The Rise of the White Lotus

After that night, Lexi and Ethan Lu resumed their current dilemmas at hand. While they seemed they didn't prioritize that said event, Lexi constantly exchanged emails with Morris Liu via Nico Zhuang, as he was the one who delivered them under Lexi's instructions. 

Everything went smoothly as Lexi suggested things to spice things up. During their planning, it just so happened that Frederick Yang and Lillian Yang had a scheduled business trip for a week around the same date. Thus, it worked well for Lexi as she would attend unguarded... or what Mia Chen would think. Also, to make things more thrilling.

After all, the more Mia Chen thinks that Lexi was carefree and confident that her night would be peaceful, the better. Just giving her the idea of having the upper hand would surely make a person feel lax. That's what Lexi wanted to achieve: to make Mia Chen taste success, not knowing its bitter aftertaste. 

[LC Golf and Country Club: the next day]

"Isn't the weather a little nice?" Looking up at the clear blue sky, Ethan Lu cheered as he narrowed his eyes and hid it under the shade of his hand. 

"It is, Master. Hehe," One elder that was invited to Ethan Lu's leisure meetings, he agreed with a bright smile. 

"Master, I feel honored for this invite. Let's enjoy our time today!" Another one exclaimed because Ethan Lu only invited a few ones. Some are his solid people in the core and some that were secretly against him. 

Regardless of his motives, whether it was good or bad, no one knew. Still, those who were neutral in these silent power struggles in the Lu Family perceived this invitation as honor and opportunity. 

It's an opportunity to solidify their connections to the head of the family and get on his good graces. After all, it was rare for him to invite selected few into such activity. Moreover, if one didn't bear ill-intentions, whatever hidden agenda Ethan Lu has, they were safe from his wrath. 

"Oh, no, Mr. Xue. It's my pleasure to have a quality time with my people. Let's enjoy our day!" Bearing his business smile, Ethan Lu feigned as a good and pure ruler. 

He knew that some of them had their assumptions about why he invited them. And surely they weren't wrong. He wouldn't waste his time with these old geezers if not because one of them might be colluding with Mia Chen. 

Gathering a few of his trusted people, then mixing them with the ones he knew were against him, and then some of those undecided which side they choose — Ethan Lu gathered them all today. 

One, to lessen the range of the suspected people who were backing up Mia Chen. And second, to reel in these neutral parties on his side. That's hitting two birds with one stone. 

**

As expected, their day went smoothly as everyone cooperated to amuse the king. After playing for quite some time, Ethan Lu invited them to join him for lunch; they agreed without batting an eye. 

Although Ethan Lu's extra kindness and consideration were suspicious, no one dared to point it out. They could only obey his wants without a question being asked. 

Around the round table consist of Ethan Lu, Dennis Lu, Gerald Huang, Henry Lu (Louis Lu's father), and some core members of the Lu family. 

"Master, about the bidding led by Miss Wang, I heard the Sun Corporations had put up their bid." In the middle of their meal, Gerald Huang, Ethan Lu's uncle, broke the silence that was bouncing across the whole private diner. 

"Oh ho! The Sun Corporation again. Haha! Until now, they wanted to take their glory back, ha!" 

"Master, the Sun Corporation had been growing daring and had been firming their ties with Senator Wang. They must have known about your relation with the other parties so, they could use that to waver Senator Wang's trust towards our Lu family!" Since the discussion was opened up, one after another, everyone left their comments aside from Dennis Lu and Henry Lu. 

Ethan Lu let them speak their mind as much as they want as he continuously enjoyed their meal. After some time, he wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin before he smiled. 

"I understand your concerns, gentlemen. So, I am keeping distance with Mr. Wang's rival parties. And by that, what I meant was that all my friends that supported the other party, though I respect their political views and beliefs, were included." Reassuring them with a smile, Ethan Lu linked his hands together, his elbow on the surface of the table, as he rested his chin over them. 

"For example, I already refused Mr. Tang's invitation next week." Out of the blue, Ethan Lu said. 

Actually, it was not necessary that he would bluntly say what he was stating and what kind of relation he wanted to keep. After all, he was always like that. 

However, it was baffling that he was saying all this as if he needed to. After all, no one cared if he refused a birthday invitation or not. All they care about was that they retain Senator Wang's trust and mutually benefit from him. 

As Ethan Lu uttered those words, his gaze slowly scanned their reactions, some had their 'we don't care' kind of face, some had 'what are you saying' expression plastered across their faces, while a few like Henry Lu remained as unfazed he enjoyed this meal as if he was alone. 

'Interesting, Uncle Hen. You really intrigue me in what's going on with that head of yours. More importantly, to whom will you send this information to? Directly to Mia Chen? Or to another decoy?' Returning his smile to his people, Ethan Lu murmured inwardly. After all, the difference between Henry Lu and Dennis Lu's unconcealed ridiculing eyes was vast. 

In one glance, Ethan Lu could read Dennis Lu's cloud of mocking thought while, on the other hand,  Henry Lu would make you keep thinking. 

Fortunately, Lexi pointed this out to him. Hence, the more he give his attention to him, the more he wanted to unravel if he was a foe or a friend, or just like Louis Lu who didn't care about the Lu Corporation as long as he was earning. 

Which is which?