The Rise of the White Lotus

Finally, Mr. Tang's birthday celebration arrived. Having their plans and set back plans if anything happened, everyone of them acted nonchalant. 

Lexi being alone and enjoying the company and praises of these influential men. At first, they didn't sense anything amiss yet, no one put their guard down. 

Jarred Guo surveyed the area to confirm if Mia Chen went into a full crazy mode and hired people to kill Lexi or Morris Liu. Of course, they prepared for the worst hence, they had to check these things as Morris Liu and Ethan Lu insisted. 

However, although Lexi wasn't against the idea. She already told them that Mia Chen wouldn't be that foolish to do that. After all, she already guessed what might Mia Chen wanted to achieve. Regardless, since these two insisted, she didn't prolong the discussion and just agreed. 

On the other hand, Nico Zhuang was assigned to blend in inside while keeping a close eye on Lexi. If he ever sees that someone posed a threat to her, he could prevent that from happening. Of course, that resulted in a boring date as he had Andy Chang on his side that has zero knowledge on what was going on. 

With those two on standby, Lexi daringly put her guard down as she headed outside to hear Jarred Guo's report. Actually, that wasn't on their plan, about her emotional encounter with Morris Liu. 

It just so happened that he took advantage of the fact that he got the once in a lifetime opportunity to apologize to her and send his best wishes. Until, Morris Liu suddenly turned aggressive. 

"If only there's another way to repent, I'd do it if it means not entirely losing you." He said as he leaned forward, tilting his head to side and stopped inches away from her cheek. 

"But clearly, there isn't any other way because even before you can think, your instincts will automatically reject me." Under his breath, he murmured. However, as he said those words, Lexi noticed that his eyes were cast somewhere else. 

"Someone is taking a photo. From his angle, it might seem we are kissing— didn't you say you want her to feel what heaven feels like? Then, when these photos reach her, she'll lose her mind." Whispering to her ears, Morris Liu slowly retracted his head back and resumed his sentiments. 

Actually, he didn't need to do this. But, being reminded of Lexi's words, he tried just to see what she'll do. In the end, he was just hurt. Regardless, he immediately concealed it with a chuckle. 

 "Again, forgive me. I know my limitations but, I don't think I will ever stop loving and longing for you from a distance."

"You..."

"Shameless, aren't I? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go overboard." Being honest, Morris Liu admitted as his action was just a spurt of the moment and maybe, to try his luck but to no avail, he already lost her, entirely. 

"Tch! Yes, you went overboard. Nice talking to you." Rolling her eyes on him, Lexi slightly shook her head as she left. 

Well, that wasn't planned but, oh well, Morris Liu has a point. 

She wanted Mia Chen to celebrate the whole night. She wanted her to feel a crazy roller coaster ride of beyond happiness, sadness, stress, annoyed, and everything. Partially, it was because Lexi was truly irked at her and half of it was because Lexi detested the fact that she was manipulating other people's feelings. 

Hence, as a revenge, she wanted to make her have a taste of her own medicine. She wanted to control her feelings since it seemed it revolved around Morris Liu. 

As Lexi was walking away, her tracks halted as she opened her mouth. "You figured what my other agenda, huh? Well, he too needed to learn." With that vague note, Lexi left Morris Liu chuckled. 

'Ethan, you're right. Your wife is terrifying— even to you, she won't show mercy.' Murmuring inside his mind, Morris Liu chuckled as he shook his head. 

He wouldn't know about Lexi's other agenda for tonight if not for all the hints she dropped. Hence, the reason why he garnered enough courage to be bold and attempt to kiss her. 

One, was for Mia Chen's informant and the other, was for Lexi's personal reason. Nevertheless, he felt renewed after talking to her. At the very least, they had their closure because they wouldn't know when they will be able to meet again. 

****

As the two of them left, the man who was snapping photos of them reported to Mia Chen and giddily sent some photos to her. After he did what he was told, the man kept on giggling in the dark as he looked at the photos in his camera. 

The longer he looked at them, the intense his shoulder shook as he mildly stomped his feet on the ground to calm himself down. Little did he know, there was also another person watching him act funny— like a comedian doing his own comedy skit alone. 

"Hihihi! I should start writing the conte—" Just as he turned, the man jolted as Jarred Guo was already standing on his side and taking a peek at the photos he took. 

"Ahh!" Feeling his soul almost leave him, the man clumsily jumped to the side and accidentally tripped which made him crash and his camera to the grass. 

"Interesting photos. I wonder if this is legal?" Picking up his camera, Jarred Guo checked the photos of Lexi and Morris Liu in the pavilion. Even after seeing these misleading photos, he wasn't surprised as he was well-versed of the plan. 

Although he didn't know if this skit was approved or not, Jarred Guo trusted Lexi. Therefore, he wouldn't believe these photos. 

On the other hand, he was provoked that if these were to come out, Lexi's reputation would surely be tainted again. Hence, he wouldn't let this man off easily. 

When Jarred Guo raised his gaze and to the man still in shock on the ground, a vicious smirk formed on the side of his lips. 

"Say Mister," Slowly, Jarred Guo squatted down, staring at the man's terrified eyes. "Do you want to continue working for Mia Chen or you want to work with the Lu's? If you chose the first one, you, your company, your whole family will go down. But if the latter, my master might reconsider your fate" Out of 'politeness" Jarred Guo offered, specifically mentioning the surname Lu to cloud whatever hope the man has. 

"I— I"

"This is a decision of a lifetime and sadly, you only have five seconds to decide. Five. Four. Thre—"

"Sir! I'm sorry! I will cooperate with you and willing to say whatever I know! Please!" The man pleaded as he kowtowed, his forehead touching the grass yet, he could not careless. 

Despite that the man hadn't recovered from the shock upon hearing the Lu's involvement, the pressure when Jarred Guo began counting down snapped him from his trance. 

"Good." Smirking, Jarred Guo patted his head and gestured to him to stand up.