Chapter 19
Zara gripped Lila’s arm tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Lila, what did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me like this? Why are you targeting me?
“You like Dorian, and I never tried to take him from you. We may have grown up together, but I’ve always known he cares about you.
“I even kept telling him to explain things to you, that there’s nothing between us. Why won’t you believe me? What do you gain from coming after me like this? Haven’t Dorian and I already tried to keep our distance?
“If you don’t like me and you want me gone, just let me know. I’ll stay away from him. But why mess with my career over it?”
Zara looked as if she were bearing the weight of countless grievances. Strands of her messy hair clung to her tear-streaked face, making her appear even more delicate and pitiful.
Dorian’s heart twisted with her every sob, and he supported her tenderly. Lila jerked her hand away in disgust, rubbing her neck. Her fair skin showed glaring red marks from where he had grabbed her.
Yet Dorian showed no sympathy. He watched as she winced in pain, only thinking she deserved it. After all, compared to the injustice Zara was feeling, Lila’s little scratches seemed trivial.
“What exactly do you want, Lila?” Dorian’s anger flared, his jaw clenched in frustration.
Zara’s eyes were red and swollen, tears flowing freely as she clung to him like he was her lifeline. “Why? Lila, why are you doing this to me?”
The more Dorian ached for Zara, the more his resentment toward Lila grew. He was so furious he nearly wanted to grab her by the neck and force her to apologize.
Lila gave a mocking laugh and slapped him across the face. “I’ve had it with both of you!”
Dorian was stunned for a moment. Zara let out a shriek, anxiously asking if he was okay as tears continued to fall.
Ignoring them, Lila bent her aching knees and slowly crouched down, carefully picking up the scattered sandalwood beads. Each bead had a different primrose pattern. Some were rough and crooked, while others were smooth, showing the carver’s gradual improvement in skill.
A faint scar remained on her left index finger, a mark that hadn’t faded even after all these years. Perhaps their fates had been sealed from the beginning-filled with scars and destined for a painful end.
Dorian watched her movements, an inexplicable frustration boiling within him. He tugged at his tie, his brows knitted tightly.
“You’re actually worried about these worthless beads?”
He kicked away the next bead she was about to pick up. It struck the nearby wall with a sharp crack before falling back to the ground, bouncing a few times. With each impact, it felt as though her heart was being pounded into pieces.
Lila clenched the three beads in her hand. It was better this way, with nothing left. There was nothing to hold onto anymore.
Seeing her still and silent, Dorian grew increasingly angry. He reached out to pull her up, but before he could touch her, someone seized his wrist and flung it aside.
“Mr. Grant, is this how your actors behave?” The man’s voice dripped with
sarcasm.
Lila felt a spark of familiarity in the voice and looked up. Cole was there, extending a hand to help her up.
He was dressed in his usual suit. Yet his expression was unusually calm, lacking his usual warmth.
“Are you alright, miss?” he asked politely.
Inwardly, Cole breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Kieran had anticipated this and arrived just in time. Otherwise, Lila might’ve been humiliated even worse.
Lila slowly stood up with his help, avoiding the dizziness that often followed crouching for too long.
“Thank you,” she said softly, polite yet reserved.
Kieran must have instructed Cole to avoid exposing her identity in public. When she looked up, Cole noticed the red marks around her neck and frowned sharply. He had arrived too late.
“Mr. Blake, you seem quite different from your public image,” Cole said with a light smile, although his tone held an underlying tension.
The outside world described Dorian as a cold yet warm-hearted gentleman who respected women.
Sensing the tension, Samuel stepped in. “Dorian, is there some
misunderstanding? Lila, what happened to your neck?”
Dorian didn’t recognize Cole, and the blunt mockery darkened his expression. But noticing Samuel’s respect toward Cole and the number of eyes on them, he held back his anger.
“Nothing; just resolving some personal issues.”
His implication was clear. This was a private issue, and everyone else should mind their own business. Cole had no right to pry.
Dorian’s gaze turned icy as it fell on Cole. Yet Cole just ignored him. He pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Lila.
She raised her delicate hand and accepted it. However, her expression was somewhat dazed, unsure why he was even here. Had Kieran come as well?
With a polite yet distant smile, Cole turned to Samuel. “Mr. Grant, Mr. Morgan said as long as there are no issues on set, the investment discussions are all negotiable. Out of curiosity, is Mr. Blake also part of the cast?”
Samuel hesitated, unsure of Cole’s intent. “He was recommended by Mr. Foster and went through the usual audition process. But that role has basically been decided for Dorian.”
“And her?” Cole’s gaze shifted to Zara, who was still weeping softly in Dorian’s embrace.
His gaze held an odd glint. Dorian didn’t have Kieran’s looks or status, yet his behavior was questionable. If only Kieran and Lila weren’t uncles and nieces, they would actually be a more fitting couple based solely on appearances.
Samuel frowned at Zara’s pitiful demeanor. “She is not part of our cast.”
The moment he spoke, he realized something was off. Dorian had recommended
Zara, while Lila was involved in the casting as the assistant director.
Could Dorian actually believe Lila was behind Zara’s rejection? But this role decision had nothing to do with her! Samuel was known for his straightforwardness.
“Dorian, recommending someone for an audition is one thing, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be chosen. I don’t care if you’re questioning Lila or trying to pull strings for Zara. The roles are set in stone.”
His irritated gaze fell on Zara. She was startled, clutching Dorian’s arm tighter. Dorian gently patted her back and offered silent comfort. When he glanced back at Lila, he saw her expressionless gaze sweep over them before she looked away.
Dorian felt frustrated by her indifference. He turned to Samuel, confused as to why someone usually so fair and unyielding to influence would bend to Lila’s persuasion.
Yet he dismissed the thought. It was unlikely Lila could sway Samuel. She must have had help from Taylor. With that in mind, he hardened his tone.
“Lila, did you think that by getting rid of Zara, you could achieve what you wanted? I’ve warned you before. If you want back in, show the proper attitude.
“I’m telling you now if you don’t bring Zara back, I won’t participate in this production. You can keep dreaming on your own.”
Zara gasped. “Dorian, you don’t have to go this far for me. It’s not your fault.”
Tears welled up in her eyes again. Samuel’s expression shifted as if he was deep in thought. He pressed his lips tightly and said nothing.
Lila looked at Dorian, her brow slightly furrowed. She understood each word he
said, yet together, they made no sense to her.
Cole scoffed. “Mr. Grant, you hired a lovesick actor?”
His words deepened Dorian’s scowl, but he had no time to focus on him. His attention was fixed on Lila.
“Answer me, Lila. Are you going to stop targeting Zara?”