The Rise of the White Lotus

Chapter 415 - This will hit you very badly

"It's really you..." As Cherry continuously prattled whatever delusional arrangement that flitted within her head with empty promises to make Lexi a "star", Lexi could not help but whisper in disbelief.

For the whole two minutes she was staring at Cherry, she could not truly see the resemblance in her of Hannah Gan. Unlike her photos, she seemed like a completely different person.

"What?" Abruptly, Cherry stopped from her nonstop prattle as she slightly raised her brows, puzzled at the different response she was getting than that of what she had expected from Lexi.

"Are you trying to set up Andy so that's why you agreed to meet her?" Lexi unhesitatingly inquired in disdain as she peered at this low-class barbie from head to toe.

Lexi expected that Cherry might be a little sad or in great distress about the ongoing scandal. Moreover, since she was not accepting clients now, Lexi thought that she was dealing with her current situation in fear. However, the reality that was before her very eyes, were the words her ears were hearing, Lexi was slapped by the reality that she was entirely wrong.

Cherry wasn't in distress or living in fear that one of these days people would find out about her existence and divert the attention of the scandal to her. In fact, she seemed like she was using this as an opportunity to recruit other people and use this scheme of a celebrity 'look-alike' to gain more clients and satiate hungry men's thirst to fantasize about the woman they wanted to bed.

Just that thought, Lexi felt disgusted. Granted that she won't be the one doing it, but, just the thought of a man f*cking a woman that looks like her and thinking that that man thought that it was her— she felt violated one way or another.

What's more? It was also a woman who was starting this scheme. Fortunately, Ethan Lu just happened to call her and that gave Lexi a chance to stop this insane business tactic.

"Huh? You know Andy?" Knitting her brows together, Cherry's excited aura gradually turned distant as her guard suddenly rose.

"Cherry it was you in it right?" Ignoring her question, Lexi asked before she added to clarify her inquiry. "The woman in the video, it was you and not Hannah, right?" Normally, Lexi would have to think twice or thrice to spout her words. However, at this moment, Lexi blurted her words without any restraint.

For a brief second, Cherry's expression changed before it instantly returned to her boastful countenance added with a sly smirk. "I don't know what you are saying, Miss. Just when I thought I discovered a high-quality product but it turns out you're just another reporter. No, I am not the woman in the video. I may be a sl*t but, just because her image is clean doesn't mean it's not her duh!" In a matter of fact tone, Cherry rolled her eyes as she spat her words as if it was already an automated response. Alas, that wasn't what caught Lexi's interest as she focused on the 'reporter's part more than the rest of her sentence.

"Miss Cherry, I am not a reporter." Lexi decided to set aside the key points she gathered from Cherry's heedless blabber as she took a step forward. This action, instinctively, made Cherry take a step back.

"I pity Andy for treating you as a friend but in return, you're actually pimping her out without her knowledge. Poor Andy." Shaking her head sideways, Lexi heavily sighed as if to express her sympathy to Andy. After all, the said woman still thinks of Cherry's future if the masses found out that it was her on the video and not Hannah Gan.

Yet, if Ethan Lu didn't call and Lexi didn't try to find a peaceful place in this lively establishment, she wouldn't get the chance to overhear Cherry's plan. It also gave Lexi the cue to not feel guilty for whatever damages this woman would have inflicted on her after this night.

"Huh, what do you know? Stop saying nonsense you fraud." Instead of showing fear, Cherry just scoffed as she spat her unbothered words before trying to exit the restroom. However, just as she bumped into Lexi's shoulders with hers, she stopped in her tracks upon hearing Lexi's next words.

"You're probably right, I know nothing but what I know is you and everyone that was involved in the scandal will go down altogether." Slowly, Lexi turned around to face Cherry's back bearing a cold front.

"Huh," Scoffing once again, Cherry sneered as she turned around to face Lexi's emotionless countenance. "Do you think I am afraid of that? I'm already at rock bottom, that won't scare me anymore." Full of confidence and spite, a glint flashed across Cherry's pair of eyes as if she was piercing Lexi directly right at her heart.

"Go back to whoever sent you and tell him or her that," Cherry added as she mustered all her courage to spite whoever she despises right at this moment before she turned around and resumed to leave. However, her steps faltered once again when Lexi opened her mouth.

"Don't scare you? Then why do your eyes contradict your words? Miss Cherry, do you need protection? I am capable of giving that to you if only you tell me the things I want to know." Lexi's eyes never left Cherry's figure even once.

Lexi was very observant but, it was not because of that that she managed to read Cherry that easily. It was because she was also good at acting and Cherry's acting was too amateur grade. She could tell in just a glance that Cherry was fazed and worried by her body language that she was painstakingly concealing it.

She seemed more natural earlier when Lexi hadn't hit a nerve. Yet, when she tugged her conscience about Andy Chang, Cherry revealed more of herself which gave Lexi an easier access window to know more as well.

"Miss Cherry, I am not Lexi's look alike but Hannah's handler. Are you up for negotiations?" Tilting her head to the side, the side of Lexi's lips curled into a smirk while Cherry wasn't moving a muscle. "Take note that it was not me who needed this negotiation but you because this will hit you very badly." With that last remark, a malicious glint flashed across Lexi's eyes which sent chills running down on Cherry's spine.

Indeed, Lexi would still release Cherry's photos to rattle the netizens and break the opinions of the masses. In that case, at the very least, those people who were firmly supporting Hannah Gan would have relief and fight for their idol.

Not just that, Lexi was fully prepared to leak Cherry's occupation and what kind of background she has. She might be ruthless if she does this, which was what she was having second thoughts about. However, after meeting the said woman, Lexi would certainly do it regardless.

Slowly, Cherry turned to face Lexi again and unlike her confident look earlier, her front was not unsmiling nor was it spiteful. Her gaze unhurriedly stared at Lexi as she studied the details of Lexi's facial features.

"What do you want?" Weighty and humorless, Cherry inquired which made Lexi smile.

"Follow me and let's talk." Lexi stated before she began taking strides and brushed past Cherry. When Lexi exited the restroom followed by Cherry, Nico Zhuang was already standing outside— beside him was Andy Chang whose eyes immediately landed on Cherry with fire beneath them.

"Anyway, they heard everything." Without turning to Cherry, Lexi raised her phone that she used to inform Nico Zhuang to follow her by sending a "dot" message before going out of the cubicle earlier that indicated that Nico Zhuang needed to locate Lexi's exact location and follow her as danger might occur. Lexi then called Andy Chang when she confronted Cherry. Hence, Andy Chang heard their conversation and even though Cherry didn't admit it, she knew her 'friend' and her antics.

Stunned for a second, Cherry glanced up at the phone that was still connected to a call before she shifted her gaze to Andy Chang's piercing gaze then her jaw tightened. Surely, Lexi did not just corner her but also, revealed her already exposed colors to Andy Chang. Nevertheless, she could only follow Lexi because one way or another, her instincts told her it was her best option right now.

****

"Miss Cherry, you don't have to admit that it was you in the video but, I want to know who was the man in it." When Lexi arrived at the lounge where they initially were going to meet Cherry, she perched on the long sofa while she gestured to Cherry to take the seat opposite hers.

This time, Andy Chang didn't dare share the seat as she found herself standing in the corner while her gaze never once left Cherry's figure. On the other hand, Nico Zhuang, as usual stood in the corner near his boss's vicinity.

"Why would I tell you?" Still attempting to show her bravery, Cherry spat as she languidly leaned her back against the sofa while crossing her leg, one over the other.

"Because I can double the money of whoever paid you to keep your silence." Smirking, Lexi uttered in a matter of fact tone. Her response, of course, slightly shook Cherry. Not just her but also, Andy Chang and it even puzzled Nico Zhuang.

"Surprised that I know? Huh, Miss Cherry, you've been giving me hints since earlier so I'm more surprised that you are shocked." Humoring her, Lexi lightly chuckled as she found it rather silly.

Throughout her confrontation she had with Cherry, Lexi took notes that Cherry was speaking as if some people would have found out that it was her who was in the video but still, up until now, no articles had revealed Cherry's existence. That could only mean that someone was indeed pinning everything onto Hannah Gan and she assumed that Cherry must have known because if she did, she has also received a huge sum of money to keep her silence.

After all, if Cherry remained silent and another person was concealing the rest of the truth, then, the only thing that was possible at this moment was money was moving to keep this situation in their favor.

This would only be possible if Lexi didn't involve herself and personally put her hands on it. Now that this puzzle seemed to fit each piece, Lexi must agree with her husband that Hannah Gan was not the real target. She just happened to be the casualty of a bigger problem.

"The time is ticking, Miss Cherry. Will you cooperate with me or just be one of my enemies?" Tilting her head to the side, Lexi smiled as if regardless of whether Cherry decided to back out or not, she was unbothered by it because she was only doing the said woman a favor.

Andy Chang on the side who was watching Lexi play with Cherry's emotions and felt a little bit of fear creep in her heart. For some reason, Lexi wasn't the person she encountered back in Ethan Lu's place and surely, not the person who owns Beauty DR.

In her eyes, Lexi was more threatening in her state of mind right now despite bearing a sweet smile on her lips. It was hard to point it out but, what Andy Chang was certain of was that her boss was not the person to mess with.

She might have the kindest heart but also, a terrifying and cold retaliation when piqued.

Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang was quite used to Lexi's mind games. Still, he was always rendered puzzled whether his boss was saying facts or bluffing just to intimidate Cherry to make her concede.

"I can't— he's a powerful businessman and I can't just say it publicly. Even if you have money to pay me, what is money if I have to lay my life on the line?" Defeated, Cherry retracted her gaze away from Lexi and turned her head to the side as she scoffed.

"Didn't I tell you? You don't have to admit that it was you." Arching her right brow, which slightly made Cherry crease her brows before turning her head back to Lexi's direction.

"Miss Cherry, what I want is the things that you know— nothing more nothing less. I won't ask you to admit it in the public eye and actually I want you to remain silent." Bearing the same smirk, Lexi offered a knowing look towards Cherry.