Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 10

"You!" Darcy exclaimed, and her face was flushing with anger. "I didn't ask you to buythis outfit! If you want

it back, I can return it right now!"

The thick blush on her cheeks could hardly be contained.

Lila smiled faintly. "Sure, if you're returning things, make sure to return everything

| ever gave you clothes, jewelry, all of it. And you might as well get out of the apartment | rented for you.

"Now that I've broken up with Dorian, | bet you don't want to keep anything | gave you or live in a place | paid

for, right?"

Darcy's face turned an even deeper shade of red. When Lila was dating Dorian, he treated Lila very well, but

after the breakup, Lila turned her back on them. How hypocritical! She deserved to have Dorian snatched away

by Zara!

Seeing that things were escalating, Ethan stepped in to mediate. "Ms. Blake, Ms. Hart, let's all just calm down.

We're family, after all. There's no need to make such a scene."

Darcy was furious and directed her anger at him. "What is this nonsense about being family? Didn't you hear her

say she broke up with Dorian?"

"And you." She scoffed, pointing a finger close to Lila's nose. "Lila, the money you spent was all from Dorian,

right? How can you have the nerve to say those things were your gifts? How can you demand them back?"

A cold smile escaped from Lila's lips. Her expression was indifferent yet beautiful enough to captivate.

"I've been with Dorian for five years and have never taken a penny from him. On the contrary, I've worked for

him all this twithout a salary. He's the one who owes me, understand?"

Her voice was crisp, and though her words seemed soft, they carried a solemnity that struck a chord in those

who heard them. Darcy looked at her exquisite face, feeling a wave of discomfort.

Just then, Dorian walked in. He heard her entire statement, and his face darkened.

Darcy couldn't believe it. "How is this possible?"

She rushed to Dorian's side and tugged at his arm. "Dorian, you have to hear what she's saying!"

He stared at her in silence. Knowing Lila had gone to Mount Shasta yesterday to pray for their relationship, he

felt his anger dissipating. He had even spoken to her more kindly, hoping she would understand.

But here she was, pushing her luck and even talking about money.

He closed his eyes, suppressing his emotions. "Lila, | asked you to ctoday to discuss the project and talk

about us. I'm trying to make it up to you after all this chaos.

"I'm not mad at you anymore; can you at least calm down?"

Lila lazily settled into the sofa and chuckled lightly. "When you spoke, | almost thought you would offera

salary."

Her words nearly drove Dorian to the edge of fury.

"Lila, aren't you just trying to get that bracelet back? I'll retrieve it, but you must talk tonicely."

Darcy was incredulous. "Dorian, what are you saying? You can't just take it back!" He shot her a cold glance. Lila

maintained her composed smile. "I don't want something dirty. | have no habit of digging through trash."

Dorian's patience wore thin, and his expression grew colder.

After returning hyesterday, he had thought about how the investors wanted Lila to be in charge. Keeping

her would make it easier to resolve that issue, but it wasn't the only way.

He had built a reputation and connections in the industry, so he could find someone else to take her place if it

really cto it. But Lila was someone he cared for deeply. There was no need to overextend his connections, or

waste favors on someone else.

He had ctoday to discuss this with her, wanting to take a stand. Yet she was too stubborn to see that he was

giving her a way out.

"Lila, enough is enough," he said through gritted teeth. "I don't have the patience to wait for you to calm down!

If you keep this up, you won't have the chance to regret it."

His warning was unmistakable. Since she had visited Mount Shasta, she should have understood what she truly

wanted. If she wanted to be with him, she needed to behave accordingly!

Lila stopped smiling and quietly regarded him. She tried to find a familiar expression on his face, but there

wasn't a single trace of it.

"So? What do you wantto do?" she asked in a light tone.

Dorian thought his warning had struck a chord. He believed she was afraid he might abandon her.

They were both orphans, but while he had relatives, Lila had no one. If she lost him, she would indeed have

nothing left.

She was his beloved. Thinking of this made him feel a pang of sympathy for her. His tone softened a bit.

"You need to tell Billy you will get back together with me. The investment team is pushing for the project to

move forward. Be good, and I'll take you to meet them today. You'll still be in charge of the project."

But Lila's face revealed nothing but indifference instead of the gratitude he expected.

She smiled slowly with a mocking expression. "Dorian, have you contacted the person in charge over there? Will

they still want to cooperate without me? Do you wantback because you miss me, or is it purely for the

project?"

Dorian was taken aback, his eyes flashing with anger-unsure if it was because of her words or because she had

seen through his intentions. No matter what the reason was, it only made Lila find it amusing. She didn't bother

to hide her disdain, and her smile grew more pronounced.

His eyes locked onto hers, and he was arrogant. "Lila, you're usually so smart. Why are you being foolish in this

matter?"

Even as he tried to contain his emotions, his contempt was evident. "They agreed

to work with you only because you're mine."

She met his gaze, her expression unyielding. "I'll say this one last time—I negotiated this project alone. It has

nothing to do with you."

She was willing to keep a low profile for him, but that didn't mean she lacked her abilities. "But if you insist on

taking it from me, | won't keep it. Consider it a parting gift and a token of our many years of friendship."

Dorian hesitated, uncertain whether to be surprised by her earlier words or by her decision to let go of the

project.

As if reading his thoughts, Lila smiled faintly. "I can negotiate another one. If | can land one, | can land a second

or a third. Dorian, if you think I rely on your resources, just wait and see how | thrive without you."

He clenched his fists, almost laughing out of frustration at her stubbornness. "So you won't realize your mistake

until it's too late? Lila, to be honest, | sometimes admire your determination. It's just a shyou're not using it

correctly."

His words made Lila furrow her brow slightly. To be honest, she really wanted this project. So, even though she

had sworn off any connection to him, she still ctoday.

But she knew he was eager to transform his career, and this project was crucial. He likely wouldn't let it go. Not

getting it was within her expectations, so she turned to leave.

"You can't let her go!" Darcy shouted, trying to block her way. Lila looked at her, who had completely lost her

composure, like a madwoman. Her gaze was indifferent.

All those years spent training with etiquette instructors and renowned artists seemed to have gone to waste.

Dorian frowned at Darcy.

But she appeared oblivious to their reactions and continued to shout, "Dorian, | chere today to expose her

hypocrisy! Do you have any idea what she's done?"

Chapter 10

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