Chapter 19
Zara gripped Lila’carmtightly, sobbing une
“Lila, what did I even date you? Why are you treating me like this? Who are wearering me?
and Levertried to take him from you. We may have grownuptogether, but I’ve always know he cares about you.
leveskept telling him to explain things to you, that there’s nothing beterenus. Why won’t you believe me? What do you gain from coming after me like this? Haven’t Dorian and jabrealy tried to keepaordistane?
“you don’t like me and you want me gone, but let me know, I’ll stay away from him. But why mess with my career over it?
Zara looked it she were bearing the weight of commitless grievances, Mtrands of her messy hair done to her tear streaked face, making her appear even mate
Dorian’s heart Ewisted with her every sob, in the supported her tentetty. Lila piled her hand away indigest, nihhing her neck Her fair skin showed glaring red marks from where he had grabbed bet
Yet Darian showed no sympathy. He watched as she winwed in pain, mily thinking she deserved it. After all, respond to
“What exactly do you want, Lila?” Pollan’s anger tlord, his jawdenched intristration.
injustice Zara was feeling, Lila’s linde
ves went red and swollen, tears flowing free as she cling to him like he was her lifeline. “Why Lila, why doing this to me?
The more Dosis acheter Zara, the more his resentment toward
agree was
Lila gave a mocking laugh and slapped him across the face. “I’ve had it with both of you‘
he early wanted to grab her by the neck and force her in apologize.
Dorian was stored for a moment. Zata let out a stick, asily asking if he was okay as tears contend to fall
Ignoring them, Lila bent her aching knees and slowly crouched down, carefully picking up the scattered sandalwood beads, Bach bear had a different primrose pattem. Some were rough and crooked, while others were smooth, showing the career’s gradual improvement in skill
A faint scar remained on her left index finger, a mark that hadn’t faded even after all these years. Perhaps their fates had been sealed from the beginning – filled with scars and destined for a painfulend.
Dorian watched her movements, an inexplicable frustration boiling within him. He urged at his tir, his brows knitted tightly
“You’re actually worried about these worthlessbeads
In
He kicked away the next bead she was about to pick up it struck the nearby wall with a sharp crack before falling back in the ground, bouncing at times. With rachimpact, it felt as though her heart was being pounded into pieres.
Ladenched the there beads in her hand. It was better this way, with nothing left. There was nothing to hold onto anymore.
Seeing her still and silent, Dorian grew increasingly angry. He reached out to pull her up, but before he could touch her, someone seized his wrist and thing it aside.
“Me. Geant, in this how your actors beluva?” The man’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
a felt a spark of familiarity in the voice and looked up, Cole was there, extending a hand to help her up
He was dressed in his usual suit. Yet his expression was unusually calm, lacking his usual wamith.
“Are you alright, miss?” he asked politely
Enwardly,
v, Cole breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Keran had anticipated this and amived just in time. Otherwise, Lita might’ve been humiliated aven wone
Lila slowly stood with his help, a avoiding the dizziness that often followed crouching for too long
“Thank you,” she said softly, polite yet peserved.
Kieran must have instructed Cole to avoid exposing her identity in public. When she looked had arrived too late.
up,
Cole noticed the red marks around her neck and frowned sharply. He
“ate. Blake, you seem quite different from your public image,” Cile said with a light smile, although his tone held an underlying tension.
The outside world described Dorian as a cold yet warm–hearted gentleman who respected women.
Sensing the tension, Samuel stepped in “Dorian, is there some misunderstanding?Lilla, what happened to your neck??–
Durlan didn’t recognier Cole, and the bluna mockery darkened his expression. But noticing Samuel’s respect toward Cole and the mumber of eyes on them, he held backlis anger.
“Nothing; just resolving some personalisques”
His implication was clear. This was a private issue, and everyone else should minst their own business. Cole had no right to pry
Dora’s gaze Tamed icy as it fell on Cole. Yet Cole just ignored him. He pulled a clean handkerchéet from his pocket and handed it to Lila.
be raised her delicate hund and accepted it. However, beregerssion was somewhat dazed, unsme why he was even here. Had Kieran come as well?
With a polite yet distant smile, Cole turned to Samuel. “Mr. Grant, Mr. Margan said as long as there are no issues on set, the investment discussions are alli negotiable that of curiosity, is Mr. Blake also part of the cast?”
Satmorl·liesitated, unsure of Cole’s intre. He was recommended by Mr. Foster and went through the usual audition process. But that rele has basically been decided for Dorian”
“And her?” Cole’s gaze shifted to Zara, who was still weeping softly in Dorian’s embrace
His gaze held an odd glint. Dorian didn’t have Kieran’s looks or status, yet his beluvier was questionable. It only Kieran and Lila weren’t uncles and nieces, they
would actually be a tere fitting couple based solely on appearances.
Samuel owned at Zara’s pititul demeanor, “She is not part of our cast.”
The moment he spoke, he realized something was off. Dorian had recommended Zara, while Lila was involved in the casting as the assistant director
Could Dorian actually believe Lila was behind Zara’s rejection? But this role decision had nothing to do with her! Samuel was known for his straightforwardness
“Donan, recommending someone for an audition is one thing, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be chosen. I don’t care if you’re questioning Lila or trying to pull strings for Zara. The roles are set in stanie.“!
His imitated gaze fell on Zara, she was startled, clutching Dorian’s arm tighter. Dorian gently patted her back and offered silent comfort. When he glanced back at Lila, he saw her expressionless gaze sweep over them before she looked away.
Dorian felt frustrated by her indifference. He turned to Samuel, confused as to why someone usually so fair and unyielding to influence would bend to Lila’s persuasion
Yet he dismissed the thought. It was unlikely Lila could sway Samuel. She must have had help from Taylor. With that in mind, he hardened his tone.
“Lila, did you think that by getting rid of Zara, you could achieve what you wanted? I’ve warned you before. If you want back in, show the proper attitude
“I’m telling you now if you don’t bring Zara back, I won’t participate in this production. You can keep dreaming on your own.”
Zara gasped. “Dorian, you don’t have to go this far for me. It’s not your fault.”
Tears welled up in her eyes again. Samuel’s expression shifted as if he was deep in thought. He pressed his lips tightly and said nothing.
Lila looked at Dorian, her brow slightly furrowed. She understood each word he said, yet together, they made no sense to her
Cole scotted. “Mr. Grant, you hired a lovesick actor?”
His words deepened Dorian’s scowl, but he had no time to focus on him. His attention was fixed on Lila. “Answerine, Lila. Are you poing to stop targeting Zara?”
