Page 171 of Cruel Devotion

We continued forward.

I couldn’t help but notice how the light from the chandeliers played off Monique’s features, making each smile, each look of wonder, even more captivating.

She pointed to a large painting on the left. “What’s this one about?”

I stopped her next to it.

The image showed a war between demons and humans. The demons, with their grotesque features overpowered the humans, their victory almost certain.

Monique tilted her head to the side. “This doesn’t make me think of anything in the history of the Four Aces.”

“Because this is about the constant struggle between good and evil. The demons represent the darker side of human nature, and their victory over humans symbolizes how easily we can be consumed by vices.”

“So, Leo was always very religious?”

“Always.” I nodded. “And therefore, he believed that art should make us reflect on both the beauty and the cruelty of the world.”

She glanced around at the towering ceilings and the luxurious decor, then turned to me with a playful glint in her eyes. “Lei, what was it like growing up in a place like this? It must have been quite the experience.”

“My father heavily guarded me, I barely got to leave the East. And when I did, it was to go to the Syndicate’s grand homes in the North or West. Therefore, I nevertrulyunderstood how wealthy we all really were. In the early years, I thought most kids lived in a mansion or palace.” I grinned. “Honestly, when I did get free time, usually Chen, Duck, and me got in trouble.”

“Oh no.” She smirked. “What did you three used to do?”

“We were about twelve, full of energy and always looking for trouble. One day, we got our hands on skateboards. Don’t ask mehow but we did. And we thought, what better place to try these skateboards out than the grand hall?”

“In here?”

I nodded.

“Oh I know someone whipped your little behinds.”

“Basically.”

She scanned the long space again. “But I bet it was fun as hell.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “There we were, skateboarding down this very hall. Duck was doing his best to show off, trying to ollie. Chen of course was more cautious, but still in on the fun.”

“And you?”

“I thought I was a daredevil, so I was skating backwards.”

She chuckled.

“And that was how I pretty much skateboarded backwards right into my father.”

“Oh shit.”

“He beat us with our own skateboards. I couldn’t sit for a few weeks.” I chuckled.

Monique widened her eyes. “Seriously?”

I nodded. “Seriously.”

“I mean. . .but you’re exaggerating a little bit? Right? You could sit the next day.”

“No. It was painful to sit in any way. For a good two weeks, we all had to lay on our sides and was allowed to eat in our bedrooms at night.”

“Jesus.” She studied me. “Yan said at the dinner table that your father put her in the hospital for beating you. Did she overexaggerate that?”

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