The Rise of the White Lotus

Upon sending the message, Lexi immediately received a response to where she could meet him for the last time. After a heavy exhale, Lexi didn’t wait for Churu to come back and went straight ahead to Liu Empire’s main office.

It only took her half an hour to reach her destination despite driving at a normal speed. When Lexi was in the Liu Empire’s enormous parking space and exited her car, she saw a familiar petite figure on the corner of her eye: it was Mia Chen.

Turning to confirm that she saw right, Lexi’s brows raised when the figure where it originally stood wasn’t there anymore. ”Huh?” She murmured before Lexi shrugged her shoulders to forget she saw someone.

Since Morris Liu told her to go straight to his office, Lexi wasn’t surprised that she no one halted her this time. She slowly walked and enter the establishment up to the elevator lift without any obstacle. Still, Lexi received odd glances from the employees who saw her and began whispering words she didn’t care whatever criticism it is.

’Sure, gossip until your mouth’s turn dry—this will be the last time I will be here anyway.’ She mocked inwardly as Lexi kept her strong, proud front as she made her way to the elevator. When she was inside the lift, her brows arched seeing that the two female employees were hesitant to join her inside.

”Are you going in or not? You’re wasting someone’s time.” Lexi flatly said as she altered her gaze to the two female employees.

It was not that she was displeased or anything of the sort but to Lexi, she wanted this to end as soon as possible. Hence, her unfiltered words could be mistaken for her being completely annoyed.

”Y-yes!” Stuttering, the woman bowed her head before she went inside, followed by her colleague.

Seeing that no one was entering anymore, Lexi leisurely pressed the top floor button where Morris Liu’s office was. Unbeknownst to her, the two employees were stealing glances to her with a traumatized gaze.

”Which floor?” Suddenly, Lexi asked. Since she was near the elevator buttons, and the two female employees seemed like they didn’t have the courage to speak their mind or even get closer to her, she might as well help their dilemma.

”38th floor, M-Madam.”

Upon hearing what she was addressed, Lexi’s brows raised as she turned her head towards the two simple-looking employees. She saw them gulped as if they were barely keeping their feet on the floor, while their trembling knees nearly gave way.

’What’s with these two?’ With their pitiable state, Lexi chose not to correct how she was addressed because she didn’t hold the title of being the future Madam Liu anymore. However, she was curious about why these two seemed too afraid of her.

Reaching the 38th floor, Lexi stepped aside even before the lift opened to let the two weird ladies exit the lift with ease. After all, they had surrounded the lift with extreme awkwardness.

Just as the elevator slowly opened, a beautiful woman was revealed standing in front of the lift. She was beautiful with a gentle, graceful aura emanating within her. Just looking at her innocent profile seemed to draw peace to someone—like an angel sent from heaven above to heal the world, but not to Lexi… or rather, the old Lexi.

”Miss Chen!” The two female employees courtly bowed their heads and unlike the frightened tone they had towards Lexi, they sounded friendly.

Mia Chen slightly bowed her head and with a smile that seemed to brighten the entire floor. ”Oh, hi,” She greeted in an oh-so soothing tone that was so reassuring and harmless.

Just two words from her and the two ladies blushed as if they were finally noticed by their idol. Even when Mia Chen entered the lift and until it closed, the two female employees stood there in a daze.

***

Inside the elevator, Lexi only cast Mia Chen a glance before she turned her eyes on the numbers that glowed when they passed each floor.

Unlike before, Lexi remained silent and pretended she was alone inside. In retrospect, just seeing Mia Chen or even her shadow would make her rampage—emotionally and physically. However, this time, it also surprised Lexi that she managed to keep her heart still. After all, it wasn’t completely healed and she bore a deep grudge towards this woman.

”Lexi...?” After quite some time, Mia Chen decided to break the silence as she opened a conversation with her.

As expected, Mia Chen didn’t receive a response from her, as if Lexi heard no one. Regardless, Mia Chen meekly smiled and resumed.