The Rise of the White Lotus Chapter 281 – Master, why don't you propose tonight?

“More than half a year ago? I see…” Lexi nodded her head in understanding. She tried hard enough to be gentle so as not to scare the woman, however, no matter how she attempted to conceal her rage, her aura says it all— airing her killing intent around the whole manor. 

“Did you ever interact with the master of this house?” Giving a follow-up question, Lexi decided to interrogate the woman before sending her home, never to return to this place. 

“No.” Still hanging her head low, the woman profusely shook her head sideways as her trembling grip on the hem of her dress tightened. 

“Miss, are you scared of me?” Watching every little move the woman does, Lexi could tell everything with just her body language. 

“No— I mean, a bit.”

“No, you should be. I had been deceived, I don’t know what to do if another person lies to me. Tell me, have you interacted with the house owner or rather, does he know you?” Arching her brows, Lexi placed her right leg over her other leg. She languidly tapped her fingers on the armrest as her gaze never left the woman not even once. 

“I am sorry, Madam. I— I am not sure if Mr. Lu remembers me but he once complimented me while cleaning.” Taking the courage to raise her head, the woman immediately hang her head low once again as she felt terrified by Lexi’s penetrating gaze. 

“While cleaning? Were you wearing something like that?” 

“Yes, this is my uniform given by Mr. Lu’s assistant.” Answering her in all honesty, the woman didn’t dare to lie again because part of her knew that if she spoke one untruth, the lady across her— Lexi would bring her demise. 

“Great… really great! One last question, are you really a cleaner?” Scoffing her extreme disgust, Lexi tried to calm herself down as she preserved her energy to punish the people who should be punished.

“No, I was an escort before. When I heard about this cleaning job that pays higher than my salary, I applied and got accepted.” 

At the same time, Nico Zhuang returned from the kitchen and took a step back sensing the dangerous, dark aura emanating from Lexi. He shot Lexi a glance and unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva before he mustered his courage and wordlessly placed the glass of water on the small table separating her and the dazzling woman. 

‘Master, how could you bring disaster to yourself?!’ He wept inwardly as he heard the woman’s answer. 

Nico Zhuang then tiptoed his way out so he could at least give his master a heads-up about his execution. However, just as he took three light steps, his tracks came to a full stop upon hearing Lexi’s scary order. 

“Nico, will you grab two washboards? They are in the storage room. Also, bring some salt and if there’s a rope— please bring them all together.”

‘Washboard? Salt? Rope?!?’ Nico Zhuang, once again, gulped a mouthful of saliva upon hearing Lexi’s order. Regardless, he kept his stoic front and slightly bowed his head in obedience. 

“Also, don’t you even dare to sneak out and tell Ethan or Lyrick— even Red or else…” Lexi glanced at Nico, warning him not to fall out from her good graces. 

“Yes, Madam.” Without further ado, Nico Zhuang executed the order and searched for the things that were needed to end his master’s life. 

*****

Meanwhile…

“I can’t wait to put this around her finger.” The oblivious Ethan Lu lovingly stared at the ring inside the small box. 

Currently, he was already heading his way home after a tiring day. His last appointment was to pick up this ring that he fiercely fought for in an auction— shelling out hundreds of millions just to get it. 

Still, to him, the money was nothing as it could never compare to the beauty of his beloved. It is said that this ring was the only one in this world and was crafted by a legendary craftsman whose identity was still unknown. 

The meaning behind this ring was a love that would last for eternity. Hence, after his long search for a ring that could fit his feelings for her, he finally found it and it was now in his hands. 

“Say, do you think proposing to her after my official take over— do you think she will say yes?” Ethan Lu didn’t break his gaze away from the simple ring yet, having a thousand meanings into the hard work and heart into it. 

“Master, why don’t you propose tonight?” Turning his head back, Lyrick Jiang had this unsettling feeling that their life was not safe. He already informed Ethan Lu about the abrupt and vague message yet, he seemed to forget everything because of the ring. 

“Hehe, I can propose tonight but, I want to make it grand and memorable.” Chuckling, Ethan Lu mildly shook his head as he perceived that his assistant was just as excited as him. 

God knows that the day he and Lexi became officially together, he had been dying to marry her. But, before he could do that, he knew what needed to be done— him, taking power over the whole Lu Corporation and finding a suitable ring. 

Now that everything would be achieved in just a few days, Ethan Lu could finally have the courage to put a ring on her finger. 

After all, they’ve been living together for quite some time now and already discovered each other’s weird habits and what it would be like living together under the same roof. Moreover, they had shared way too many passionate nights and days. 

It might be ridiculous to others as they had been together for only half a year and yet, he wanted to marry her in an instant. However, Ethan Lu was certain that he would never love another woman as much as he loved his first love— as much as how he loves Lexi Yang, the woman whom, not only captured his heart in the most unexpected of way, but also became his entire world. 

‘But master, I really think you don’t have to make it grand if your life’s on the line.’ For some reason, Lyrick Jiang realized how foolish his boss was as he knew for a fact that there was something wrong when one was being summoned by the queen.