The Rise of the White Lotus

"It is, it's been a while." Morris Liu meekly smiled at her. He instantly noticed her the moment she stepped her foot inside the hall. Despite the lack of glitters to make her dress shine and her light makeup, Lexi's presence alone was enough to deem everyone to be her backdrop.

Staring at her from afar, Morris Liu already felt mixed emotions having her in the same space as his. However, now that she's within his reach, his yearning heart wanted something more. Fortunately, he was clear-headed enough to know the line which she drew a long time ago.

"Right! Well, Miss Yang, will you join us for dinner?" When Lexi and Morris Liu exchanged greetings, the businessmen around Mr. Tang's circle and Mr. Tang himself remained quiet. This simple gesture only meant they knew their history. 

However, no one dared scrub some salt to someone's else still wounded heart. Moreover, how could they?

They were merely there to celebrate Mr. Tang's birthday and connect with more fellow businessmen; that includes getting on the good graces of the elusive CEO of Liu Empire, Morris Liu, and the CEO of a flourishing company in the growing global market of the skincare industry. Not to mention, Lexi being the future madam of the Lu Corporation. Therefore, it was not a smart move to mention such an affair in the past as they wouldn't just offend one but three powerful people at the same time.

"It is my honor, Mr. Tang." Averting her gaze to Mr. Tang's wrinkled yet bright mien, Lexi smiled as she mildly nodded her head once.

With that, their group began heading towards the special long table where Mr. Tang's immediate family members perched for dinner while they filled the rest of the seats with close and important guests for tonight. Truly, as the dinner went close, each seat that filled the long table just highlighted Mr. Tang's influence in every area of the business industry and political connections. 

Since the star of the event was Mister Tang, everyone's attention was on him. Seeing the people walking with him, some were in awe at the circle of friends he has. Still, half of the guests' attention was unconsciously caught by the goddess walking with them.

Understandably, because Lexi was the only young female figure that was qualified to enter this veteran's group. Hence, she received murmuring praises while those who were just silently envious by the status she possessed discreetly scoffed.

Not that just, with Morris Liu's presence in the group, others who knew about their previous affairs could not help but talk about them — leading others who were initially clueless about it gained the knowledge through the other group's gossips.

"Wait, isn't that Mr. Liu? Gosh… and Mr. Lu is not around." One Miss murmured to her friend as she scanned everyone in Mr. Tang's group. She repeated it many times but to avail. Even Ethan Lu's shadow could not be seen. Hence, gossip about the former couple and the recent lover of Lexi soon filled each group of the misses' group.

"Didn't you hear? Recently, Mr. Lu was hanging around with Senator Wang's daughter." 

"Shh! Keep it down. Remember, Senator Wang's political rival is here."

"But, that's true!"

"Gosh… poor Miss Yang. Being cheated twice, ouch… the cursed fate of the beauty, I guess?" 

"Not surprised. Mr. Lu was infamous for changing his girlfriends faster than he changes his clothes. I feel bad for Miss Yang though." One woman nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. Even her tone for sympathizing with Lexi sounded insincere, as if she could not care less about someone else's love life.

"Well, maybe she doesn't deserve a great man after all." Stella Du who overheard the conversation of the group of young misses audibly uttered for them to hear. 

"Who needs a man if a woman is independent herself? I still love Beauty DR's products so…" 

"You use it as well? OMG!"

"I know, right? It's been part of my daily life!" Since there were also discussions about Lexi around, the group of elite women didn't give much attention to Stella Du, whose comment was laced with malice. However, now that they diverted the subject to something else, their talks completely went the other way, as if they never gossiped about Lexi's private life. 

"Knowing that it was Miss Yang's brand, I am not surprised that she is surrounded by influential people. Still, she remained friends with Rika Song! Saw them earlier." 

"Now that you mentioned it, I heard earlier that they were launching a cosmetic line! Gosh! I'm so excited~" As women with great inclination about maintaining their youthfulness and desired to look the best every day, a trusted skincare brand like Beauty DR releasing cosmetic products were something they look forward to. 

Even though there are popular brands on the said line, Lexi's company was one of the hottest and hyped brands recently. Hence, the expectations for Beauty DR's take on cosmetics rose to the heavens. 

Stella Du who was hearing the conversation made its huge turn, and now listening to how they loved Lexi's products and how they were excited about it, her heart pounded as her boiling point was nearing its limit.

'Cosmetic line? Lexi with that mere actress? Ha! Don't make me laugh!' Scoffing inwardly, a glint flashed across Stella Du's sharpened pair of eyes. 'As if I'd let them!' She added as she ground her teeth and averted her gaze to Lexi's direction, who was now sitting on the table while conversing with Mr. Tang.

"Hmmph!" Expressing her displeasure about the turn of events she didn't expect, a loud humphed escaped Stella Du's nose before she turned to find her 'ally'. Soon, she found Benjamin Shao mingling with a cluster of your masters' who also excelled in their fields.

"Mr. Shao!" Approaching him, Stella Du formed a sweet smile on her lips as she gracefully made her way to them. Her way of catching one's attention was effective because she made Benjamin Shao and the rest turn to her incoming figure.

"Miss Du," Smiling, Benjamin Shao returned his gaze to the men he was talking to, "Excuse me, gentlemen." He politely excused which they responded with a cool nod before he left the group and tend to his business partner.

"Miss Du, I didn't know you'd be here. If only I did, I'd ask you to be my date instead." As Benjamin Shao stopped in front of Stella Du, he humored.

"Hehe, Mr. Shao." Stella Du giggled at his usual jokes, which she had grown used to. Hence, she didn't take it to the heart, fortunately. 

"Anyway, doesn't matter." Benjamin Shao mildly waved his hands off as he chuckled along with her.

"Mhmm… Mr. Shao, have you heard that Beauty DR is launching a cosmetic line?" Without beating around the bush, Stella Du hid her real intention by sounding innocent as she relayed the gossip she heard. Knowing Benjamin Shao, Stella Du was certain that he would be furious as his mortal rival, Aubrey Ning, had teamed up with Lexi and still earning being a shareholder in Beauty DR.

"Oh?" Blinking once, Benjamin Shao briefly knitted his brows. Stella Du expected a cunning expression that usually formed on the man's face. However, the next second was not what she anticipated.

"Hahaha! Really…" When Stella Du's news processed in his head, Benjamin Shao gleefully chuckled as he was truly amused at his cunning fox. "I'm sorry, Miss Du. Don't worry, more competition means more fun. You just have to learn how to. Anyway, I must excuse myself first. I saw a familiar face." With that said note, Benjamin Shao mildly patted Stella Du's shoulder before he left to god knows where.

Meanwhile, Stella Du was rendered speechless by the unexpected advice she received. She just stood rooted on the ground as his advice rang inside her head in repeat. She could only stare at the retreating figure of her business partner in a daze as she could not believe what she heard.

"Mr. Shao…" She helplessly murmured.