Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Rage rose within me. “Are you still on that same goal? Did you not learn from the last time?”
“I will respect Father's wishes while he still walks this planet, but when he lets out his last breath. . .”
“Then, you will get back on your plane and leave.”
“I will not, Lei.” She glared. “Do you even want to rule the East anymore?”
That I didn't know but I surely wouldn't put the East in her hands—ones that were so cruel and violent due to all of my Father's abuse.
Our people deserved better.
“All Chanel had to do was wear a tight, short skirt and she could get you to sign any deal with the West.” Yan gave me a disgusted look. “And when she showed a little cleavage you damn sure gave away all of the East's riches.”
“That's enough.”
“I'm glad Father killed Romeo and her—”
“Enough!”
She went mute, her eyes blazing with a rage so intense that her men seemed ready to lunge across the table and attack.
I smiled mockingly at them, daring them to take me on, relishing in the thought of ripping them apart.
Fortunately, none of the other guests noticed the sudden eruption as our table was engulfed in an icy silence.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure and maintain my stance as the Mountain Master. “Unfortunately, you will have to earn the East if you want it, Yan. I will not hand it to you on a silver platter.”
She smirked. “I wouldn't want it any other way.”
“Yet, I am no longer eight. Those days of your beating me are over.” I gestured to her pitiful men. “And I don't care how many planes of men you brought here, the East's army is bigger and the Diamond Syndicate will help when necessary.”
“The East's army will not follow you.” Yan pointed to Monique. “Not when you bring her into the palace. So dark and no hair. She will never be accepted. Father surely has gone crazy.”
Rage roared through me.
Fast, I rose from the table, my chair scraping the floor and causing a hushed silence to fall over the space.
All around us, feast guests went silent and rose too, bowing their heads. Chen, Duck, Hu, and Monique hurried up too.
Even Yan and her men followed. Meanwhile, a wicked smirk remained on her face.
I watched Yan. “Leave.”
She blinked and looked up. Shock covered her face. “What did you say?”
“Leave before I fucking kill you and your men.”
“How dare you? I am an honored guest and high member of the Four Aces—”
“You'll be dead if you remain.”
Chen cleared his throat. “Lei, with all that is going on, we should show a united front to—”
“Get her out of here before I fucking slice her head off.” My eyes remained locked with Yan's.
The past resentments and years of manipulation from our Father had created a chasm that could no longer be bridged.
Clearly, her plan had been to sit at the table and be disrespectful all night. The old me probably would have let her, needing to keep a fake image for all the guests.
The East could not know about the family's internal conflict.
However, her insulting Monique would not be allowed.
I sneered. “Why are you still standing there?”
Yan's face turned a shade redder. “Are you really going to dishonor me by throwing me out like this?”
“Leave.”
Hu left his stance and pulled out his sword.
Duck followed, taking out his knives from hidden parts of his robe.
Yan's piercing gaze swept over the table, challenging anyone who dared meet her eyes.
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then, with a swift flick of her wrist, she signaled her men.
The subtle rustle of their dark suits and the clinking of their hidden weaponry were the only sounds as they made a synchronized exit from the table.
I lowered back onto the throne.
My heart still thundered.
The guests hesitated briefly, before returning to their own seats.
Though the guests attempted to pick up their conversations, the force of the interruption was evident. They exchanged awkward laughs and stole quick glances in our direction. I could sense the electric undercurrent of excitement among them. To many, this was a rare glimpse into the shadows of a powerful family, a real-life drama unfolding right before their eyes.
Whispers snaked their way around the room, insidious and inescapable.
Words like scandal, power struggle, and betrayal floated to my ears.
I caught the occasional sympathetic look, but many more were tinged with morbid curiosity or barely concealed glee.
I had always been a topic of discussion in the East, but this would be uncharted territory.
Chen's voice went barely above a whisper. “This isn't just gossip, Lei. This is a live show for them and we're the main act.”
I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of every gaze on that mountain. “She needed to be shown her place.”
“But at what cost?” Chen pressed. “Look at them. They're whispering, speculating. This will have repercussions.”