The Rise of the White Lotus

Beauty DR HQ: Lexi's Office

"I really like this one." Testing out samples for her own cosmetic line, Rika Song pressed her lips together, feeling the texture of the lipstick manufactured by Beauty DR. 

"It's lightweight, not too dry just enough moisture." She gave out her comment before glancing up to Lexi and a smile stretched on her lips. "Bestie, how can I not love you?" 

"Haha, I'm glad you liked the samples." Lexi chuckled, satisfied that out of twenty samples, Rika Song approved fifteen. She even gave her honest feedback on it which was a reliable response. 

After all, Rika Song had lived most of her days using different brands of cosmetics. Hence, she practically knew more about it as she was an avid consumer herself. 

"These products can be launch any time, whenever you're ready. But since your wedding is coming, I will suggest we'll have to wait after your honeymoon." Going down to business, Lexi suggested which Rika Song agreed. 

"Gosh... Bestie, why don't we have a double wedding?" Rika Song heavily sighed. 

Indeed, she was getting married and she was excited and a little anxious about it. However, now that she thought about it, Lexi and Ethan Lu haven't yet had a grand wedding. 

Although they were already husband and wife, Rika Song still wanted to see them have a grand wedding just like hers. Moreover, she was displeased that Ethan Lu seemed he had forgotten that Lexi was a woman and a wedding of her dream was necessary. 

"As much as I want to, but, how can I spoil your day? It's you and Jaime's big day, and that day will only be about you and your groom." Lexi shrugged which caused Rika to pout her lips. 

"Bestie, when will you get married?" Not pressing on the matter because Lexi made sense, Rika Song asked. "I mean a grand one." She clarified. 

"Hmm..." Humming as she pondered, a bright smile plastered on Lexi's face. "No idea!" Without showing a bit of displeasure, Lexi answered. 

To her, whether she got to remarry Ethan Lu or not, does it really matter? They already had the twins and they were already legally married couples in the eyes of the law and God. Therefore, what's important to her was to nurture the love they had in their home and raise the twins with love. 

"Sometimes, I don't understand you." Rika Song could only shake her head sideways. "Anyway, I got to go. I will have to pick up Jaime from work." With that said note, Rika Song stood from her seat as she waved her hand off as she left. 

Lexi chuckled as she shook her head sideways. She found Rika Song and Jaime Liao's relationship cute. They equally do their duty as partners and they never seemed to give a thought about gender roles. 

Although Jaime Liao was a real gentleman, however, Rika Song's personality can be quite a headache sometimes. Hence, to Lexi, they perfectly suited each other as if they were the missing puzzle piece they had been missing. 

"How life surprises us sometimes," Lexi whispered as a subtle smile formed on the side of her lips. 

She hasn't said this before but, actually, Lexi had always thought that Elliot Gong and Rika Song might end up as lovers. After all, they had this chemistry that one wouldn't doubt. 

However, ever since Jaime Liao came into the picture, Lexi realized something: the reason why Rika's past relationship never worked before... and when it's time, love would lead two souls to meet. 

Regardless of how unconventional the situation was or unexpected, nothing could stop them. It could be just the person around you all this time or, a new character that would sweep you off of your feet — despite the short time you knew the person. 

Just then, Lexi heard her phone vibrate which snapped her from her reverie. Glancing at her phone laid on the table along with the sample products, Lexi arched her brows. 

Picking it up, Lexi saw an unknown number yet, instead of ignoring it, she decided to answer the incoming call; "Yes?"

For a moment, only silence came out from the other end of the line until seconds later, a man's voice was heard. "Good day, Miss Yang."

Lexi arched her brows hearing an unfamiliar caller. But this time, Lexi wasn't as careless anymore as she stood from her seat and headed to her desk, pressing the telephone that connected to Nico Zhuang's desk. 

"Who's this?"

"Who am I is not important. But, I believe the information I have is." The man from the other end of the call said. 

"Information?" Lexi snorted. "I'm sorry but I don't have time for people like you." Just as Lexi was about to hang up, the man uttered something that stopped her from dropping the call. 

"Ethan Lu." Just mentioning Ethan Lu's name, the man knew that Lexi would linger for a while to listen to him. "I have photos of your boyfriend and his mistress." 

"Oh? Blackmail?" Lexi arched her brows upon hearing his ridiculous blackmailing. Although she only knew vague details from the system as Ethan Lu and Churu were restricted to give out details, Lexi still understood that people are desperate to get her husband in trouble. 

Still, she wondered why they always targeted her first instead of directly striking Ethan Lu. 

"I sent you a clip and photos. Contact me in this number if you don't want them to fall in the hands of other people." The man noted before he unhesitatingly ended the call. 

Just then, Lexi received a notification on her email which made her brows crease. But since she could not ask any longer, Lexi headed to her desk and checked the email on her computer. 

The moment she saw the top email in her inbox, she clicked it which revealed the attached files in it. Lexi didn't waste a second as she clicked on the file and played it. 

There, right before her eyes, a five-second video of Ethan Lu kissing a woman inside his car. It wasn't her and since the video was on zoom in, only the car's windshield could be seen in it. Therefore, although the color of the car and model was the same as Ethan Lu's, Lexi could not confirm if it was his or not. 

"..." Lexi didn't say anything for a while as she stared at the video on pause for a while. Only the side profile of the two people, in an intimate act, was seen and yet, the man really resembled her husband. 

Not just that but also the woman in it, Lexi recognized her: Laurel Wang.