The Rise of the White Lotus

When the two were out, Lexi's smiling face gradually changed and her concealed killing intent broke free. Her piercing gaze moved from Lyrick Jiang to Ethan Lu. Surely, she was unappeased by this matter as it shook her whole being to the core since earlier. 

What more? The details she squeezed from the woman was enough to irk her to the extreme. 

"To the washboard you two." Stabilizing her breathing and controlling her unpredictable heightened emotions that constantly was in the midst of playing with her head, Lexi closed her eyes as she ordered. 

"Yes, ma'am!" In unison, Ethan Lu and Lyrick Jiang rushed their way on the washboard and without a second hesitation, both of them knelt down in obedience. 

The bystander Jarred Guo could not help his whole face distort a little seeing how his master and Lyrick Jiang cowered in fear. He wasn't concerned about his master as he knew that his body had been going back to training. Alas, Lyrick Jiang wasn't use to any pain. 

Granted that he was Ethan Lu's trusted right-hand man, however, he fixed his position because of his brain and strategic analysis but in physical combat— Lyrick Jiang was hopeless. Hence, he hadn't trained his body to endure such pain. But to Jarred Guo's surprise, Lyrick Jiang remained composed as adrenaline was used to survive for the night which was what triumphed more than the pain growing on his knees. 

"Lyrick, you said that you only hired her because this guy needed motivation?" Arching her brows, Lexi repeated Lyrick Jiang's statements earlier. 

"Yes! The old master wanted Master to affiliate himself to the company affairs but master said he would only do it if only he would be given beautiful servants around the house— then he might be motivated and change his mind." In all honesty, Lyrick Jiang raised his right hand, showing an L-shape as if he was saying the truth and nothing but the truth. But then again, sweat began to form on his forehead while his back was already producing a river of sweat, soaking his entire back. 

"Love—!" Just as Ethan Lu desperately wanted to defend himself from this traitor that was pushing all the blame to him, he was interrupted by Lexi who gestured him to stop. 

"I see... so, where are the beautiful maids then?" 

"They were all fired months ago. I merely overlooked the cleaner lady because our schedule had been pretty hectic." He was composed and slightly relieved as Lexi was listening to him, Lyrick Jiang regained his little bit of confidence to his just goddess. 

"Alright, you may stand up and take a seat." Nodding in understanding, Lexi thrust her chin towards the other sofa for him to sit on. As instructed, Lyrick Jiang heaved a sigh of relief as she hurriedly stood up from the damnable washboard and perched on the single-seater couch she pointed at. 

"You..."

"Love, I swear I didn't know about this! All I know is Rick already changed the cleaner of the house! You know that, we've been staying out all day!" After glaring at the absolved Lyrick Jiang, Ethan Lu could finally defend himself. Hence, he didn't waste a second to do so. 

"Ethan, I am not talking to you yet— calm down." Casting the only person kneeling on a washboard a glare, Lexi clicked her tongue in annoyance before shifting her gaze back to Lyrick Jiang. "Now, Mr. Jiang, what method do you want to be executed? You can choose." Pointing at the variety of stuff she had laid out on the table, Lexi proposed this question which made Lyrick Jiang's relieved heart sink in a fraction of second. 

"Madam..." On the verge of crying, Lyrick Jiang called her as if pleading. 

"Do you know your sin?" Lexi gently tapped her fingers on the armrest as she scrutinized the pitiful front of Lyrick Jiang. 

"If a simple task such as this could be overlooked because of your schedule is packed. Lyrick, your job is to secure all of the details and every affair Ethan has— including business-related affairs and his personal life. How can I trust that you won't make the same mistake in the future as this is now the world he was moving in to? What if this simple mishap could lead him and every single one of you here to your end? Will you blame your tight schedule for it? Will it be worth blaming it for? No, right?" In a slow and clear deliverance, Lexi explained to Lyrick Jiang the cause of her displeasure. 

"That is your sin and I will never forgive you if this happened again. Now, choose what weapon I'd use if it ever happened again." 

Hearing her deep explanation, not just Lyrick Jiang was flabbergasted but everyone including Nico Zhuang who just entered the living area. The four of them could not utter a single word as they looked at Lexi in awe. 

Her reasoning was entirely different from what they expected. She wasn't mad because of jealousy or anything of the sort but concerned that this mistake would harm Ethan Lu in the Lu family? Not just that, she understood that if Ethan Lu slipped out from his position, everyone on his side wouldn't have any better future as well. 

Truly, Lexi was befitting to be their future matriarch as her insight was vast and her understanding was endless. Therefore, at that very moment, their respect towards her grew deeper; wholeheartedly acknowledging her as the one and only matriarch. 

"I apologize for this negligence. I will never make the same mistake again, Madam." Courtly bowing his head, Lyrick Jiang sincerely apologized and truly acknowledged his mistake. "I'd rather be hanged if my negligence would lead master and the rest of my colleagues to danger."

"Nico, you heard him. If one day, Lyrick Jiang's negligence would lead every single one of you to harm, will you hang him for me?" Without looking away from Lyrick Jiang, Lexi directed her words towards Nico Zhuang. It might be a wonder to others why her words are rather unreserved and vicious, however, Lexi assumed that the Lu family wasn't as clean as they appeared on the surface— including all of the people under the family. Therefore, to confirm this assumption in her own way, she tested Nico Zhuang if he would disappoint her or not. 

"Yes." Nico Zhuang glanced at Lexi's side profile before he looked to Lyrick Jiang before he bluntly agreed. 

"Good. You can now leave— Nico, stay out for a while, I still need to talk to Ethan." Nodding in satisfaction, Lexi lightly waved her hand off and dismissed the three which they did as per her instructions.