The Rise of the White Lotus

For some reason, Lexi's steps turned cautious and light. She tiptoed her way out and closed the door behind her without making a sound. 

"Ethan?" Slightly raising her brows, Lexi unhurriedly made her way towards the stairs. The closer she drew towards the downstairs area, the more noise that seemed to be a vacuum grew louder and louder. 

"Love? Did you—" When Lexi reached the living area, she was unable to finish her sentence seeing an unfamiliar figure near the dining area. Lexi was too dumbfounded that she remained rooted on the floor. 

There, before her very eyes, a woman with a perfect figure of a sexy model, her large breasts were akin to an anime figure that has two watermelons on the front. Her bottom wasn't at all disappointing because it was screaming to be slapped and squeeze. 

The unknown woman was only wearing a thin white dress that was being soaked with her sweat— revealing her red lace bra and same designed undies. Her black hair was tied in a high bun while the rest of the strands dangled to her graceful neck. 

Sensing the intent gaze from Lexi, the woman spun her upper body to face the stunned Lexi. Upon seeing her, the woman sweetly smiled. 

"Good afternoon~" She greeted which snapped Lexi back from her stupor. 

"Who are you?" Lexi scanned her from head to toe once again before settling her pair of natural sharp eyes to the woman not far away from her. 

"I am master Lu's cleaner." Ignoring Lexi's obviously mind blown reaction, the woman courtly bowed her head as a late greeting. 

"Cleaner..." Murmuring, repeating the woman's duty, Lexi scoffed as her gaze once again scanned the seductive young lady. 

In her stay in this place, Lexi was too busy and always left as early as Ethan Lu. Then, Ethan Lu would always pick her up or they would just meet halfway before going home together. 

Hence, this was the first time Lexi was left at home as her schedule for the day would start after lunch. Ethan Lu knew very well that's why he let her rest a little longer because Lexi had been grinding for the past three months. 

Alas, who would have thought that on this fateful day, Lexi would have the strong itch to strangle Ethan Lu right there and then. 

Now, it only made sense to her how the house remained clean despite their busy schedule. She knew that there was a person in charge of cleaning this house, but never in her wildest dreams would she expect that Ethan Lu's house cleaner would be someone who could be on par to a model!

"Lady cleaner, don't go anywhere and stay here for the day." From shock to a ticking time bomb, Lexi ordered. Her voice was laced with a stifling threat that sent a cold shiver running down the beautiful woman's spine. 

"Uh, yes…?" Unaware of her crime, the woman could only nod in understanding and all her seductive demeanor as if she was about to do a foreplay instantly transformed into an ashamed woman. 

*****

Inside the spacious conference meeting room in the Lu Corporation, the atmosphere was intense as a heated argument was taking place.  

"Master, why are we continuing our partnership with the Liu Empire? With all the downturns of the company, the Liu Empire would not hold any longer and it might implicate our Lu Corporation! They had breached the contract first, so I don't think that there's anything that is holding us back from cutting ties with them!" One of Dennis Lu's avid supporters reasoned out with a strong conviction. His voice rang and resonated across each corner of the enormous room. 

"I must agree on this one, Master. Friendship and business affairs should be separated and have a line in between. I understand that Master is friends with Mr. Liu since childhood but, we haven't benefited from the Liu Empire in the past three months— rather, it was the Liu Empire that has been clinging to our Lu Corporation to survive these past three months." Backing up his fellow director, Dennis Lu solemnly agreed. Unlike his aggressive approach in the beginning, he was rather calm and composed. 

"Master, please reconsider renewing the contract with the Liu Empire. I know that Master has an impeccable insight about business but, with Mr. Liu's condition— I don't think—" One of Ethan Lu's uncles, Gerald Huang sided with the opposing parties' opinion this time as they have a point this time. However, even before he could finish his sentence, Ethan Lu who remained silent while mildly spinning his seat sideways abruptly spoke, interrupting Gerald Huang's  statements. 

"You don't think what director Huang?" Raising his head, Ethan Lu's lips curled upward that didn't reach his eyes. "Are you perhaps planning to say that you don't think he will still wake up?"

Gerald Huang, one of the executive directors of the Lu Corporation and one of the elders in the Lu family cleared his throat upon seeing Ethan Lu's innocent facade. If only he wasn't used to his antics, he wouldn't be able to discern if the master was unappeased or just merely asking. 

"No, Master. I didn't intend to say that. I am merely stating that even if Mr. Liu would miraculously restore his health today, he wouldn't be able to manage the Liu Empire. Therefore, I wanted to propose that instead, why don't we just buy the whole company and put it under our Lu Corporation." Despite his fear towards Ethan Lu that had been slowly growing to each and every single one of them, Gerald Huang spouted his honest opinion because he was and would always be on the new master's side. 

"Director Huang," Just as Gerald Huang ended his statement, Ethan Lu softly called out. Yet, the whole room fell into silence as everyone subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "I appreciate your genuine concern but, didn't you think that I hadn't thought of that?" Ethan Lu mildly raised his brows with a smile plastered across his lips. 

"Dear elders, why are you all impatient? Is it because your clock is ticking?" His words sounded gentle and playful but at the same time, insulting to these old geezers who weren't in his good graces. 

"Sometimes, doing business is like farming— we plant our seed which we call investment money and when its due time, we harvest it. But, we can only harvest a bountiful amount if the crops weren't plagued by pests." Ethan Lu scanned the faces of the few that were around the long table before his smile turned into a smirk. 

"Same as the Liu Empire; we can just breach the contract or buy all the stocks and put it under the Lu Corporation. However, even if we do that, Mr. Liu could start a new company and with his capabilities and the connections he gained while being the Liu Empire's head— Morris Liu would surely rise again. So, instead of making a new enemy and competitor, it is not wise to make him indebted to me instead, right?" Tilting his head to the side, an unreadable glint flashed across Ethan Lu's pair of eyes. 

As everyone listened to his explanation, they could not help but think that Ethan Lu was indeed cunning. He would reap all benefits he could, no ifs and buts, whether they are his friends or not. The memory of how he suppressed the Woo Family days ago was enough to make his enemies move cautiously.

"We don't gain anything from the Liu Empire now but, in the future, all the small losses we had to endure now, would return to us ten-fold. So, don't worry about renewing our contract with the Liu's— trust me; after all, Morris Liu is now awake and recovering." 

"But—!"

"Director Bai, let's not talk about this matter anymore or your tongue will part from you— this applies to everyone else as well." Shifting his gaze to the person who was obviously being the spokesperson of his uncle Dennis Lu, Ethan Lu emanated a bloodthirsty aura while bearing the same smile he had since earlier. 

"Yes, Master." 

"Meeting adjourned." With that said remark, everyone inside the room dispersed under the permission that they were dismissed as the family head would remain inside. Others bore a displeased sneer while leaving while others could only heave a sigh of relief for surviving the long meeting.