Chapter 5 - The Turning Tide
The fallout was spectacular. Diane was stripped of her social standing. Camille left her fiancé, finally seeing the toxic environment her mother had created. My mother, Beatrice, finally stood up to Diane, siding with me and apologizing for years of forced compliance.
But the syndicate had its own wars. The rival factions, emboldened by the media attention, launched a direct assault on Julian’s operations.
"I need to go to Hong Kong," Julian said, his bags already packed. "It’s the only way to solidify the borders. It could be dangerous. I don't want you to come."
"You aren't leaving me behind," I said, clutching my suitcase.
"Nadia, please."
"I survived a dinner with Diane Okafor," I said, picking up my knife bag. "I think I can handle Hong Kong."
He looked at me, defeated. "Fine. But you stay with Marcus."
The trip was a blur of high-stakes meetings, danger, and the thrill of the chase. We navigated the underworld of international shipping, and through it all, I cooked. I cooked for the diplomats, the suppliers, and the men who held the fate of the ports in their hands. My food became the leverage Julian needed to secure his empire.
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"You're more dangerous than any of my enforcers," he laughed as we sat on a private boat off the coast of Lantau Island.
"I have better ingredients," I said.
