The Rise of the White Lotus

The atmosphere reached the maximum suppression level as Ethan Lu's lively aura changed into a pressing one. 

How many years has it been when this young master had been like this? Ahh… it was when he fought for his freedom and caused a huge ruckus inside the Lu family. Even Edward Lu at that time didn't have the choice but to tolerate his demands because Ethan would go so far as to destroy the whole clan. Some of them gulped a mouthful of saliva seeing him like this and retain their silence.

However, some of the men present that only heard about it and didn't heed it any mind as they thought it was only one of his tantrums. Moreover, they wouldn't believe the rumors about Ethan Lu's terrifying side as he always displayed his carefree side. 

But now, before their eyes and ears, Ethan Lu's heavy words and intimidating demeanor made them subconsciously shut their mouth and looked down on the folder laid in front of them.

"The folders in front of everyone contains information of the land; its history, all the previous owners, and every business establishment that went bankrupt. I must say though, it was harder than I thought to obtain this information… it's as if someone deliberately concealed this fact." An unreadable glint flashed across Ethan Lu's tantalizing eyes as he scanned everyone's reaction while he firmly uttered his words.

Seeing that one after another begun checking the folder with a dismayed expression and their brows knitted as they flip each page, Ethan Lu returned his gaze across him. "Care to explain, Director Dennis Lu?"

Dennis Lu's expression slightly changed upon hearing his nephew's last remarks yet, after a second, his shoulder relaxed and his balled fist loosened. Fixing his crafty gaze to Ethan Lu's sharp eyes, he sneered.

"Explain? Ethan… I don't know who's your informant and how you obtain this ambiguous information. I did my own digging and I was certain that the land was clear from this scandalous history." Dennis Lu then turned his head towards the head seat on his right where Chairman Edward Lu, his father perched. He added,

"Master, I don't mind if I have to take responsibility for my negligence but, I request a thorough investigation of this new information. It was suspicious that these things had been overlooked." Dennis Lu firmly uttered in one go before casting Ethan Lu a brief taunting glance.

Edward Lu remained silent for quite some time as he gave everyone some time to skim through the documents. He too pretended to look at the documents that Ethan sent a month ago. He already knew about it and conducted his own investigation. However, despite knowing the authenticity of the evidence, he wanted Ethan to handle it himself to prove himself to these people.

After all, this discussion wouldn't take this long if not for the fact that Edward Lu was purposely stalling time before his grandson's arrival from his soul searching.

"I want to hear everyone's opinion about this serious matter." Finally, Edward Lu broke his silence after two minutes of quietness.

"Master, I agree with Director Dennis. We still need to conduct a thorough investigation of the information's credibility." One of the core members of Lu Corporation cleared his throat and spoke his honest opinion. 

"Huh? Why do we need to waste more resources? Are you saying that they might be falsified? Why would our young master do that?" Harold Lu, one of Ethan's supporters chimed in as he closed the document in front of him.

"Waste resources? Director Harold Lu, aren't you being a bit careless with your statement? Director Dennis had his fair share for the development of our company and I believe that he certainly did his background check before pushing this project but... how come that this information was overlooked? I don't understand why would Director Dennis purposely sabotaging our company after working hard all these years. So, I could not help but think what if someone tried to conceal this information to frame him?" Another elder among the men around the long table shared his opinion.

"What are you insinuating, Director Bai? Are you saying that our young master Lu was trying to frame Director Dennis?" Gerald Huang, one of Ethan's favorite Uncle agitatedly sassed as he didn't appreciate the ambiguous insinuation of the man named Eric Bai.

Soon, each and everyone spouted their own opinions which caused another tension among them. Some sided with Ethan, others with Dennis Lu while the rest remained neutral. It was as if this scene also revealed whose side these men would pick as the next headmaster of the family.

"Silence!" Before things get out of hand, Edward Lu slammed his fist on the surface of the long table that shut everyone to silence. He had observed their arguments and witnessed how these people split their unity. It had been like this ever since. 

Even back before he became the head of the family, something like this was inevitable. Regardless, he was glad that some supported Ethan, his best bet.

On the other hand, Ethan and Dennis Lu remained tight-lipped as everyone argued. Both are calm but their aura was clashing fiercely.

"I agree that we needed to conduct a thorough investigation…" When the commotion subsided, Edward Lu spoke his verdict. Upon hearing this, Dennis Lu sneered inwardly and his supporters silently heaved a sigh of relief.

Still, Ethan Lu remained unaffected as he fixed his apathetic gaze towards the facade of his uncle. Even though his grandfather, Edward Lu uttered his decision, Ethan Lu didn't avert his gaze from Dennis Lu as if he was reading the deepest and darkest secret he had perfectly hid inside his heart.

"I don't doubt this evidence as I already confirmed its authenticity. If it wasn't for this, we had lost more than we already did. What we need to expose was the person who concealed this information. It was clear that someone behind the scene was trying to sabotage us. Dennis and Ethan, lead the investigation -- start with everyone present here." Edward Lu explicated further. His statement was just and unbiased; favoring neither of the two.

It only indicated that he listened carefully with everyone's opinion and unlike them, he remained in the middle. He didn't accuse his son, Dennis Lu having involvement and gave him the benefit of the doubt. To Ethan as well, though he gave the credit about the evidence, Edward Lu didn't dwell on it.

"Meeting adjourned." After the matter had been decided, Edward Lu dismissed the meeting before he stood from his seat and left.

When the Chairman left, everyone started taking their leave with a little dissatisfaction regarding the investigation. Now, everyone needed to undergo this unnecessary investigation.

Just as Dennis Lu slowly stood from his seat, his gaze landed on Ethan with a contemptuous scoff. "Stop causing trouble, kid."

Ethan propped his jaw by the back of his hand with a languid expression, he muttered. "Don't wanna."

"Ethan… what do you think you're doing?" Irked by his unstirred countenance, Dennis Lu's brows furrowed as he discreetly clenched his teeth.

"Hmm? Resting, I haven't slept yet. But if you are asking about something else, well… isn't it obvious? Claiming my seat." This time, an unsettling smile formed on the side of Ethan's lips that sent red signals inside Dennis Lu's mind.

In retrospect, Ethan rarely set his mind into something serious but when he does, he'd go all out until it succession; just like when he announced he wouldn't affiliate himself with the family affairs. Hence, seeing him like this, Dennis Lu was threatened.

"Huh, I see. Good luck with that." Dennis Lu uttered his sarcasm before he left Ethan alone inside the enormous conference room. 

"He should have come up with a better insult…" Ethan mumbled before shutting his eyes for a power nap without the intention of changing his sitting position.