too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 102

"I'm heading back to the set today. I probably won't be back for about a month," Lila said as she leaned in close, her gaze fixed on Kieran's eyes. "I heard from Aunt Nicole that you haven't been eating on time. Is that true?"

He raised an eyebrow slightly, about to deny it.

"Don't even lie to me. I've seen through all your tricks." She acted like a playfully over-dramatic teenager and tapped the tip of his straight nose with her delicate finger. The light, fleeting touch carried a ticklish sensation, like a feather brushing against his chest.

She then feigned displeasure and huffed softly. "If I catch you again, I'll punish you with 30 lashes."

She couldn't help but laugh at her own words, her smile bright and dazzling like the sun.

Kieran, however, responded with surprising seriousness, "Yes, ma'am."

That left Lila slightly flustered. Scratching her head, she muttered, "Well, I should get going. See you, Uncle Kieran."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and hurried out. He watched her retreating figure, a faint smile surfacing in his eyes.

She drove off, picking Jamie up at her place before heading back to the film set. She glanced around Jamie's neighborhood. The area looked nice, and the property prices here were famously high.

Curious, she asked, "Is this arranged by the company, or is this your family's place?"

Jamie, who usually kept a low profile, didn't seem like someone from a wealthy family. Could she be secretly well-off?

Jamie looked out the window with a slight frown and answered, "It's where my family lived before my dad passed. No one's lived here for a while. I…"

She paused for a moment. "I stayed abroad with my mom for years after that. The house was vacant for a long time.

"When I returned, I figured there was no point in leaving it empty. The company's housing arrangements weren't great, so I moved back in."

Lila noticed Jamie's expression dimming out of the corner of her eye. She regretted asking the question.

"I'll screen them for you. Just keep a steady mindset—getting popular is only a matter of time. With me around, you don't have to worry too much."

Jamie turned to look at her. Although Lila was only a few years older and they hadn't known each other long, she found Lila's words oddly reassuring. After dropping Jamie off, Lila returned to the hotel.

This time, Dorian intercepted her in the parking lot. He was dressed entirely in black and wore a mask. He asked, "Lila, did you go to the restaurant on South Street today?"

Lila's good mood instantly evaporated.

"Is there a problem?"

"Who did you go with?"

Her eyes turned cold as she looked at him. "What does that have to do with you?"