Page 85 of Cruel Devotion

Rage roared through me.

Fast, I rose from the table, my chair scraping the floor and causing a hushed silence to fall over the space.

All around us, feast guests went silent and rose too, bowing their heads. Chen, Duck, Hu, and Monique hurried up too.

Even Yan and her men followed. Meanwhile, a wicked smirk remained on her face.

I watched Yan. “Leave.”

She blinked and looked up. Shock covered her face. “What did you say?”

“Leave before I fucking kill you and your men.”

“How dare you? I am an honored guest and high member of the Four Aces—”

“You'll be dead if you remain.”

Chen cleared his throat. “Lei, with all that is going on, we should show a united front to—”

“Get her out of here before I fucking slice her head off.” My eyes remained locked with Yan's.

The past resentments and years of manipulation from our Father had created a chasm that could no longer be bridged.

Clearly, her plan had been to sit at the table and be disrespectful all night. The old me probably would have let her, needing to keep a fake image for all the guests.

The East could not know about the family's internal conflict.

However, her insulting Monique would not be allowed.

I sneered. “Why are you still standing there?”

Yan's face turned a shade redder. “Are you really going to dishonor me by throwing me out like this?”

“Leave.”

Hu left his stance and pulled out his sword.

Duck followed, taking out his knives from hidden parts of his robe.

Yan's piercing gaze swept over the table, challenging anyone who dared meet her eyes.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then, with a swift flick of her wrist, she signaled her men.

The subtle rustle of their dark suits and the clinking of their hidden weaponry were the only sounds as they made a synchronized exit from the table.

I lowered back onto the throne.

My heart still thundered.

The guests hesitated briefly, before returning to their own seats.

Though the guests attempted to pick up their conversations, the force of the interruption was evident. They exchanged awkward laughs and stole quick glances in our direction. I could sense the electric undercurrent of excitement among them. To many, this was a rare glimpse into the shadows of a powerful family, a real-life drama unfolding right before their eyes.

Whispers snaked their way around the room, insidious and inescapable.

Words likescandal,power struggle, andbetrayalfloated to my ears.

---