The Rise of the White Lotus

"N—no..." Instead of picking up the cup of tea, Victoria Tang retracted her trembling hands. 

"Vic..." Alarmed by her reaction, Lexi knitted her brows more as she locked her gaze on her. "You can tell me — was Lou hurting you?" Lexi probed. 

"N-no, it's not like that." Shaking her head sideways, Victoria Tang mustered her courage to raise her eyes and meet Lexi's investigative gaze. "Lou will never hurt me." She reassured yet, her tone wasn't as confident as it should sound. 

"What happened...?" Sizing her up, Lexi pressed her lips together as her eyes softened. 

She wasn't that close with the woman, but Lexi still considered her as part of the family. After all, Victoria Tang was Ethan Lu's childhood friend, also the mother of Louis Lu's son. Therefore, even though Louis Lu and Victoria Tang weren't legally married yet, Lexi had already perceived her as Louis Lu's wife. 

Victoria Tang remained quiet as she stared at Lexi's sincere pair of eyes. Yet, her lips would slightly open and then close as if she was hesitating to speak. 

"Vic..." Slowly, Lexi stood from her seat before she perched beside the woman. Reaching her hand on the sweating and cold hand of Victoria Tang, Lexi smiled meekly. 

"You know you can trust me, right? Tell me what happened." Lexi rubbed the back of her hand, sending her warmth to the anxious woman. 

"I — I'm sorry." As she stared at Lexi's worried front, Victoria Tang's voice cracked. The corner of her eyes formed tears she was holding back, and a lump leapt in her throat. 

"I just didn't know who to turn to." Biting her bottom lip, Victoria Tang tightened her grip on Lexi's hand as she suppressed her overwhelming emotions. 

"It's okay... it's fine..." Placing her other hand over the woman's hand, Lexi could feel how anxious and terrified she was. 

What was she so terrified about? With this question floating inside Lexi's head, her assumptions that Victoria Tang was being abused by her live-in partner grew stronger. 

However, although Lexi already came up with an assumption, she was not fully convinced by it because Victoria Tang's partner was Louis Lu. Lexi wouldn't believe that Louis Lu could hurt her. 

After all, she had seen him together with Victoria Wang. He might be a little weird and blunt, but the way he looked at Victoria Tang was the same look Ethan Lu give her every day. 

Louis Lu love Victoria Tang. Therefore, Lexi believed that he wouldn't hurt her in any way — especially abuse her physically. 

"Lou... Lexi, please help Lou." After some time, Victoria Tang mustered the strength to speak without breaking down. Yet, tears still rolled down from her eyes. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Lou scares me... he said he'll kill Dylan." Trying hard to keep her words clear, but to no avail. Victoria Tang was in a traumatized state yet, she was pushing herself to stay strong and keep her composure together. 

"He will kill — what? Why would he do that?" Surprised by the response she heard, Lexi tried to stay compose as she was quite at a lost. She didn't understand why Louis Lu would try to kill someone: his cousin at that. 

"It's my fault... it's all my fault. Lexi, I don't know how to stop him..." Victoria Tang hanged her head low as she covered her mouth by her palm. She didn't want to sob loudly or act all distress, however she could not control her body and spilling emotions. 

Hence, although Victoria Tang was ashamed for barging in in Lexi's office and was crying her heart out, she couldn't stop herself. She wanted to help Louis Lu, but the latter didn't need her help. 

Still, how could she pretend not to know things if the man she loved so dearly would become a monster because of her? Victoria Tang knew that whatever happened, she might never forget, but she would eventually move on.

So, if Louis Lu drew his sword to his cousin, Victoria Tang knew that he would never be the same. 

"It's my fault... I — Lexi, please help us." Breaking down, Victoria Tang sobbed as she held on to Lexi as if she was her last resort. 

Victoria Tang repeated her words in between her hiccups. She already tried reaching out to Ethan Lu. However, he was a busy man and setting an appointment with him would take months before she could meet him. 

Victoria Tang could not go to their house because she was avoiding from going out at nights. Therefore, she couldn't go to their home since Lexi and Ethan Lu would only go home at night. 

Meanwhile, Lexi rubbed her back as she felt bad for her. She didn't probe more as she knew it would be a sensitive topic and at Victoria Tang's current state, Lexi wouldn't get clear answers, anyway. Thus, she offered;

"Don't worry, I'll go talk to Lou okay?" Lexi coaxed and let Victoria Tang used her as her crying shoulder. 

****

Hours later... 

"Why would you go there alone?" Lexi could imagine his displeased frown upon hearing her. 

"I'm not alone. Vic is with me, okay? I'll just help her get some of her stuff because she'll be staying in the gallery." Rolling her eyes, Lexi shook her head as she glanced at the shy Victoria Tang perched on the front passenger seat. "Don't worry about it. Also, you'll go home tonight?" Diverting the subject, Lexi arched her brows to confirm if what he said earlier was correct. 

"Yes, though a little late." Uninterested, Ethan Lu yawned. "I'm already sleepy and I just want to sleep with you." He said as he had a long rollercoaster day. 

"Anyway, if you can talk some senses into that guy, please do. He's giving me quite a headache recently." Confident at his wife's capability, Ethan Lu said. Although Ethan Lu's last encounter with Louis Lu wasn't that pleasant, he knew he wouldn't hurt his wife. 

"Well, that's what I will do. Alright, I got to go see you later. Love you." Shrugging her shoulder, Lexi chuckled as Ethan Lu nagged her for a bit before the call ended. 

"Just when I thought I nagged him enough earlier..." Chuckling, Lexi shook her head as her emotions today had a rollercoaster ride. 

Turning to Victoria Tang, Lexi smiled. "Do you want to go inside too? Can you handle him or should you take a break?" Lexi asked, considering that her plan for tonight might be sabotage when Victoria Tang meet Louis Lu again. 

"Don't worry. You can stay here, I'll get your things." As Victoria Tang hesitated to answer, Lexi volunteered with a confident smile.