The Rise of the White Lotus

452 Behind the scenes V

By the time Lexi returned to the function hall, she traveled her gaze to find if Nico Zhuang was around. Seeing that he was just on the other side, boring Andy Chang that wasn't complaining and just standing beside him, Lexi chuckled inwardly.

'Now, I feel bad for Andy for dragging her here. I just want him to loosen up with Andy but, the complete opposite happened. *sigh*' Inside her mind, Lexi thought of ways to compensate Andy later for wasting her time.

After all, Nico Zhuang seemed he was killing whatever conversation Andy Chang opened up. Hence, even with the distance they have, Lexi could feel the awkward atmosphere between them.

Well, Lexi was certain that Nico Zhuang was too dense not to feel the awkwardness but Andy Chang was a sensitive person. Poor Andy.

'What got inside my head anyway when I decided to play as a cupid?' Guilty for placing Andy Chang into such situation, Lexi wondered as she felt that it wasn't usually her.

Although Lexi wanted to invite as many people for their party tonight, Lexi wouldn't just mindlessly invite Andy Chang just because she felt like it. Regardless, it already happened. Hence, she'd just have to apologize to her later or tomorrow.

Shrugging the thoughts off her mind, Lexi watched the battle of humble bragging take place. In the midst of Mr. Tang's kins showcasing their gifts, Lexi felt her phone ring which she answered immediately.

"Madam, you are right. Mia Chen had planted cameras in your room and Mr. Liu's room. Also, I had the camera that held the photos of you and Mr. Liu in the pavilion." Jarred Guo reported from the information he gathered from the reporter. Since he already received the orders ahead, as if Lexi had already foreseen everything, Jarred Guo already took matters in his hands.

"As per Madam's command, I already requested for a new room and another one for your after party. Your new room is on the same floor as Mia Chen and was already approved by the staff. Also, there are already staff that was guarding your room and was just waiting for you; just like what Madam ordered." With that said, Lexi just wordlessly cut the line short.

Just as what she expected, Mia Chen's scheme was not to kill her. Ironically enough, perhaps, because she spent most of the days bullying Mia Chen and paying more attention to her in the past thus, Lexi seemed to understand her more than anyone of them.

The reason how Lexi had countered everything she had planned— as if Mia Chen herself told her about it.

Glancing up, Lexi saw Nico Zhuang slightly raised his glass of wine before he thrust his chin to the waiter approaching her. Getting that signal, Lexi gestured to the waiter and he handed her a glass of wine.

If not for Nico Zhuang's signal, Lexi wouldn't confirm that Mia Chen was indeed trying to drug her. Amateur. Although she must commend Mia Chen for noticing Lexi's odd habit.

In parties like this, Lexi always drinks champagne first, just to look classy and she only drinks one throughout half of the event. She would then switch to red wines to condition herself for a good hour of partying.

Hence, Mia Chen had surely placed a drug on that single wine glass which would only be served to her. Of course, to cause less suspicion, the waiter would wait for her to ask for it.

Unbeknownst to Mia Chen, Nico Zhuang had double bribed her accomplice hence, no matter what she drinks, no drug would get on her system. Moreover, since Ethan Lu was a little paranoid, he secretly placed men everywhere to keep watch on their foods and drinks.

Soon, as the current activity on the stage reached its peak, Ethan Lu's men just announced his indirect message which moved her a little. However, that wasn't enough to give her naughty husband a lesson he would never forget.

Acting a little tipsy, Lexi headed out as if she was not on her right mind. Fair enough, she wouldn't be able to crack this little mind games of Mia Chen if she didn't think a little crazy, right?

****

Lexi's action, her, and going out alone and going to the east wing wasn't part of the plan. Well, it was part of her plan but, Morris Liu knew nothing about it. To her, the best and the most believable acting was: if one person wasn't acting at all.

Hence, to give the best show ever, Lexi chose to give Morris Liu the shock of his life as she knew someone, somewhere were watching them.

Soon, as expected, Morris Liu was able to track her down. His face was filled with worries, as his chest moved in an in and out motion— panting, out of breath.

Good. Just like what Lexi wanted to see.

"Lexi!"

"Hehe, you said you're not coming? Ethan, you—!" With that said note, Lexi unreservedly threw herself at him.

She was conscious, yes. Yet, she was acting something she wouldn't do. Well, wasn't that what Mia Chen wanted to see? Lexi under the influence of a drug?

In an instant, Lexi felt that Morris Liu stiffened as he was shocked. Great! Morris Liu wouldn't react like this if he knew.

"Stop..." After minutes of his internal struggle, Morris Liu was finally able to subdued whatever desired she ignited within him.

He wouldn't take advantage of her even if Mia Chen managed to drug her. No. Never. However, just as he uttered those words, Morris Liu heard her chilling whisper that almost made him push her away to check if she was the same Lexi or just a devil in disguise.