The Rise of the White Lotus 524 Fifty million

"Hmm?" Yet, Lexi resumed on her instigation as her right brow arched. 

"N-no," Laurel Wang stuttered, unable to raise her gaze to meet Lexi's pair of piercing eyes. 

"Then, explain." Cold, devoid of emotions, Lexi ordered. "Why are your faces in there?" Pushing it to reality, Lexi's jaw clenched. 

"Miss Yang, I don't know. We can't conclude if these are even real." Mustering her courage, Laurel Wang balled her hand on her lap. 

These photos shouldn't be in Lexi's possession. If anything, it should be released in public without short notice. That was the talk she had with Dylan Lu — make a sudden scandal, including her and Ethan Lu. 

True, it would affect her name if that happened. However, her feelings towards him, after spending more time with him, grew deeper. 

It was just an initial deep attraction at first but, the more she knew him, the more her feelings developed. He was just too manly and gentle. 

Laurel Wang knew deep down that he was just a nice guy. Despite that, she still deluded herself that she was being treated differently — that Ethan Lu had felt something, even just a tiny bit, for her. 

"That's true," Nodding in understanding, Lexi calmly responded. "But, if there's smoke, there's fire. Miss Laurel Wang, if you don't want these photos to be released, tell me the truth!" Yet, Lexi's tone was commanding, making Laurel Wang would wonder what's her action afterward. 

Hence, Laurel Wang remained silent. She said nothing as she hanged her head down, staring at the photo where she made out to someone who looked exactly like Ethan Lu. 

These photos were real and even if someone sent it to the most skilled tech, the result would not change: the photos were not edited. 

It was Dylan Lu's idea as he didn't want to overlook any mishap with their plans. Thus, after numerous persuasion, Laurel Wang finally agreed to act with a man that looked like Ethan Lu.  

However, who would have thought that she would be carried away and actually make out with him? Perhaps it was the few shots of alcohol or the suppressed desire that her feelings exploded while acting with Ethan Lu's look-alike. 

Laurel Wang gravitated Lexi's aura, pondering the pros and cons of her answer. After all, if Laurel Wang admitted it, there was a fifty-fifty chance that Lexi would confront him, or just break up with him without explanation. 

Recalling Lexi's history and how she dealt with Morris Liu and Mia Chen, Laurel Wang swallowed a mouthful of saliva. She then courageously raised her head up, meeting Lexi's cold eyes. 

" Y-yes," she stuttered. Her nervousness and the panic she received upon seeing the photos covered Laurel Wang's lying, stuttering voice.

"Me and Ethan... Lexi, I'm sorry." Starting her second remark, Laurel Wang truly accepted her role as she knelt down in front of her. 

'Shameless,' Lexi scorned inwardly while looking down on the woman. 

Fortunately, this happened after Churu's comeback or else, Lexi would have taken this matter in a different take. After all, she has the habit of being overly emotional, repelling all rational explanations.

"Sorry?" Although Lexi's tone was still cold, Laurel Wang was certain that she was sensing the suppressed emotion in her heart. Therefore, every word that came out from Lexi's mouth were perceived as real. 

"I don't want those photos released. I promise I will distance myself — though it will hurt. Just..." Laurel Wang's words trailed off as she choked, akin to a martyr lover.

Seeing her act as if she was a damsel in distress, the legal wife, and the original, it irked Lexi to the core. She nearly prayed to the almighty God to keep her in the right path or else she might commit murder at this disgusting human being. 

Just then, Lexi felt her phone vibrated from inside her handbag. Letting her continue to kneel, Lexi languidly picked her phone up. 

It only took a glance at the caller ID to know who it was: the blackmailer. Perfect timing. 

"Twenty million." As soon as the line connected, Lexi offered without batting an eye. For several seconds, silence was the only sound that could be heard on the line. 

"Thirty," Since the man didn't respond, Lexi raised her offer. 

"Forty," Still no response, Lexi raised her offer once again. She didn't hesitate to raise her offer nor did she showed any pang just the thought of shelling out that huge money. 

"Fifty million in exchange for all the evidence of their adultery. Take it or leave it." Lexi offered one last time, without a second thought. 

Once again, silence came from the other end of the line for a minute. Just as Lexi was about to hang up, she heard him respond with 'OK'. 

"Don't make any copies or else, you'll have to face the Wang's wrath." 

"Huh, whatever. I got my money — I'll send you instructions later." The man playfully scoffed before cutting the line short. 

"You hear that, Miss Wang? Fifty million if you're truly sorry to me and love him — I prepared you a good deal. I'm sure Ethan will appreciate your efforts." Unaffected by it, Lexi slowly stood from her seat with confidence. 

She could see that Laurel Wang's shoulder shook uncontrollably. Well, fifty million yuan wasn't a joke — it would surely sting her pocket. 

"Also, you can have him. I am doing the two of you a favor — I'm done with people like you." Nonchalant, Lexi began walking away carrying the grace of a woman who learned her lesson the first time.  Little did Laurel Wang know, Lexi just copied the dialogue a role she once portrayed years ago.

'Let's see how messy this will get,' Lexi smirked as she walked away. She had thought of many possible connections of Laurel Wang to the blackmailer, thus, Lexi had thought of ways to milk her until there's nothing left on her. 

This would also serve as a warning to anyone who desired to covet her man. She might not react hysterically but, her take this time would be more ruthless and heartless, leaving no escape from her clutches.

Chapter end