Page 94 of Cruel Devotion

“That’s exactly what we shouldnotdo. That is falling right into Uncle Leo’s plans.” Chen waved his hand. “Therefore, I think we should do everything opposite of what Leo wants.”

“And what does that mean?” Lei placed his gaze back on Chen.

Chen shrugged. “It is time for Monique to leave.”

What?

The whole table went quiet.

Lei glared at Chen with a murderous rage.

Duck froze. His chopsticks were mid-air. Sauce dripped from the tips.

Hu remained stiff too.

Chen gulped. “Or. . .Monique can remain with us and we can think of an alternative plan.”

“Or you can enjoy this feast and leave me alone.” Under the table, Lei pushed the gown’s fabric aside and exposed more of my thigh.

I stiffened.

Chen lifted one finger. “I still believe a discussion away from the table is necessary—”

Lei leaned back on his throne yet kept his hand on my thigh. “We are done talking about it.”

“Please, just a little bit more, Mountain Master. And can we discuss this in privacy?”

“Like I already said, it is not necessary, but if we talk about it, we stay here.” Lei’s fingertips brushed against my inner thigh, delivering tingling sensations to my core.

I widened my eyes and did my best to maintain my composure.

“Drop it, Chen. Enough has already happened today.” Duck moved his empty bowl of soup to the side and pulled over a plate stacked with seafood. “In fact, are we really surprised that our fathers went to great lengths to do something this insane?”

“Yes!” Chen held out both hands. “Capital yes, in fact. And by the way, Leo cannot pick the Mountain Mistress. It is against the code—”

“A code that he wrote.” Duck grabbed a lobster claw. “Uncle Leo knows how to get around all of the codes.”

Ignoring them, Lei traced the length of my inner thigh.

An involuntary ripple of goosebumps spread across my arms.

What are you doing?

My nipples hardened as I barely suppressed a shiver.

Chen shook his head. “This is about the need for free will.”

“This is Uncle Leo and our father continuing to move us around on their board of life.”

“But where is the sense of self?” Chen held up both hands. “Lei should havegenuinedesires for his Mountain Mistress. Not ones implanted in him by a sick and twisted puppeteer.”

Duck sighed. “They are genuine.”

“What?” Chen dropped his hands and eyed him. “What’s genuine?”

“Lei’s feelings.”

“But are they?” Chen frowned. “How can we be sure anymore? With all of Uncle Leo’s planning, I bet you and I have also been maneuvered to move exactly how he wants.”

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