too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 189

The moment Dorian saw Lila, he thought she had come looking for him and that she had regretted everything. After all, how else could they cross paths in a foreign country?

A flicker of joy surfaced in his eyes—only to vanish as he noticed Michael standing beside her.

The two suitcases in Michael's hands—one white and one pink—made his blood run cold. That pink suitcase was unmistakably Lila's.

His gaze turned icy, dark, and suffocating like a murky swamp threatening to drown everything in its path.

Michael, noticing Dorian's stare, took a step forward, blocking Lila from his view. With a smug grin, he mouthed, "Your agent is mine now!"

The blatant provocation was like gasoline on fire. Dorian's expression grew even darker, and he took a step toward them, fury surging through his veins.

Was Lila deliberately trying to get under his skin?

She knew he was here to audition for Rowan's project. She had ignored his overtures and played indifferent, pretending she didn't care. Yet, here she was, accompanying Michael—that man she knew he couldn't stand.

Every little thing she did seemed designed to push his limits.

His mind felt like it was going to explode with rage, but Ryan quickly held him back. "Mr. Blake, don't act impulsively. Focus on the audition—don't let these distractions get to you."

Michael glanced at Lila, who remained expressionless. He sighed dramatically.

"I told you not to come, didn't I? Seeing this jerk must've upset you. It's okay, you don't have to pretend in front of me. If you want to cry, just let it out. You're not a celebrity—nobody will notice."

Lila, however, was entirely lost in her thoughts. She had expected to run into Dorian, but not this soon. It was aggravating.

Without hearing a word Michael said, she walked a few steps forward. Then, she turned back when she realized he wasn't following. "Are you coming or not?"

Michael blinked. Her indifference was too convincing—it couldn't be an act, could it?

As they exited the airport, Michael stopped abruptly. "Am I still dreaming, or is that Mr. Mason over there?"

Lila looked up, spotting Cole waving at them. She raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Michael stammered, "N-No trouble at all." He took a slight step forward, instinctively shielding Lila from Kieran's overwhelming presence.

Kieran noticed the gesture. With a glance, Cole immediately understood and opened the back door. "Ms. Hart, please take a seat in the back. Mr. Xavier, you can sit in the front passenger seat."

Michael hesitated for a moment before stopping Lila. "Actually, why don't you sit in the front? I'll take the back.

The thought of sitting next to Kieran for an extended period made him feel like he was stepping into an arctic tundra. He glanced at Lila with a self-sacrificing expression, as if saying, "Better me than you."

Before she could respond, Michael nudged her toward the front seat.

Cole was surprised by his move.

Lila, now seated in the front, felt a bit bemused. She wanted to tell him she wasn't the least bit scared.

"That's my Uncle Kieran," was what she thought.