The Rise of the White Lotus

[Beauty DR: Chief Executive Officer's Office]

Faced with piles of documents on her desk, the sound of the tip of the pen stopped its rhythm as Lexi set loose the pen in her hand and a sigh escaped from her lips. For some reason, just this very moment, Lexi was reminded of the glint that flashed across her husband's eyes before he left.

She has been with him for more than a year and was living with him under the same roof. Hence, Lexi knew him from inside and out. Although it wasn't noticeable on the surface, she knew, deep down that her husband was totally enraged. The very reason why she was concerned about what he would do.

"Ethan…" Under her breath, Lexi diverted her gaze to the small photo frame of her small family when the twins turned six months old. There, right in the photograph were her husband's and her smiling face while they were carrying each of their twins.

Just then, Lexi heard the faint knock from outside her office before it slowly opened even without her permission. The selected few who would dare to enter her office without her permission was her husband or her secretary, Nico Zhuang. Thus, considering that Ethan Lu already left an hour ago, Lexi didn't bother to turn to the figure entering her office as she remained staring at her little family's photo.

"Madam, these are the sales reports from the last batch of deliveries and inventory. Also, the meeting with Mr. Ou was moved to tomorrow as he has an urgent emergency to tend to. He said he'll compensate you for the delay of the meeting." As usual, Nico Zhuang came to hand out the important documents that Lexi needed to review before informing her about her canceled meeting for the day. He placed the documents down— above the stack of documents— ignoring the fact that Lexi wasn't doing anything aside from staring at the small picture frame on the side of the desk.

"Nico…" However, just as Nico Zhuang was about to leave as his reason for intruding was done, he stopped and turned to Lexi upon hearing her voice softly call out. He slightly raised his brows as he patiently waited for Lexi to resume whatever she wanted to say.

"You know my husband on the things that I didn't know— what do you think he would do?" Still staring at her husband's smiling face in the picture, Lexi faintly asked. 

Granted that Lexi was confident that she knew her husband more than anyone else, still, one of the things she learned throughout her marriage was there was always a never-ending exploration for them to truly know each other. There was always a surprise which they would need to accept no matter how dark it was.

Even so, Lexi would be also lying if she said she had truly seen the darker side of her husband as she never had the chance— perhaps, just a glimpse of it back at the private dinner when he officially took over the Lu Corporation. After all, Ethan Lu was a completely different person whenever he was with her.

Nico Zhuang blinked his eyes multiple times as he stared at Lexi's inexpressive front while staring at the portrait. As he scrutinized her front, Nico Zhuang contemplated whether Lexi wanted the truth or a sugarcoated 'I have no idea'. Therefore, he remained silent for a while.

Of course, despite Lexi's vague question, Nico Zhuang knew exactly what she was referring to. After all, Ethan Lu's aura gradually changes and even if he masqueraded beneath a sweet smile, it was still obvious for someone who knew him well as his wife. 

Moreover, recalling how the smile abruptly vanished from his master's lips when he exited this very room, Nico Zhuang had figured that he probably located the caller. The only thing that he was uncertain about was what Ethan Lu did after getting his hands on the man— that's the real question right there.

"Tell me, do you think they already found the caller?" Slowly, Lexi averted her gaze towards Nico Zhuang who was wordlessly peering at her bearing the same unreadable, stoic front.

"No," When their eyes met, Nico Zhuang slightly shook his head sideways. "They certainly found him." Deciding to remain transparent to his now master, Nico Zhuang precisely responded that he was ninety percent sure he was correct.

"I see… that's good then— a minus to his enemies." Lexi slowly nodded her head before a sigh slipped out from her mouth once again. Well, she was relieved and not at the same time. Regardless of what she felt, it was better that way as she realized how foolish she was to think that the people that were coming at her husband could be shrugged off.

"Madam…" Upon hearing her reply that Nico Zhuang was halfheartedly unconvinced if Lexi fully meant it or not, Nico Zhuang heavily sighed. He had grown fond of Lexi, whether he would verbally or secretly admit it. Therefore, he truly cared for Lexi's well-being and mental state. After all, the people lurking around them weren't that good.

Those people had extremely ambitious greed; for example, Dennis Lu. It was just that Ethan Lu could not get rid of the said man just merely because he wanted to. He needed concrete proof and shreds of evidence. Moreover, even if Dennis Lu would be stripped of powers from the company, the blood that runs through them was the same.

Therefore, if Nico Zhuang remembered correctly, Ethan Lu wanted Dennis Lu out of his life and away permanently. To do so, he must take extreme measures that could make Dennis Lu end up in jail without inflicting too much of a backlash for the whole company. It was more complicated than it looks like; easier said than done.

"Are you worried?" 

"Is that even a question?" After the brief silence, Lexi finally heard the continuation of Nico Zhuang's sentence, yet, it was a silly one as if he changed his mind at the last minute. 

"There might be some dark sides of Master but, I am certain that he is not a bad person." Ignoring Lexi's humoring, Nico Zhuang lowly mused. 

"I know and, thank you, Nico." The side of Lexi's lips meekly stretched from side to side, expressing her appreciation as Nico Zhuang would rarely say stuff like this. 

"Now, that reminds me of that day..." Lexi lightly scoffed that sounded like a second chuckle. She was reminded of the time when Ethan Lu told her, in the most adorable, hesitant way that he needed to be a wicked man. 

Not knowing to what extent he exactly needed to be that kind of person, but, Nico Zhuang was right: Ethan Lu was never a bad person. Whatever his actions would be, there had to be some reason behind it all. 

"Anyway, we'll visit AL entertainment. I need to minus another problem residing in my turf." Diverting the subject, Lexi informed before Nico Zhuang nodded in understanding and left. With that, Lexi also began signing some documents and reviewing what needed to be reviewed. 

****

[AL Entertainment]

Inside the biggest meeting room in the agency, Abigail Fan, Manager Qian, Hannah Gan along with the rest of the important people in the company and some managers were present. 

Currently, they were watching the headlines on the monitor screen where reporters were flocking in front of HG Holdings. Meanwhile, their phones had also kept vibrating from all of the media outlets wanting their statement and an interview with Hannah Gan. Therefore, everyone needed to put their phone on silent mode. 

"Congratulations, Miss Fan." John Qian gleefully congratulated Abigail Fan before turning to Hannah Gan and placed his hands on her shoulders, as if telling her to cheer up. 

"Mhmm..." Nodding, Abigail Fan never once left her gaze from the monitor screen as the chaotic scene was streaming before her eyes. 

She already saw the articles being released on the internet, and everything was too chaotic wherever she looked. Everything seemed to talk about Hannah Gan's injustices and HG Holdings CEO's love affair with a prostitute. 

Abigail Fan had multiple guesses about how Lexi would deal with the problem. However, just as expected, when Lexi gave her orders to release an article including the evidence, this happened. 

Everyone got involved. Even Che Diayu's name being the princess of the Che Family was dragged in it. Now, not only was her father on the hottest topic but also Che Diayu along with her misconduct and an attitude problem. 

Overall, Hannah Gan and AL entertainment's good fortunes caused enormous problems with these involved parties. Well, aside from them, Cherry was nowhere to be found as her social media accounts were deactivated just now. Still, that only added for the masses to be fully convinced that Cherry was the woman in the video. 

"Did Miss Yang do all this?" Relieved and concerned Hannah Gan inquired. She was glad that it cleared her name, but Lexi's counter-attack overwhelmed her. 

She had the same thought as Abigail Fan and a little fear crept inside their heart. Given that Lexi was the only person that believed her, Hannah Gan still could not help but be a little scared of Lexi. 

Truly, this only proved that Lexi was not someone who could easily be offended or else, they'd be destroyed even if they knew it. Fortunately, Hannah Gan signed up with the right agency although she was surprised that Lexi co-owned the agency. 

"Abi, make the reporters outside go away. They were blocking the way and causing traffic." Just then, Lexi pranced inside the room and without further ado, she was already giving out orders as it irritated her that she wasted fifteen minutes just to make it in the establishment's parking space. 

"Lexi!" Snapping from her trance while watching the news, Abigail Fan abruptly stood from her seat upon hearing the queen's voice. 

"Miss Yang!" Similar to Abigail Fan's reaction, everyone instinctively turned to the entrance as they unconsciously rose from their seats to give respect to the company's savior. 

Seeing the 180-degree change of treatment from these people — aside from Abigail Fan, Hannah Gan, and John Qian — Lexi arched her brows while walking to the empty seat which was the head seat. 

"Miss Yang, congratulations for this progress. We had finally survived the dilemma."

"Yes, as expected from Miss Yang! Our AL agency was saved and Miss Gan's popularity skyrocketed even more. I heard someone was offering her a role in one of this year's biggest upcoming movies Directed by the one and only Director Wen." 

As soon as one flowery word was thrown, everyone began their cheers and were evidently currying favors to Lexi. After hearing more than she wanted to hear, Lexi raised her hand gesturing them to stop. 

"I thank you all for your support." Forcing a smile on her lips, Lexi uttered out of respect to these people. "Whatever projects Miss Gan would do, I trust manager Qian that he would thoroughly select brands that will not end their contracts the instant a problem resurfaces." Shrugging her shoulders, Lexi glanced at John Qian which was received by an earnest smile. 

"However, I am questioning the agency's security." As Lexi retracted her gaze away from Michael Qian, her eyes sharpened as she scanned their baffled front one after another. 

"Lexi, what do you mean?" Confused at Lexi's sudden subject, Abigail Fan questioned as she was certain that their agency's security system was not that bad. 

"Then, how do you explain accepting a person with a false identity?" Raising her hand, Nico Zhuang stepped in pronto as he revealed an USB stick which he inserted in the device so it could show the files in the monitor. 

Soon, Avah Tong's audition as she was singing was revealed on the screen for everyone to see. Everyone turned to watch the entry they had seen with a still confused expression. 

"This woman that you all know as Clarisse is Avah Tong— that's her real name. Now, I am waiting for your explanation for accepting a fraud that might bring down this whole agency in the near future." Cold and commanding, Lexi glanced at Abigail Fan who was completely stunned by what she heard.