The Rise of the White Lotus

"Ridiculous! Miss Yang, what do you mean by us breaching the contract?! We have all the rights to end our contract if the artist was involved in any malicious activity that may affect our business." Upon realizing that he heard Lexi right, one of the brands legal team members threw a huge fit.

"Where's Miss Fan?! Miss Yang seems as though she doesn't know the contract." Agitated, the man added as he peered at Lexi with disdain yet, he made sure that he would sound a bit more respectful because of her title: Future Madam Lu. 

Regardless, this mockery was too much. First, she only shows herself just now, ever since the agency was established she had never shown herself and didn't participate in their affairs. Does she think that they could just follow her orders just because she's Ethan Lu's fiancee? And they would just cower because of a lawsuit against them from Lexi that has the backing of the LU Corporation was a sure loss?

"Huh," Scoffing at the familiar scene before her, Lexi had seen this situation as she had been in Hannah Gan's shoes in the past. No one, not even Abigail Fan, had bravely stood by her side. Therefore, they had to let her go even though the controversial scandal wasn't ever proven to be true.

"Mr. Wei, though I am indeed not participating in minor affairs in the agency or involved with our artists, I have my portion of the major parts like the contract. You're from XX brand legal department, right? Then, you must have known that the revised contract— I specifically noted— stated that party A could only end the contract if party B was proven to be in the wrong. So, I don't know who you think doesn't know the current subject." Arching her brows, Lexi lightly tapped her fingers on the armrest as she uttered her clarification. 

Indeed, Abigail Fan would always go to her and inform her of major details even though Lexi wasn't asking. It was her way to let Lexi feel that she would always be a part of AL entertainment. Hence, when they finally got their first endorsement project, Lexi was reminded of her previous dilemma when her career as an actress crashed. 

Lexi didn't want that to happen again, whether it was her or her people. The very reason why Lexi mentioned that that specific clause should be revised. After all, she wanted to keep her agency as clean from the unspoken rule in the entertainment industry as possible, and make her artists that were under her feel safe— be it in the brightest time of their career or their darkest reroute. 

She wanted to stand with Hannah Gan this time because one way or another, Lexi felt that she was standing with her previous self which she had failed to do for herself in the past.

"This…" Finding a hard time rebutting Lexi's matter of fact claims, Mr. Wei stuttered as he could only stare at Lexi like a fool. Not just him, but everyone who was listening to them, especially Hannah Gan was dumbfounded.

'Do you… believe me…?' Hannah Gan, for the longest twenty-four hour time in her life saw a sliver of hope finally had shone down on her gloomy face. 

Granted that it has been just twenty-four hours since the scandal was released, it felt like she was in eternal darkness. She had to see the endless and ruthless harsh comments on her account as if she was the most disgusting person living on earth.

What hurts the most was that the friends she thought would always stick to her side and support her weren't even asking how she was during this period. And now, when she was called in to attend this meeting, Hannah Gan knew, deep down, that she was done for and her career was over.

That her career would end today and there was nothing she could do about it. That no one would believe her and even if her manager, John Qian was rooting for her, it was really hard to convince him if there are lapses that she could not broadcast the days she was not with him.

But, who would have thought? Today would probably not be the end. That someone, without a question or doubt, was firmly standing in front of her, shielding her even though Lexi didn't personally know her. Therefore, who would blame Hannah Gan if right now, the tears that she thought she had already shed began to form in the corner of her eyes again?

"I stand and believe that our artists are not as reckless as you assumed they were. So, I believe in Miss Gan. But, if it is proven that she's really is the person in the obscene video, our company will surely comply with the contract." Lexi firmly stated as her gaze traveled to each and every one of them before she called the meeting to end.

One after another, the people inside the meeting room left with a frustrated countenance plastered across their faces. It was evident that they were displeased that their agenda for today was not met and would surely be prolonged longer than expected. Despite that, their only compensation was that AL entertainment would be fined for damages as stated in the contract. 

Well, contracts had always been a double-edged sword. Hence, to include in the clause about the requirements to end the contract, Lexi took the risk to place a clause that might not work on her end that well.

"Thank you," Stabilizing her breathing while wiping the unstoppable tears that were falling from her eyes, Hannah Gan meekly expressed her gratitude. 

"No need. Abigail would have done the same if she's here." Turning her gaze to Hannah Gan's figure, Lexi didn't offer a warm smile or anything of the sort. "But, you are lying. I don't like liars the most." Cold and emotionless, Lexi added as her eyes never once looked away at the woman.

"Huh?" Stunned for a moment, Hannah Gan raised her head to see the intimidating pair of eyes glued on her. For some reason, she gulped a mouthful of saliva as her tears stopped.

"Miss Gan, I do believe that you are not the woman on the video, so I had to stand with that. However, you must tell me where exactly you were that night that Mr. Wei had pointed out. Don't try to lie this time because the facility where your grandmother stays had their daily logs and you had left that day much earlier — don't underestimate my resources." Tapping the tip of her nails on the armrest, Lexi scrutinized the woman's front gradually changing from confused to shocked real quick.

Fortunately, Lexi has a busybody husband whose resources and connections were vaster than the ocean. Hence, while she was on the way to AL entertainment, Lexi received an email from Ethan Lu containing Hannah Gan's profile, some notable activities, hobbies, and even habits. Hence, Lexi recalled that the date that Mr. Wei had pointed out says that Hannah Gan did go to visit her grandmother, but didn't stay for too long, unlike her claim that she was there till night time.

Lexi was slightly shaken that Ethan Lu's connection was this scary that they could easily dig up someone's profile and history. Regardless, at the very least, it was a piece of helpful information so Lexi wouldn't be fooled and blindly stand by someone she didn't know.

"I…"

"Hmm?" Arching her brows, Lexi hummed a tune as Hannah Gan was having a tough time recomposing her words. 

"I'm sorry, Boss Yang. That night, the reason why I had to leave grandma earlier is that I received a call from my father." Hannah Gan's head hung low as she was ashamed that she lied to the person that was trusting her without question— despite the suspicious misunderstanding. 

"I was raised by my grandmother because my mother died when I was 9 and my father is an alcoholic and a gambling addict. I haven't seen him for years but when he saw that I am now an actress, he often harasses me and asks for money. I gave him the amount that he needed so he will not pester me and I am ashamed that my father is like that. But, that night, though the contact number was indeed his, the person on the other end was not him but some other guy that my father owed the money to." 

Lexi attentively listened to Hannah Gan's story as she rested her jaw on her knuckles. Since she was still unsure if the woman was telling her the truth, Lexi was not missing any parts that was being spoken, so if there was anything within her story that didn't quite fit together, she would know.

"He threatened that he would kill my father if I don't pay the money he owed him." At this part, Hannah Gan scoffed. "The amount he owed them equals my whole savings so, I thought they should just kill him so he would be out of my life as well. But then, in the end, he's still my father and even though he turned his back on me many times, I can't do that— I am not him." Raising her head to see Lexi's inexpressive front, Hannah Gan's eyes pleaded to her that she wanted to be seen as her and not the Hannah that she displayed on the screen.

"So, you paid the amount and went to fetch your father?" Putting two and two together, Lexi got the gist of her explanation. To a rising star like her, she only wanted to show the beauty of her life. Well, this kind of stuff still depends on the artist if she/he would want it to be made public or not.

"Yes. I sent the money and went to fetch my father near the police station and then admitted him into a hospital. I have a record of it there."

"I see. I'm satisfied with your honesty. Refrain from going to unnecessary places and don't post anything even if it's getting out of hand. I'll assist Abi to clear your name from the allegations. On a brighter note, use this time to rest since you've been working hard." Nodding her head in understanding, Lexi was convinced about Hannah Gan's alibi. Hence, before she left, she gave her notes on how to enjoy this situation and reflect on her own betterment and improve her skills.

Not just that, since Hannah Gan's popularity skyrocketed even more because of this scandal, Lexi had planned to use this incident to their advantage to make her fame shine the brightest. Perks of being a veteran actress— knowing the ins and outs of the showbiz sector.