Chapter 193
Lila sat quietly, watching as Dorian’s performance faltered on stage. His delivery lacked emotion, his presence off-kilter—a stark contrast to his usual charisma.
Michael, seated beside her, finished his quip and turned to glance at her, expecting a response. What he saw instead was someone entirely calm, her gaze steady and detached. Her long lashes fluttered with each blink, but her eyes betrayed no emotion.
To anyone watching, it would seem as if the man on stage were a complete stranger.
Dorian himself realized something was wrong. When he stepped off the stage, his movements were unsteady, his confidence shattered.
He knew.
This role wouldn’t be his.
His assistant rushed over, concern etched on their face. “Mr. Blake, are you alright?”
Dorian ignored the question, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Lila’s now-empty seat.
His fists clenched tightly at his sides. Throughout Michael’s audition, Dorian had seen traces of Lila’s guidance in every movement, every nuanced expression. She had shaped Michael’s performance-those habits were unmistakably hers. Rage flared within him. She had guided him for five years he knew her habits better than anyone.
If she had channeled that same energy toward supporting him instead of clinging to her supposed grudge, he wouldn’t have been distracted, and this role would have been his without question.
Ryan glanced at his expression and dared not say another word. He could only quicken his pace to keep up with him.
Ryan spotted Lila waiting for a car outside with Michael, and an alarm bell instantly went off in his mind. However, he couldn’t stop Dorian, who was already storming over in a fit of rage.
Dorian closed the distance in just a few strides and grabbed Lila by the shoulders. “Is this the outcome you wanted?”
Caught off guard, Lila winced in pain and immediately pushed him away, her expression turning cold with disgust.
Michael quickly stepped between them, his usual play demeanor shifting into mockery. “Why blame
others when you can’t pene
Lashing out just because you
couldn’t keep up? Honestly, how did you ever win awards with such bad acting? Don’t tell me you relied on Lila to help you interpret your roles.”
His words hit Dorian right where it hurt.
“Lila,” Dorian growled, his bloodshot eyes making him look like a crazed beast. “If you want to get back at me, there has to be a limit!”
The pain in Lila’s shoulder had eased slightly by then. She glanced at him, her lips curling into a brief, scornful smile. “Get back at you? You’re not worth the effort.”
“The car’s here. Let’s go.” She tugged at Michael’s arm and turned to leave.
“Stop right there! Did I say you could go?” Dorian lunged forward, but Michael deftly blocked his path.
“Mr. Blake, everyone has their limits. Keep this up, and we won’t feel the need to tolerate you anymore.” Michael took a few steps backward, waiting until Dorian stopped in his tracks before turning and getting into the car.
As the vehicle started to move, Michael rolled down the window and resumed his
usual carefree attitude. “Oh, by the way, your acting sucks.”
The tone was as casual as if he were joking, yet it left Dorian seething, nearly choking on his anger. How could he lose to someone like that?
Dorian’s mood soured completely. He booked a flight back home on the spot. The moment he landed, he received news that Michael had secured the role from Rowan’s team.
His steps faltered. Both hands clenched into fists at his sides, veins bulging on the backs of his hands, knuckles white. His gaze turned ice-cold.
Not only had he failed to get the role, but all of the people, Michael had earned it.
Dorian cursed internally, “Lila, you have outdone yourself this time!”
Ryan dared not breathe too loudly as he followed Dorian back to the office, his nerves stretched taut.
The moment Dorian stepped inside, he kicked over a chair, the loud crash making Ryan jump back two steps in fright.
The company’s newly assigned agent, Julian Scott, hurried over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Dorian in a fit of rage, he hesitated before quietly asking Ryan, “Did he not get the role?”