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In the headline-making—and bestselling—tradition of William Browder’s Red Notice comes a riveting memoir from a man who rose within the ranks of China’s ultra-rich only to see his business partner-wife mysteriously disappeared. After the Communist Revolution, Desmond Shum’s grandfather, a lawyer, had one chance to leave China—and instead chose to stay. The government shut down his law firm and seized his house. Officials marked his family as belonging to a “black category” that included former landlords and rich peasants—meaning the Shums would be stigmatized and impoverished. As Desmond was growing up, he vowed his life would be different. Through hard work and sheer tenacity Shum went to college in America and returned to China to make his name in business. There, he met his future wife, the highly intelligent and equally ambitious Whitney Duan. Whitney and Desmond formed an effective team and, powered by a set of relationships they formed with top members of the Red Aristocracy, vaulted into China’s billionaire class. Soon they were developing the massive air cargo facility at Beijing International Airport, and they followed that feat by developing one of Beijing’s premier hotels. They were dazzlingly successful, traveling in private jets, funding multi-million-dollar buildings and endowments, and purchasing expensive homes, vehicles, and artwork. But in 2017, their fates diverged irrevocably when Desmond, while residing overseas with his son, learned that his now ex-wife Whitney had been disappeared—consigned to some unknown fate—along with three coworkers. In Red Roulette Desmond Shum pulls back the curtain on China’s ruling elite and tells the story of a remarkable woman who rose to prominence in a strongly patriarchal society. Written from a desire to reveal the real truth of what is happening inside China’s wealth-making machine, this eye-opening tale features a memorable cast of real-life characters.

In the captivating pages of "Red Roulette: An Insider's Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption, and Vengeance in Today's China," Desmond Shum, a former investment banker and close associate of China's elite, unveils a gripping tale of ambition, intrigue, and the relentless pursuit of power within the corridors of China's financial and political landscape.

Shum's firsthand account takes readers on a journey through the labyrinthine world of China's business and political elite, where fortunes are made and lost in the blink of an eye, and where loyalty and betrayal are intertwined in a complex dance of power and survival. With vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Shum exposes the inner workings of a system where wealth and influence are often inseparable from political maneuvering and personal vendettas.

At the heart of the narrative is Shum's personal experience as an investment banker in China, where he witnessed firsthand the dizzying heights of success and the devastating consequences of falling out of favor with the powerful. He recounts his encounters with influential figures, including high-ranking government officials, business tycoons, and shadowy power brokers, painting a vivid picture of the intricate web of relationships that shape China's economic and political landscape.

Beyond the personal narrative, "Red Roulette" offers a broader exploration of China's economic transformation and the rise of its wealthy class. Shum delves into the country's rapid economic growth, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors who have amassed vast fortunes. He also sheds light on the darker side of this transformation, including the rampant corruption, cronyism, and abuse of power that have become endemic in certain sectors of China's economy.

As the story unfolds, Shum finds himself caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with powerful adversaries who will stop at nothing to silence him. He recounts his escape from China, the subsequent investigations into his business dealings, and the ongoing legal battles that have ensued. Through it all, Shum maintains his determination to expose the truth about the corruption and injustice he has witnessed, even at great personal risk.

"Red Roulette" is a gripping tale that offers a unique perspective on the inner workings of China's financial and political elite. Desmond Shum's firsthand account provides a rare glimpse into a world of unimaginable wealth, power, and betrayal, while also shedding light on the complex challenges facing China as it continues to navigate its economic and political transformation.