Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“And,” She stood firmly as her eyes scanned the sea of lenses and recording devices.
I looked at Chen and kept my voice low. “Don’t interrupt her. She can say whatever she wants. I stand by it.”
Chen froze with his mouth open.
“I want to be very clear again,” she continued, “While the Grand Mountain Master’s intentions was to protect me against harm in the East, I do not agree with the Grand Mountain Master's killing of innocent people.”
Chen appeared close to passing out. His face turned paler than a blank canvas. His hand twitched toward his phone, no doubt eager to call some emergency PR team to handle this crisis-in-the-making.
Duck lowered his head as if he couldn’t even look her way. Surely, he was terrified on the inside.
She raised her voice. “In fact, I want justice for those that were murdered last night!”
Justice? Do you understand what you’re saying?
Just that statement. . .the East would take it as her saying someone should deal with my father and stop him from killing again.
And. . .that someone would need to be ME.
I considered that statement.
Is she telling the East that I would be dealing with my father due to this? Interesting.
Now we had proper reasoning for the battle with my father in three days. I didn’t know if that was what she had planned, but the story could perfectly be weaved into one where I had fought my own father for the East’s freedom to speak without any fear of death.
Due to that, they would understand his death.
No matter how much it pained them. . .and. . .they would love me more because of it.
Very smart. Did you decide this? Or was it him?
It didn’t matter.
All I could do was watch her in awe because in the end. . .right in this moment. . .she reminded me of my mother.
How many times had my mother disregarded the palace’s pre-written speeches to say exactly what she wanted?
In fact, how many times had she called my father into question right on camera and with him standing right behind her in shock?
Mom cursed once on camera too. Moni will be the second.
At that thought, I curved my lips into a smile.
Cameras snapped my way.
Moni continued, “And I want the people of the East to understand something very important—my gaining your approval will not be out of fear.”
Duck looked up.
She gave them a warm smile. “I am here to earn your respect.”
Perfect.
I felt a subtle shift in the crowd, a begrudging respect already forming amidst the usual skepticism.
She swallowed. “But let’s go deeper.”
I blinked in shock.
There’s more?
“I’m already seeing after last night that it won’t be easy for your warm welcome just yet.” She raised that one finger back in the air. “But, understand this. You can tear down my reputation, belittle my achievements, and question my motives. But what you can't do is silence me or. . .have me leave the East.”
Oh really? Now you understand that you are truly here to stay?
It took everything in me to not lick my lips at the thought.
A murmur rippled through the crowd as Moni's defiance hung in the air.
The reporters began scribbling intensely, their pens scratching against paper in a crescendo of noise.
“Second, while I cannot officially speak for the Mountain Master. . .I know that. . .he is taking steps to ensure the safety of journalists and influencers who express opposition to. . .me and any policies.”
I scanned everyone watching her.
There was no anger. Some held sad expressions. Others appeared in absolute shock, not used to this sort of frankness from anyone at the top of the Four Aces.
And surely, Moni had proven that she was at the top.
That word trust came back to me.
Never did I realize that trust would be a part of love, but here. . .I was learning.
I’m glad I trusted her. The East needed this. . .I needed this too.
Meanwhile, Chen’s visible anxiety was rising. Chen's fists clenched and unclenched. His eyes darted back and forth between Moni and the crowd. His face was flushed and his brow furrowed in worry, while his body tensed up, as if ready to spring into action at any moment.
If he doesn’t explode out here, he surely will detonate on the ride back to the palace. In fact, Moni and Chen will probably argue.
However, I would have her back.
I now knew that Moni was right to speak out, just as my mother would have done. And just as I had loved my mother for her unwavering stand for justice, so too did I love Moni for these same reasons.
In her, I saw the continuation of a legacy that I had thought was lost with my mother—a legacy of strength, courage, and the relentless pursuit of what was fair and right.
All I could do was stand there, watching her with a heart swollen with pride and love, knowing that, despite the challenges we would undoubtedly face, her presence and her spirit were the guiding lights we desperately needed.