hapter 168
Noah felt a thousand curses swirling in his mind. He took a deep breath and cautiously peeked his head around the corner.
Lila was sitting obediently on the sofa while Kieran headed to the kitchen with a glass in his hand.
Letting out a sigh, Noah seriously questioned if he had injured his brain during the fight. Maybe that’s why he was seeing things.
He had better get checked out at the hospital that afternoon and use the report to squeeze some compensation out of Dorian.
1/1
At the police station, Dorian stood watching as Lila’s car disappeared into the distance. It wasn’t until Oliver drove up that he finally moved.
Seeing Dorian’s grim expression, Oliver kept his head low and silently opened the car door for him.
Zara moved to follow, but Dorian’s cold look froze her in place. “I’ve got things to handle. Go back on your own.”
With that, he closed the door and signaled Oliver to drive away immediately.
Zara stood on the sidewalk, stunned.
The man who once showered her with care, who used to worry about her getting burned by a cup of tea, had left her stranded on the street without a second thought.
It was as if last night’s passion had all been a figment of her imagination.
Her fists clenched tightly, another one of her manicured nails snapping off.
Back at the office, Dorian walked in with his face marred by bruises and scratches. His team exchanged curious and wary glances.
An older employee wanted to ask if he was alright, but one look at Dorian’s icy eyes made him think better of it.
Oliver, holding a stack of documents, followed meekly behind.
Once inside the office, Oliver placed the papers on the desk. “Mr. Blake, these are recent endorsement offers and film projects. See if you want to take any of them.”
Dorian’s expression remained frigid. He picked up a folder and flipped through it, his eyes darkening even further.
Oliver’s heart pounded. “If you’re not satisfied, I can find others. There are more options.”
He handed over another file, but Dorian barely glanced at the company name before tossing it at Oliver’s feet.
“This is the trash you’re offering me?”
His gaze, sharp and venomous, cut into Oliver’s composure like a poisoned blade.
Oliver’s scalp prickled. His neck ached from bowing too long. “Mr. Blake, please don’t be angry. Here, look at this one. It’s a drama backed by Joyce Group. They’re considering Claire White, who won Best Actress at an international film festival two years ago.”
Oliver prayed this would ease Dorian’s mood. But instead, Dorian let out a cold laugh. “Claire? The one caught up in those homewrecker rumors?”
Oliver’s forehead broke into a cold sweat. “But… but those rumors were suppressed. She’s still getting roles and endorsements.”
He tried desperately to explain. This was the best project the team had managed to secure. If Dorian rejected this too, the whole team would be doomed, especially him.
When he joined as Dorian’s assistant, everyone said Dorian treated his employees well.
He had wondered why Ethan, his predecessor, suddenly quit after years of service.
At last, he understood.
Dorian’s stare remained icy and unrelenting. “Do you know how far Claire’s career has fallen? Her endorsements aren’t even with top domestic brands. The roles she takes these days don’t stand out at all, do they?”
“You think she’s taking those roles to challenge herself?”
It was clear she was picking up scraps after losing endorsements and accumulating debt from breach–of–contract fines. Those mediocre roles were the best she could get.
Oliver stayed silent. He hoped for someone to rescue him.
Dorian stepped closer. “So, offering me a script with her in the lead… are you implying my career is sinking too?”
“No! That’s n–not what I meant,” Oliver stammered. “The project team picked these deals, not me.”
Dorian’s eyes narrowed. “Call them all in. Now.”
