The Rise of the White Lotus

[Queen's Citadel Hotel]

The irony of some grandest hotel in the country was to set up an odd yet, beautiful establishment outside the busy city of country X. Despite the location, socialites from the top chain of the social ladder mostly picked places like this to celebrate whatever events they have.

Why? Due to the privacy it offered and top-notch facilities, the two and a half hour trip and hassle to arrive at the said location was considered worthy. Regardless, of that fact, since one of the well-known business figures, Mr. Tang was celebrating his 60th birthday, media outlets took it seriously to gain gossip.

After all, Mr. Tang was not just a leading person of one of the established companies in the country that wasn't far behind the Lu Corporation. Not to mention, his daughter had owned one of the largest entertainment agencies, Crown Jewel, in the entertainment industry. Therefore, knowing that a huge celebration like this would happen, the outside of the venue was crowded by reporters.

"Wow, just as expected from the Tang Family! The security was high!" Outside the grand venue, a group of reporters were camping to the other side of the place as they found a safe yet the closest place to see the people attending. One reporter that was peeking at the tall wall by standing on his companion's shoulder, muttered in awe.

"It is but that just makes our jobs harder." Clicking her tongue, the female paparazzi glanced around out of habit. 

"Woahh! Woah!" Just then, the man that was nonstop clicking his camera abused the click button upon seeing the person who just hitched out from the car.

"I never knew that Mr. Tang was also associated with Mr. Shao! Wow." As the woman took a peek at the reason why her colleague was in awe, she took a peek and caught a glimpse of Benjamin Shao's side profile while heading towards the door.

"Alas, I don't think we can have anything worthy for a headline." Despite her glittering eyes upon laying her eyes on one of the eligible bachelors in the country, the female paparazzi slightly frowned. Well, of course, although she wanted to do her job, still, it would be hard to achieve it successfully just by standing outside these walls and taking photos of the attendees.

"Huh, you thought?" One of the men in the group that was just standing idly on the side while his colleagues were fulfilling their duties faintly chuckled. "Haven't you heard that the Tang Group of Companys has close ties with the Yang Company? Maybe, we can see Lexi and Mr. Lu's appearance today. That is worthy of a headline!" The man crossed his arms under his chest as the corner of his lips curled upward.

Indeed, just a glimpse of Lexi and Ethan Lu together would be a great headline. After all, right after Rika Song's post about the engagement of the two, no one heard what happened to the actress of the iconic character Chang'e, and the most wealthy and influential man in the business industry as of the moment, Ethan Lu.

Therefore, everyone would surely take an interest if that kind of headline would welcome their day. Well, people liked to pry on other people's lives especially those most private people they had known.

"We'll see about tha— Woah! Isn't that Rika Song? Quick! Take a photo she's with her fiance!" Just as everyone was nodding their head in agreement regarding their chief's main agenda, the man who had been diligently taking photos was interrupted on what he was about to say when the next car revealed the ever beautiful Rika Song. 

She was being gently assisted by her fiance whose public appearance was also rarer than a pokemon. Thus, the thrill of these two lovely people that received many supports from Rika Song's fans.

However, the surprise has just begun because just as the vehicle Rika Song rode, the next car slowly revealed Elliot Gong's eye-catching figure hitching out the car. They saw him wave at Rika Song who was currently fixing her long sparkling champagne gown hence, the delay of her entrance.

Just then, the other door of the back passenger seat where Elliot Gong was from slowly opened. The reporter's eyes lit up while they tirelessly abused the click button of their cameras. There, the tall figure slowly departing the car was none other than Morris Liu!

Morris Liu! The CEO of the reestablished Liu Empire! The second leading business magnate next to Lu Corporation! In an instant, even the chief of the group of reporters had to struggle to take a peek at Morris Liu.

"The most viewed article tomorrow morning will be ours!" Excited, the man's eyes lit up while his mind immediately constructed scenarios of Lexi, Ethan Lu, and Morris Liu's meeting in a single event. After all, Lexi and Morris Liu's engagement in the past might have been buried in the sea of gossip but, that doesn't mean it would never pique the interest of the people as she was now engaged to her ex's friend.

It was a real-life plot that could only be seen in the movies and read in novels. 

****

Meanwhile… 

"Yo, why are you stalling your time here?" As Elliot Gong departed the car, he approached the two figures that were standing in front of the venue's door. Of course, he had seen Rika Song even before he exited his ride hence, he immediately headed to their direction.

"Ah… making a perfect and grand attendance. Typical Rika." Elliot Gong nodded his head in understanding as he witnessed the ever gentleman Jaime Liao spreading the long tail of her sparkling dress.

"It's good to see you too, Eli." Standing up, Jaime Liao offered a gentle smile as he got a bit closer to Elliot Gong and Lexi as his fiance treated them as her main squad. She secretly called it PowerPuff girls and a boy.

"Yes, I am practicing for my grand walk as a bride. Shut up Eli if you don't want to practice as a father walking her daughter down the aisle. Don't ruin our moment." On the other hand, Rika Song glared daggers at Elliot Gong. His remarks instantly irked her which made her grit her teeth in annoyance. It has been a while since she last met up with Elliot Gong but the moment he sees her, he instantly mocked her. The nerve!

"Whatever." Staring back at her in disdain, Elliot Gong slightly shook his head as he resumed in his strides. When he got close to Jaime Liao's figure, Elliot Gong halted his steps as he placed his hand on the doctor's shoulder.

 "It must have been tough for you. Respect." Elliot Gong pursed his lips on a line while he nodded his head, seemingly encouraging and sympathizing with Jaime Liao at the same time. "I'll see you guys around." Patting Jaime Liao's shoulder a few times, Elliot Gong retracted his hand and slid it inside his pocket.

"Scram, I'll pretend you did not attend— shoo!" Rika Song ground her teeth upon hearing Elliot Gong's taunting remarks towards her fiance. Duh? She has been a very loving and kind fiance yet, the way he talked was slandering her immaculate image. 

He glanced back at Morris Liu who just closed the back passenger seat of his car before he slowly headed inside. Seeing that Morris Liu was not lagging behind, Elliot Gong resumed on his tracks and entered the venue.

Meanwhile, as Morris Liu made his way inside, he cast Rika Song and Jaime Liao a glance but said nothing. For some reason, Rika Song just arched her brows as her gaze met with Morris Liu's cold glance. Yet, no words escaped their mouth as Morris Liu continued to head inside.

"Tch, how arrogant." Rika Song discreetly watched Morris Liu's back for a good two-seconds and scoffed.

"Honey, let's go?" She then turned to Jaime Liao and sweetly smiled before inviting him in.

"Mhmm…" Smiling back, Jaime Liao nodded his head before he offered his arm for her to cling on to. With that, the couple slowly made their entrance.

****

"Have you arrived, my darling, my love?" From the other end of the line, Lexi heard the deep sigh that escaped from his mouth along with his dejected tone.

"Mhmm, waiting in line." Inside the back passenger seat, Lexi glanced at the window where she caught a glimpse of a famous celebrity heading inside. Yet, from her perspective, there were at least five to seven cars ahead of hers, hence, it would take a while for her turn.

"I see…" Once again, Ethan Lu exhaled a heavy sigh. "Don't forget to have fun, okay?" Forcing a smile on his lips, Ethan Lu failed to cheer her on as he was too dejected to brighten the mood. Well, he wanted to accompany her but could not.

"Yes," Despite Ethan Lu not seeing her gesture, Lexi mildly nodded her head as the frown on her lips could not help but show. 

"Okay, update me love. Bye—"

"Wait!" Just as Ethan Lu was bidding his farewell, Lexi interrupted which made him knit his brows and shut his mouth. "Stay on the line. I am bored and… a little sad." Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Lexi sighed once again.

For some reason, she truly wanted his attendance in tonight's event. After all, even Nico Zhuang had managed to have a date which was waiting in the car behind hers. It's quite disappointing in a way. 

"I'll hang up when it's my turn." 

"Love…" Moved and disappointed at the same time, Ethan Lu has the urge to bolt his way to her and escort her inside. However, he greatly tried to stop himself from doing so. 

"It's fine, love. I just want to talk to you for a little more." Trying to sound cheery, Lexi forced a meek smile on her lips but failed, miserably. 

"Aww~ how I wish I had superpowers to teleport to your side this very second." 

"Silly." Lexi chuckled as she shook her head. Soon, the two of them just spouted their usual sweet nothings that made Lexi forgetful of the long wait. Just like her request, Ethan Lu accompanied her by staying on the line and just threw silly topics. 

Meanwhile, as Lexi was giggling by his lame jokes, Jarred Guo, who was Lexi's driver for tonight, could not help his brows but twitch. He has high regards towards Lexi, and how cool of a lady she was. 

However, that image of her was slowly being shattered as Lexi was acting like a teen in love. After all, Lexi had always displayed her classy nonchalance and wise mind. Therefore, seeing her in this kind of mood, Jarred Guo could not fathom what his master had been doing to influence her. 

'Master, why must you also shatter Madam's image to your loyal subordinate? Where's the justice?' Weeping inwardly, Jarred Guo felt bad for his cool lady boss that turned too sweet like a colorful candy. 

"Madam, we're almost there." Soon, despite how upset Jarred Guo at his master, he cleared his throat as they neared the entrance of the place. Glancing at the rear mirror, he saw Lexi smiled as she slowly spouted her sweet "I love you" as her farewell remarks before she slowly put down her phone.

When their car finally reached the grand entrance with huge pillars on the side of the door entrance, Jarred Guo hitched out from the driver's seat as he jogged over to the back passenger seat to open the door for her. As soon as Lexi came forth, the group of reporters were momentarily in awe before a series of clicking noises filled their ears.

"Stunning…" One reporter murmured as he zoomed in his lenses to capture her natural elegance despite her simplicity.

"