Just then, Silva's phone rang—an unknown number. She hesitated before answering, but as soon as the voice spoke, she recognized it.
"Asher."
"Silva," Asher's voice was smooth, laced with amusement.
"I must say, I'm quite impressed by your resilience in that house. But don't you think this might make him even more hostile toward you? After all, you do know who Father is, right?"
"Is he seriously talking to me right now?" Silva could hardly believe Asher's nerve.
"Yes, I know," she replied coolly, keeping her emotions in check. "But I'm sure that has nothing to do with you… right?"
"You're right," he admitted. "Anyway, I'm here to make a proposal, dear sister."
Silva's eyes narrowed.
"Are you in or not? I promise you, this is in your best interest too."
"So that's why he called." A ghost of a smirk played on her lips. "Let's hear him out first."
"And that is?" she prompted.
"Now that you're married to Christian, I assume you're planning to go after Father… and his inheritance."
"And also sure, you of all people, know he isn't fond of you. As long as you're useful to him and can bring in money, he'll keep you around. That's all there is to it, right?"
"You're right," Silva said, her voice steady. "So Go on. What's your main point?" She was fully aware of where he might be heading to.
"My main point is, you won't be able to inherit Lucius' business empire, and neither will I," Asher said, sitting down with his legs crossed and a smile playing on his lips. "After all, you're a woman, and that's off-limits. And me? I'm an illegitimate heir—also out of the running."
Silva listened, her eyes narrowing as he continued.
"So why not ally with one another? With Christian on your side and me on yours, I can help you ascend the empire for the time being. Once he's gone, you'll take it for yourself. After all, Richard and Rinson are still in the picture."
A smirk tugged at the corners of Silva's lips. "So, this fool thinks I'm an idiot?"
"Well, let's play along and let him think so."
"That sounds good," Silva said softly, her voice sincere but with a hidden edge. "Though I never intended to overthrow his empire, your proposal doesn't sound bad at all."
"I see. So we're allying now?" Asher asked.
"Yes, we are," Silva replied, her smirk widening. "Killing two birds with one stone."
"You're right," Asher grinned. "You get your revenge on him, and once it's over, you'll be the next successor."
"Absolutely," Silva said, her smirk unwavering. "I'll be the first to defy his rules, and then I'll ascend to be his successor."
"Then I'll leave you with this," Asher said, his expression darkening slightly.
"Beware of June. Now that you're married to Christian, her hatred for you is more prevalent than ever." He moved his last checker pawn, securing his victory in the game.
"Thanks for the heads-up, brother," Silva replied, her tone cool as she ended the call. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Trying to bail himself out from me, aren't you, Asher?" Silva thought with a sly smirk. "Though, he wasn't as bad as the rest of the family."
"But I'll let him hear what he wants to hear, while I figure out his true motives."
*****************************
Meanwhile As the phone call ended, Asher narrowed his gaze at the pawn that had represented Silva in his game. A smirk spread across his lips.
"Who would have thought that someone like her would be the pawn in my victory?"
He leaned back, his fingers tapping thoughtfully as he continued, "I guess now that she's walking straight to my side, securing my next move has become much easier."
Summoning a maid, he quickly relayed his instructions before dismissing her. His mind returned to the thought of Silva's resilience—despite their father's tormenting her, he had always seen her as nothing more than a weak link.
"A resilient pawn," Asher mused with a ghostly grin. "Guess just for the meantime."
Meanwhile As June heard the news from her father that Silva and Christian had left and were now engaged, she exploded in rage.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
She shouted, smashing things around the room in frustration.
"Everything I worked for is gone. Everything!"
She yelled, her hands shaking as she held a lamp up, ready to break it.
She hurled it to the floor, the sound of it shattering echoing through the room. Nina flinched in fear.
"You!" June hissed, her voice dripping with malice. The urge to stab Nina grew stronger, her anger simmering dangerously.
As Nina hurried out of the room, June took a moment to calm herself, trying to steady her breath.
"I've tried my best to be the perfect, graceful daughter of Lucius, with luck on my side! But this… this damn Silva keeps overshadowing me!" She screamed, her frustration palpable.
Her mind wandered back to the time when she was happy, when Branden had changed his mind about Silva and chosen her instead.
"It's as if I'm being mocked by destiny," she muttered bitterly.
"Not on my watch. Never."
She glared out the window, a burning determination in her eyes.
Then her phone rang. It was Michael.
"I thought he was going to be useful this time, but he's just another worthless pawn!"
She thought, before hanging up the phone in frustration.
June heard a knock on her door. In a fit of frustration and anger, she yelled, "Didn't I tell you to leave?!"
She yanked the door open, knife in hand, ready to stab Nina. But Asher swiftly grabbed her wrist.
"Woah, that's very dangerous," he said, his tone calm.
"Shut up, loser! Watching her leave—doesn't that have anything to do with you? ahh, I should've known you're just as useless as the rest!"
She yanked her wrist out of his grip, seething with anger.
"Calm down," Asher said smoothly, flashing a smile. "You're going to see her more often now that she's married to your fiancé's cousin."
"So she has this much emotional charge, huh?" Asher thought, observing June's weakness.
"And now, you have more opportunities to deal with her as you please," he continued, his tone cheerful. "After all, I'm sure you haven't forgotten about that little incident, have you?"
June's eyes widened in rage at the mention of the incident with Silva. "Repeat that if you dare, joker!"
She jerked Asher's collar in fury.
"Come on, June," Asher said, his expression turning serious. "I thought that incident was something you let go of."
"Shut it! You don't know what that incident cost me, clown. So don't you dare water down my pain, got it?" June's tone was filled with menace.
"Got it, ma'am," Asher replied smoothly.
June released her grip and stormed back to her bed in a fit of rage.
"So emotionally charged over her losing face," Asher thought, glaring at June and taking note of her behavior.