Page 202 of Cruel Devotion

I grinned.

“To young love!” Aunt Suzi clinked her cup against Aunt Min’s in a joyful toast.

I chuckled. “I love your aunts.”

“Good because I've yet to find a way to get rid of them.”

“Eh.” I nudged his side. “You cannot get rid of Aunt Suzi or Aunt Min. They're awesome.”

Lei rolled his eyes. “They're nosy.”

“And fun.” I chuckled again. “I'm totally inviting them over to Lotus Blossom for tea.”

“Moni, I'm sure they already have several tea parties planned at Lotus Blossom for you. I may need to get you a separate security team just so you can have peace.”

“No way. I want them to come by. After Mom's passing, it would be nice to have them around. T.T. would love them.”

Lei shook his head yet smirked. “FYI, they are going to spoil her.”

Laughing together, Lei and I continued our journey down the magnificent corridor, moving further away from his aunts' whimsical tea party.

Just like the Grand Hall on the first level, this hallway seemed to stretch endlessly.

Yet, our steps were muted against the luxurious carpet.

And then, I saw these massive double doors looming ahead with gold and blue designs.

I pointed. “Is that where the Mountain Master sleeps?”

“Yes.” He licked his lips and hurried our pace. “But he won't be sleeping in there today.”

We got closer and I checked out the two stern-faced men in dark blue uniforms standing guard outside the doors. Each held a gun at his side.

We approached.

The guards snapped to attention and with a precise and synchronized motion, they reached out and pushed the massive doors open, revealing what lay inside.

Oh my God.

Shock hit me.

We stopped right there in the doorway.

Clearly, Lei was letting me get used to this new set of craziness.

Of course there were the normal parts that I pretty much expected.

The spacious bedroom, with its high ceilings, radiated an aura of regal splendor. The bed, opulent and majestic, stood as theroom's centerpiece. It was grand enough to fit an emperor, adorned with the finest silken sheets that shimmered under the gentle light.

The walls of the room were a gallery of mystical creatures in epic battles.

However, there was one wall that was empty and it was clear that this space had once been home to its own masterpieces. I knew this because there were these odd traces on the wall, faint outlines marked by a subtle discoloration against the otherwise pristine surface. It all hinted at the dimensions and shapes of the paintings that had been removed. And those ghostly imprints spoke of large, grandiose works that must have been as captivating as the remaining ones.

What paintings did they take down? Was it Leo and his mom? No. They were probably ones of. . .Chanel.

I would have asked, but I didn't want to. It would have damn sure ruined the mood for me. Therefore, I turned away from that wall and gazed at the crazier parts of the bedroom.

Ummm. . .

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