The Rise of the White Lotus

When Lexi entered her car, she could finally celebrate her success. It started from a muffled squeal until she screamed in joy.

She didn't expect to be this happy that made her heart beat faster and louder. At first, she made this deal because of her little knowledge about Morris Liu's intention to meet Wren Tanaka. 

Although she was quite appalled why her former fiance couldn't meet Wren Tanaka—she had speculated ambiguous reasons due to her impeccable stalking skills, and unveiled that the L-Tech Innovative Financing Company was in good terms with the Han Corporation; the strongest competitor of the Liu Empire.

Regardless, since Lexi wanted to somewhat impress Morris Liu in the beginning, and wanted to fix her mess, thus, she proposed this deal with him. However, as time goes by and every short encounter with Morris Liu, Lexi's reasoning changed. 

She wanted this deal so she could firmly move on and be free from Morris Liu's invisible chains.

She wanted to have peace of mind and move on: no more lingering feelings, no more heartaches, no enemies, and just be the best version of herself that learned her lesson from her past and mistakes. 

Lexi predicted that when this deal was done, part of her heart would still be in pain. But, she thought wrong. Instead, she was rather relieved—relieved that she could sleep at night knowing that her first love would keep his hands off with her father's business. 

She was also proud; proud of herself that she has come this far to her moving on process.

All her life, she believed that without Morris Liu, the man she set up to marry, the man she thought she'd spend the rest of her life with, and the man that she was willing to give her heart, her soul, even her body if he wanted to—Lexi thought she could not live without him.

Therefore, she chose death over anything else. She didn't think twice about kicking the bucket because she knew she couldn't cope with the unending sadness. The eternal tunnel of sorrow and darkness that doesn't seem to have an end.

However, after her resurrection, after she reached that dark place where a faint light appeared out of nowhere, and a ridiculous congratulatory greeting she first heard right after her momentary death—Lexi could finally see the end of the tunnel.

"Sissy--" After letting out her extreme happiness, Lexi turned her head to the passenger seat, alas, the little dumpling that always perched there wasn't with her.

"Huh? Where is… she?" Her brows knitted as Lexi pondered where Churu was. The next second, she realized that her fairy guide mother didn't follow her and stayed with the man she called Tito. Hence, her face distorted upon her realization.

Just when Lexi was left into a great dilemma after celebrating her successful meeting, she heard her phone's notification indicating she had an email. 

Immediately, Lexi searched her phone inside her handbag and after finding it, she didn't waste a second and checked who it was.

There, the official email of the L-Tech Innovative Financing Company sent her the exact address and time of the meeting. After skimming through the details, Lexi's eyes lit up. She mildly patted her chest as another batch of extreme bliss was brewing to overwhelm her heart.

"Alright, Sissy. I hope you enjoy your date and don't go home late." Despite not knowing if the little dumpling could hear her or not, Lexi still murmured her words before tapping her phone and sent a short message to Morris Liu.

*****

[Lu Corporation]

Ethan Lu sat languidly while everyone inside the meeting room was attentively listening to the person presenting another project in front of them. With a smug grin, he elbowed his Uncle Gerald, then whispered.

"It's pretty cool, eh?" 

"Hehe, look at your favorite Uncle's face." Lowly chuckling, Gerald Huang whispered back as he sneakily pointed at Dennis Lu's direction. 

"Shh, stop whispering if I'm not included." The next person sat next to Gerald Huang was Harold Lu. Hearing the two murmuring while chuckling, he shushed them as he was quite a distance with Ethan Lu and couldn't participate with their manly gossip.

On the other hand, Dennis Lu who was sitting across Ethan Lu glanced at them and seeing that Gerald and his nephew were sneakily whispering and giggled like two little girls—he scoffed. Yet, he didn't say anything and turned his attention back to the presentation.

"Hehe, Uncle did you see that?" Of course, Dennis Lu's unconcealed sneer didn't pass his keen eyes; which nearly made Ethan Lu burst out laughing. 

Fortunately, his grandfather was present and other important executives of the Lu Corporation, therefore, he suppressed his laughter with great effort. While Gerald Huang only let out muffled coughs at how this mischievous young master irritated Dennis Lu.

Soon, the presentation ended and everyone still looked at the guidance documents that were given to them. Since this project was led by Ethan Lu, the presenter courtly bowed his head and soundlessly waited on the sidelines as the young master of the Lu Corporation was the person who would answer their questions.

The four corners of the meeting room were filled with nothing but silence. Waiting for someone to take the initiative of asking a question, Ethan Lu was rather laid back and only tapped his fingers on the near top edge of the table.

"Young Master, you mean you wanted to build a hotel and resort near xx town? Hah," As usual, Dennis Lu was the first to question Ethan Lu despite seeing that the presentation was actually good. However, he'd always find fault in him not knowing he was also digging his own grave.

"Why not? Director Dennis Lu, did you read the presentation?" Furrowing his brows, Ethan Lu nonchalantly responded with his eyes in disbelief.

"I did and saw loopholes—almost unnoticeable if I may add." Chuckling, Dennis Lu shook his head as he closed the folder containing the information of the said project. He resumed, 

"You forgot to indicate on your presentation that, that town is prone to flood and natural phenomena in the past." 

"It is?" Raising his brows, Ethan Lu asked as he wanted to hear more from Dennis Lu. 

For the record, he was quite amused that his Uncle actually looked at this angle for choosing a good area to build hotels and any establishment they could build. Well, to be fair, Dennis Lu wouldn't be a 'tough' competitor if he didn't. The only thing about him was, he was a greedy man. 

He didn't care if Ethan Lu was a man, a teen, or a child because to him, his nephew was his competition ever since Edward Lu announced his next heir. Therefore, he did everything he could to drag Ethan Lu down. 

He was also the happiest person when his nephew caused a huge ruckus saying he wanted his freedom. Thus, the reason why Ethan Lu wasn't fond of him.

"Young Master, don't tell me you didn't look at these important details?" Sneering, Dennis Lu obviously taunted and ridiculed him. He raised his voice even more so his statements would be more clear to everyone present—especially to his father, Edward Lu. He continued in a righteous tone,

"Young Master, I know you just returned to our Lu family and it is understandable that you can overlook a thing or two when choosing a property. So, you can always ask me whenever you have difficulty." Dennis Lu depicted as an understanding person as if he forgave Ethan Lu for his shortcomings and was willing to help him.

'You still need more years of experience, brat.' He mocked inwardly.

"I appreciate the thought, Director Lu. But, there's no need for that. Let me ask you again, did you thoroughly read the presentation?" Tilting his head on the side, Ethan Lu unhurriedly fluttered his lashes as he calmly questioned his Uncle. 

Furrowing his brows, Dennis Lu chuckled. "Of course!"

Upon hearing his response, Ethan Lu smirked as a tricky glint flashed across his eyes. Actually, the presentation didn't give the full address of the property and it only indicated which town it was located. However, in the documents, every little detail was input there and if one reads it— not just scan it, they would know why they should consider this sweet deal.

"All regular employees, out." Ethan Lu commanded that slightly startled and confused everyone; including Edward Lu.

"Ethan, what are you saying?" Chairman Edward Lu asked as he didn't have a clue on what was going on in his grandson's mind.

"Family rules." Turning his head to his grandfather, Ethan Lu flatly answered. This time, his words startled all the executives who were well-versed of the Lu family rules as they were also admitted with it.

Staring at his grandson, Edward Lu raised his hand as a signal and only the people who knew the family rules could remain inside the room. Soon, the entire meeting room was left with Lu Corporation's top executive, the chairman, Ethan Lu, other close assistants and the bodyguards of Edward Lu.

"Ethan, what is this?! Why are you inserting family rules right now?" Agitated, Dennis Lu was the first to growl his dismay. Although every Lu family members stick with their traditional rules, he was displeased by the fact that Ethan Lu had the audacity to utter it from his mouth after cursing it in the past.

"First, Uncle Dennis, you don't have the right to address me by my name—I am your next master." Leaning his back, Ethan Lu crossed his legs as he fixed his sharpened eyes to Dennis Lu. His earlier mischievous behavior while talking with Gerald Huang suddenly vanished as a dangerous aura emanated from him.

When everyone heard his statement, others could not help but gape their eyes in disbelief. Hence, their complete attention was focused on Ethan Lu's inexpressive side profile.

"You had been calling me by my name ever since I came, Uncle. I already let the first time slipped but now, I think you need your son to inflict a few broken bones to learn your lesson." Slowly resting his jaw on the back of his hand, Ethan Lu continued as the atmosphere stiffened and gradually deadened.

"Second offense, you must not lie to your master and the next family head—family rules. However, Uncle Dennis, let me ask you again, did you or did you not thoroughly read the presentation?" Ethan Lu fixed his piercing gaze on the man across him.

Indeed, the main reason why Ethan Lu always avoided the Lu family was because he despises the ridiculous family rules. Alas, since he had the taste of how cunning and scheming everyone inside this room was, he must show them no mercy and implant fear… or else, he would be the one begging for mercy later on.