The Rise of the White Lotus

Looking up to the numbers above, blinking one after another indicating which floor they have passed through, Lexi could sense the strong gaze that was now being cast on her. Therefore, she turned her head to the side to see Avah Tong gazing at her like she was staring at an unreachable star. 

Lexi just meekly smiled in return. Although she wanted to be nice and strike up a conversation, however, for some reason, her instincts told her not to. Moreover, she was feeling a little discomforted by Avah Tong's glittering gaze.

She didn't know why she was feeling like that. Was it because she now enjoyed her private lowkey life with her family? Was it because she had been away from the noisy environment in the entertainment industry hence, she became unused to it? Was that it?

"Woah..." After some time, Avah Tong muttered in awe. Her eyes were glued to Lexi's side profile and she had to admit that she was indeed too ethereal. Just as she said so, Nico Zhuang's phone vibrated which he instinctively checked its content.

Knitting his brows, Nico Zhuang was puzzled seeing that he received an email directly from Lyrick Jiang's personal address. Hence, knowing that his colleague mostly used that email address with necessary details, Nico Zhuang unhesitantly opened the file and read its content. 

It says: "Don't let this woman get close to Madam. See the attached profile below. 

Ps. Don't let her know just yet." After reading that, Nico Zhuang tapped the file before a familiar face of Avah Tong was shown.

"Miss Yang, you are so beautiful no wonder Ethan likes you." Using the awed tone, Avah Tong uttered which made Lexi furrowed her brows.

"Excuse me?" 

"I mean, I am your avid follower and your engagement to Mr. Lu had shocked everyone, especially your fans… including me." Forcing a smile on the side of her lips, Avah Tong naturally clarified what she meant which made Lexi nod in understanding. 

"Someone who was as much of a playboy as him, I don't think he deserves you." Hearing no response from Lexi, Avah Tong added that made Lexi arch her brows because now, the woman caught her full attention.

"Miss Tong, I think you are crossing a borderline here." Irked at the woman's last remarks, Lexi coldly warned her in the most polite way she could muster up.

"Oh? Am I?" Tilting her head to the side, Avah Tong's eyes dimmed as the glimmer they had earlier when she met Lexi faded away without a trace. Glancing at Nico Zhuang who also raised his head with piercing eyes the moment it landed on her, the corner of her lips curled into a smirk.

"But, I am just saying the truth— I know him better than anyone, right Mister...?" Still looking in Nico Zhuang's direction, Avah Tong delicately smiled. "I bet he already tells you to keep a close watch on me." Glancing at the phone on his hand, Avah Tong then returned her gaze to Lexi.

"I am right, right? I know him inside and out— even know how many moles he has on his body. Say, Miss Yang, does he also call you 'baby' in bed? He always calls me that as well and maybe all the other countless women he f*cked." At this time, Avah Tong's personality escalated as it completely changed. Just then, the elevator rang before it slowly opened up.

"Aww… this is sad. Our ride together felt too short." Pouting, Avah Tong complained before she began dragging her feet out after glancing at the emotionless front of Lexi.

"No," Just as Avah Tong stepped her foot outside the lift, Lexi's voice was heard from behind. "You are wrong. You don't know him more than I do. First, I am sure that it was not him who emailed Nico but his assistant. Second, he certainly noted that Nico shouldn't let you get close to me and not to keep an eye on an eyesore. He's too kind to his subordinates." As Lexi uttered her cold corrections, the door panel began to close. Her last remarks gave her a chance to see Avah Tong's jaw tightening while her hands balled into a fist as it slightly shook.

"The nerve." When the lift began moving up again, Lexi softly whispered with a cold tone. 

At first, she thought that Avah Tong was someone like Evelyn Lu or Rika Song that gives more personality than having just a pretty face. However, when she began speaking about Ethan Lu and the very noticeable hatred and desire that touched her voice at the same time, Lexi knew, deep down that Avah Tong's soul was rotten to the core.

Regardless, Lexi would be lying if she said that some of the woman's words didn't hit a nerve, for example, the part that she shared an intimate moment with her husband. It was not like Lexi was dwelling on Ethan Lu's ridiculous dating history, but, being slapped by a woman opening the subject Lexi had been avoiding ever since was just too annoying.

"Madam, you are accurate." Sensing the cold and pure silence dawn on the lift, Nico Zhuang cleared his throat as he inexpressibly had broken the kind of quietness he didn't like. "It's really Lyrick who emailed me and said to not let the woman get close to you." Scratching the 'PS' note on Lyrick Jiang's email, Nico Zhuang decided to tell Lexi about it. After all, the subject was now laid on the table and Avah Tong was not patient enough to hide her scheme.

"I know. Let's not talk about her. I have more important matters to think about instead of a bad ex-girlfriend." Without looking in Nico Zhuang's direction, Lexi recomposed herself as she threw her first encounter with Avah Tong at the back of her mind.

"Yes," Just then, the elevator lift produced another ring before it slowly opened to the floor Lexi was supposed to attend the meeting Abigail Fan arranged.

Stepping out, Lexi inhaled and exhaled as she seemed she has to completely let go of Avah Tong's irritating words so she wouldn't be distracted. Without a word, Lexi began taking strides towards the hallway.

The establishment was not like Beauty DR or Liu Empire that has only employees wearing casual business attire around. They passed through a recording studio, a dance room which was commendable in its soundproofing while a group was dancing inside, and an acting class.

Seeing that these aspiring artists were working hard in the fields they wanted to pursue, Lexi's focus was eventually diverted to the time she had to take these classes to become a star. The only difference was that she wasn't very happy at that time and she could only thank her willingness to bully Mia Chen to pursue acting. But now, Lexi somewhat understood why Abigail Fan fretted too much as these people's futures were also at stake.

"What are you doing here?" Just then, Lexi heard a woman's voice that was oddly familiar. Hence, she turned to see who it was and to her surprise, it was one of her 'friends' in the industry when she was still an actress.

"My gosh, Lex! Don't tell me you are thinking to be in the limelight again?" In a bold and apparent shading tone, Jessica Dai gasped as her eyes widened while covering her mouth as if she was surprised by her own assumption.

"I do. Why? Afraid I'd steal the spotlight again?" Arching her brows, since her former friend was showing her bitchy side the moment she saw her, Lexi didn't mind to go along with her as she has a few more minutes to spare and she didn't mind to use her as an outlet to vent her frustrations toward Avah Tong, since it had landed in her lap ever so gloriously. 

"Huh," Scoffing in disdain, Jessica Dai peered at Lexi from head to toe as her arms crossed under her chest. "I see. Does that mean your engagement with Mr. Lu is ending so you're now finding something to use to make him notice you? Just like in the past." Arching her brows, Jessica Dai sneered. 

To her, Lexi would only be in this place that was owned by Lexi's former manager, Abigail Fan if she was signing a contract or looking for a project to work on. After all, Lexi had been quiet in the past year and even after the news about Lexi's engagement with Ethan Lu broke, both parties didn't speak a word about it in the media. Also, Ethan Lu's Weibo posts lessened day by day until he no longer posts pictures of Lexi or their activities anymore. Hence, Jessica Dai was certain that their relationship had probably turned sour or maybe...

"Or, did you two break up already?" 

Just then, the people inside the dance room opened and a few exited the room. To their surprise, even the people inside the room who were resting after their rehearsals heard the news about Lexi. Therefore, they peeked to see her up close but didn't expect to hear what Jessica Dai said which shocked everyone.