The Rise of the White Lotus

Mia Chen's world began shaking until it slowly crumbled while she was in the middle of it. She could vividly hear its crisp cracking sound followed by a thunderous bolt of lightning. 

"No…" A lifeless word escaped her mouth as her knees gave way. A loud thud immediately followed as she collapsed on the floor. 

The only assurance she has to break Lexi and Ethan Lu apart completely failed. No, it was already impossible in the beginning. All her efforts, all her wasted time waiting for this very day, everything were all for naught. 

Looking up at Kevin Woo's pair of hurt eyes, her gaze slowly shifted to Lexi, then to Ethan Lu. Aside from Kevin Woo, all eyes on her bore nothing but nonchalance. 

They weren't enraged nor they looked at her with sympathy. To her, what lies beneath their eyes was nothing— they were empty. It was as if all these time, they didn't care about her very existence. 

Her value to them was nothing. That's for sure. 

'I see...' Her subconscious mind whispered. How could she not see this? 

Lexi already moved on and continued to what's up ahead of them. Therefore, this small skit of hers, Lexi just dealt with it because it's on her way. 

To Lexi, this was just something that should be dealt with to avoid unnecessary problems in the future. However, if Mia Chen chose not to interfere with her life again, Lexi wouldn't as well. 

It was as simple as that. And it only proved that Mia Chen was nothing but a blind fool.

"You..." Just then, Ethan Lu who was nonchalant from the beginning began walking towards Mia Chen's figure. 

Instinctively, Mia Chen shifted her gaze to Ethan Lu's that were akin to Satan's thirsty eyes that were ready to devour anything— bit by bit— even her soul. 

Upon reaching her standpoint, maintaining his distance from her, Ethan Lu unhurriedly squatted down. Staring straight at the hopeless eyes before him, the corner of his lips slightly curled into a smirk. 

"I hope you've prepared for the worst because there's only one person that can save you... me." Keeping his tone low, Ethan Lu made sure that only Mia Chen could hear him. "Hmm? Did you think your accomplice will help you?" Smirking, Ethan Lu purposely muttered. 

Upon hearing his last remarks, Mia Chen's eyes widened. He knew that as well? They knew that she has an accomplice? Or he was just baiting her? 

"I—" 

"You don't have one? Are you saving him? Miss Chen, if you're so willing to spend the rest of your life behind bars, no one is stopping you." Ethan Lu scoffed as he could not believe that Mia Chen still has the heart to lie. 

She was already cornered and facing Ethan Lu and Morris Liu, Mia Chen would surely face tons of lawsuits. Even if she managed to find herself a lawyer, with the Lu Corporation and Liu Empire's legal team, her win would be a miracle. 

"But, you can choose to lessen your fall for this painful result if you tell me who was the person that gave you all the information." Narrowing his eyes, Ethan Lu slightly tilted his head as he examined every little change of her expression but to no avail. 

"Was it Henry, or perhaps, Dylan?" He added. 

Upon hearing his last question, Mia Chen was so shocked that her mind seemed to short circuited. Hence, her front couldn't be more shock. 

Little did he know, Mia Chen was just too surprised that he guessed it right, that's why she was rendered dumbfounded. 

He knew? No, he was uncertain but, he already has his eyes on Dylan Lu. 

"You better start talking— we don't have the whole day." Disappointed that he didn't get what he wanted, Ethan Lu urged as Mia Chen was his key to know if Henry Lu was the person she colluded with. 

Actually, Ethan Lu was more certain that Henry Lu would be more likely be her accomplice. He just merely added Dylan Lu's name since he was suspicious of him as well. Regardless, he didn't expect that Mia Chen's contact was Dylan Lu. 

"How—" Just as Mia Chen slightly recovered, she halted when a sudden phone ring resonated across the room. 

Everyone subconsciously glanced at Mia Chen's bag that was left on the bed, as her phone was inside it. No one cared if the phone should be answered except Nico Zhuang. 

He kindly approached the bag and then picked up the call. As he answered, he didn't say a word nor did Mia Chen as she was puzzled who might be the caller. After all, she doesn't have any friends. 

"Hey Mimi! How are you?" Hearing a cheerful guy from the end of the line, Nico Zhuang furrowed his brows as he drew the phone away from his ears and put it on speaker mode for everyone to hear. 

"Are you still on your trip? *sigh* Sis, when will you go home?" As Mia Chen listened to the person from the other end of the line, her already widened eyes grew bigger even more. 

"*sigh* I guess you're still busy and still don't want to talk to me. *sigh* Anyway, I already arrived at school, so I'll hang up! I'll talk to you again bis sis!" The person's voice sounded disheartened and seemed he was used to her cold treatment. Hence, he seemed he tried to sound cheerful before the call was cut short. 

"You have a brother?" Just like everybody else, Ethan Lu was slightly surprised as he could not recall that Mia Chen having a brother. Although it was possible as her data being a mercenary didn't need any information about her family. 

Still, even if it was needed, she could just lie to protect her loved ones because her previous job often faced crucial missions. 

"Get out." Hanging her head low, Mia Chen whispered that only she heard. All her wavering resolve to tattle immediately vanished after the call. 

After a second of not seeing any obedience, Mia Chen shouted. 

"Get out! Get out! Leave me alone!" Like a person who lost her mind, Mia Chen hysterically screamed. 

Fortunately, just when she was about to pounce on the nearest person from her, Ethan Lu swiftly jumped backward before he launched a paramount kick on her cheek. In an instant, Mia Chen lost consciousness as her body was tossed to the side. 

"Ethan!" In unison, Lexi and Kevin Woo shouted as his unrestricted action shook them to the core.