ashton Rollins speaking. My brothers and I will be throwing a lavish party on the twelfth of this month to celebrate our twenty-fifth birthday party. I’d like to throw an open invitation to all the crème de la crème of our society. Except for the top media houses who will cover the event, every other guest must not have a net worth below fifty million dollars."

"Mr. Ashton, do you expect us to broadcast this invitation? I’m not sure why anyone would...."

"I’ll be making a live confession regarding one of the crimes alleged by Billion-Err at the party, in the presence of my guests. How’s that for motivation?" I hang up and run a hand over my chin. "I guess that will do it."

"Why would you tell them that?" Asher asks worriedly.

"Because I already plan to do it at the party, Asher. Isn’t that what Demi wants before she can release our brother? What’s the point of keeping it a surprise if we can’t even get people to attend the party? Every second counts for Ashal. Who knows what they’re putting him through." I fend off the rage bubbling inside me. "People love gossip and secrets. This should spice things up and create anticipation for the event."

"And what if it backfires? They’re already gossiping and condemning our arrogance in throwing a party in the midst of everything going on instead of taking responsibility for Billion-Err’s accusations. Why would they want to attend said party when they can just confirm it from the news much later?"

I cup mother’s face. "That’s what the masses will do but thankfully, they’re not on the guest list. Rich people won’t be satisfied with just that. To stay relevant, they like to be present where everything will be going down, where most of the media personnel will be covering the biggest news. They’d definitely want to give interviews after the confession. If they somehow don’t care for all that, then they’ll surely attend just to prove to the people of Danvarr that their net worth is over fifty million dollars which is why they made the guest list."

I press a kiss to her eyebrows. "We haven’t got any other choice, mother. We are at our wits end. Right now, we have to do whatever it takes to bring people to that party."

"Have you thought about what will happen after your confession? You may be arrested..."

"Ashal will be home." I interrupt her. "That’s all that matters."

One of the guards enters with a shopping bag. "Sorry to intrude but there’s a special delivery for Mr. Ashton." I whip my head instantly and eye the bag suspiciously. "It’s okay, sir. I already checked. It’s just a party dress. I also frisked the delivery lady. She was clean."

I ask,

"Yes sir."

it go. What are the odds that a party dress was delivered to us by a lady? If it was Demi, the guard would already have said so. Could she have sent someone else to spy on us and see if we’re complying with her terms? Why

overly sexual with sheer

did she send this?" Mother wonders. "What is she up to

"There’s a note here."

frown coats his face. "Demi wants Ashton

Father cusses. "She’s

the delivery lady have

sir." The

to this mansion before or the guards would have

say her name was?"

"Skylar, sir."

sister, Skylar? I don’t know any other Skylar apart from the one Kayla told me about. What are the odds that this delivery lady is a random person? Before my family can press

Which way did she

wind. Though she is too far for me to note her features, the gold locks are quite familiar. She continues to watch me while I watch her. I can’t make out her facial expression. I don’t know what she’s thinking but I can feel something off her; she’s definitely not

tapping me back to reality.

reply before going back

her feet on seeing me. Ashley and father are at different corners, speaking

worked. Everyone is returning our calls to

news. I nod to her before picking up the note

think I’d look great in your arms wearing this sexy number, birthday boy? Bring the

note in my hand. Whomever this new

***

I can’t stop pondering over a few things. Kayla’s words about my sister hating my brothers and I play in a loop in my head, as well as some other disturbing thoughts. Does Demi know about Skylar too? Are they working together to harm

unprepared to face her. Given the flash of shock and surprise in her eyes, I deduce that the feeling is mutual. Why is she shocked when she left me a specific note

She asks casually on recognizing the brand which only

and threatening my family? Rage unfurls in my belly, making my face crease with a frown. She reaches for the box and takes it. Before she can slam the

me off,

one minute. I beg you. I just want to hear his

him

the dress?" the slight upward slant of her eyebrow tells me she has no idea what I am talking about. She opens the box and stifles her shock at the black, sheer outfit.

to hide the pain that flits across

glance after noticing the tension between us. "I’m sorry about Ashal. I’m

won’t work here." Demi replies, staring flatly at me. Her eyes are empty again. "I’m sure he and his family know exactly what

laced with concern as she

and turn to Anna. "Thank you, Anna. That’s very thoughtful of you." I jam both hands in the pockets of my blazer,

disappointed in a woman I thought I knew. If this is how she wants to exact her revenge, so be it. However, as long as she isn’t punishing just me, her

Kayla up and instruct her to meet me. Together, we both return to