The Rise of the White Lotus

A very long silence dawned on the whole hotel room as neither of them talked for a long time. So, all this, what he did was just to elaborate on what would be the outcome if Lexi didn't give more thought of her action? 

Was that it? To teach her a lesson in the cruelest way possible yet the most effective so that she wouldn't forget about it? Truly, both of them had their own different way of seeing each other's shortcomings and make them realize it in their own way.

Still, the mystery remained to Ethan Lu on why Lexi just did what she had done. After all, they didn't need to be that intimate as Mia Chen only needed for Morris Liu to be in the same room with Lexi if the supposed drug kicked in.

"What were you thinking?" After the long pure silence, Ethan Lu finally broke the inexplicable atmosphere around them before he languidly laid down. He stared at the ceiling as images of last night flashed across his eyes. "Have you thought about me when you threw yourself to him? Have you considered what I would feel? You know that I would see them so, why? What are you thinking? To drive me crazy?" He let out a series of questions that he could not wrap around his head no matter how deep he pondered.

He just couldn't understand. No matter what her reasons, he didn't recall doing something unforgivable to push her to do this.

"You. I did. I did. The agreement. You and yes, to drive you mad." Lexi hanged her head low as she answered each of his questions from the beginning in perfect order. 

Indeed, she was thinking about him that's why she did had this 'great' idea. She knew for a fact that even though Ethan Lu was not present at that time, he would surely see that would enrage him. After all, there was a reason why Lexi and Ethan Lu's life remained private, that's because his men were always around her, her parents, and the twins from a distance. 

In other words, Ethan Lu would always know what was happening to them. Hence, since he and Morris Liu originally planned this arrangement, none of his men interfered when Morris Liu attempted to kiss her. They didn't know the full details hence, they would think that it was part of the plan.

"Why? What did I do?" Still staring at the ceiling, Ethan Lu lowly asked. Basically, she knew and considered his feelings but, why? 

"I asked you multiple times if you are letting him borrow your wife, not just once Ethan."

"And you agreed."

"And you agreed as well." Lexi softly argued. Well, now that she was thinking about it, her resolve and the reason that drove her to make such a decision felt a little petty. Still, that didn't mean she would let it go of her reasoning.

"I just didn't like the fact that my husband was being complacent about this relationship. I didn't appreciate that he would let his wife spend a night with her ex — even if the intention is pure. Even before asking me, you already agreed to Brother Mo. So, why would I not give you face and sabotage what was already planned?" Bending her knees up, Lexi hugged them as her eyes dimmed of liveliness.

Unlike her nonchalant stare she used at Mia Chen, unlike the warning eyes she set on Morris Liu, and from the furious set of eyes that peered at Ethan Lu earlier, her eyes right now spoke a volume of what her heart wanted to express: Sadness and a little disappointment she had for her stupidity.

For a second, Ethan Lu stopped himself from saying anything and remained silent. He recalled the time he told Lexi about the plan, she was reviewing Hannah Gan's case despite how late it was. And yet, he wasn't careful with his jokes and neglected the part that Lexi might not like the absurdity of Morris Liu's term. 

Perhaps, deep down, he knew and turn a blind eye on it. After all, deep down, she wasn't totally against it but not completely agreeing as well. 

"And so, I did something silly just for something so petty. I'm sorry." Ashamed of her silliness, Lexi could not even look at him as she remained hanging her head low while hugging her knees while she apologized. 

Sure, she was angry that Ethan Lu had to do something unexpected. Still, that didn't mean she wasn't at fault as she deliberately pushed him too far. She couldn't even fully blame it for the stress she had undergone with all these schemes, as it was she signed up for when marrying him and also, not considering Ethan Lu's and Morris Liu's feelings out of her own selfishness. Shameful.

This showed that she needed more room for improving her sense of judgment. Regardless of what she thought about other ways to deal with Mia Chen, she didn't have to go such measures just because something so small upset her.

After several seconds when she apologized, Lexi felt the mattress moved as Ethan Lu unhurriedly sat up. Letting out a heavy deep sigh, he looked at her figure that appeared to be strong in contrast to her usual dignified temperament.

"Are you really sorry?" Frowning, Ethan Lu asked and Lexi only nodded her head as a response like a behaved little kitten. "Alright." Seeing that Lexi wasn't raising her head, Ethan Lu slid his hand inside his suit pocket to get his phone. He then speed-dialed Lyrick Jiang's contact number, which was instantly answered before the first ring ended.

"Yes, master?" 

"Rick, bring a washboard in Lexi's hotel room. ASAP." Arching his brows, Ethan Lu purposely raised his voice for her to hear. However, Lexi didn't retaliate he frowned even more.

"Washboard? Master, what have you done to be punished again?!" Shocked upon hearing the traumatizing and curse words 'washboard', Lyrick Jiang gasped. One could imagine his dismay towards his master as he assumed that he upset his madam goddess, the heroine again.

"No, don't overthink. I am disciplining a naughty wife." Shaking his head, Ethan Lu briefly drew his phone away from him before returning it in front of his ear. To his surprise, Lyrick Jiang firmly, adamantly, and strongly refused his request for the first time in history.

"Master, I apologize in advance, but I can't grant that request. Anyway, Miss Chen was already being transferred to Jin Medical Hospital and everything will proceed as plan when she regains consciousness." With that said note, not only Lyrick Jiang didn't heed on his master's demand, he also hung up on him! Shocking!

"Aish! This—!" Hearing the beeping noises that came afterward the call urged Ethan Lu to curse the out of Lyrick Jiang as he had grown bolder. Yet, he didn't as he tossed the phone to the side before plopping his back on the bed again.

He spread his arms open and his hand reached on Lexi's foot that was hidden beneath the blanket. "Come here." He said as he slightly poked her. Alas, there was no response from her.

"I'm sorry too. I should have been more sensitive of your feelings and the hints you have given me." Sighing, Ethan Lu apologized. "Can you come to your husband for a second? I missed you, don't you miss me too?" Stretching his lips a little upward, Ethan Lu gently poked her foot again.