The Rise of the White Lotus

As soon as Lexi left the VIP room, Stella Du was leaning near the door. When she saw Lexi exit the room, she straightened her posture and had her arms under her chest.

"What scheme are you plotting again?" Stella Du jerked her chin forward as her brow arched.

Lexi deeply inhaled as she stared at the accusing pair of eyes. For a moment, Lexi pondered if it's worth talking to the thick-headed lady.

Upon careful consideration, Lexi chose not to. After all, nothing would get through her head no matter what she says. Hence, Lexi took a step forward yet, Stella Du blocked her way.

"If you think you can take advantage of Sister Laurel, I won't let you," said Stella Du with firm resolved.

"Oh?" Arching her brows, Lexi tilted her head to the side as her thought bubble showed a huge question mark. "Why do I need to take advantage of her though?"

"Because — don't start me with your smart mouth. If I know, you are here just to annoy us!" Irked by Lexi's question, Stella Du scoffed. Although she only said those to accuse Lexi, little did she know she hit the bullseye.

Lexi's encounter with them was not an accident. She knew that they would be in the jewelry shop. Hence, instead of ambushing Laurel Wang in the restaurant where she had a meeting, Lexi roamed around until the estimated time.

After all, the said luxury jewelry shop was the perfect place to have a private talk with Laurel Wang. Well, Lexi was right though as she cornered the woman without causing a scene.

"Miss Du, I think you forget that I didn't invite myself to your quality time with your Sister Laurel. So, how can you say I wanted to annoy you?" Feigning innocence, Lexi raised her brows as she shrugged her shoulders. "Aren't you the CEO of your own company now? Why don't you try acting one? Maybe by that, your company will get through your current crisis?" Lexi sweetly smiled as she poked a few nerves of the egotistical Stella Du.

"You—!" Upon hearing her last remarks, Stella Du ground her teeth.

True, Stella Du's company was in a critical time. The decrease in their sales, the negative income from the past month and so on, was the reason Stella Du was trying to destress.

Benjamin Shao had warned her that if this problem wasn't fixed, he wouldn't finance her anymore. Not just that, but if her company wouldn't get through this crisis, Stella Du would have to witness Benjamin Shao benefiting all her hard work. It was in their contract, after all.

Stella Du could not rely on Benjamin Shao nor she could come crying home to her father as she would be literally disowned. Therefore, with no one to turn to, Stella Du was currying favor with Laurel Wang so she could persuade her to invest in her company.

Yet, Lexi brought it up as if it was something funny. Moreover, how Lexi looked at her as if she was someone below her, it hurt her pride.

With the rage accumulated, Stella Du's emotion overwhelmed her. Raising her hand, she didn't think anymore as she went for a slap.

For some reason, the time seemed to slow down for Stella Du as her hand came closer to Lexi. In her mind, Lexi deserved it.

She deserved the slap. From the time Lexi took Nico Zhuang's attention back when they were still studying, and then all the occurrences after that — she deserved this slap, Stella Du thought.

Alas, before her hand could land on Lexi's face, her wrist was grabbed by Lexi. "Are you sure you're prepared for the consequences if your hand landed on me?" Lexi's tone and countenance turned stern, her grip on Stella Du's wrists tightened.

"So what?! You deserve it anyway!" Frustrated that her slap was unsuccessful, Stella Du roared. She wriggled her hand away from her, but Lexi's grip didn't bulge. "Let me go!" She screamed as she glared daggers at her.

With that, Lexi tossed her hand back to her. Her eyes slowly turned piercingly cold. "I will tell you this once, ignorance will lead you nowhere. When you lead a company, hire people and such, the responsibility of their lives is the weight you must bear. If you fail, not only you are affected but also your employees and their families."

"Miss Du, this is just a sincere piece of advice from a fellow businessman in the same field. Spend your money whatever you like, I don't care. But, don't expect people's praise just because." Lexi added as her gaze never left the stunned pair of eyes.

"Move," After giving her her two cents, Lexi commanded. Yet Stella Du remained rooted on the floor.

She already knew that. Stella Du was well-aware of what Lexi was saying. However, the way Lexi deliver her words, her aura, and the emotions on her eyes — it was too dominating like a true queen.

That second, Lexi showed her the difference between them for the first time. Therefore, how could Stella Du accept that upon witnessing their vast difference? It only made her feel all inferiority she hid for so long.

"Move or be ready for a literal face slap." Without batting an eye, Lexi ordered and threatened. Her tone didn't even waver upon stating such a warning, showing that she was capable to handle the consequences afterward.

Without a word, Stella Du dragged her feet to the side, giving way to Lexi. She couldn't even bring herself to raise her eyes for whatever reason or she could say anything. Perhaps it was her instinct telling her not to humiliate herself further.

"Also, if I were you, stay away from her — you might get caught in the crossfire." After Lexi took several steps ahead, she paused and reminded the poor Stella Du. She didn't even wait for her to respond as she resumed on her tracks.

****

"How did you know she'd be here?" When Lexi returned to the main shop, Nico Zhuang's curiosity welcomed her.

"Tss," Lexi chuckled. The look on Nico Zhuang revealed how curious he was. After all, he had gone through all the troubles to know Laurel Wang's schedule and whereabouts and yet, Lexi also did.

"People always update their social media accounts no matter how nonsense it is. Thank Stella, because she's our lead." Lexi leaned over and whispered in a matter-of-fact tone. Her answer, however, caused Nico Zhuang's brow to twitch.

So she only stalked Stella Du's social media account? That easy?