Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
The words felt hollow, but they were all I could manage.
Leo nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Good. Remember this moment, Monique. Let it guide you in the future.”
I don’t know about that. . .
Lan came over and slowly replaced the lid, sealing the horrific sight back inside the box.
My hands still shook but I willed them to be steady.
Leo gestured to the man next to him. “This is our family lawyer. I need you to sign several forms.”
“What are the forms?”
“All of Yan’s properties will now go to you, my true daughter who understands the real meaning of loyalty.”
I nodded, unable to find any more words. The weight of what I had seen, of what it represented, pressed down on me like a physical force. I knew I would never forget this moment, no matter how hard I tried.
“I will see you in the ceremony. Good luck, daughter.” Leo turned and walked away.
Song gave me a sad nod and then followed him out.
And I just stood there, trembling and broken inside, trying to gather the pieces of my shattered composure.
The lawyer went on and on about some building in Shanghai called Cloud Sea Tower. I signed things without looking at the words, just knowing it was property after property.
He fucking killed her.
The room around me felt like a prison, the walls closing in with the stench of death and the weight of Leo’s insane expectations.
And I knew then. . .without any doubt. . .that nothing would ever be the same again.
Oh God.
With a sudden and overwhelming urge, I rushed to the nearest sink and vomited.
My body finally surrendering to the horror and revulsion that I had fought so hard to contain when Leo was in front of me. My stomach heaved violently, expelling all that I had eaten this morning.
Tears streamed down my face.
The cold, hard porcelain of the sink offered no comfort, yet I clung to it.
I tried to steady my breathing, but each inhale brought back the metallic scent of blood and the grotesque sight of Yan’s severed head.
Thandi brought me a towel.
Lan slowly rubbed my back. “It’s okay. He’s gone. We will figure this out.”
Fen handed me a glass of water. “Mistress, would you like us to get the Mountain Master?”
So much guilt spun around in my chest.
Dear God! How will I tell Lei?
Chapter three
Father and Son
Lei
I sat in the tea ceremony room.
The staff did an amazing job. Flowers and plants adorned the walls. There were so many delicate petals and woven leaves. It was as if the garden had come in and vomited all over the space.
I breathed in the air, taking in the subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms all around me.
Mmmm.
My mind drifted back to last night.
Moni and I had just been making love under a cherry blossom tree.
We lay together, naked and entwined among the grass and flowers, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.
It was like we were Adam and Eve, alone in our own paradise.
I traced hearts on Moni’s back as she rested her face against my chest. “What is your favorite color?”
She turned slightly my way and smirked. “Is this some sort of test?”
“A test?”
“If I don’t say blue, will you get enraged and start setting fire to various parts of Paradise City?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I am not that much out of control.”
“You are.”
“What is your favorite color?”
“Why? And when I tell you, will you be cool if I wear it?”
“As long as it is under blue.”
She rolled her eyes and returned to resting her head on my chest. “You and the color blue.”
“Are you going to tell me or not?”
She laughed and it was a beautiful sound that filled the night. “My favorite color is pink.”
“Hmmm.”
I returned to the present moment and my gaze roamed the beautifully decorated room once more. Among the myriad of colorful flowers on the wall, I spotted pink blossoms.
A warm feeling spread through my chest and the silliest smile hit my face.
Pink.
Chen leaned my way. “Are you okay?”
“Why?” I turned to him. “Do I not look okay?”
“You look like you have consumed a lot of drugs.”
“I’m not high, I’m just in love.”
Chen frowned.
“There’s a lot of pink on the walls.”
Chen checked the flowers. “You’re right. Do you want me to have our men take the pink flowers off and—”
“No. No. Moni likes pink. It’s her favorite color.”
Chen sighed. “Dear God.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’ve just been over here worried that you were close to killing Uncle Leo, but apparently, you’re over there lovingly gazing at pink flowers.”
“Well. . .I can’t kill my father in front of all these cameras and ruin Moni’s tea ceremony.”
“Correct.”
I turned to where the wretched man sat.
The long table stretched before me, its polished wooden surface reflecting the soft glow from the chandelier that hung above.
I was seated at the center, serving as the focal point of this ceremony.