The Money Is Green Read Online Free Page A

was I? Oh yes. Because of my husband’s high position in the government, the powers that be allow me to run my company as I see fit and take advantage of the subsidies the government makes available. But if my company is as successful as I know it will be, the government will never let me keep all the money. That’s where you come in.”
    They came to a table where four other couples were already seated, and David held out a chair. Mei acknowledged the other couples and continued, speaking in a hushed tone. “I want to have a partner help me keep all of the money my company’s going to make, preferably here in Hong Kong.” She looked into his eyes and slid her hand down under the table to his lap, playfully giving him a squeeze. “Besides, there might be other benefits, too.”
    David let a smirk come across his face and then leaned in next to her ear. “I might be mistaken, but are you not already spoken for and is not your husband the third highest member of Communist China’s government? I don’t think playing in that shark tank would be healthy for one’s longevity. I realize we went down this path once before, but I didn’t think you or I wanted it to be a long-term affair. It would increase the chances of getting caught.” He raised his eyebrows at her.
    Mei batted her eyes at him with and waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, David, don’t be such a wimp. Ho knows only one life and that is the Communist Party. Outside of the Party, he does what I tell him to and he knows that what I do with my life is none of his business.” She reached for her glass of champagne and took a sip. “Think about my proposition. I know you’re already wealthy, but you can never be too rich.”
    Picking up a dinner roll, David broke it in half. “I’ll give it some thought and let you know.” He patted her thigh under the table. “You’re making me a tempting offer. I may find it hard to refuse.”

T HREE
    F our cars sat ahead of Janine, their engines idling while their drivers waited for the school bell to ring and unload the students from the classrooms and out to the waiting parents. Janine, on her cellphone with her administrative assistant, watched the first door of the school building up the walkway twenty yards away.
    “I like the concept, Kristin, but I’ll need to see it when I get back to the office. Run it by Patrick and get his thoughts.”
    Suddenly, a loud bell rang, every door from the building burst open, and students with multi-colored backpacks poured out, yelling and laughing as they made their way toward the parking lot. Scanning the students, Janine searched nervously for Crystal, this being the first day of her father’s trip and the first day of their week together.
    “Kristin, I have to go. I’ll see you in the morning.” She set the phone down. I hope this goes well, she thought. Jason is depending on me, and Crystal is such a handful. I can’t seem to get past her disdain for another female, other than her mother, in her father’s life. Well, I guess this is as good of a time as any to get to know each other if we are ever going to bond.
    She spotted Crystal walking and talking with another girl as they headed toward the car.
    Should she honk the horn to get her attention? She started to press the horn, but just then Crystal looked up. She immediately slowed down. The cars in front of Janine had picked up their passengers and moved on, so she inched the car forward to the front. Crystal tossed her backpack in the back and jumped into the passenger seat. Janine put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. “How was school today?” she asked nonchalantly. “Did you learn anything interesting?”
    Crystal sat silently, her arms folded across her chest as she stared out the window. After a minute she answered. “Look, I know you don’t want to be here anymore than I want you here. Let's not pretend we’re friends or that you give a crap about me. The less said to each other