Chapter 164
Zara gritted her teeth, trying to sound generous as she said, “Dorian, let her go for now. You just won a major award, and your popularity is at its peak. This is the perfect time to land some big projects.”
Dorian’s resolve wavered at her words. Her tone was uncannily like Lila’s when she used to plan his future.
He glanced at Oliver and nodded toward the bar girl. “Take her out of here. Handle it.”
The bar girl shot Zara a resentful look but obediently followed Oliver.
What bad luck! She thought she had hooked a big star and could make a decent payout. Who knew things would fall apart right at the crucial moment?
As the door clicked shut, Dorian slumped onto the couch, irritation etched deeply across his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Zara shifted and half–knelt before him. She lowered her head and kissed his lips.
Dorian’s eyes flickered, his alcohol–clouded mind spinning further. Their breaths grew heavy and unsteady. Everything else fell into place.
Early the next morning, frantic knocking jolted them awake.
Dorian grabbed a shirt and pulled it on. He opened the door, and a fist immediately punched his face.
Hearing the noise outside, Zara hurriedly slipped on a dress and rushed out.
The man narrowed his cold, dark eyes the moment he saw her and kicked Dorian aside. He vaulted over the couch with swift precision and delivered a sharp slap across her face.
The blow landed with full force. Zara’s cheek went numb, and for a long moment, she felt nothing. Then the pain finally registered.
Noah cursed, his voice filled with rage.
“I was only gone a few days, and you think you can trample all over Lila?
“You think I’m dead or something? I swear I’ll beat you so badly your mother won’t recognize you. If I don’t, then I’m not a Morgan!”
He had known about Lila’s and Dorian’s affair for a while, but the competition semifinals had kept him overseas. If he had returned sooner, Dorian’s punishment would have come much earlier.
The fight was intense, though Dorian took most of the blows. The techniques he had picked up from his acting roles were no match for Noah’s regular training.
Zara was powerless to stop Noah. Before she could even get close, he kicked her aside.
Noah sneered. “I usually give women some leniency, but trash like you isn’t worth my mercy.”
Although Dorian was beaten, his pride wouldn’t let him back down. He sneered. “Noah, what’s your relationship with Lila? What makes you think you can interfere in her life?
“I’m her real boyfriend. You think it’s your place to butt in?”
Noah let out a cold laugh. “She dumped you, man. Her taste must have been terrible to fall for trash like you.”
Zara screamed for help, but no one came. Her only option was to call the police.
When the officers arrived, Dorian was bruised and battered, yet he still managed to shout, “Noah, you think you’re so righteous? You’ve been after my woman all along!”
Noah’s voice was cold, dripping with contempt. “I may not be perfect, but I’m not as low as you. Sleeping with another woman and still calling Lila your girlfriend? Just thinking about it makes me sick.”
“Enough!” the officer barked.
Zara stood there with half her face swollen, her eyes burning with venom, though she looked ridiculous.
Lila’s expression hardened, anger flashing in her gaze. “What did you do to Noah?”
Her words made everyone’s jaws drop. After all, it was Noah who stormed in and started the fight!
“Lila, are you so desperate for a man that you’d stoop to tricks like this?”
Before Zara could finish, Noah’s cold voice cut through. “If you want the other side of your face smashed too, keep talking.”
