In the Shade of the Blossom Tree

by Joanna Rees

  The other two attorneys were quick to follow suit, offering up their condolences. But Savvy wasn’t listening.

  The oil portrait of Michael Hudson stared steadily down at her from the wall behind them, as if he’d caught them snooping.

  ‘Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s get on, shall we,’ Paige said. She seemed to have taken strength from being in the Oval Office. The tears from the limo had vanished. Her voice had changed too. She seemed confident and businesslike.

  Savvy stared at her and she knew all at once that Paige hadn’t told her something. Something important.

  In the corner of her eye, Savvy caught a movement over by the bay window. She turned to see Luc standing there. He looked weary, his eyes bloodshot. His suit was crumpled and his tie was crooked. Hud’s death had clearly hit him hard.

  All this time, Savvy had wondered what it would be like to see him again, how she’d feel. But now that he was here, what she felt wasn’t a surge of hatred or love. Just embers. Sadness. The need for warmth. The need to be held by someone who’d cared about Hud. And who’d once cared about her too.

  Luc walked forward. For the first time in so long, he looked at her directly without hostility in his eyes. She thought immediately of all the terrible things she’d said about him to Red. And to his face in the wake of Elodie’s death.

  Luc was saying something. Savvy stared at his soft lips. His voice was a gentle half-whisper. He was telling her he’d take care of everything, that everything would be all right. It was all she could do not to step forward and lay her head against his chest.

  But Paige butted in. ‘Peter wanted to explain to you as quickly as possible what we’ve got in mind. What Hud would have wanted to happen in the event of his death.’

  Savvy felt her whole body tense. The warmth faded. Coldness came in its place. Because once more she remembered the last words she’d heard Hud say.

  She felt fear rip through her. Was the whole empire – everything Hud had worked for – now Luc’s? Was that the news the lawyers were here to break to her?

  ‘I’m afraid there’s rather a lot of urgent paperwork,’ Peter Murasaki said, ‘relating to your father’s estate. None of us were expecting this to happen.’

  He led her over to the big desk by the window and she sat down in Hud’s chair. Peter started talking then, leafing through the triplicate sheaves of papers laid out.

  He was speaking in lawyers’ language, using words Savvy had never heard before.

  There would have to be a funeral, she thought. She’d have to lead the mourners. Would she bury Hud’s ashes next to Elodie’s? Would they lie together and look up through the great oak trees of the cemetery? Memories of Hud flashed up at her from her childhood. She thought of all the things she’d never got a chance to tell him, or thank him for, once she’d grown up.

  She was aware that Peter had fallen into an expectant silence. He smiled gently at Savvy as he pressed an ink fountain pen into her hand and pointed to the first of the many documents he wanted her to sign.

  ‘I know this is difficult, Savvy,’ Paige said gently. ‘But the fact is you don’t know anything about the business. And there’s so much you want to do. College . . . travelling . . . All you have to do is sign and then we can take the business forward. You won’t have to do anything. You’ll be a wealthy woman and free to do whatever you want. You’ll never want for anything.’

  ‘You mean . . . ?’ she said, looking at Paige. ‘He left it all to me?’

  Paige and Peter glanced at each other. Savvy sensed that Paige had wanted to break this news to Savvy alone, but had been overridden. And now she’d proved Peter wrong, as Savvy hadn’t taken in anything he’d just told her.

  ‘Technically, yes, you are Michael’s heir,’ Peter said.

  ‘Technically?’

  ‘Michael had talked of structuring his eventual legacy in a different way, but unfortunately his wishes hadn’t been put in writing,’ Peter said. She noticed the look between him and Luc.

  Unfortunately? Unfortunate for who?

  ‘As you might already know,’ Peter continued, ‘he’d already assigned both Paige and Luc a five per cent equity share, based on performance, of course, but—’

  ‘But the rest is mine,’ Savvy said. ‘The company is mine. To do with as I choose?’

  ‘Michael worked very closely with Paige and Luc. There were many facets of the business he was expecting them to take forward. When you sign these papers, it’ll mean that everything your father wanted to do can happen.’

  Savvy still held the pen in her hand. It was shaking. All at once she saw the friendship bracelet Red had given her slip down her wrist.

  Do what you have to do . . .

  You’re so much stronger than you think you are . . .

  Was this her final chance not to let her father down? To step up to the mark and prove to him how worthy she could be? Or was she being crazy even thinking like that? Would her getting involved be the last thing he’d want?

  Savvy stared at the framed photograph on the desk. It was of Hud with Elodie and Savvy at their twenty-first birthday party. In it, he looked so happy – as if he were glowing with pride. He had his arms around both his daughters. They seemed so solid. So united. As if they could never be torn apart.

  This was a Hudson business. Hud’s hard graft had built it and now she, the next Hudson – the only surviving Hudson – would make sure it went to the next level. No matter what happened. No matter how hard. No matter how much she had to learn along the way. Her father’s legacy would live on. She’d make damn sure of it.

  Savvy put the pen down on the desk and, taking up the papers, tore them in two.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Lois Chan felt as if her heart was about to burst with excitement.

  It was finally here: launch night at the Good Fortune. Two incredible and long years since Roberto had first shown her the site.

  In her office, she pressed her lips carefully together and smoothed down the front of her long Christian Dior evening gown. Her stylist, Sue-Lin, nodded at her in the mirror, satisfied that Lois was ready and the final slick of lip gloss was perfect.

  Lois stared at her reflection for one more second. After spending the last three days in the same clothes, working round the clock to get ready for the launch tonight, she couldn’t believe how glamorous Sue-Lin had made her look now. Her eyes were sparkling, her hair glossy and her skin was glowing.

  She let out an excited, pent-up breath. It was really happening.

  ‘Go, go, go,’ Sue-Lin told Lois. ‘They’ll be waiting for you.’

  Thank God for her girls, Lois thought. She’d made sure that the workforce was split fifty-fifty men to women and she couldn’t have been ready to host the biggest night of her life without all the women who’d made it possible.

  She kissed Sue-Lin on the cheek, then, picking up her long skirt, she rushed out on to the raised walkway of the hub.

  The walkway ensured that Lois could see everyone and everything she needed to, at a glance. Unlike at the Enzo Vegas, Lois had had this space designed so that all of the security staff could move freely and communicate easily. The curved back wall was filled with floor-to-ceiling screens. In front of them, Mario’s team were going about their business in an atmosphere of control and calm, which made Lois feel nervous. Would they really cope when the casino went live in just a few hours?

  But Mario was the boss of the hub. It was his job to ensure that they did, she reminded herself. He’d worked tirelessly with the computer technicians to make sure that every system was the best it could be.

  ‘You all set, Lois?’ Mario called, as she walked towards him, fiddling with her diamond pendant earring. He looked surprisingly relaxed, considering what a big deal tonight was, and how much rested on his shoulders.

  But then, Mario was hardly the young foot soldier he’d been back at the Enzo Vegas. He looked older and more self-assured tonight than Lois had ever seen him – probably to
do with the smart dark-blue suit he was wearing, as opposed to his usual scruffy jeans and T-shirt. She suddenly saw that, without his glasses, Mario was a very handsome man.

  ‘As ready as I’ll ever be,’ she replied.

  ‘It’s going to be awesome,’ he said, a grin on his face. ‘You look sensational, by the way.’

  She smiled. ‘Thanks. Everything’s up and running?’

  She knew he’d been overseeing a final round of the performance tests she’d insisted on, governing everything from the cashing-up procedures to the emergency protocols. They were leaving nothing to chance.

  ‘All A-OK,’ he said in a soothing tone. ‘The floor staff are all set as well. They can’t wait.’

  ‘Good.’ Lois checked her watch. It was half an hour until the dignitaries and celebs were due to start arriving.

  Lois looked over to the screen which showed the outside of the Good Fortune, where the crowd had been gathering all day, soaking up the atmosphere and the rising sense of occasion. Lois knew from experience that Chinese people were a lot more good-natured about waiting than Americans. Even so, she was pleased to see that they were taking advantage of the free drinks and free Good Fortune paper umbrellas she’d sent out to thank them for their patience in the unexpected heatwave.

  She sure hoped it was going to be worth the wait. She’d done everything in her power to ensure that it was. Tonight was about putting the Good Fortune on the world map as the first of the mega casinos in Shangri-La to open its doors. The first and the best. And what a party it was going to be.

  She now saw that Roberto was waiting for her by the main swing doors out into the casino with LJ, the events manager Lois had hired. She’d enticed her from one of the best hotels in Shanghai and the small, feisty Chinese girl had been worth her weight in gold. She was a stickler for detail, worked incredibly hard and had brought some of her finest staff with her, as well as enticing Leighton Wan, the celebrated Hong Kong chef, to head up the Good Fortune’s catering and fine dining. Roberto was thrilled.

  Lois knew that this must be the busiest time of the whole night for LJ. The champagne reception was being set up in the atrium downstairs and the band in the ballroom, and the final nerve-racking adjustments were being made to the net containing close to twenty thousand balloons, all embossed with the Good Fortune’s dragon logo. But LJ was full of smiles as Lois hurried towards them, knowing that Roberto was waiting to escort them both down to the waiting press in the courtyard.

  ‘Knock-out dress, Lois,’ LJ said, feeling the silky skirt. ‘Couture. Lovely.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Lois said. ‘You look great yourself.’

  It was true. LJ was wearing a traditional Chinese silk dress embroidered with green and red flowers. Roberto didn’t look half bad either. He was immaculate in a vintage tux, his hair swept back from his tanned forehead.

  Roberto had his hand behind his back and now Lois saw why. He was holding a bunch of red peonies which he now handed to her.

  ‘Oh Roberto, you didn’t have to.’ She kissed him on the cheek.

  ‘You know what they’re calling you out there?’ he said.

  ‘Something good, I hope?’

  ‘Lady Luck. The Queen of Shangri-La.’

  Lois flushed at his praise. She looked down at the beautiful blooms, smelling them.

  ‘You know they call these the king of flowers here,’ LJ said to Lois, her English perfect but heavily accented.

  As usual, she wasn’t missing an opportunity to translate customs and idioms for Lois and Roberto’s benefit. Goodness knows how many faux pas Lois would have made if it hadn’t been for LJ. She’d brought her up to speed culturally and linguistically, teaching her all the nuances and customs to help her get by. If Lois’s grandmother could see her now, even she would nod with approval.

  LJ carefully pinned one of the blooms into Lois’s chignon.

  ‘It’s the perfect touch,’ she said with a smile.

  Lois gave the bunch of flowers to LJ and plucked a bloom to put in Roberto’s buttonhole. She pressed her palm against the lapel of his jacket, suddenly overcome with gratitude. He’d given her a free rein out here on everything from the interior design to the hiring and firing of staff. He’d been as good as his word, and as a result the Good Fortune truly was hers. All hers. She felt overwhelmed by his faith in her.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said.

  ‘You’ve done a sensational job,’ Roberto said proudly, squeezing Lois’s hand. ‘I couldn’t have done it better myself. Now go knock ’em, dead, Lois. This is your moment.’

  On the podium in the Good Fortune’s central courtyard Roberto applauded Lois, stepping away so that she could make her address to the press. They were banked up ahead of her, with the giant Good Fortune dragon fountain behind them, glinting in the late afternoon light.

  To one side were the huge golden gates, closed for now, and to the other the casino doors, draped with the red ribbon that Lois and Roberto would cut.

  Bring it on, she thought, seeing the TV cameras pointing her way. She hoped that her mother would be watching this on the entertainment channel in San Francisco, and Cara too would be viewing the live webcast.

  She’d made it. Nothing had gone wrong and they were all ready. She smiled at the press, the flashes blinding her.

  This was her baby – everything she’d worked flat out for. Now was her big opportunity to show the world a different Lois Chan. Not someone whose claim to fame was that she had once been shot, or had had a brother who’d been killed in a gang fight, but one who had created something innovative and amazing.

  ‘In being the first casino to open its magnificent gateway, we are sending out a statement that the Good Fortune is the face of Shangri-La,’ she began. She knew these words by heart. She’d practised for this moment over and over, but now that she was in it, it was even more nerve-racking than she’d anticipated. ‘Tonight we are here to present to you the world’s first ever eco super-casino.’

  She heard applause and smiled as she continued. ‘Our philosophy is consumerism with a conscience. We are sending a message to the world that China has the capacity to lead the way in vital green technology.’

  The idea had been Lois’s own. Roberto had been sceptical at first, but he was won over as soon as he realized that Lois had universal approval from the architects and authorities, and green tax breaks into the bargain.

  ‘How?’ someone asked.

  ‘We have harnessed the power of the waves, the wind and the sun to provide all the energy for the casino. We’ve also completed an ambitious water recycling project – one of the first of its kind in the world, which allows us to irrigate our beautiful gardens and supply the waterways and water park.’

  ‘Is it true that you built schools for the workers’ children?’ someone else asked, in Mandarin.

  ‘Yes. And safe housing,’ she answered in the same dialect. ‘We have made sure that, in every aspect, the Good Fortune has had – and will continue to have – a positive impact on its environment and the surrounding community.’

  ‘Critics have said that this is the most expensive casino built in recent history. Isn’t your strategy risky?’ another reporter asked.

  ‘We believe that the investment has been worth it. Looking at the bigger picture, Shangri-La is an important geographical site for world entertainment. It’s here to stay. The blueprint of the Good Fortune’s environmental and ethical strategy will mean that we’re here to stay as well,’ she said.

  ‘How do you think you’ll compare to the other casinos being built here, once they’re up and running? El Palazzo, for example?’ An American CNN journalist had a mischievous glint in her eye.

  Lois smiled. ‘I think the very fact we’ve opened first speaks for itself,’ she answered.

  ‘To the victor, the spoils?’ the journalist said.

  ‘Quite so,’ Lois agreed, knowing full well the journalist’s quote would be attributed to her in tomorrow’s press.

  ‘Savannah Huds
on might have something to say about that,’ another American journalist – Fox News this time – said.

  Lois held up her hand and smiled joylessly. ‘I am not interested in what Savannah Hudson has to say,’ she said.

  She had to admit – she hadn’t wept when she’d heard of Hudson’s death, but she had been taken aback to learn that his wild-child party-girl daughter had come out of rehab to run the Hudson Corporation.

  For one fleeting moment, she’d thought that a woman in charge might change the way things stood between the business empires, but the Hudson Corp’s PR machine had carried on exactly as before, since its founder’s death, pushing its own agenda at the expense of its rivals’ reputations.

  Savannah Hudson was complicit in this, Lois was sure. But she also suspected that Savannah was in charge of the corporation in name alone. A pretty puppet with a big mouth in a business suit. It was Paige Logan and Luc Devereaux who pulled the strings.

  ‘Have you invited Savannah Hudson to your launch tonight?’

  Of course Lois had invited her. It was a neighbourly courtesy. One she’d discussed long and hard with Tristan Blake, who’d been her right-hand man in Shangri-La from the start. They were both intrigued to see whether she’d have the nerve to turn up. She glanced across at Tristan and caught his private smile. He was standing along from Roberto and Susie, Lois’s PA and Tristan’s girlfriend.

  ‘Everyone’s welcome here. That’s our philosophy,’ Lois said. ‘Even Savannah Hudson.’ She tried, but she couldn’t resist the jibe. ‘Particularly since, as I understand it, it’s going to be several more months before El Palazzo is even vaguely habitable.’

  There was a ripple of laughter. She’d judged her adlib jibe well. The press were on her side.

  Suddenly, there was a sound of drums beating.

  ‘Please, turn round,’ she instructed the crowd, all thoughts of Savvy Hudson forgotten. The drums got louder as the giant golden gates slowly opened. In a few moments, the world-famous Ko-Xin Acrobatic Dance Troupe she’d flown in from their sell-out show in Beijing for tonight would be flipping and tumbling up the red carpet, followed by the Good Fortune’s sixty-metre dragon ushering in the guests.