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)
It wasn’t going to be easy, navigating these choppy emotional waters. But for Monique’s sake, and my own, I was ready to face the storm.
Satisfied enough, I left the ring too.
Movement sounded behind me.
Next, Chen got to my side and kept my pace. “Lei, we have a problem.”
“We have lots of problems, cousin.”
“Your sister is here.”
“We knew Yan would be in Glory today—”
“Not in Glory, Lei. Here.”
I stopped walking and turned to him. “On Mount Utopia?”
“Yan’s people and her have been kept at the entrance for an hour—”
“Why so damn long? You should have got me—”
“I tried to get you an hour ago but when I went to your tent, I realized that you were very busy with Monique.”
I sighed. “What does Yan want?”
“Besides for you to not kill Uncle Leo?”
“Yes, besides that.”
“She wants to speak with you.”
I looked at him. “And your thoughts?”
“Uncle Leo is her father too. You should at least have a conversation with her.”
“I don’t want to—”
“But you should, Lei. You really should. This will have a negative impact on Yan too. Therefore, if you want to have any real relationship with your sister after you kill him then you should at least hear her out. Not to mention the fact that she has built a pretty nice army in Hong Kong.”
I gritted my teeth.
Even though my sister, Yan, was born before me, our father never saw her as the true heir to rule the East. He admired her strength, her intelligence, but he was also acutely aware of the deep-seated prejudices within our territories.
Many families would never accept a woman's leadership, regardless of her capabilities. Father feared they would undermine her at every turn, making her reign tumultuous and possibly short-lived.
Due to that, when it became my time to lead, I placed Yan by my side. I believed that together, we would be unstoppable. So, I appointed her as my Deputy Mountain Master, thinking that her strength combined with mine would solidify our family’s rule.
But father's reaction was far from pleased.
Perhaps he had foreseen what I had blinded myself to—Yan's insatiable ambition and her unwillingness to remain in anyone's shadow, even mine.
Only three years into my rule, evidence of Yan’s discontent began to surface.
She was convinced that the East's income outdid the other areas in the Diamond Syndicate. Therefore, she thought we deserved greater control over the Syndicate.
Her first move was subtle—an orchestrated attack on Killer Crows and Dima’s supply chains, creating chaos and diverting funds.
Dima figured it out and allowed me to deal with her disrespect in secret.
But then, her ambitions became blatant. During one of our key syndicate meetings, she initiated a gunfight against Marcelo. It was not only insane and brash, but it was a flagrant challenge to me, an open disrespect to my authority, and a clear sign that Yan wouldn’t stop until she was on top.
Father, ever the strategist, intervened before the situation spiraled out of control. He commanded Yan to relocate to Hong Kong, masking it as an opportunity to expand the Syndicate’s influence internationally.
But those within our inner circle knew the truth. It was a move to contain Yan's ambitions and protect the fragile balance of power within our family and syndicate.
Once she left, I appointed Chen and never regretted it.
Chen checked his watch. “What do you want to do with Yan?”
“Let her come in to the camp but only with four of her men.”
“Do I choose them? Or will we let her choose?”
“Let her choose but note the selections.”
Chen nodded.
“And they can’t come inside with any weapons, including Yan.” I sighed.
Not that she needs a weapon.
Chen spoke, “Yan has not been back in the States for many years. She would be considered an honorary guest.”
Goddamn it.
Chen continued, “tradition dictates that we should have a moonlit feast and provide her with a place to lay her head—”
“Another fucking feast?” I bared my teeth. “I want to be alone. Not sitting on some fucking throne, putting on a fake mask and pretending like I care to hear any argument she has to keep our father alive.”
“You are the Mountain Master.” Chen placed his hand on my shoulder. “It is not an easy life. You know this.”
“Tonight, I’m supposed to say goodbye to Chanel. That won’t be a short moment.” A cold shiver sliced up my spine. “When will I have the time to say goodbye?”
“If not tonight, then take all morning.” Slowly, he moved his hand from my shoulder. “I promise to not have Chanel’s body taken away until you have given her a proper goodbye.”
I nodded.
Chen put his gaze on the horizon. “This is going to be a long night.”
I headed off. “Let’s just hope I don’t kill Yan or Duck by the morning.”
Chapter two
Zombie Blues
Monique
In my dream, Lei and I rushed through the grand hallway of a mansion.