too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 4

Startled, Lila shook her head moments later. Her smile was bright and charming as she said, "Don't worry about me, Uncle Kieran. I can handle this myself. If they ever cross the line, I promise I'll call you in right away to back me up and scare them to death!

"Alright, now go about your business. I'm leaving."

Kieran was amused by her wit, his smile deepening as he watched her retreating figure.

She was right, though; she wasn't one to easily cower under pressure.

At the company, Cole Mason, Kieran's assistant, could strangely sense his boss' good mood. Unexpectedly, he was asked, "Cole, am I good-looking?"

Cole almost tripped himself at his words before he nodded genuinely and confusingly. "You're a work of art."

Kieran furrowed his brows, asking, "Am I gentle?"

"Oh, you are far… far from gentle," Cole thought.

"Well, you can be quite—"

"Get out!" Kieran ordered sternly.

Cole silently lamented, "His mood sure is as unpredictable as the weather!"

Lila had just arrived at the company when she heard the other departments discussing her and Dorian. It seemed the news had spread like wildfire.

"Did Lila really have a fight with Mr. Blake?"

"Of course. Everyone on his team found out that all of her work has been put on hold."

"What was Lila thinking? Mr. Blake is young and talented, relying on himself to go from a nobody to a screen legend. He'll only shine brighter from now on. More importantly, he's very protective of Lila.

"Honestly, if it were me, I'd never clash with him. Instead, I'll be a yes man every second I'm with him."

One of them scoffed. "I saw her coming down from a luxurious car earlier. I bet she's found a new scion to latch onto. Oh well, that's the perk of pretty privilege—she can charm any man with just a flick of her finger."

Lila came to a halt, mocking in her head, "Dorian got to where he is through his own efforts? Then, what about all those times I leveraged the Morgans' connections to secure resources for him without him even knowing?"

She had never considered asking for any credit. Now that she had decided to cut ties with him, the past would stay in the past. She calmly turned the corner and entered the gossipers' vision, after which they immediately shushed themselves.

Lila glanced at them from the corner of her eye, realizing the person who spoke last was a rising actress. With a smirk, she remarked, "Indeed, your looks fall short of mine."

The rising actress exploded, jeering, "You're an orphan with no one to support you. All you ever be is a parasite at the bottom of the hierarchy.

"I don't even know what gives you the confidence to act all pure and mighty. I bet you've climbed onto many different beds, huh?"

Once Lila entered her office, her assistant, Megan Forger, rushed in. "There's no way I can handle that movie project, Lila. Why don't I plead Dorian for forgiveness and have you return, huh?"

Lila looked up at her. "No need. I've already decided to quit Dorian's studio."

Most celebrity studios were established when artists left their original companies to operate independently. However, due to Dorian's contract and current shareholding in the company, the company still managed all matters regarding him despite him having his own studio.

"No, Lila, let's think this through. Aren't you in love—" Megan realized the fault in her words, continuing, "Will Dorian allow you to quit?"

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Lila's face. It seemed like just anyone had the notion that Dorian could control her. "He doesn't have the right to control me."