Page 121 of Cruel Devotion

“Uh yeah.” Hu muttered. “Very very very pale blue.”

Duck chuckled. “Bullshit.”

“Oh yes.” Chen bobbed his head. “I'm certain of it. Even from here. The palest of blue.”

As we drew closer, the details of that dress became clearer, and anger rose within me.

There she was, Monique, standing amidst my men, looking like a breathtaking vision against the rugged backdrop of the mountain. Her dress, despite Chen's insistence on pale blue, was a pristine white in the bright light and flowing around her like a cascade of purity and defiance.

Oh really?

I took off my seat belt.

The sight was surreal, almost otherworldly. Monique, standing there on my mountain, in a dress that defied the norms I had set, surrounded by my men who looked as if they were guarding a rare and precious treasure.

Duck spoke, “Did you call her yesterday?”

I kept my gaze on her. “I couldn't.”

“Why not?”

“I had her phone.”

I didn't know if it was Chen or Duck, but one of them loudly groaned in annoyance.

“You could have called one of her men and had him hand the phone to her.” Duck sighed. “Women don't like to be ignored and mishandled—”

“I was searching for Chanel—”

“The excuse that you couldn't call because you were searching for your ex's dead body isn't typically a winning one.”

Chen jumped in, “First of all, the dress is very pale blue, but even if it wasn't, Lei has planned an excellent day for her today. Very romantic. I thinkthatshould be the focus—”

“She's not entering the East wearing white.” My frown deepened.

“No one would truly see her, but the palace’s staff.”

I shook my head. “It doesn't matter—”

“Perhaps, this was a misunderstanding—”

“Then, I'll make sure to be clear with my wordsthistime.”

The helicopter's blades churned the air into a frenzy as it descended onto the mountaintop. I was already on my feet before it fully touched down, my impatience and urgency overriding all safety and protocol.

“Lei, calm down.” Chen fumbled with his seatbelt. “This is a sensitive—”

“Stay out of it,” I grabbed the door latch and waited for the pilot to shut off the helicopter. “This is between Monique and me.”

I was beyond caring about his or anyone else's opinion at that moment. All that mattered was Monique and that damnwhitedress.

Once the helicopter shut off, I pushed the door open, and the rush of cold mountain air brushed against my skin.

The deafening noise of the rotors began to fade into the background.

I jumped down.

My shoes hit the ground.

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