Chapter 137
Dorian felt hatred and jealousy as he stared at the man’s face, which vaguely resembled Noah’s. His height was something most men could only dream of reaching, and Dorian was not an exception to most men.
Lila listened to his words, seemingly lost in thought.
After a moment, she feigned innocence and asked, “From the sound of it, Mr. Blake should have some connections to him, right?
“If I apologize to you now and agree to come back as your manager, could you introduce me to that big shot?”
Dorian’s face turned ashen, and he could barely hold his emotions in check. His gaze darkened as if he wanted to drag her down into an abyss.
Lila tilted her head slightly. “Judging by your reaction, I guess that’s a no. Never mind. I’ll just ask Vince. Perhaps he can.”
She smiled lightly. For a moment, it seemed devoid of any pretense.
Dorian felt an oppressive weight settle in his chest. His patience with Lila was stretched to its limit, and he realized he couldn’t bear her any longer.
But at this moment, there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t even stop her if he wanted.
With his career on the line and surrounded by prominent business figures, he had to maintain his composure and image. Otherwise, all his previous efforts would be for nothing.
Dorian’s gaze lingered on Lila until she turned a corner and disappeared from sight. He held his wine glass and walked over to a well-known real estate mogul in Northridge City.
Dorian had sought to network, and things were going well until Dorian mentioned his company and his intention to collaborate. At that moment, the man’s expression shifted, and he looked at Dorian with a complicated expression.
The man said with a half-smile, “Mr. Blake, I’m sorry, but I’ve already secured a business partner for this collaboration. Perhaps we can discuss something for the future.”
Dorian nodded regretfully, and they exchanged a few more pleasantries before moving on to the next group of potential partners. Yet, without exception, each of them gave him the same response: not this time, but perhaps in the future. Even Dorian, who was slow to catch on, could sense something was amiss.
On the second floor of the banquet hall, Lila stood in a less conspicuous spot, leaning against the nearby railing as she looked down at Dorian amidst the crowd.
Her expression was calm, as though he were just another ordinary person among the masses.
“Are you still concerned about him?”
A man’s voice came from behind. Lila turned to find Vince looking at her with an inquisitive gaze.
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m just curious when he changed. It’s different from what I remember.”
Vince stepped closer and said, “People are naturally prone to change. Some hold onto their original intentions, while others simply follow the flow.”
He noticed her subtle nod of agreement, and there was no trace of sadness in her eyes.
“Do you know what Dorian just told me?”
By this time, the effects of the alcohol had worn off, and Lila’s eyes were clear and serene, her smile gentle and radiant.
She spoke with a hint of laziness in her tone, “For the movie project that Lane Group is collaborating on with his team, he wants you to agree to remove me as the project lead.”
Vince was surprised that she knew about this matter. “I haven’t agreed with him yet. I just spoke with the vice president responsible for the project, and he told me it was you who negotiated the deal.
“He agreed to sign because he values your abilities.”
He observed Lila closely, but her expression didn’t shift in the slightest. He
continued, “If you want, you can continue to be in charge of the project.”