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Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Woman Worth Billions, Dated the Wrong Brother: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

422 Kabanata

Grandfather Asher

The television screen dimmed, the replay of Amber’s interview fading into silence. Grandfather Asher remained seated, cane resting beneath his palm, expression unreadable. His assistant approached quietly. “Sir.” He did not look up. “The private line.” That made him glance over. The assistant held out the discreet black phone — the one reserved for very few names. On the screen, a contact flickered: The Joker. A slow smile formed. “Well,” Grandfather Asher murmured. “It took you long enough.” He accepted the call. Before the other side could speak, he drawled, “How much longer were you planning to leave me in the dark that my only granddaughter had married into your family, Sun?” A burst of laughter answered him — deep, unrestrained, familiar. “You’re the one accusing me of secrecy?” the voice shot back warmly. “You hid that firecracker of a granddaughter under my nose for years.” On the other end was Mr. Sun. Old colleague. Old rival. Older frie

The children

The doors opened quietly this time. Jason stepped into the room first, one hand resting lightly on Alex’s shoulder. Alice followed beside them, but the moment she saw me, her entire expression changed. She ran. The cameras reacted instantly. Flashes erupted across the room as Alice rushed toward me and wrapped both arms around my legs as though I were the only solid thing left in the room. I knelt without thinking and gently brushed her hair away from her face. “Hey, darling,” I whispered, loud enough for the microphones to catch. “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” It was an act for the media. A carefully planned explanation for why two children who should have been in school were suddenly appearing in the middle of a press conference. And Alice, at only four years old, was disturbingly good at playing her part. She didn't answer. She simply pressed closer to me, burying herself against my shoulder. Jason reached us within seconds. His expression remained composed, but h

Stay

We drifted into lighter topics after that — Molly’s upcoming clothing line debut, fabric choices, venue rumors, guest lists. It felt almost normal. Almost. Then another call came through. Grandfather. “Molly, I’m sorry — I have to take this. I’ll call you back.” Her teasing hum was the last thing I heard before I switched the line. The moment I answered, my grandfather’s booming voice filled my ear. “Amber, I just watched the interview.” Of course he had. “You are required to attend lunch today,” he continued without pause, “with your new husband and the children.” A deliberate beat. “It is not optional.” Alice, still seated beside me, brightened instantly at the invitation. She had clearly heard enough of the call. “We’re going to eat with Amber today!” she said excitedly, turning to Alex and speaking so fast the words nearly collided. “Did you hear that? We’re invited. She’s not leaving us.” Grandfather chuckled on the other end of the line. “She remind

Regret

My grandfather sighed. It wasn’t irritation. It was pain. Regret. “I’m sorry, darling,” he said quietly. “Truly sorry.” Then he turned to Alex. “You may stay here whenever you wish. You are welcome at any time. Everyone in this house will believe you — I will make sure of it.” His voice hardened slightly. “You will be safe.” Something shifted in the room at that declaration. Then his gaze returned to me. “Amber, can we speak?” Jason subtly moved, as if ready to intervene, but I gave a small shake of my head. It was time. “Yes,” I said evenly. “I think it’s about time.” The walk to his study felt longer than it should have. I could see the butler and Mrs. Rin watching from the staircase, their expressions carefully neutral but their eyes heavy with curiosity — and concern. The moment the study door closed behind us, my grandfather pulled me into his arms. For a second, I froze. Then I felt it. His shoulders shaking. Tears. “I’m sorry I failed

Someone like you

Grandfather told me to take a moment. Only then did I notice my hands were trembling slightly. He turned to Jason with composed ease and announced he would show the children the pool house — and the go-kart racing track. Alice gasped in delight. Alex tried to remain composed, but I saw the spark in his eyes. Within seconds, they were gone. The door closed softly behind them. Silence settled. I moved to sit beside Jason. “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly. I looked at him carefully. “Why did you keep the fact that I’m from the main Asher line from Oscar? And from Mr. White?” He didn’t answer immediately. He drew in a slow breath and held my gaze steadily. “Because they didn’t deserve to know.” There was no hesitation in his voice. “Even then,” he continued, “you were working yourself to the bone. I would pass your office on my way to mine, and you’d still be there — on calls, in meetings, drafting reports.” His jaw tightened slightly. “And Oscar?” he added

Headline

Jason informed his grandparents that we would be staying at the Asher estate for the time being. They were visibly surprised. Mrs. Sun raised an elegant brow. Mr. Sun simply observed, calculating as always. But neither objected. After a brief pause, they both agreed. “Well,” Mrs. Sun said lightly, glancing between my grandfather and her husband, “if the men in this family had used their heads properly, they would have paired you two years ago.” Grandfather huffed. Mr. Sun pretended not to hear. Then Mrs. Sun’s sharp gaze settled on me. “Why,” she asked smoothly, “did you never reveal you were the Asher heir?” The question wasn’t accusatory. It was strategic. I answered just as calmly. “If I can’t survive a situation without using my family name,” I said, “then I’m not worthy of carrying it.” Silence followed. Not disagreement. Assessment. Mrs. Sun’s lips curved faintly. “Fair,” she said. A week passed. And something unexpected happened. Life… settled. Jason and I

Call the board

We didn’t warn them. We simply arrived. Jason walked at my side. The children stayed close, Marcus just behind us — calm, immovable, inevitable. The moment we entered the company lobby, the air shifted. Whispers followed us. Phones were lowered. Eyes widened. “Call the board,” I instructed the receptionist evenly. “Tell them I’m requesting an immediate audience. All of them.” No one argued. Within twenty minutes, we were inside the executive conference room. Every board member. Mr. White. Oscar. And the company’s legal counsel — Susan. Their faces told the story before they spoke. Shock. Calculation. Fear. I didn’t sit. Instead, I gestured lightly toward Marcus. “This,” I said, my voice steady, “is my legal representative.” Recognition hit instantly. Marcus wasn’t just any attorney. He was the most feared corporate litigator in the country — the man companies hired when billions were at stake. The color drained from Susan’s face. Oscar stiffened. Marcus place

This is fraud

Mr. White’s gaze shifted. From Marcus. From the board. From me. To Jason. “Jason,” he said, softening his tone, appealing now instead of commanding. “You’re family.” Jason didn’t respond immediately. Mr. White continued, “Step in. Help us stabilize this. Make Amber see reason. There’s no need to escalate matters beyond repair.” I didn’t look at Jason. I didn’t need to. Mr. White pressed on. “We can settle this internally. We are businessmen. We can negotiate.” A quiet sound broke the tension. Jason chuckled. Low. Unhurried. Almost amused. Every eye in the room turned to him. He finally stepped forward, sliding one hand casually into his pocket. “With respect,” he said calmly, “you’re mistaken about something.” His gaze moved to his father. “Amber doesn’t need me to make her see reason.” The room felt smaller. “She is the reason.” The words landed heavier than shouting ever could. Mr. White’s expression hardened. “Jason, think carefully. This affects the entire

she still controlled everything

They called her in. No delay. No warning. The door opened ten minutes later. Amelie walked in looking immaculate — refreshed, polished, perfectly styled. Not a trace of nerves in her posture. At least not until her eyes landed on me. For a fraction of a second, the color drained from her face. Then she recovered. Too quickly. She was instructed to sit. She did. Claudia — one of the sharpest members of the board and not known for wasting time — leaned forward immediately. Without introduction. Without courtesy. She pressed a button. The recording filled the room again. Amelie’s voice echoed off the walls. “Yes, Oscar has my full verbal authorization to proceed.” The playback ended. Claudia folded her hands calmly. “Why,” she asked evenly, “did you make that call?” Amelie didn’t look at me. She looked at Oscar. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Didn’t save her. She swallowed. “Oscar gave the order,” she said. The room shifted. “He told me to call at that exact t

No hesitation

The knock came fifteen minutes later.Firm.Authoritative.No hesitation.The doors opened, and the police walked in.But they weren’t alone.Cameras followed.Microphones.Flashing lights.The media had arrived with them.Someone had tipped them off.The boardroom windows overlooked the lobby, and from where I stood, I could see the chaos below. Employees frozen. Security attempting damage control. Reporters speaking urgently into cameras.Oscar stood slowly.Amelie’s face drained of all remaining color.The lead officer stepped forward.“Mr. Oscar White. Mrs. Amelie White. You are being detained on charges of fraud, conspiracy, identity misrepresentation, and falsification of corporate assets.”The words echoed.Cold.Final.Oscar attempted composure.“This is premature,” he said sharply.But the handcuffs were already visible.The cameras captured everything.Amelie looked at Oscar.For reassurance.For leadership.He offered none.They were escorted toward the door.Flashes explod

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