too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 135

Lila looked at him with a hint of pity. "Mr. Blake, is it because you often use underhanded methods that you assume everyone else does the same?"

The bright overhead lights fell on her face, her black slit dress making her skin appear as white as snow.

Dorian didn't know when, but it seemed their positions had shifted—he was no longer the one in control.

Despite her having nothing, she always managed to make him feel like the truly barren one. Just like at this moment, she gazed at him with pity, like a divine being looking down on a mortal struggling in vain.

He furrowed his brows tightly. "No matter how much you deny it, you can't change the fact that this gala isn't a place for someone like you to be.

"Lila, I don't care what method you used, but after all this time, you should realize that the freedom you want isn't easy to obtain. This industry is a complex one to navigate.

"If you obediently return to my side and do what you're told, I'll give you your position as my agent again, and you won't have to struggle anymore.

"You may have managed to get into this event, but how much effort did you put in without me? You know the truth. As for me, I could have gotten in with a word. Clearly, there was an easier way for you to take, but you chose to endure all that humiliation. Do you enjoy self-torture?"

As soon as he finished speaking, she couldn't help but laugh. But her beautiful eyes, which could see through people's hearts, showed no trace of amusement.

After a moment, she stopped laughing, her expression turning playful as she looked at him. "Mr. Blake, don't you find your words contradictory? Look at this gala today. Who here isn't someone of importance?"

Lila's long, slender fingers pointed toward the crowd, and Dorian followed her gaze.

Men in suits and women in exquisite dresses—every single one of them was influential in one way or another in Northridge. But many people in the room were far less successful than himself.

Dorian remained silent, but his gaze already spoke volumes. What did that mean?

His family background might not matter as much if he were an ordinary person now. But as a superstar in this industry, background played a huge role.

When he had just debuted, he went around with various crews doing minor roles, and there were people with better backgrounds who would tell him that his lowly origin meant he would never become a famous celebrity. His background was set in stone, and no matter how hard he worked, he could never change the fact that he came from the slums.

Lila knew about this, and at the time, she had fought one of the crew members. Later, Noah found out about it. Not long after, that person's family company was embroiled in a financial dispute, and the person disappeared from the industry.

Dorian was quite pleased, saying that bad people would eventually be punished. But she thought momentarily, suspecting that this could have been Noah's doing.

Even if it were, it was because that person's family had done something wrong, and no one could have caused such a large company to collapse unless they deserved it.

Lila slowly raised her eyes and glanced at him, her gaze as cold as the first snow falling yet still beautiful enough to make it impossible to look away.