The Rise of the White Lotus

When Lexi shoved the holes in the security system of the AL Entertainment and how they laze around accepting applicants without further investigations into the limelight, Abigail Fan decided to tone things down by asking her to talk privately. Instead of a cheerful ending, the whole room fell into a dreaded silence as they left the room after giving respects to their two big bosses.

Therefore, only Lexi, Abigail Fan, and Nico Zhuang were left in the huge meeting room. Perching on the seat not far away from Lexi, Abigail Fan had this solemn expression plastered across her whole face.

"Lexi, what do you mean Clarisse's name is Avah Tong? I'm sorry, but that's still impossible. Her documents should have undergone authenticity which is checked by our people." Letting out a heavy sigh, Abigail Fan inquired. 

Granted that the screening of trainees wasn't that strict as they could cut a trainee off if they didn't improve after attending their workshops for a few months, still, Abigail Fan was certain that the appointed person accepting them should have seen the authenticity of the documents.

"Impossible? Abigail, do you think I am kidding?" Lexi arched her brows upon hearing her explanation. A sharp glint bolted across her eyes which made Abigail Fan unconsciously swallow a mouthful of saliva. "Do you know the person you let in? You don't know the depths of her capabilities to destroy everything around her." Sounding in nothing but a deadpan tone, Lexi's gaze never once left her former manager's figure— not even once.

"Wait… you don't have to be mad. We can fix this if she's only a trainee, I'll fire her out and treat this as a lesson." Stuttering by the unreadable aura emanating from Lexi, Abigail Fan stated to calm her down. She didn't know why Lexi was soo piqued by it and only assumed that Lexi was meticulous. 

"No, you can't. But I will— drag her here. I don't care if she comes on her own volition or you have to use force." Slightly shaking her head sideways, Lexi uttered before giving out her orders. Of course, the moment Abigail Fan heard her latter statement, she was utterly confused.

Drag her? Use force if necessary? Why? 

"Lexi, I don't understand. Do you know this person?" Trying to put two and two together, Abigail Fan chose to ask away as she could not rely on mere guesses anymore. She needed clearance to know what was currently going on in her place.

"Maybe… maybe not. But, what I am certain of is she knows me and came here knowing that I have my connections here which only a selected few knew. I can't let her freely run around— I can't let her harm my family." Slowly, Lexi averted her gaze and spun her chair, at a slow pace, to face Avah Tong's smiling face on her recorded audition. 

Indeed, if her husband took action against the mysterious caller that was the root of these problems, she must deal with Avah Tong as well. After all, she could not let her do what she wanted because, Avah Tong, knowing that Lexi was part of the founding of AL entertainment, was seeped danger.

Forget about the thrill and the fun part of playing with her. She must be ruthless if necessary and place her back to the place where she belonged. Lexi would not play to an irresponsible mother who would harm her own child because of her own selfishness. She could not and would not do it.

"Alright… I'll ask someone to bring her here." Without pressing on the matter any further, Abigail Fan nodded in acknowledgment. It was not that she was not curious about the whole story but, if Lexi was this concerned to the extent of bringing back the old her, Abigail Fan knew that it was probably a serious matter. Especially if she brought up the twins in the discussion.

With that said note, Abigail Fan phoned her personal assistant to summon Avah Tong to the meeting room that instant.

****

Since Avah Tong's schedule to attend her acting workshop was two hours from the time Abigail Fan summoned her, they had to wait for her in two hours as she excused that she was currently in her part-time job. Hence, she was unable to rush her way to the agency. Since she was just a trainee, AL agency's policy was to respect their people's work as their allowance wasn't enough to put food on an entire family's table.

"Lexi…" After explaining that they have to wait for Avah Tong, Abigail Fan fiddled her forefingers together as she steeled her heart for whatever may come. After all, two hours of doing nothing was truly a waste of time; especially to someone like Lexi whose every second was precious.

"Keep her here and wait for me until I come back." Bearing the same inexpressive tone and front, Lexi ordered before picking up her handbag and left— followed by Nico Zhuang from behind. She didn't give Abigail Fan a chance to ask what time she would be back as Lexi's stride never faltered.

'Huh, trying to outsmart me?' Lexi scoffed inwardly as she wouldn't waste her time waiting for Avah Tong. She does need to deal with her but not when her ego and pride was at stake. After all, this game would be the one that would set who would be the victor in the end.

Just as Lexi was on her way to the elevator lift, her tracks came to a full halt. There, Hannah Gan was waiting for her while her back was leaning against the wall. When Hannah Gan noticed Lexi's figure, she immediately stood properly to face her.

Doing a deep bow, Hannah Gan loudly took this chance to express her gratitude which she failed to do so earlier as the executives and managers earlier were spouting nothing but sweet flowery words, currying favor from Lexi.

"Miss Yang, I know it's late but thank you! Thank you for believing in me and dragging me out of the mess I never knew I'd ever survived. Thank you." For some reason, Hannah Gan's hands trembled as a cold sweat broke from her forehead. She was just expressing her gratefulness but, why was it laced with nervousness? Was it perhaps, Hannah Gan was uncertain who was the real Lexi?

"Hannah…" Staring at the bowing figure, her eyes unhurriedly blinked. "If you wanted to thank me, keep your name as clean as it can be and always seek improvement in your field. Being famous is easy but keeping the same popularity is harder than what you think." Giving her a piece of advice, Lexi flatly said.

Indeed, Hannah Gan right now opened a lot of opportunities for her. However, the entertainment industry's competition was tough. There would always be a much fresher beauty that would come out with exceptional talent. Therefore, Lexi's only advice for her was not to slack around, be humble, and improve on where she was lacking.

"About your father, I truly think you need to talk to him as his only family. No matter what grudges you kept through the years— he's still your father even though he never acted like one." Lexi added which made Hannah Gan slowly raise her head, confusion displayed on her face.

"Miss Yang…" Biting her lower lip, Hannah Gan meekly called out. "Did you…" Trying to ask if Lexi personally met her father, she felt a little shame for that. After all, she already treated her father as her shame. Regardless, no matter how she despises her father for what kind of father he was, Hannah Gan could never completely turn her back against him because of some unknown reason.

Maybe, she never truly despised her father but rather, his actions. For being such a mess and shameless, leaving her in her grandmother's care. Nevertheless, the phrase was right: blood is thicker than water.

"I might have disagreed with your father's ideals but, it's good for you if you try to straighten things up with him. Anyways, I'll excuse myself first. You too, rest because your schedule will be packed in the next few months." With that said note, Lexi resumed her steps and tapped Hannah Gan's shoulder when she brushed past her. Well, having Hannah Gan's image as a loving daughter despite the lack of father's love would be put to use in the future to make her name freshly bloom even more.

****

After six hours, Lexi finally tended to all her duties for the day. Indeed, it has been six hours since she left AL entertainment's grounds and received an email from Abigail Fan that Avah Tong had been there three hours ago. Therefore, Lexi spared her time which was supposed to be spent with the twins.

Inside the elevator lift, going up to where Abigail Fan's office was located, Lexi along with Nico Zhuang never uttered a single word. The entire lift was filled with nothing but pure silence. After a while, three floors before arriving at their destination, Nico Zhuang finally opened his mouth open.

"Madam, that woman… don't agree if she demanded that you two should be alone." As usual, Nico Zhuang's tone doesn't have any changes. However, despite the relentless work of the two of them, exhaustion was out of the picture as he took this situation in high regard.

He met Avah Tong with Lexi and heard the unsettling words she spouted on their first encounter. Thus, Nico Zhuang's impression of the woman was bad. He could not leave someone like that with Lexi alone. In that case, whatever the woman's intention, he could stop it even before she could do it.

"She won't have the right to demand, Nico. Don't worry, I'll chase her out of our lives— adding to the minus of troublemakers on our end." Without turning to his direction, Lexi glanced up at the lighting numbers above. After a second, a loud ding was heard, indicating that they reached the floor before the door panels slowly slid open.

Lexi didn't hesitate for a second as she stepped outside and headed to Abigail Fan's office. On the other hand, Nico Zhuang's hostility gradually rose as he focused all his attention towards Lexi's surroundings. It has been a while since he was this solemn, bringing back memories of when he was just looking after Lexi from the shadows under Kong Shuren men's threat.

Soon, Lexi reached the office. She didn't knock as she proceeded to open the door. Inside the room, Abigail Fan and Avah Tong were just casually conversing to kill time waiting for Lexi. Lexi's eyes didn't travel around as it instantly landed on the lax Avah Tong's figure.

By the looks of it, Avah Tong didn't mind waiting for her for whatever reason she was there. In just one glance, Lexi figured that she must have had the idea of why she was there in the first place and she wasn't anxious about it.

"Lexi, finally!" Relieved, Abigail Fan exclaimed. She had been keeping Avah Tong company. To be honest, although she was suspicious of the woman, their conversation was rather fun and the woman's perspective on things was commendable. If not for the fact that she was hinting that she bore ill-intention, Abigail Fan would like her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Abi. But, will you give us time to talk in private? I assumed that Miss Tong and I have a lot to talk about." Lexi cast Abigail Fan a side glance before asking her a favor to leave the room in the calmest way as possible— not sounding rude in any way.

"Oh, okay…?" Frowning a little, Abigail Fan felt a little dejected. However, knowing that their discussion must be private and personal, she agreed and left.

"Silly. There's nothing much we can talk about as Ethan must have told you our love story. Also, did you purposely made me wait twice longer?" As Abigail Fan was leaving, Avah Tong faintly chuckled before lightly shaking her head sideways.

"Indeed, but, placing you back in the mental hospital won't be easy, no?" Taking her seat on the sofa opposite Avah Tong, Lex arched her brows as she humored. 

Meanwhile, Abigail Fan heard their first banter which left her flabbergasted before completely shutting the door.

"What was that…" She ghastly murmured in disbelief— urging her to know more.