Chapter 43
Lila helped Jamie and Teddy finish distributing the drinks and reminded them, “I’ll be taking a break tomorrow and going back to the city to pick up some clothes. If anything comes up, just call me.”
The two nodded obediently.
Lila and Dorian left in order, but the timing was staggered enough that they didn’t encounter each other.
Dorian’s friend happened to call him out for drinks. He had been feeling restless recently, so he accepted and drove straight to the club where they were.
Still dressed in a suit, with his hands shoved in his pockets and a displeased expression, he exuded an air of arrogance.
The people in the private room had already started having fun before he arrived, and upon seeing him, they were startled.
They stopped their antics and asked, “Dorian, what’s going on?”
Terry Jones was his high school friend and one of the witnesses to his relationship with Lila.
Putting together the recent trending topics, he bit his lip and quietly asked, “Did you and Lila have a fight?”
Having seen Dorian interact closely with Zara a few times in the past two years, he had warned him several times to be mindful of his boundaries.
Now, it was easy to guess. “Is it because of that bracelet at the award show?”
Dorian narrowed his eyes, accepting the drink and taking a large gulp. The alcohol trickled down his throat, burning his nerves.
“Since we’re here to have fun, let’s not bring up these annoying issues. Does Dorian really lack women?
“After all these years, staying chaste for that little girl is already giving her too much respect. Terry, you need to get your head straight!” the man joked, viewing women merely as playthings.
“If you want one, go for it; if not, just toss it aside” was probably his philosophy.
Terry frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense. Dorian and Lila’s situation is completely different.”
Dorian looked up at the man, clearly drained from drink and indulgence, swaying his body to the music.
Seeing his state, Terry had a nagging feeling that this argument was more serious than usual.
“What kind of situation are you talking about? Maybe I can help.”
Because of Dorian, he knew Lila a bit and could hold a conversation with her.
“She said she wants to break up.”
Terry was taken aback, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Over the years, no matter how much they fought, they had never reached the point of breaking up.
“I don’t know what’s the fuss over a stupid bracelet. The more you coddle her, the worse her temper gets.”
Dorian rubbed the bridge of his nose, wondering if Lila had taken in what he said that afternoon.
Why hadn’t she contacted him yet after all this time?
If she wanted to get back together, she should have removed him from her blocklist by now.
Dorian thought of this and sent her a message.
A red exclamation mark appeared in return.
A surge of frustration built up inside him, making him feel like he was about to explode.
Terry was surprised to see this. He hadn’t expected Lila, who usually seemed gentle and easygoing, to be so decisive about the breakup.
The man just now also noticed this and scoffed. “What’s the rush? Isn’t it typical for women to throw a tantrum like this?”
He draped an arm over Dorian’s shoulder. Although Dorian frowned, he didn’t shrug him off.
“Blocking you is just her way of wanting you to coax her back. I’ve seen too many women like that.
“Has she done anything she thinks will threaten you into submission? Does she intentionally appear in front of you or pretend to be close to other men? Or maybe she’s said something about getting married to someone else?”
He analyzed each point, and Dorian fell silent, realizing that every one of them hit the mark.
Seeing that he had guessed correctly, the man’s smile widened in triumph. “Dorian, did you try to coax her, but she’s just being stubborn?”
Dorian didn’t respond but didn’t deny it either.