Page 174 of Savage Throne
They approached the table, Monique walking with that regal elegance that made her seem untouchable despite the clear evidence of what they’d done.
Lei’s smirk was faint, but it was there, a trace of triumph that made my jaw clench even more until it ached.
I wanted to rip him apart.
End him right there for taking what I had created, for tainting the masterpiece I had formed from my genius.
When I was designing this plan long ago, you had your fucking eyes on Chanel and now you boldly walk next to Monique as if it were all you that made this happen. So ungrateful.
I trembled with rage.
You could have let me have my moment.
Lei helped Monique onto the platform, his hand steady on her waist as if staking a claim.
And then, my spoiled bastard of a son didn’t just walk her to the throne—he placed her there, in front of everyone, as if he were the one who had shaped her ascent.
It was a sharp slap across my face.
My blood boiled.
I leaned toward my old Vanguard, Jay’s way and whispered. “Put plan B into play.”
He kept his voice low. “Leo, that is unnecessary.”
“Do it now.”
Jay blinked and then hurried off.
Like a good Deputy Mountain Master, Chen noticed and gestured for one of his men to follow Jay.
It doesn’t matter. Your man can’t stop Jay from doing what I need.
Monique settled into the throne, her gown flowing around her like liquid sapphire. Her posture was impeccable—straight-backed, regal, yet somehow soft.
Lei sat down.
The guests and our people followed suit, lowering themselves into their seats as the hum of conversation resumed, hesitant but growing.
I didn’t move immediately.
My feet felt rooted to the ground.
Should we fight now? No. Jay needs time to put everything in place. Either way, it is clear there will be no true feast of food. Soon it will only be a feast of blood and flesh.
I sat down.
Lei leaned toward Monique and whispered something in her ear, though her expression remained serene, the corners of her lips curved into a soft smile—a smile that twisted the knife already lodged in my chest.
What the fuck did he just say to her? Was it about me?
At the table, the conversation grew louder. Monique’s ladies-in-waiting eagerly greeted her. Duck made some comment about her crown, and everyone laughed—even my sisters, Min and Suzi.
Lei, however, watched me like the Azure Dragon of legend, its serpentine body coiled and gleaming, its claws hidden but sharp, its eyes glowing with an unrelenting hunger for domination.
His gaze pinned me and it was unblinking.
Calculating even.
