too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 197

Lila chuckled softly. With all the commotion, there was no way Dorian didn't know what was happening. If he wanted to ride this wave of attention, he'd have to deal with the risks that came with it.

But this time, she was wrong.

Dorian really had no clue about the online chaos. He'd been in a foul mood for days, and the stress and constant traveling had taken a toll on him. After an angry outburst at the office, he'd gone home, downed some alcohol, and passed out, only to wake up later with a fever that left him miserable.

When Ryan and Ethan rushed over to deliver the news, Dorian was still burning up.

As Ethan nervously filled him in, Dorian let out a bitter laugh, though his gaze turned razor-sharp as it shifted to his agent. It was the kind of look that could slice through steel.

Ryan stammered, visibly trembling. "Dorian, I swear I was just trying to help you. I didn't think the fans would escalate things and go after the director. I really didn't think it would get this bad. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Dorian didn't bother to hear him out. "Idiot! If this mess isn't cleaned up, none of you are walking away from this unscathed. Get lost now!"

His voice was low, but it carried the weight of venom, wrapping around the room like a snake ready to strike. Ryan and Ethan both felt like they were in immediate danger.

Back when Lila was around, none of this chaos ever happened.

Lila. Did it really have to be Lila?

Ryan had already fled, leaving Ethan standing a few steps away, looking as though he wanted to vanish into thin air. The silence was suffocating, and he didn't dare move.

Dorian's expression darkened further as he checked the latest developments online. The company's PR team was scrambling to contain the situation, but the damage had already been done. Too many people knew, and the delay in addressing it only made things worse.

Meanwhile, Magi Pictures released Michael's audition tape on their official channels. They praised Michael for his outstanding performance without mentioning Dorian by name and congratulated him on landing the role. However, every word felt like a slap to Dorian's face.

He balled his fists. His knuckles turned white with rage.

Suddenly, something on his feed caught his eye. It was a post from Joyce Group's Citrus Media, officially announcing the leads for the drama "City of Blossoms". The female lead was none other than Rose White, this year's Best Actress winner at an international film festival.

Dorian flipped the coffee table before him, the tempered glass shattering on the floor with a deafening crash.

"Get out. You too—just get out!" His voice was hoarse, and his bloodshot eyes glared with a wild, almost demonic intensity.

Meanwhile, Dorian's tarnished reputation was beginning to have ripple effects. The stock price of a company he had invested in started to plummet, and shareholders were bombarding him with calls and messages.

He ignored every single one of them, letting his phone ring endlessly as he lay back on the couch, feverish and defeated.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips. So, this was what Camille had warned him about.

All the stability he'd taken for granted had been an illusion, upheld only because Lila had shielded him from the storm.

It was never that Lila was nothing without him but the other way around.