The Rise of the White Lotus

After exchanging a handshake, Benjamin Shao congratulated Aubrey Ning and Lexi before excusing himself to roam around a few times. At the same time, some bystanders who envied Lexi, who made the first deal and a big one in their event dispersed, returning to their respective booths.

On the other hand, Lexi let her teammates know that she would just assist Aubrey Ning for a while which they willingly accepted without batting an eye. After all, Lexi was kind to them since the beginning and unlike her intimidating facial features, she had been a pretty reliable leader ever since the beginning. Therefore, watching her product for a while wouldn't be a burden as they already know the benefits and uses of the unlabeled product.

Just as Lexi and Aubrey Ning exited the booth, Aubrey Ning watched the back of the retreating figure of Benjamin Shao before she shifted it to the woman beside him. Upon seeing Stella Du's side profile, a smirk formed on the side of her lips.

"Say, Miss Yang… that woman beside Mr. Shao— I wonder how you remained peaceful with her around." Casting Lexi a side glance, Aubrey Ning pointing her chin towards the group of Benjamin Shao going farther away from them.

"Miss Du?" Knitting her brows a little, Lexi let out a faint chuckle upon hearing the assumption of Aubrey Ning. "She almost destroyed my last showcase." Unrestrained, Lexi bluntly uttered as she didn't have any reason to lie in front of her idol. The two continued to take slow steps going to god knows where because Aubrey Ning wanted to chitchat with her new partner for a while.

"Really? Is that why the one you presented lacks preparation?" Arching her brows, Aubrey Ning chuckled as she somehow guessed what happened. Seeing that Lexi only smiled and didn't respond, Aubrey Ning could only shrug her shoulders.

After some silence, Lexi, without turning her head to the side and remained looking ahead, she asked. "Miss Ning, no offense, when you had arrived at our booth, you seemed to know me. But, I am certain that we haven't met even once and all my activities right now are not shared with the public."

Chuckling as she knew this question would come up, Aubrey Ning slightly shook her head sideways. "We haven't but a certain man planted a seed of curiosity in me so, I made my research to know what you looked like so I could recognize you."

"A man?" Arching her brows, Lexi could only think of a person who has the ability to get close to this kind of businesspeople; it was none other than her man, Ethan Lu.

"Mhmm… me and my old friend met at the same event and for whatever reason, he muttered that he knew an event that would interest me— so here I am. I'm glad I listened to him because I wouldn't get to meet you now instead of the future." Recalling how Ethan Lu hinted to her about this event, she actually found it silly to doubt his words at first. After all, she thought that he was just playing with everyone at that time. Still, she could not take it out of her head as Ethan Lu or rather, the Lu Corporation would impose a threat if he indeed ventures into the skincare industry.

"I see…" Nodding in understanding, Lexi pursed her lips on a thin line as she pondered whether to feel grateful to him or be a little annoyed.

"He said that nowadays, he had been very interested in this industry especially because of the enormous growth of the global market and he found a good formulator… you already know he was referring to you right?" Glancing at Lexi's solemn side profile, Aubrey Ning chuckled. "I don't want to have another tough competitor so I snatched the formulator he was eyeing if she/he was really good— I'm glad you didn't disappoint me." Revealing her real agenda, Aubrey Ning didn't know why she was saying this fact as they only had a verbal contract at the moment. Still, she was at ease around Lexi and trusted that she wouldn't be so foolish as to make her an enemy.

"Miss Ning, what do you mean?" Knitting her brows, Lexi assumed that Ethan Lu asked her to make a deal with her in exchange for god knows what. Hence, she felt a little down because she thought at the end of the day, she still relied on Ethan Lu's connections.

"What I mean is, Mr. Lu was foolish to have a slip of tongue and showed his interest in this industry and this event especially with me around because I tend to steal the opportunity." Covering her mouth by the back of her hand to not reveal her sly chuckles, Aubrey Ning explained without a hint of shamelessness. Surely, she could go lower just to safeguard her company and to reduce her competitors.

Which also implies to Lexi. Aubrey Ning knew that despite Lexi's scattered attention, she knew one day, her products would rise and the chance of parring to her and Benjamin Shao's status right now was high. Hence, instead of competing with Lexi, she decided to be friends with her and ride on her rise and wealth— it wouldn't be too long when that happens.

Upon hearing the shameless revelation of Aubrey Ning, Lexi's sullen mood slightly lightened. She was glad that her intention was just to steal her from Ethan Lu and he didn't specifically ask her to have a deal with her. 

Also, even though the woman showed a glimpse of her dark side, Lexi didn't let go of being her fan because being where Aubrey Ning was now— she has to be more clever than the rest and if she needed to be cunning, she has to or else she wouldn't rise from scratch. Moreover, she was moved to Ethan Lu's unsaid message.

The two continued to converse until Aubrey Ning excused herself as she still has to tend to business affairs and attend a big event later. They didn't talk about personal affairs and only focused on business matters. Hence, after exchanging calling cards to keep in touch and discuss possible dates of their signing a contract, Lexi sent Aubrey Ning off.

When Aubrey Ning was gone, Nico Zhuang approached Lexi from behind. "Madam, all stocks are in the storage room— I sent one to your lab so it could be checked in to someone for an instant result for us to know what kind of chemical was in it." Nico Zhuang discreetly reported that made Lexi nod her head as a vengeful glint flashed across her pair of nut-brown eyes.

She would not let this matter slide and would surely engrave this matter in her heart. After all, if she didn't forget to unload her bag and was unable to present a product, her career would not just end but a bad reputation would be her title.

"Go back to the booth. I'll check the stocks myself." Lexi commanded and without waiting for his response, she turned and headed to the stockroom where Nico Zhuang hid her babies.