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)
“Also,” Moni raised her voice slightly over the rising buzz of intrigued murmurs, “respect is a two-way exchange. I expect to give respect to all of you just as much as I expect to receive it, not just to me, but to my sisters as well.”
Chen gasped.
Duck cursed under his breath.
That remark caught the reporters off guard.
I stiffened.
With the press, one was never to give too much information.
Moni telling them about her sisters was letting the East know that not only was her presence here permanent, but more of her family were on their way.
The East did not have strangers or unauthorized visitors.
Suddenly, a wave of questions came.
“Are your sisters from the West too?”
“No.” She shook her head. “And, I’m not from the West either. I’m not even from Paradise City.”
Cameras flashed.
“Sisters?” another one yelled out. “How many?”
“Who are your sisters, and what role do they play in your plans for the East?!” one reporter shouted.
Another followed quickly, “Can you elaborate on how your family will influence the East’s policies?”
Alright. That’s enough.
Fast, I spoke before she could answer. “No more questions!”
And just like that, they fell silent.
Some reporters held pens in mid-air.
“However,” I scowled at them. “I have something to say also.”
Chen wheezed like he was suffocating.
Chapter sixteen
Time to Shake Up the East
Lei
It was my turn to fortify the ground Moni had claimed with her bold words.
To just simply rush her away wouldn’t truly show my support and respect for her.
Gazing out at everyone, I could feel the collective pulse of the crowd. This wasn’t just becoming another impromptu press conference; it was now a pivotal moment that could redefine the future of the East.
And I didn’t know if Moni had intended to give me a clear opening for publicly justifying killing my father, but I would take it.
I’d knew weeks ago that killing him over Romeo and Chanel would not be enough for the East. That would have caused an uprising and probably the very end of the Four Aces.
In those relentless weeks I spent hunting down my father, my heart was numb to the consequences. The East could have crumbled into cinders, the world set ablaze in an inferno, and there I would be, sitting next to Chanel's corpse and gazing into her lifeless face.
But then I met Moni, and in those beautiful eyes I not only found love. . .I found strength.
She became my anchor in the turbulent sea of vengeance and sorrow. Through her, the world’s colors returned, painting over the grayscale of grief.
Now I wanted the East to be a good place to live in.
Plus, her sisters would be moving to the East soon. They would all need to be protected. That meant the East could not be a volatile place for them to live after all they had gone through.
In conclusion, the East would need peace after my father’s death.
Clearing my throat, I scanned the growing crowd.
In the small time of Moni talking, more reporters had arrived. One of the news stations must have been showing this live on their channel. Even more, I was sure several of the people with their phones up, had this going live on their social media accounts.
Father, you see this too. Don’t you? Are you happy with what she said? Or are you mad?
I stared out into the forest of black and silver microphones extending towards us.
“Thank you, Monique.” I turned my gaze her way and smiled. “Thank you for your courage and honesty today.”
She lifted her view to me.
“This is one of the many reasons why I’m falling in love with you.”
The crowd gasped.
She parted her lips, and all I yearned to do was kiss her.
Concentrate. We were talking about what again? Oh yeah.
I turned back to the crowd. “I stand here not only as the Mountain Master for the East but as a man who believes in this beautiful woman’s vision of acceptance and respect.”
The cameras flashed, catching every nuance of my expressions.
“The events of last night,” I let out a long breath, “where lives were lost due to the expression of free speech, are not only tragic but entirely against the principles I wish to uphold. This is not the East that I want to lead. This is not the way. . .”
Several murmurs ran through the crowd as many absorbed the gravity of my words.
“This is the ways of the old, but I am the new Mountain Master, and although I have not. . .been focused as I should during my rule.” I gritted my teeth, thinking of all the times I dropped the ball, catering to Romeo and Chanel.
I cleared my throat. “I am now ready to truly serve you. To earn your respect too.”
I could tell several reporters in the front wanted to speak, but couldn’t even open their mouths, so shocked by this all.