The Rise of the White Lotus

"That's all. Dismissed." After leaving them a few notes, Lexi dismissed the two: Hannah Gan and John Qian, with some additional instructions. Though her instructions about the woman were mostly for her relaxation so she could fully understand that not everyone in the entertainment industry was her friend.

Although there are some rare gems in the industry just like Rika Song, alas, there are still some stones who act and pretend to be a diamond. Hence, Lexi used this situation as a perfect example to teach the rising star a lesson about the harsh reality of their environment.

"Boss Yang!" Just as Lexi stood from her seat and was about to leave, she was stopped in her tracks before turning to look at Hannah Gan's direction.

"I don't know why you trust me so much and I don't know how to repay you but, thank you so much!" Doing a deep bow, Hannah Gan meekly expressed her gratitude. Granted that the real matter wasn't settled yet, but, just knowing that there's one person that believes in her story, Hannah Gan felt a bit stronger to survive the day.

Lexi didn't respond as the corners of her lips only stretched into a smirk. Turning her back against the bowing woman, Lexi resumed in her strides while her right arm was raised as it mildly waved off.

"Be still this whole week— it will end within a week or two." 

"Yes!" Hearing that, Hannah Gan smiled brightly as her response this time sounded more alive than earlier. She didn't know if what Lexi said might come true but, for some reason, her instincts were telling her that Lexi wasn't just spouting empty words.

****

"What do you think, Nico?" As they made their way down to the establishment's lobby, Lexi inquired to Nico Zhuang following behind her. Since she already knew where they are heading, Lexi refused John Qian's assistance and made him tend to the issue. Hence, it was only her and Nico Zhuang again as they went down to the elevator.

"I think Miss Gan's story is believable and is worthy for the benefit of the doubt. Still, I already asked someone to check on Miss Gan's father's file." Calm and honest, Nico Zhuang uttered while he followed Lexi keeping the right distance with her inside the elevator.

For some time, when Nico Zhuang had finished his sentence, silence enveloped the whole lift as Lexi remained quiet. It took her at least a minute to speak again but, this time, Lexi sounded piercingly cold with a touch of sadness.

"Not that but the woman earlier…" A heavy sigh escaped her mouth as Lexi instinctively looked up to the numbers that flickered one after another. Her pair of eyes had an unreadable glint that flashed across it along with the slow blink of her lids. "What's her name again? Avril, is it? Why was Ethan wary of her? Any thoughts?" Without looking away from the numbers above and then from the door panel, Lexi added.

Nico Zhuang naturally glanced at Lexi's back and sensed the difference of her aura. He wasn't surprised that Lexi had forgotten the woman's name or rather, she chose to pretend that she didn't know it because maybe, she found it insignificant and a waste of memory space.

"Only master can know that, Ma'am." Clearing his throat, Nico Zhuang unhesitantly pushed the responsibility to explain the real subject to the culprit named Ethan Lu. After all, Nico Zhuang didn't want to make Lexi feel better by using empty, comforting words. Moreover, he really didn't know the depths of Avah Tong and Ethan Lu's relationship in the past— he just knew the glimpse he had seen at that time.

However, despite internally saying that and was fully convinced that he wouldn't open his mouth to refrain himself from saying reckless words, Nico Zhuang constantly glanced at Lexi's back who remained silent. For some reason, the elevator ride felt longer than usual as the silence became more and more deafening.

"Madam, there's no need to fret about that woman because I never saw master protect anyone so much to the extent of placing all his trusted subordinates around you." Clearing his throat, Nico Zhuang for the first time attempting to comfort someone by all the good words he could come up with. Although he wasn't good with words, he did a pretty good job clearing Ethan Lu's name.

"No…" A floor before the agency's lobby, Lexi audibly whispered. "What did he do to her?" Just as Lexi uttered her statement, the elevator lift produced a 'DING' sound before it slowly opened. Without further ado, Lexi's feet stepped out and headed to the lobby and then outside to the parking space where they parked their car.

Just as they arrived at the parking space, Nico Zhuang jogged to fetch the car while Lexi waited for him instead of walking all the way to their parking space. As she waited, Lexi noticed a figure at the corner of her eyes before she cast the figure a glance.

Seeing Jessica Dai approaching, Lexi arched her brows and remained at her standpoint until Jessica Dai arrived on her side.

"Lexi…" Unlike her boastful and loud tone earlier, Jessica Dai's voice now sounded as if she was the epitome of world peace. "I…" Pursing her lips on a thin line, she pondered on the right words she must speak that would make her sound genuinely sincere.

"I'm sorry. I know I was a little rude earlier but that was because a lot has been going on and the abrupt end of our friendship struck me again when I saw you. You know, you never contacted me and it's frustrating that you replaced your friends just like that." After a heavy sigh, Jessica Dai explained as her lips curved down into a frown. Her eyes gleamed as if it was natural to express the depths of her lines beneath the shimmer of her eyes. Surely, aside from Jessica Dai's attitude, she was undoubtedly a good actress. 

If Lexi didn't know any better she would fall for it. Unfortunately for Jessica Dai, she wasn't fooling anyone— not anymore. Hence, Lexi's piercingly cold stare was cast on the woman as she wordlessly watched her make herself a clown.

"You understand me right? Hmm?" Raising her brows, Jessica Dai slightly smiled as she scrutinized Lexi's countenance watching for it to change, even just for a little bit. Sadly, Lexi was unmoved and only blinked her eyes whenever she needed to.

"Do you really think I'm a fool?" After a beat, seeing that Jessica Dai was still persisting and hoping that she would always shrug off the matter just like in the past, Lexi emotionlessly uttered. For some reason, at this moment, she felt like she was literally looking down on the woman.

"Bringing up my past, broadcasting it to everyone as if it was something I should be proud of— of all people, you should be one of the selected few who knew what kind of pain I have to go through just so I can live today. So, no, I don't and will never understand." Lexi flatly stated as she never once looked away from Jessica Dai. 

God knows how grateful Lexi was to find real friends now, albeit a little late. Still, she never realized how much of a blessing to cut off toxic people in her life truly was. 

Upon hearing Lexi's cold response, Jessica Dai's complexion paled. In retrospect, the faster a person apologized to Lexi when he/she made a mistake or offended her, the higher the chance that she would let it go. Hence, after careful contemplation, Jessica Dai decided to apologize to her. However, perhaps because she hadn't met Lexi version 2.0 that's why she thought that these kinds of Lexi's habits remained the same even now.

"Please! I'm sorry!" Seeing that Lexi wouldn't be moved, Jessica Dai immediately knelt on her knees as she looked at Lexi's unchanging front. "I'm really sorry! Please, don't ruin my career! I am just back on track and I just had my biggest break! Please!" Rubbing her palms together, Jessica Dai pleaded. Thankfully, Abigail Fan paid extra attention to the security of their company and even if Jessica Dai seemed as if she was being maltreated, Lexi was confident that no one would take a photo and release it to the media.

"You…" Watching her desperate pleas, for some reason, Lexi knew it was half genuine and half not. She knew that Jessica Dai was only doing this just because it was necessary— just like in the past. Just like how she boasted Lexi's ego and confidence just to make her feel superior and thought it was the words she needed to hear.

"There's a vast difference between real sincerity and acting. No matter how good of an actress you are, you might look sincere but not feel like one." Just then, Lexi's ride approached them and stopped in front of her. Opening the backseat door, without waiting for Nico Zhuang, Lexi looked at Jessica Dai's hopelessly kneeling figure.

"Abi must have signed you because you're a natural talent but, the one who will end your career will not be me but your attitude if you don't do something about it." With that said note, Lexi hitched on the car before it sped away.

Meanwhile, Jessica Dai just foolishly stared at the retreating car. Lexi's words… they took a while for them to sink into her. 'Does that mean, she's letting me off?' Confused on if she was given a second chance or not, Jessica Dai was left deep in the pool of question marks.