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)
“$10,000 a month? She is 17,” I interjected firmly, “and I will get her a laptop. There is nothing Chloe should be spending $10,000 a month on unless it’s saving for her college education.”
Chloe groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up in the air. “Oh my God, Moni! Why are you all up in my gift?”
Jo, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back her laughter.
The whole situation was starting to feel absurd, but I knew I had to stay firm. Chloe didn’t need to be running around with unlimited access to an elite credit card, especially not at seventeen.
I could see her getting in all types of trouble.
But, Lei, ever the negotiating Mountain Master nodded thoughtfully and then countered, “How about we say $2,500 a month and we open a college fund for her that you control? The remaining part of my original 10k a month can go to that fund.”
I sighed, recognizing it as a reasonable compromise. “That works.”
"Yay.” Chloe giggled and twirled with her new card. “Money. Money. Money. And I’m serious. Like. . .where is the mall at? Does the East have one?”
Smirking, Duck nodded. “We have two small ones.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Chloe put the card in her mini skirt’s pocket.
I snapped my fingers. “That will be in my control until I think you are completely responsible.”
“What?” Chloe pouted. “You didn’t take Jo’s keys.”
I glared at her. “Girl. . .”
Chloe glanced at Lei as if asking for help.
Lei shrugged. “Moni’s rules are the rules.”
Well. . .he might not have won over Jo completely, but he had Chloe right in his pocket.
Chloe frowned and gave me the card. “Don’t be using my card, Moni.”
“You keep talking to me like that and you won’t be able to use the card.”
Chloe blinked.
Jo snorted.
I put the card in my pocket.
Honestly, I didn’t think Chloe would even need to use the damn thing knowing Lei’s aunts I was sure they’d already bought all my sisters a full wardrobe of designer items.
Speaking of the aunts. . .
I checked the back of Lotus Blossom and spotted over twenty of Lei’s men forming a small boundary line in front of the aunts.
Currently, they were smiling and watching us from afar.
I bet they can’t wait to meet the girls.
No doubt Lei had ordered them to stay back so he could give out his gifts and we could get off this helipad.
As far as I’m concerned, we’d been standing out her for several weeks.
Lei grabbed my attention. “And now TT.”
I let out a long breath and turned to her.
To my surprise, TT had been checking out the cat in Dima’s hand instead of focused on Chloe and my arguing.
But when TT heard her name, she gazed up at Lei.
He gave her a sad smile. “I must say, your gift is not as. . .extravagant as your sisters’ gifts.”
She smiled. “That’s fine.”
“But according to Moni, you’re interested in the Crownsville Bandit.”
TT’s breath hitched. “Yes. I am.”
To my shock, Rose stepped forward utterly intrigued and I couldn’t help but wonder if she had been doing some research on the topic as a reporter.
It wouldn’t be surprising. Many journalists spent their lives on the Crownsville Bandit and the supposed hidden treasure.
Lei gestured to the men by the huge container and two of them disappeared inside.
Alright. This will be interesting. What is he going to give her that deals with the Crownsville Bandit?
Moments later, the men emerged, carrying a large blue trunk between them. The trunk looked old, weathered, as if it held secrets from another time.
O-kay. A trunk, but full of what?
As the men brought the trunk over, Lei turned to TT with a curious expression. “I have a weird question for you, TT.”
She pursed her lips.
He leaned forward. “Do you believe in ghosts?”
TT straightened and her gaze went serious as she considered the question. “Yes, I do, but not in the way most people think.”
“Can you explain?”
“I think ghosts are the remains of energy. Memories that get trapped in places where something significant happened.”
I raised my eyebrows.
TT continued, “I don’t think they are conscious like. . .we understand, but they can interact with the world in ways we don’t fully understand too.”
Her answer was so precise, so educated, that it left me and everyone else a bit taken aback. It was easy to forget that TT, for all her youth, had a mind that was constantly churning, always seeking knowledge.
Movement came from behind.
I spotted Dima giving the cat to Rose and walking closer to us. He’d been quiet the whole time since I’d returned with my sisters as if not wanting to disturb the gift-giving moment.
However, I wondered what made him come over this time.
Lei smiled, clearly impressed. “That’s a very thoughtful answer, TT. And it should make what I’m about to tell you even more interesting.”
She studied him. "Okay.”
I could feel the tension rise as the men set the trunk down next to Lei and TT.