“According to Edward Asher’s will, Alexander Gutierrez will no longer exist. In order to inherit Asher Industries he has to legally drop his surname. The old man would have made him change his first name, if he could.”
My head sways from left to right. That is not something Alexander would ever do. He loves his parents. Even though he could never speak of them, they were held so tightly within his heart, he could never let them go. And he won’t now. “I don’t get it. His grandfather died over a year ago. Why would Alexander change his name now?”
Malory tisks at me. “Because then he loses it all. Don’t you get it? Edward Asher wrote in his will that Alexander had eighteen months to change his name or else he inherits nothing. You see this?” She motions dramatically to the space around us. “If he doesn’t sign those papers in five days, he loses everything. I don’t understand what the big fucking deal is. It’s just a name. It doesn’t change who you are.”
A name might not mean anything to Malory but to Alexander, it means the world. He has to choose between being his father’s son and his grandfather’s heir. From everything I’ve heard about the old man, it’s proof he is as cold as I thought he was. He took in a ten year-old boy and didn’t let him speak of his parents. He wouldn’t even refer to him as Alexander, but rather by his middle name, Asher. Of course that made Edward happy. He was being called Asher all this time. Being brainwashed into being what the old man wanted him to be.
Makes you wonder why Edward Asher didn’t just change Alexander’s name all those years ago when he had the chance. No, this way is far more powerful. He is making Alexander choose on his own, as an adult, what is more important to him. Wealth or family.
It is quite possibly the most evil thing I have ever heard.
And I want nothing to do with it.
“What does it matter what I say? This is his decision. Not mine.”
Malory rubs her lips together and takes her time before she utters these words. “I think it’s time you dropped the charade. You and I both know you’re only in it for one thing. One billion things.”
My teeth clench at the insinuation. “I don’t want his money. I’d love him if he had nothing.”
“Well, then, you’re an idiot. Asher is not capable of love. And he is certainly not capable of existing without this lifestyle. If you let him do this he will wake up one day and regret it. I promise you he will hate you for the rest of his life. Is that what you want? A man who can’t stand the sight of you?”
“Then he doesn’t have to give it up. If this is what he wants—”
“So you don’t want him to give up the empire?”
“I never said that.”
“You just did.”
“I . . . stop putting words in my mouth! Whether he keeps it or doesn’t makes no difference to me.” I’m irate and in a rage.
Malory on the other hand is satisfyingly cool. “Oh, Emma. Don’t you see? It could never work between the two of you. If he gives up the empire, he’ll resent you. If he keeps it, he’ll always wonder if you are with him for the right reasons.”
“Why do you care what he chooses? It’s not your money?”
“Before you came along he was going to share it with me! I am the only one who understands him. There is no such thing as love in this world. All we have is respect. Alexander Asher is going to rule the world and I will be the one by his side.
“Now he’s thinking about giving it all up. And for what? To prove to himself you really love him for who he is and not what he has? It won’t work. You will leave him or he will leave you. When your relationship falls apart, and it will, I will be the one to pick up the pieces. I am always the one to pick up the pieces. But if you leave him, and he has nothing, well, then I’ll have no reason to help him back up will I?”
Taking one panther-like step toward me, Malory’s words are harsh. “I am giving you one chance to walk out that door right now or I will make your life a living hell.”