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

"Alright, I'm heading out."

Lila's bright, cheerful smile made it impossible for Kieran's expression not to soften.

When Kieran arrived at the office, Cole came in as usual to report on work.

The moment he stepped inside, he noticed a disposable cup on Kieran's desk, half-filled with water-and inside it was a single small flower.

Cole blinked.

He glanced at it again and again, curious, until Kieran's cold voice cut through the air. "Do you not have anything better to do?"

Cole instantly lost all curiosity and got straight to business.

Lila had been busy all morning when, as usual, Amelia showed up just in time for lunch.

"Ms. Joyce, wouldn't it be better to stay home and enjoy Cindy's cooking?"

Lila glanced at her, half amused, half helpless.

Amelia grabbed an apple from the desk and took a bite. "Eating alone is boring."

Lila snatched the apple back and placed it in front of her again. "At least eat something before lunch."

Just then, Michael and Jamie arrived with their trays and sat down beside them.

Michael glanced at Amelia. "Didn't you already take over Joyce Group? Why do you still have so much free time to hang around here?"

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Gotta scope out the competition and steal some talent. Are any of you interested in joining Citrus Media?"

Michael smirked. "If you make me Best Actor, I'll go."

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Are you obsessed with that award or something?"

"Well, isn't that the ultimate goal for an actor?"

She turned to Jamie next. "What about you, Jamie?"

Jamie lifted her head, blinking thoughtfully. After a moment, she said, "Nah, I doubt you can meet my conditions. I'll just stay at Magi Pictures."

Amelia scoffed. "Wow, way to underestimate me. Alright then, tell me, what exactly do you want that I can't give you?"

Her competitive spirit was fully ignited.

Lila's eyes flickered slightly before she reached out and tugged on Amelia's sleeve. "If you're trying to poach someone, I'll make it easy for you. Just pay me more than Magi Pictures, and I'm in."

She was deliberately changing the subject.

Amelia chuckled. "You? No way. Not that I can't afford it, but if I did, Uncle Kieran would probably swallow Joyce Group whole."

Lila laughed, but her gaze drifted toward Jamie, who had been quietly eating the entire time.

On the way back, Lila deliberately slowed her pace, falling in step beside Jamie. "Jamie, were you about to suggest that Ame should be with Vince?" Jamie looked up and nodded honestly.

"Do you know what's going on between Vince and Ms. Zimmerman?"

"Not really The Zimmerman family is interested in an engagement, and my uncle has been asking Vince for his opinion. But he's been busy lately, so nothing has been decided yet."

Lila nodded, about to say more when Amelia called out from ahead. "Hurry up!" That afternoon, Amelia didn't leave. She stayed by Lila's side, scrolling through her phone and occasionally handing her a cup of water.

As dinnertime approached, Amelia nudged Lila. "Xyla's here."

Following Amelia's gaze, Lila looked up and saw Xyla standing a short distance away, dressed in a light green dress.

Noticing their attention, Xyla smiled slightly.

When Lila finished her work and stood up, Amelia remained seated. "I don't feel like dealing with her. You go see what she wants."

Lila nodded. "Alright, take a break."noveldrama

As she walked over, Xyla greeted her with her usual polite tone. "Ms. Hart, we meet again."

She held out a small shopping bag.

Lila met her gaze, silently asking what it was.

"I troubled you all last time and said I'd send you some clothes. I know you wouldn't accept it, so I made some cookies instead. Just a small

treat for you to try." fo

Lila glanced down at the bag, noticing neatly packaged cookie boxes tied with ribbons.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to accept them. Then, when she looked up again, she saw Vince approaching.