Page 82 of Cruel Devotion

“But she wants to.” Yan bobbed her head. “She wants to know if she has been manipulated even ifyoudon't care.”

Monique's expression went stern. “My father took money from a Glory casino—”

“And there we go.” Yan laughed. “Doesn't his old employer own a casino, Lei? Is that not another interesting coincidence?”

Monique shook her head. “But, when I told Leo about the problem, he seemed like he didn't know. He even asked Uncle Song about—”

“Did you know that my uncle and Father had dreamed about being actors when they were young? They love to make reality a big theatrical play.”

Chen turned his face to me as if wanting to further discuss this new information.

I shook my head.

As far as I was concerned, right or not, I didn't care. If my Father had orchestrated this whole meeting with Monique then so fucking be it.

I hated him.

I wanted to kill him.

But Monique's entrance into my life had erased the pain.

Whether the gift of her came from him or God, I would not give her back.

Monique still appeared shocked. “Okay, but. . .I had on this Cookie Monster pajama top with blue and I think that's what—”

“Where did you get those pajamas from?” Yan grinned at her. “I bet you didn't buy them.”

Chen looked at Monique. “Did you?”

My nerves flared.

Monique's hand trembled on my leg. “No. My sisters and I received them from a charity six months ago with other boxes of clothes. Hearts and Harmony Outreach.”

Yan pointed to Chen. “Give the charity name to that idiot and I bet when he does some digging you will find that Four Aces own that charity.”

Monique blinked. “No.”

“Yes.” Yan’s smirk grew even wider, savoring the discomfort she was causing at the table. “It's all a game to our father, Monique. He has orchestrated every single move and you were just a very big pawn in his grand scheme.”

“Enough.” I unthreaded my fingers, moved them under the table, and placed one on Monique's hand. “You didn't come here to help me. Therefore, you came to what? Unravel Father's plan?”

“And am I doing that?”

“I don't care what Father did or didn't do. What I care about is right here, right now.”

She held up one finger. “But this new element surely changes everything.”

“It changes nothing.” I scowled.

“Your feelings for her are fabricated.”

I sneered. “You still have not explained why you came to visit us today.”

“Our father has always believed in the power of fate and destiny. But sometimes, he believes he can give fate a nudge in the direction he wants. I don't know when he spotted Monique long ago but—”

“What do you want?”

“When I returned to Paradise City, I thought I wanted to save Father.” A cruel smile spread on her face. “I rushed to him with my men. Armed. Ready. All eager give their lives to save him.”

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