A Woman Worth Billions Dated the Wrong Brother novel Chapter 438

A Takeover

A Takeover

Amber POV

The Sum president was in the middle of his live question-and-answer session when the broadcast abruptly changed.

A reporter had just asked whether the recent arrests would lead to further investigations into influential business families. The president adjusted his microphone and began answering, his expression composed as he explained that no one would be above the law under his administration.

Then the picture stuttered.

For less than a second, the screen displayed a frozen image of the president before cutting to the news station’s familiar logo. A brief transition followed, accompanied by the anchor’s voice.

“We interrupt this live broadcast for an official statement received moments ago from the River City military command. The communication concerns the ongoing international investigation into human trafficking and has been designated for immediate public release.”

The anchor appeared at the studio desk, holding a sheet of paper. Her expression was serious, but she spoke with the practiced composure of someone accustomed to breaking news.

“We have confirmed that the statement will be delivered by River City’s Secretary of Defense, Mr. John Stait. We are now switching to a live feed from his office.”

The screen changed again.

This time, there was no studio. No news graphics beyond a small live-broadcast indicator in the corner. The camera showed Mr. Stait seated behind his desk at River City’s military headquarters, with the military insignia visible on the wall behind him.

The president’s broadcast was gone.

I stared at the screen for several seconds before slowly turning toward Jason.

“Oh, this is going to be good.”

Jason raised an eyebrow. “You sound as though you were expecting this.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything.” I settled back against the sofa. “I’m simply impressed by the timing.”

“Of course.”

Our physical therapist glanced at the television, then at the two of us. She had been trying to guide us through our exercises for the past several minutes, but neither of us had been paying much attention since the news bulletin began.

“I think that’s enough for today,” she said, gathering her equipment. “We’ll continue tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

As soon as she left the room, Jason moved closer and kissed me. I smiled against his lips, slipping one hand around his neck before he drew back and settled his arm around my shoulders.

“Now,” he murmured, looking toward the screen, “let’s see why Mr. Stait has interrupted the president’s morning.”

1/6

A Treover

+15 Bonus

“He hasn’t interrupted him personally,” I pointed out. “The news station has.”

Jason gave me a knowing look. “You think that distinction makes it any better?”

“No. I think it makes it much more interesting.”

On the television, Mr. Stait adjusted a document on his desk and looked directly into the camera.

“Good morning. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Amber Asher and Jason Sun for their courage and continued commitment to our mission. Both have repeatedly placed their lives at risk to help uncover the truth, rescue victims, and bring those responsible for human trafficking to justice.”

I felt Jason’s arm tighten around my shoulders.

Mr. Stait went on to explain that the chain of events leading to the recent arrests had begun shortly after our marriage in River City. Our relocation to Sum, he reminded the audience, had originally been intended to give us an opportunity to rest and enjoy some privacy.

I burst out laughing.

“A rest,” I repeated. “Did he really just say that?”

Jason’s shoulders shook with quiet laughter. “We did technically have a few peaceful days.”

“A few?”

“I’m being generous.”

I nudged him with my elbow as Mr. Stait continued his statement. He described the intelligence work, coordinated operations, and sacrifices made by River City’s military, emphasizing how its cooperation with us had helped identify criminals, locate victims, and bring members of the trafficking network to justice.

He never directly accused the Sum president of taking credit for someone else’s work. He didn’t need to.

The timing did enough damage on its own.

Only minutes earlier, the president had been using his live question-and-answer session to present himself as the leader who had helped deliver justice to Sum. Now, the national broadcaster had cut away from him to air a statement emphasizing River City’s role in the very investigation he was using to strengthen his reelection campaign.

The news station could defend the decision as a matter of public interest. An official statement concerning an international criminal investigation was certainly newsworthy. But the choice to interrupt a live presidential broadcast rather than air the statement afterward was another matter entirely.

Someone had decided that the public needed to hear Mr. Stait before the president could say anything more.

And whoever had made that decision understood exactly how much the timing would matter.

The door opened, and Pamela walked into the room. She glanced at the television, then at Jason and me. When she noticed my expression, a small smile appeared on her face.

I immediately became suspicious.

“Pamela.”

“Yes?”

2/6

A Takeover

+15 Bonus

“Did you have anything to do with this?”

looked at the television as Mr. Stait explained the investigation’s progress. “With what?”

I gestured toward the screen. “The news station in Sum suddenly cutting away from the president’s live broadcast

to air a military statement from River City, That isn’t the sort of thing that happens every day.”

Pamela turned back toward me.

Then she smiled.

I narrowed my eyes. “That is not an answer.”

“I didn’t realize you had asked one that required an answer.”

Jason laughed beside me.

I turned toward him. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“I’m enjoying watching you interrogate Pamela when she hasn’t actually said anything.”

“Her face has said plenty.”

Pamela settled into a chair opposite us, looking entirely too pleased with herself. “Perhaps you should listen to Mr. Stait. His statement is important.”

“That’s exactly what someone involved would say.”

“Then I suppose you’ll have to investigate me.”

“Oh, I will.”

Jason drew me closer, still laughing softly, while Pamela maintained her infuriatingly innocent expression.

On the screen, Mr. Stait’s tone grew more serious. He warned that the recent arrests did not mean the danger had passed, and that River City’s military would continue following the evidence regardless of how powerful or influential the remaining individuals might be.

“Those who believe they can escape justice by waiting for public attention to move elsewhere should reconsider,” he said. “Our work is far from finished.”

He paused, his gaze steady.

“Good will prevail, not because those who do wrong will always surrender willingly, but because we will not stop pursuing the truth. We will continue protecting the innocent and holding the guilty accountable, regardless of their wealth, status, or influence.”

The statement ended with a formal acknowledgment of everyone who had contributed to the investigation. The news station returned to its studio. Rather than restoring the president’s question-and-answer session, the anchors began discussing the significance of the River City statement and its implications for the ongoing investigation.

I leaned against Jason, watching the presenters analyze the announcement.

Somewhere in Sum, the president was still sitting before the cameras, likely expecting his broadcast to continue. He might not even have known that millions of viewers had just watched his carefully managed public appearance replaced by a statement that complicated the story he wanted them to believe.

3/6

A takeover

415 agnus