Page 125 of Cruel Devotion

The topic itself was veiled in secrecy, only understood by those with intimate knowledge of the Four Aces. Almost no one on the outside would understand the concept. Even people who had been privy to some of our ceremonies—like Dima, Romeo, and Chanel—were unaware of its existence.

But she made sure the top four were in front of her, so. . .she knows.

I glanced behind me.

Far off in the distance, the rest of men were visible, their figures small and clad in blue. They stood scattered along the ridge, vigilant but too far to catch the words being exchanged.

Off to the other side, the parked helicopter's rotors were still.

However, even the pilot, leaning casually against the fuselage, couldn't help but cast curious glances towards us.

Sighing, I returned my view to Monique and narrowed my eyes.

How?

Silent, Monique held her ground and scanned each of our faces. Her eyes lingered for a moment on each person, as if assessing our reactions to her absurd request.

Whoever told Monique this information is getting something broken on their body.

I focused on regaining my composure. The situation was slipping out of hand and I knew it was crucial to reassert control.

I cleared my throat. “Monique, this is not the proper location to requestCouncilwith us. Consider another time and place.”

“Actually, there is noproperlocation or time.” Monique briefly gazed at those index cards in her hand.

I gritted my teeth.

She continued, “In the history of the Four Aces, Councils have been started in various unconventional settings to petition for roles and negotiate mergers—”

“Where are you getting this information?”

“Is the information wrong, Lei?”

The line of my jaw twitched. “No.”

She flipped a card and read from it, “In fact, there was a Council held right here on Mount Utopia to decide the fate ofthe Eastern territory after your father stepped away due to your mother's death.”

I froze in horror.

Why does she know this?

Hu widened his eyes.

Chen checked his Hello Kitty watch and then began to fidget with it—a clear tell that he was slowly losing his fucking mind.

“And although you already were set to sit on the throne, a man named. . .” Monique squinted at the card and took her time pronouncing the name. “Bingwein requested Council and petitioned to take on the role until you were at least in your forties. He thought that this age would be old enough to truly hold so much power.”

“And tell me, Monique.” I spoke through clenched teeth, “What did I do when he did that?”

She looked up from the card. “You killed him.”

Duck raised his hand to his waist and began to fiddle with the handle of his sword.

I sneered. “And you still think this is a good idea?”

“Yes.” She lowered the cards and kept them at her side. “Because that Council onthismountaintop was considered properandhis petition called for a final battle to determine who should be the true Mountain Master. That was theonlyreason why you killed him.”

Chen pushed up his glasses. “Thatdidhappen. She's. . .right about that.”

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