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

Lila had spent the entire day with Taylor and Samuel, diligently jotting down notes in the script. Each page was filled with details about the auditioning actors-their traits, acting abilities, and how well they suited the roles.

Samuel noticed her concentration and took a peek at her notes when she stepped out. He was a bit surprised.

Although he treated her as his junior, he didn't genuinely hold high hopes for her. She was young, with no significant works to her name. If it weren't for Taylor's recommendation, he would never have let Lila join the production.

However, after a day of auditions, her insightful comments and meticulous records had slightly changed his perception.

Taylor patted his round belly. "What do you think of Lila?"

"She has more talent than I did at her age," Samuel replied honestly.

Taylor's smile widened, adding more creases to his face. "Lila has potential, but she can be a bit stubborn."

If she hadn't been so focused on Dorian in the past, she might have achieved something by now.

Camille tapped Taylor's shoulder, and he felt a bit dazed from the sudden force. "What's going on, darling?"

Without any small talk, she got straight to the point. "Did Zara come to audition today? Cut her from the list."

Samuel looked shocked. "Why?"

Taylor stroked his chin.

"I paid particular attention to her performance. She was decent, but she was nothing remarkable. Maybe we should reconsider before dismissing her outright.

"We should be fair about this. What do you say, darling?"

Camille snorted. "I have nothing against her personally, but there were a few others who auditioned for the same role today. The girl with the last name Payne was clearly better.

"Since we have someone more qualified, there's no need to keep Zara. I'm only saying this so neither of you lets Dorian's connections influence the decision."

Years of classical arts had instilled Camille with a graceful elegance. Yet her cold gaze now gave her a commanding air.

Adjusting her shawl, she thought back to Dorian's smitten look, yet he was so clueless. She felt a surge of anger, even a fleeting desire to expose Zara for who she really was.

She was genuinely fed up with it and realized she should stop urging Lila to reconcile with him. A man so easily swayed didn't deserve her.

Samuel flipped through the notes.

"There was indeed a girl who performed slightly better. I thought Zara's popularity could help draw attention, plus it would be a favor to Dorian."

After all, Taylor had recommended Dorian. Doing him a favor would surely make Taylor happy. However, Taylor's genial smile faded a bit, his tone firm. "A good project values talent over favors."

Samuel quickly acknowledged his mistake. "Understood, Mr. Foster."

"If Dorian has any objections, he can come speak to me directly," Camille said coolly, with an air that could have graced a portrait of a beauty in her youth.

Just then, Lila entered and caught Camille's last remark. She moved to her side and gently patted her back. "What's going on?"

Taylor and Camille exchanged a look, smoothly changing the subject. With years in the entertainment industry, Samuel read the situation easily. Although he was curious, he didn't press any further.

For days, Dorian had been trying to talk to Lila about Zara's audition results. But since filming hadn't officially started, he had been busy with other work and hadn't been around the set.

Every evening, Kieran picked Lila up right after work and took her home. After three days, Dorian hadn't managed to catch her even once.

His calls went unanswered. When he visited her apartment, the neighbor told him she hadn't been back in weeks.

Dorian considered it and could only conclude that she had deliberately booked a hotel to avoid him. Meanwhile, the audition results had started coming out.

Zara called him twice, sounding increasingly anxious each time. On her third attempt, she showed up at his door. When Dorian opened it, he was startled by her appearance.

She looked like she had lost weight. Her eyes were red, with streaks of dried tears still on her face. She had clearly been crying hard.

"Dorian, they released the role results. I-I didn't make it." She choked out, voice trembling so badly that she could barely finish her sentence.

Dorian's chest tightened, and he clenched his fists. Zara had performed well during the audition. There was no way she didn't get the role.

It had to be Lila targeting her on purpose, influencing Samuel and Taylor to reject Zara.

Upon looking at the tear-streaked girl in front of him, Dorian's heart ached almost to the point of madness. "Don't worry. I'll take you to find Lila right now and settle this!"

Although he knew Taylor and Samuel took their work seriously and wouldn't let Lila influence them that easily, the sight of Zara's tears convinced him otherwise.

He was certain that Lila was pulling strings, just like she had when she had used Alex to force him into compromise. And now, she was using the same tactics to push Zara out of the picture.

Lila was downright malicious. Dorian postponed his work and stormed over to the set to find Lila. He intercepted Lila as she was just about to grab lunch, excited by the news of a particularly good meal on set that day.

She had already planned to indulge in the grilled chicken. Kieran preferred bland food, so she had gone days without flavorful dishes and was craving them. When a shadow loomed over her, Lila frowned instinctively.

"Lila, what exactly do you want?" Dorian's voice cut through the air, his question laced with accusation.

Lila's brow furrowed as she looked at him. She was clearly annoyed, but she didn't respond.

"Do you think staying silent will make this go away? You're growing more and more disrespectful.

"Out of respect for Mr. and Mrs. Foster, I held back about Ms. Parker's departure. You know I always keep my word-I kept our contract termination private to give you another chance.

"You got Mr. Foster to recommend me for the project, and now you're using connections to make yourself an assistant director.

"Where's that self-respect you love flaunting? And now, here you are, leveraging connections—so much for that pride."

Dorian's gaze was chilling. He hadn't even bothered to verify anything before piling accusation after accusation on Lila.

At that moment, she felt a twisted sense of relief. Thankfully, she had already given up on him after his betrayal. Otherwise, each of his words would have cut her like a blade, stabbing right into the depths of her heart.

Dorian thought he was already holding back. If not, he might have strangled her on the spot.

"You think Zara didn't get the role because I interfered?" Lila's gaze turned icy, the usual warmth in her eyes replaced by a steely frost that crept over her expression.

"Aren't you just playing dumb? If you still have any self-respect, go explain to Mr. Foster and Mr. Grant and get them to cast Zara, or you'll lose what little respect I have for you!"

Dorian's face darkened further, and his patience had nearly reached its limit.noveldrama

Lila found him utterly unreasonable. "This has nothing to do with me. If you want her in, go and beg for her yourself. I suggest you also take some time to—"

But before she could finish, Dorian gripped her neck tightly.

She struggled to breathe for a moment. Her chest tightened painfully as revulsion washed over her, suffocating her further.

From the car, Zara rushed over frantically, ignoring Lila's state. She grabbed her and screamed, "Why? Why would you do this to me?"

Lila clawed at Dorian's arm, leaving deep scratches on his skin. He winced in pain and finally let her go, his expression dark and menacing.

Zara continued yelling, "Are you so jealous that Dorian gave me his bracelet? If you want it so badly, I'll give it to you!"

In a fit of rage, she ripped the sandalwood bracelet from her wrist and threw it on

the ground. The beads shattered instantly, scattering across the floor, with the tassel lying in a messy heap.

Lila closed her eyes, but the ache in her chest lingered, refusing to fade.