Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Rage bubbled inside of me.
“And it is not because they do not respect you, Lei, it is simply because they see Leo as their father too.”
Chen adjusted his glasses. “What final battle?”
Uncle Song turned to him. “Eight days from now, we will all meet at a specified location in traditional clothing—”
“This will not happen.” I glared at him.
Uncle Song ignored me and continued to talk to Chen. “There will be a feast with a photographer that will capture everything.”
Chen ran his fingers through his hair.
“At the end of that feast, Lei and Leo will battle to the death. A duel of Wushu, under the moonlight.” Uncle Song directed his view to Monique. “She will also be Leo’s honorary guest.”
Monique glanced over her shoulder as if wondering who he was talking about.
“Oh. Hold up.” She gazed back at us and touched her chest. “Me. I’m Leo’s honorary guest?”
Uncle Song nodded. “And this envelope is for you too. Take it off this box and open it. Leo wanted to apologize.”
“Umm.” She walked forward.
I grabbed the thick envelope. “What is in it?”
Uncle Song frowned. “It is for Monique, Lei. Not you.”
“My father has given Monique enough surprises for today to last a fucking lifetime.” I ripped open the envelope.
Uncle Song hit me with a sly smile. “So you are feeling protective of Monique?”
Sighing, I pulled out several pages of crisp, high-quality paper.
The official seal of Paradise shone in gold at the top. Embossed calligraphy in thick black ink swept across the paper in an elegant script, each word meticulously penned.
Are you fucking serious, father?
Chen got closer to me and assessed the front. “A deed? Why would Leo be giving Monique a deed?”
I read it and tensed. “Because my father is handing over Lotus Blossom to Monique.”
She got to my other side, brushing up against my arm and luring me with her scent. With her so close, I wanted to taste her lips again, instead of deal with more of my father’s plotting.
Concentrate.
Monique looked up at me. “What is Lotus Blossom?”
“A property situated in the East of Paradise. It was my parent’s first home before they built the palace and moved in.”
“So. . .” Monique looked at all of us in disbelief. “Leo is giving me a house?”
Uncle Song nodded. “Leo could never sell it, and he always refused for anyone to rent the place. It has remained empty for so many years, although a cleaning service and maintenance man goes by monthly to make sure it is in good shape.”
Monique shook her head and stepped back. “I can’t accept a house from Leo.”
Uncle Song shrugged. “You must. He wants to apologize for. . .everything. Also, the property is already legally yours. Leo wants you to be able to take care of your sisters. His hope is that you move into the property in nine days.”
Because he wants you near me after he’s dead.
Lotus Blossom was not only a short walking distance from the palace, but I could see the property from my bedroom window. That had been intentional since my mother was so nervous about moving into the palace. My father made sure she could still see it from all the windows on the North side.
I placed the deed back in the envelope and handed it to Monique.
Stunned, she held it.
Uncle Song’s eyes softened. “You will love Lotus Blossom, Monique. There is a garden with willow trees and a lovely koi pond. See this as not just a deed to a property, but an invitation to a peaceful haven. A piece of paradise nestled in the East, waiting to be called your home.”
Chen’s mouth dropped open.
Monique looked down at the deed. “Umm. . .tell Leo. . .thank you.”
“Now for the next item. You already know what this is, Lei.” Uncle Song tried to hand me the wooden box.
I frowned.
Uncle Song let out a long breath. “If you do not take this and promise to do the ceremony, Leo has plans to kill an innocent person every day and hang them in front of this hotel.”
A soft gasp left Monique.
Horror washed over me. “What?”
“Leo has made a list. No one is safe. Not women or children. His men are monitoring the future victims’ movements so he will be ready to kill them at any time. Each corpse that he hangs up will be to taunt you and tug at your heartstrings. You are warned.”
Monique trembled on my side.
I wanted to hold her and let her know that all would be okay, but it would be a lie.
“Is that what you want, nephew?” Uncle Song tilted his head. “Do you doubt Leo and his possibility to shed blood?”
I swallowed hard and clenched my fists, feeling anger and frustration welling up inside of me.
Uncle Song’s eyes plead with me. “A battle like this would be important for the East. You must do this.”