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

"Terry, do you really think you're someone important? I've put up with you for a long time!" Dorian cursed and threw a punch in return, unwilling to back down. They swung their fists wildly, and they stopped only when they were both too injured to move.

Terry lay on the ground briefly before slowly getting up and leaning on the wall. He spat the blood from his mouth and sneered. "You're not worthy of Lila."

As he turned to leave, Dorian laughed coldly. "Terry, do you know who that woman was? You say I'm not worthy of Lila. What more have I not done for her?"

Terry didn't stop walking as he listened to Dorian's question, striding away with his mind fixed on one thought-he should never have agreed to help Dorian.

From the moment Dorian was entangled with Zara, he should have realized that Dorian was beyond redemption. He was a man who wanted it all, taking whatever he could while disregarding everything else.

Terry waited for a long time outside Lila's hotel. His injuries went from numb to painful. He frowned but remained silent.

Finally, he saw her approaching. The cool night breeze lifted the hem of her skirt, and she looked like a fairy who had wandered into the human world.

Lila noticed the blood on his face and blinked her beautiful eyes in surprise. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out two alcohol swabs. "Do you want to clean up first?"

Terry instinctively took them but only crumpled them in his hand, almost squeezing them into a ball. He had thought of many things to say, but when he stood before her, he was unsure how to begin.

She was kind, and he didn't want to hurt her. He hesitated, trying several times to speak but remaining silent.

She looked at him, her beautiful eyes briefly dropping before she chuckled.

"Is it about Dorian? Or the script?" She paused, then added, "Or do you plan to tell me that the script was something Dorian asked you to deliver?"

Terry inhaled sharply. He hadn't said anything, but her guesses were almost spot-

on.

Lila was even smarter than he had imagined.

He suddenly remembered that she had been the top student in her major and had independently made short films during her sophomore year, winning many awards.

If it hadn't been for Dorian, perhaps he wouldn't have had the chance to stand face-to-face with her. His gaze darkened. "Do you still like Dorian?"

She paused as though hearing something strange. Her eyes shifted slightly, and she almost smiled in amusement.

"No," she said, lifting her hand to push some stray hair behind her ear, her posture lazy and casual.noveldrama

She rarely used his full name. "Terry Jones, I'm grateful for your visit today. Perhaps we could be friends if we don't have any more involvement with Dorian."

Terry looked down and smiled lightly before extending his hand. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Terry Jones. I plan to enter the entertainment industry. I don't know if there will be a chance to collaborate with you in the future, Ms. Hart?"

Lila met his smile with one of her own and gently shook his hand. "Hello, I'm Lila Hart. I'm honored that you value my abilities, Mr. Jones. I look forward to collaborating in the future."

They exchanged smiles, both of them silently agreeing never to bring up Dorian again.

In Evergreen Heights, Kieran had just finished showering and put on a simple outfit, his hair was still wet. He casually wiped it with a towel. His movements were slow, and his eyes were clouded, hiding his emotions.

Just then, Cole's call came in.

He answered, and the voice on the other end spoke first. "Mr. Morgan, we've figured it out. Zara arranged the rumor through a major Twitter influencer. She paid him 20 grand."

Cole could faintly hear a light chuckle from the other side.

He asked, "How should we handle this? Should I get someone to deal with her privately?"