The Rise of the White Lotus

Meanwhile, in Beauty DR main headquarters... 

Lexi could not focus anymore after seeing the video. Although she already confirmed to her husband that the man wasn't him - and she trusted him a hundred percent, it still bothered Lexi. 

"Laurel Wang..." Lexi whispered the woman's name. She never realized it until today that that woman had this inexplicable aura back in Ethan Lu's event. 

The way Laurel Wang looked at her husband and acted as if she was privileged to be treated differently by him... Lexi didn't notice it back then. But now that she refreshed her memory, it came differently to her. 

It was no doubt Laurel Wang's eyes bore covetous intentions. Lexi knew, because once in her life, she bore those very eyes. 

Back when she was dead in love with Morris Liu — the man she thought that she owned. The time when she eyed Mia Chen as someone who couldn't stand on the same ground as hers, and someone undeserving with Morris Liu's affection. 

Therefore, Lexi's concern heightened. A woman with that kind of strong belief was dangerous. She felt that she could do anything in the name of love — even doing extreme measures to attain her objectives. 

"Nico, can you find out Laurel Wang's schedule? The senator's daughter." Lexi pressed the telephone that connected to Nico Zhuang's post, and she ordered. 

Nico Zhuang, although baffled by the sudden requests, responded with a stern "alright,". Since he has access to Lu Corporation intelligence, knowing this would be an easy task. 

However, Nico Zhuang was intrigued. He heard one or two things about this senator's daughter from Lyrick Jiang. Well, Ethan Lu's assistant often shared gossip with them in spite of not asking him. 

Still, whether or not Nico Zhuang wanted it, the information registered in his mind. Therefore, he somehow got the gist of it. But why so sudden?

Regardless of the questions in his mind, Nico Zhuang paused all works related to Beauty DR and executed to find out Laurel Wang's schedule. Not just that, but also, he contacted few members of his squad to confirm the said woman's location. 

Surely, the raise he received from Lexi was all worth it. Nico Zhuang was WORTH IT!

****

Hours later...

"Madam," Nico Zhuang meekly called out as he glanced on Lexi's back. Currently, Lexi was shopping right after they left the office. 

Sure, he knew why they were here. After all, Laurel Wang was scheduled to have attended a dinner in one of these fancy restaurants. However, his concern was that Lexi seemed to enjoy shopping — forgetting the reasons why they were there. 

"Follow me," Ignoring him, Lexi nearly skipped her steps towards the luxury retail jewelry shop. Nico could only let out a faint sigh as he followed the gleeful young madam while he carried several boxes in different sizes. 

As soon as Lexi entered the grandiose boutique, she was courteously greeted by a sales representative. 

"New collection?" Giving the lady a side glance, Lexi smiled as she turned her pair of sparkling eyes and paced towards the glass display cabinet. 

"Yes," The lady offered a warm smile as she assisted Lexi. Since Lexi was still famous and whenever she would make a public appearance, Lexi would still make it to the headlines — the salesperson treated Lexi with high regard. 

Although there had been rumors that were still left unanswered regarding her love life, the sales representative remained professional. 

"This looks pretty..." Stopping at a particular glass display cabinet, Lexi caressed the glass as if stroking the white gold floral necklace that has a diamond pendant.  

The lady smiled, "You have great eyes, Miss Yang." However, right after, her smile slowly vanished and was replaced by an apologetic frown. "But a client already reserved it." 

"That's sad to hear," Lexi still offered her an understanding smile, showing she wasn't displeased. 

Well, it was her fault for not making an appointment here. Fortunately, they still accepted walk-in clients as the owner of the shop has her reasons — which Lexi was uninterested about. 

Seeing that Lexi wasn't displeased and still looked at the other display, the lady sighed in relief. After all, it was her fault for not pulling the display out earlier today. 

With that, the lady prompted to pull out the display to not cause a problem, if other clients that might take a liking on it. It would be a huge problem, especially with their elites client who has the wealth to flaunt. 

However, just as she carefully withdrew the said jewelry piece, a loud voice of a woman caught her and Lexi's attention. 

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Stella Du stomped her way towards Lexi's standpoint, altering her gaze from Lexi to the sales representative when she stopped — her hands on her waist as her brow arched at its peak. 

In her perspective, the clerk would let Lexi try the luxury piece, although it was already reserved by someone else. 

"N—no, ma'am. I—" Upon seeing Stella Du's infuriated front, the lady clerk stuttered but was interrupted midway. 

"What? I caught you in the act! Where's your manager?!" Sounding as if they committed a grave crime, Stella Du went hysterical. 

Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang who was resting on one lounge darted his eyes from Lexi to the woman walking behind Stella Du, Laurel Wang. He studied Lexi's unsurprised side profile, and then it came to him that Lexi expected this. 

But how?

"Miss Du, you're as lively as ever." Lexi sweetly smiled at the fuming Stella Du. She then glanced at the noble mien of Laurel Wang as the latter placed her gentle hand on Stella Du's shoulder. 

"Stella," Laurel Wang softly called, and she mildly shook her head. "I am sure there has to be a misunderstanding here." As expected from a politician's daughter, and government personnel, Laurel Wang was a humble, understanding person... or so, what she was portraying. 

"Hmph! You are lucky Miss Wang is kind!" Calming down a little, Stella Du spat and glared at the lady clerk before she scoffed at the sight of Lexi. 

"Miss Yang, it's a pleasure to meet you here." Laurel Wang then shifted her gaze to the smiling eyes of Lexi. She smiled gently as if she was more motherly than mother earth.

"Me too," Lexi responded sweetly, they could not see a stain of negativity in her eyes.