The Rise of the White Lotus

[Lu Corporation]

"Master!" Abruptly entering Ethan Lu's office, Lyrick Jiang called out that made him jolt from his seat and instinctively closed his laptop— preventing his assistant from knowing that he was arguing with one of the EliXi fans.

After all, there was another article that was linking the oblivious duo to her busy schedule Lexi to Elliot Gong. On the unclear photo that was taken during night time, a man's back with Lexi's back as if the two were going inside a car. Since Lexi's side profile could be easily discerned, the man, on the other hand, was wearing a hat.

No one guessed who it was until one fan linked the hat that Elliot Gong wore in one of his interviews about his new single that was coming out. It looks exactly the same, therefore, crazy shippers were all hyped that they even collaged a picture of that almost gone rumor pic and Elliot Gong's screenshot on the interview.

Alas, although it looked exactly the same, how dare these shippers assumed that it was Elliot Gong that was with Lexi and not him?! Despite Elliot Gong saying in his interview that he was just good friends with Lexi, other fans still insisted?! Some even commented that they should confirm their relationship and get married!

God knows that Ethan Lu fought with these fans in the middle of his work and much fiercer than when he was arguing with the troublesome Lu family at that. Therefore, his mood was completely sullen as he was in character as "Lexinumberonefan" as his username and Lyrick Jiang just abruptly intruded inside his office without short notice.

"What?!" Grinding his teeth as if he was ready to bite him at anytime, Ethan Lu bellowed to the pale and sweating assistant. Lyrick Jiang immediately closed the door behind him and rushed in front of his desk.

"Woah, Woah! Calm down!" Seeing how panic-stricken his assistant was, Ethan Lu pushed his chair a little by his feet and raised his hand leveling his shoulder.

"Master! The old master is in your villa!" Without further ado, Lyrick Jiang announced while sweating a bucket as if he ran a marathon.

"Ha?!" Confused and distraught from going back to his Ethan Lu character, his cloud of thoughts displayed hundreds of question marks.

"Madam was also there! Old Master brought all of the elite shadows!" Clarifying his report, Lyrick Jiang said in one go. However, seeing that Ethan Lu only knitted his brows as if taking his time processing his words, Lyrick Jiang turned more aggressive and snapped his master back to wherever his mind was wandering.

"Master!"

"I said calm down." Glaring daggers to his assistant, Ethan Lu frowned as he heard him clearly. Pulling out one of the storage drawers in his desk, Ethan Lu picked up a phone. Without a word, he was calm and composed, Ethan Lu only composed one number and then sent it to an unknown contact number.

"Hehe, don't worry. My sweetest love that was so beautiful and mesmerizing than any scenery in the world can handle my old man. Well, doing extreme measures would still help though." Grinning, Ethan Lu finally had a way to vent out his frustrations. Moreover, he was certain that Edward Lu wouldn't really harm Lexi in any way. 

His grandfather wouldn't be that foolish to test him and see his beloved Lu family go bankrupt along with all the graves of every family member beside him.

*****

Meanwhile…

Upon hearing the words Lexi had been expecting, a faint, harmonizing chuckle escaped her mouth. She already foresaw this scene that could only be seen in dramas. Still, who would have thought that she would experience this in real life as well?

"Pardon me, Chairman Lu." Covering her lips by the back of her hand, Lexi apologies while shaking her head.

"Hehe, I always wanted to say that as I only watch it in dramas." Humoring her, Edward Lu heartily chuckled in glee while his hand held onto his stomach. Alas, after a second, his laughs came into a full halt as his gaze returned to her.

"I can give you anything as long as it is within my reach, Miss Yang. Money that can let you live without worry until your hair is gray just like mine; property, anything— just leave my grandson." Flaunting his wealth and influence, Edward Lu graciously proposed and scrutinized her front.

"Oh?" Arching her brows, Lexi languidly crossed her legs as she showed interest in his offer.

"Yes, just say it and you got it."

"Then, Mr. Chairman, are you willing to transfer all your shares in the Lu family?" Tilting her head to the side, Lexi smiled as an unreadable glint flashed across her eyes.

"Miss Yang, I said as long as it was within my reach." Chuckling at her silly request, Edward Lu lightly shook his head.

"Then, I am afraid we have no deal Mr. Chairman." Without blinking an eye, Lexi remained courteous as she replied. She never once turned her gaze away from him as she added and her smile faded without a trace. 

"Master Lu, this might come as an offense but I will have to apologize in advance. Your reluctance for giving up your company is the same as my feelings to your grandson… maybe, much stronger than that. So, even if everyone would give me all of their wealth in the world, I will always choose him over anything or anyone… even if you disown him without a dime."

"HAHAHA!" Upon hearing her response, Edward Lu burst out laughing. His laughs were too uncontrollable that he slammed his palms on the armrest of the couch several times. "Good! Really good!" In between his loud laughs, Edward Lu commented.

"Phew!" Recovering from bursting out in laughter, Edward Lu wiped the formed tears from the corner of his eye.

Just then, one guard from behind him pulled out a pistol and aimed towards Edward Lu's head. The guard's action of course, sent out alarming signals to a few guards present and immediately, pulled out their own guns towards the man. At the same time, half of the guards pulled out their weapons and aimed them towards the guards who were pointing their muzzles to the one behind Edward Lu. 

This scene finally broke Lexi's calm front as her eyes slightly widened— lost in the turn of events. Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang was just as shocked as her as one of the guards audaciously aimed his gun towards the old master. 

Perhaps, the only person who wasn't surprised by this was Edward Lu as he continued to wipe the tears on the side of his eyes. 

"Hehe, well, you see Miss Yang, I came here because I really want you out of my grandson's life— not for his sake but for you. Still, having a chance that you would refuse, I also wanted to test you and…" Pausing in his statement, Edward Lu glanced at the guards pointing their guns to each other— ignoring the one on his back.

"... and, to show you how it is to be in our Lu family and what kind of man you are going to be with." With a grin, Edward Lu unclad his facade as an intimidating aura slowly seeped out from within him.