Prologue: The Man Behind Everything
Hong Kong Harbor, December 26th, 2022
Two security guards, Donny and Andy, were watching from the port monitoring room. Observing every corner shown on the monitors.
“Coffee?” Donny brought two cups.
“Thanks,” said Andy, sipping the hot coffee straight from the cup.
“What are you reading?” Donny asked.
“Ah, nothing serious. Just killing time. Celebrity gossip.” Andy showed the magazine he was holding a magazine with a bikini-clad actress on the cover—Jessica Chang, a Chinese-American who had lived in Hong Kong since childhood and was currently a very popular star.
“Oh, Jessy. She is sexy,” Donny said, sitting and looking at the monitor. “Probably just a short-lived fame. She'll vanish soon after. Easy come, easy go. Little high, little low.” Donny leaned back and rested his head on the chair cushion.
“Maybe. Her acting’s pretty average, to be honest. She’s just pretty and somehow getting a lot of hype.”
“Someone must be backing her. There’s always a deal behind everything.”
“Ah, you’re being paranoid. Don’t throw baseless accusations.”
“No. One of my cousins is a driver for a big boss here in Hong Kong. There are celebrities who become his mistresses. When they’re no longer with him, their fame just fades away.”
Andy turned his head, “Seriously?”
Donny nodded. “Of course. There’s always a mastermind who decides who rises and who falls. A powerful man behind everything.”
Andy: “So if Jessica suddenly disappears, it’s either she became someone’s mistress or lost her charm to younger rivals.”
“Definitely someone rich, not guys like us. Hahaha—” Donny suddenly stopped laughing. “Hey, speaking of Jessica Chang. Isn’t that her?”
Andy lazily turned to look. Then he jumped up in surprise. “Oh crap, that’s really her!! What the hell is she doing at the harbor this early?”
They both stared at the CCTV footage. The image was a bit blurry, but Jessica’s uniquely mixed Chinese-American face was easily recognizable.
“Holy crap, she’s kissing someone. And it’s hot too,” Andy rubbed his eyes.
“Who’s the guy?”
“Don’t know, but definitely rich.”
Hong Kong Harbor, 10 AM
Along the way, 30-year-old Jessica saw billboard ads displaying her face—exotic oriental features with blue eyes and blonde hair.
She smiled, pleased with her achievements and fame. And today, she was going to thank the man who had paved her way to the top.
The limousine stopped at the pier. Two men in sunglasses and suits welcomed Jessica as she stepped out.
“Mr. Alex is waiting for you on the yacht.”
Jessica walked toward the yacht docked at the pier. On board, Alex, 32, wearing shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sunglasses, smiled and waved at her from a distance.
“Hello boss,” Jessica greeted as she reached him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him kiss her lips.
“Of all the celebrities I’ve kissed, yours are the best,” Alex whispered.
“Thank you.”
“Make sure you’ve got more than just lips to offer.”
“Why don’t we find out?” Jessica whispered, then walked toward the cabin.
The yacht docked at a small island. Alex’s private island.
A guard opened the gate as their Mercedes arrived at Alex’s large villa. Jessica got out first.
“Good morning, Miss Jessica,” a beautiful woman in sunglasses greeted her. Jessica turned toward Alex with a questioning body gesture: Who is she?
“She’s Lisa. My personal assistant. She’ll help take care of your needs while you’re here.”
“Oh, I see,” Jessica smiled. “Hi, Lisa,” she offered a handshake. “So, you’re the maid here?”
“Please come in, Miss,” Lisa replied without answering directly.
“Will you carry my luggage?” Jessica said arrogantly.
Lisa nodded, took the luggage, and led Jessica to her room.
“You’re beautiful,” Jessica said. “Why just work as a maid here?”
“I’m a personal assistant, Miss.”
“Well, that’s the same as being a maid, right?”
“My job is to serve Mr. Alex’s every need, Miss Jessica.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of services?”
“For instance, when a rising star like you comes to sleep with Mr. Alex, I handle everything. And oh—here we are, this is your room.”
“Thank you, Lisa.” Jessica entered and looked around. “Hey, where are you taking my suitcase?”
“Mr. Alex wants to confiscate your belongings while you're on this island. I’m just following orders. You’ll find some clothes in the closet.”
“At least let me take my phone,” Jessica said.
“You are not allowed to communicate with the outside world for now.”
“I’ll ask Alex. He’ll let me.” Jessica tried to take her suitcase, but Lisa pushed her hand away.
“My job is to follow my master’s orders. So, excuse me, I’m taking your suitcase.”
Lisa turned to leave, then added, “Oh, and you’re requested to change clothes and meet Mr. Alex in the living room. If there’s nothing else, I’ll excuse myself.”
Jessica sighed.
She shook her head, sat on the edge of the bed, looked around the room, then undressed. She opened the closet and found only a pile of underwear.
“Pervert,” she muttered.
She chose a strapless black bra and laced black panties, then walked to the living room.
“Alexander Wong,” Jessica greeted.
Alex turned, took off his sunglasses, and scanned her body from head to toe. “You look amazing, Jess.”
Alex placed his hand on Jessica’s shoulder, pulled her close, and embraced her. Jessica felt his warm and wild hug. In a flash, Alex stripped off her bra and panties.
“Sir?” Jessica asked as Alex started nibbling her neck.
“Hmm?”
“Do we have to do it here, Sir? This is the living room.”
“There are no guests here, Jess.” Alex didn’t care. He pulled Jessica to the sofa. She surrendered and followed.
“What if your staff sees us?”
“Just focus on your job, sweetheart. Be professional.”
Alex grabbed both of Jessica’s breasts, overwhelming her. Soon, he was on top of her.
“Are you ready, my Jessy?”
“Make me your slut, sir. Just f**k me whenever you want.”
“Good. You must obey everything I say.”
“Of course, sir. My body is yours.”
From afar, Lisa turned on fast instrumental music that filled the entire house. The loud music muffled the moaning coming from the living room.
Lisa tapped a bodyguard.
“Boss is having fun. No one is allowed inside.”
The bodyguard nodded. Several big men in suits and sunglasses stood guard at the villa terrace, but none dared go inside.
Everyone stood. Only Lisa sat in a lounge chair sipping tea.
“Kriing.” A notification rang. Lisa picked up her phone.
“Hello? Yes? Boss is busy. Okay? What? One moment—”
Lisa opened her laptop and checked a Thai news site. She smirked. “Good news. Boss will love this.”
She rushed into the house.
Alex was still on top of the woman beneath him. Their bodies were pressed together, naked, sweaty. His hand squeezed her breast, his lips never stopped.
Their clothes were scattered on the floor. Amid the pile lay a magazine with a striking cover: the same woman now beneath Alex, headlined:
“Jessica Chang – Hong Kong’s Brightest Rising Star.”
Suddenly, the door opened. Lisa entered and bowed. Jessica was startled and tried to rise, but Alex held her down. He kept going in front of Lisa.
“Excuse me, Mr. Alex.”
“Hmm?” Alex didn’t even look at her, let alone stop. Jessica closed her eyes, cheeks flushed with shame.
“Your plan worked. Isabel has officially been named a suspect in Tony Wong’s murder.”
“Oh yeah?” Alex grinned. “Good news, Lisa. Book a flight to Thailand immediately.”
“Yes, Sir.” Lisa bowed again, left, and closed the door tightly.
Alex continued. Not long after, both he and Jessica reached climax.
The music kept playing. The moaning ceased. Jessica was fast asleep, naked, limp on the sofa. Meanwhile, Alex stood, walked to the wall, and stared at a framed photo: he and his older brother, Tony Wong, showing off a fish they had caught on a boat.
Alex narrowed his eyes.
“Got you, Brother.”