A Woman Worth Billions Dated the Wrong Brother novel Chapter 21

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 friend.

They had built empires side by side in their youth – before competition divided territories but never quite severed respect.

“You knew,” Grandfather Asher said.

“I suspected,” Mr. Sun replied. “Jason has had that look about him for months.”

“And you said nothing.” 1

“You dissolved the betrothal,” Mr. Sun reminded him. “I assumed you had your reasons.”

A pause.

They both remembered.

Years ago.

Two ambitious men in their prime, sitting over tea and drafting what they believed would be the perfect union – Asher stability and Sun expansion.

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They had dreamed of it.

Spoken of grandchildren who would inherit both empires seamlessly.

Then the children grew.

Temperaments clashed.

Advisors interfered.

And caution won over instinct.

“You know,” Mr. Sun said lightly, “we were fools.”

Grandfather Asher exhaled through his nose.

“We were cautious.”

“We were afraid they would burn the world down together.”

A short silence.

“And now?” Mr. Asher asked.

“Now,” Mr. Sun chuckled, “I think they might build one.”

The assistant wisely retreated farther away.

“Does your wife know?” Grandfather Asher asked.

A brief pause.

“No.”

That answer carried weight.

“She believes this developed recently,” Mr. Sun continued. “She does not know about our… original intentions.”

“And you prefer to keep it that way.”

“For now.”

Grandfather Asher nodded slowly.

“Mrs. Sun would not appreciate discovering that her son’s marriage was once sketched out like a merger agreement.” 1

Mr. Sun laughed again.

“She would appreciate the outcome. Not the method.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. 1

“You always said,” Mr. Sun added thoughtfully, “that our families would be unstoppable united.”

“I still believe it.”

“And yet we are here because two stubborn children did what we hesitated to finalize.”

Grandfather Asher’s lips curved faintly.

“Perhaps that is the difference between our generation and theirs.”

“They do not ask permission.”

214

Grandto

“No.” Mr. Asher agreed. “They choose.”

A softer note entered Mr. Sun’s voice.

“She kept her surname.”

“Yes.”

“You’re pleased.”

“I am.”

A hum of approval came from the other end.

“Jason expected that,” Mr. Sun admitted. “He told me she would not give up her name.”

“And you?”

“I told him if he expected her to, he didn’t deserve her.”

That made Grandfather Asher laugh genuinely this time.

“Well. At least one of us raised our grandson correctly.” 1

“You’re implying I did?”

“I’m implying you finally did something right.”

Their laughter blended – two aging titans momentarily young again.

Then Mr. Sun’s tone shifted, slightly more serious.

“Is she steady?”

“She is stronger than we anticipated,” Grandfather Asher said. “And more strategic.”

“Good.”

A pause.

“We always wanted this alliance,” Mr. Sun said quietly. “Not for leverage. For legacy.”

“I know.”

“And now it’s happened without contracts, negotiations, or signatures.

“Which may make it stronger,” Mr. Asher replied.

Another thoughtful silence.

“For now,” Mr. Sun said at last, “let’s allow them to believe this was entirely their idea.”

Grandfather Asher smiled.

“Agreed.”

“And if trouble comes?”

“It will,” Mr. Asher said calmly.

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