The Rise of the White Lotus

Zack Lee opened the red booklet, and his eyes widened in disbelief. The smile on his lips faded away. 

Meanwhile, everyone processed Ethan Lu's words. When they snapped, they altered their gazes from Lexi to Ethan Lu. 

"They've been married? For almost a year?"

"What? How come no one heard it?"

"Oh, my god..." one after another, the crowd could not help but utter their comments. Considering Ethan Lu and Lexi's profession, it would be impossible to keep this wedding a secret. 

Even if they consider that the two didn't hold a grand wedding, someone would still spot the two when they register their marriage. On a second thought, even if someone spotted them with Ethan Lu's influence, it wasn't impossible to keep everything private. 

As everyone had their own conclusions, they unconsciously turned to Zack Lee's unmoving figure. By the looks of it, he finally woke up from the game he thought he'd have fun. 

"Mr. Lee, didn't I warn you?" Not showing him a bit of sympathy, Ethan Lu glued his eyes on Zack Lee's figure. "I rarely play games with small winning chances." He added. 

"Wait..." Surprised as well, Diane Huang recalled that Ethan Lu called Lexi his wife days before. However, they took it as him being extra possessive, and Ethan Lu didn't fully admit it, anyway. 

"Mr. Lu, please let's not make further trouble anymore — let it slide for once." Despite knowing that she'd benefit from this game as well, Diane Huang turned soft after hearing the revelation. 

In conclusion, Ethan Lu had already secure his victory from the beginning. He just went to the flow to give everyone's entertainment — making them think they were the one playing but Ethan Lu was the one outplaying them. Before they know it, they were already standing on a hole he had created since the beginning. 

Fortunately, Diane Huang and Benjamin Shao didn't stand on the wrong side. Or else, they'd lose faces in Diane's own party. 

Ethan Lu peered at Diane Huang's solemn front. After a beat, Ethan Lu stretched his lips up. "Of course, Miss Huang. I don't want to cause you more trouble. Didn't I tell you I'd compensate you just now?" Ethan Lu said, which made everyone unconsciously heave a sigh of relief. 

The only person who wasn't relieved to hear his reply was Zack Lee. Rather, he felt humiliated. How could he accept this?

How could he accept the fact that Ethan Lu crushed his confidence? Not just that but also, Zack Lee's reputation was now a laughingstock in this society he moves in. 

"Mr. Lu,"

"Zack." Just before Zack Lee could continue further, Diane Huang called him out. Her tone was threatening, silently warning him to shut up. 

"Thank you, Mr. Lu. I'd have to leave you guys for a moment." Returning her gaze back to Ethan Lu and Lexi, Diane Huang slightly bowed her head before taking large strides towards Zack Lee. 

Without further ado, Diane Huang dragged Zack Lee by the shoulder. As everyone watched their retreating figure, Benjamin Shao acted as the temporary host for tonight. 

"Alright, everyone! Let's all pretend nothing happened!" Clapping his hands, Benjamin Shao bluntly exclaimed with a smile. His gaze scanned the people around, as his pair of orbs glinted. 

"Ahh..." Awkwardly chuckling, everyone got Benjamin Shao's message. He warned them not to mention what happened again. However, how could everyone pretend nothing happened?

"Mr. and Mrs. Lu, belated congratulations." Benjamin Shao approached the two lover's figure. "Apologies for not knowing that you two got married. I'll send my wedding gift the next time." He added as he raised his wineglass for a toast. 

"It's fine. We intentionally kept our lives as private as possible." Clicking glass with Benjamin Shao, Ethan Lu answered with a smile. 

Soon, the capable people around them approached them as they deliver their congratulatory remarks to their marriage. Al that time, Lexi kept her smile as she accepted their best wishes. 

However, aside from 'thank you' and whatever automatic polite response, Lexi was distant. Of course, Ethan Lu sensed that his wife that she was drawing a line around her. 

Regardless, Ethan Lu was pleased that Lexi realized what kind of people he had to mingle with. None of them were real. Whatever compliments and no matter how good they treated them, it would all change in a heartbeat during hard times. 

Take Laurel Wang and Zack Lee for example. Although Zack Lee's case was mild, it still offered how terrible this society was. 

"I'll go to the restroom." Leaning to Ethan Lu's side, Lexi whispered. Ethan Lu just nodded his head before Lexi excused herself from the rest. 

Glancing back at them, Lexi could not help but scoff faintly. Everything seemed to return to normal — as if Laurel Wang's nature wasn't exposed and Zack Lee nearly lose everything. 

'What a crowd...' Lexi whispered internally as she headed to the restroom. She was still fortunate that she didn't grow up having these kinds of environment. 

*****

Inside the spacious bathroom...

Lexi headed to the restroom to breathe. The toxicity level inside the event hall was just too overwhelming, it's suffocating. 

She wanted to go out, but thinking that some reporters slipped inside, she's afraid they would catch her. Hence, the bathroom was her best option. 

Staring at herself through the mirror, Lexi heaved a heavy sigh. She never hated an event — today was the first. 

Still, thinking that Laurel Wang would be too busy clearing her name starting tonight, Lexi was still relieved. Now, they didn't have to bother with Laurel Wang anymore and they could finally focus about hunting down Dylan Lu. 

"It's still not a bad day..." Exhaling a heavy once again, Lexi stretched her lips from ear to ear as she shrugged the negativity that clung to her from the event hall. 

After several seconds, Lexi exited the restroom and was about to return to the event hall. However, on her way, someone covered her mouth and nose by a white cloth. 

"Hmm!!" Lexi struggled, trying to break free. Alas, it was all for naught. Slowly, her vision blurred, her body weakened as she lost her consciousness. 

'Ethan...' his name was the last thought her mind called before everything went black.