Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 177: Chapter 176

ASHER

"Thank you for coming." I say to Mrs. Olga, a youthful looking CEO in her forties, just before kissing her cheeks. "It was a pleasure to have you." She palms my cheek with a naughty look glistening in her eyes.

"It’s Ms. Olga. My divorce was recently finalized." She clarifies, fluttering her thick lashes. "You’re a very good-looking man, Asher Rollins. Why don’t you pay me a visit at my vacation home on Kingston Avenue? I assume you’d be interested in discussing Rollins Group and how we can do business together." Her eyes are literally undressing me at this point.

"That’s very sweet of you, Ms. Olga..."

"Oh, please, just call me Olga. No formality needed." A seductive wink follows as she skims my shoulder with her hand. "That’s a strong arm you’ve got under there. Can’t wait to see everything under these clothes. Call me?"

I just nod my head. Thankfully, her chauffeur steers her away to her car.

"Was that the last one?" Anna asks, coming up behind me.

"I hope so because I am done with seeing these guests off! I need a shower and a shut eye for at least four hours. "Then after a brief glance at my watch, "Make that three. I have an early meeting tomorrow..." I trail off when I note her demeanor. "Oh, you’ve got something on your face."

"What?" She reaches for her cheek and starts wiping. "What is it? Is my makeup running? Is it a food stain?"

"Yeah, looks like a stain all right." I lean close to have a better look. "What did you eat? Your face is all GREEN." Then I burst out laughing at her. She gives my shoulder an impressive punch and scowls at me. "Careful, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re being jealous right now."

"You wish, Asher Rollins." Rolling her eyes, she fluffs her hair. "I’m just a very good actress if you haven’t noticed." Her eyes dart around the mansion, over the thinning guests and the uniformed cleaners taking down decorations and transforming the mansion back to it’s original look. "Tonight was...interesting."

I join her to peer at the view. "That’s one way to put it." I draw in a sharp breath. "Thank you for showing up. I would have lost my marbles if I had some pompous and cocky heiress tethered to my hip all night."

"Wow, never thought the day would come when Asher Rollins would loathe the attention of gorgeous women from affluent families jostling for him." She chuckles at me. "Seriously, you went to town with our performance. I can only imagine the headlines tomorrow. I know you’re used to it but I am not. What if people criticize my looks, height, weight and so on? Will I be able to have a normal day at the work next week?"

"Hey, hey, calm down." I take her hands in mine. "I’m sure those reporters present tonight will have more than enough fodder to write clickbait articles about my family to be bothered by our little display. If at all they happen to mention us, it definitely won’t be a cover story. You have nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?"

I squeeze her cheeks. "I’ll make sure."

She grins at that and I mirror the same expression, hoping to mask the slight sting I feel over her concern. Frankly, I’m not sure if I am more disappointed in myself for not having the courage to admit and embrace my strong feelings for her or the fact that she seems ostensibly unbothered by my indecision.

our unlabeled relationship caused by our differing views on Demi’s revenge. The break was a real struggle for me. It opened my eyes to the fact that a single woman can cloud my

want to have that conversation, but whatever it is, it’s gaining ground in my head, cluttering up my mind. So, instead

expect it to raise any alarms in her head. After she arrived tonight, I asked her to pretend to be my date just to get other

the media pressure of our alleged romance without worrying about any commitment to Anna. Maybe this

she would hope or is she truly over me? My insecurity kicks in as I wonder if she also loathes my family after learning all Demi

"Did you see that?"

I ask Anna who’s subtly pointing at Monaco

the woman she’s talking to one of your staff

I admit. "What

not the point. I just saw Halle take Monaco’s business

and Halle as they bid each other

them I said so. Thanks for the party favors." Absentmindedly, I give Anna a kiss on her temple before heading towards Monaco who’s sliding into the driver’s seat of

"Which one is it?"

"Asher Rollins." I reply.

dim with something unclear before she steps

the one who avoided me all night but never took his eyes off me though.

what that was about but it didn’t look like you needed the five minutes of fame." She scoffs at my choice of language. "As distracting as

up to my expectations,

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Does this have to do with Halle or the four other victims that have come asking for my

silently wonder. But we had six victims who attended tonight. Does that mean only one of them hasn’t approached Monaco for legal assistance? Who? I keep

full cooperation. It’s their choice at the end of the day and my family will respect it no matter what they decide. I am not here because of your potential clients. I just want to make sense of the unexpected stranger that appeared at my party and made several scenes on national TV. I am curious to know why and whenever I have this hunch, there’s always a reason for it." I

car. "I sincerely hope the next we meet isn’t in a courtroom. That face wasn’t

slide her tinted windows up and

her car leave, I notice some chaos

I

there that won’t leave. He demands to see Mr. Ashton. Claims his sister was abducted by your

spoke about? My fingers ball into fists by my side. He had the nerve to come here and put

and knead the kinks in my neck. "Take him to our Sky Lounge Hotel. Tell him Ashton will meet