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)
Their chanting, though muffled by the distance and the closed windows of the SUV, was just as potent.
They repeated a rhythmic, haunting chant that I could just make out:
“Mountains can crumble! Mountains can fall! Freedom is not just for you! Freedom is for all!”
A throbbing ache hit my temples.
Inside the SUV, the mood grew tense.
Chen was visibly shaken, his earlier anxiety now compounded by the sight of the protesters. He looked at me. “This is just the beginning, Lei.”
Tension gathered in my shoulders. “Maybe they will calm down after they hear about my battle with my father.”
Hu was more composed, but his forehead was lined with concentration. He understood the implications of this movement—this wasn't just a small group of dissenters; this was the potential beginning of a serious resistance. “Either way, we can’t just dismiss them. They're scared, angry, and worried about the future. The news about the battle may or may not help.”
Fuck.
The SUV carried us further away, while the chants became fainter, but their message echoed loudly in my mind.
I was now finally learning about the reality of true leadership—the shaky balance between making bold promises and the challenging work of fulfilling them.
Either way, all I knew was that I had to be different from my father.
I had to be better.
I checked Duck’s response to these monkey-masked rebels.
He was quiet, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, always the protector, ready to spring into action if needed. He didn't say anything, but his prepared stance spoke volumes about his readiness to defend Moni and me, to fight if that's what it came down to.
I love you, cousin.
Moni glanced at the red and blue signs as we drove past and let out a long breath.
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out too.” I wrapped my arm around Moni and held her closer to me. “Chen, find out who they are and let’s figure out what can be done next.”
He didn’t respond, so I turned his way.
Chen now glared at Moni as if she had spent the whole morning slapping his mother over and over.
Careful, cousin. I will hurt you if you yell at her.
Thankfully, Moni watched him with a neutral expression. She looked more than prepared to meet whatever challenge Chen wanted to give her.
Duck cleared his throat. “Brother. . .calm down.”
Chen continued to watch her and I knew. . .there would be no calming him down at all.
Moni raised her eyebrows. “Just go ahead and say it, Chen.”
His eyes went wild. “Just say it?”
“Yes.”
“Ohhhhh.” He shook his head over and over. “But I do not think you will be willing to listen to what I have to say.”
“Go ahead.” Moni sat up, leaving my hold and crossed her arms over her chest. “Say what you have to say, but be prepared for me to say what I have to say too.”
Chapter seventeen
M.M.I.T.
Monique
Today had been a whirlwind of lessons about the East—politics and strategy.
Every moment was filled with intense mental challenges, forcing me to constantly learn and adapt to this new world. It was a grueling and harsh experience, but with each passing minute I began to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the East and its people.
But, now it was time to deal with Chen.
And I didn’t know what was going on with me today. Perhaps, I was too hungry to calm my temper. Maybe, it was the whole being hostage thing with Leo.
Either way, Chen wanted a fight, and I wasn't backing down.
I crossed my arms over my chest and faced Chen directly, meeting his fierce glare head-on. “Go ahead, Chen. Say what you have to say.”
His eyes flickered with barely contained fury. “You don't understand the East like we do.”
“That’s fair.”
“You come here with your little ideas, your newly found influence, and think you can change things overnight.” He pointed at me. “But the East has been ruled by traditions, laws that are not so easily undone.”
“Okay. Fair point, I don’t know shit about the East, but I understand enough.”
Chen snorted and began to talk.
I cut him off. “People died last night because of me—”
“Yes, which means that you should be even more careful and shut up—”
“I’m not going to keep quiet about kids dying—”
“You will if I tell you to.” Chen scowled. “You are never to get in front of a microphone again, Friend of the Four Aces. Know your place.”
Those last words hung in the air.
Chen's gaze bore into mine, challenging me to dispute his command.
I raised my eyebrows. “Know my place?”
“That is what I said—”
“You’re about to get your ass knocked out.”
Chen blinked. “What?”
“Don’t fucking talk to me like that.”
“I outrank you—”
“I don’t give a fuck about rank!” I was ready to jump out of my seat. “I don’t like the way you said it.”
Chen blinked again. “Monique, first of all, you cannot talk to me like that as a Friend of the—”