The question momentarily took aback Dorian. His brow furrowed in frustration. "Stop being unreasonable. You've changed just because of a broken bead necklace."

Lila closed her eyes. She clenched her hands and then loosened them repeatedly until she felt exhausted. 

He rubbed his temples, feeling utterly drained. "Why can't you accept Zara? Why can't you learn from her kindness and generosity? 

"She has always respected you; even when we argue, she defends you first and analyzes things from your perspective.

"What exactly do you find so objectionable about her?" His last question was almost like a growl, revealing his dwindling patience.

She looked up at him. "If she's so great, you should immediately cut ties with me and pursue her. You two are childhood friends, a perfect match."

She scoffed. "You think about her while entangling yourself with me? You're just a shameless jerk—a to

Camille set down the yarn she was holding. "Your student wanted to invite you back to make another movie. Weren't you quite interested in that?"

She adjusted her shawl. Time had been kind to her; despite her graying hair, her eyes radiated warmth and kindness, reflecting deep love and tranquility. Yet, a hint of unhealed pain and regret lingered in her gaze.

"Weren't you worried I'd be too tired?" Taylor raised his eyebrows playfully, like a mischievous old man. 

Why was she still acting on impulse? "That was when I was afraid you'd be worn out."

"Why aren't you worried about that now?" He pouted. His round figure made him look comically harmless.

"Stop changing the subject," she replied sternly, giving him a warning look. "I'm not saying you should take the role, but rather that you could help a bit."

Then, she smiled sweetly. "I think you could advocate for that role; it would be

Dorian cast a cold glance at Darcy, and his annoyance was evident. "What are you making a fuss about? What's going on?"

After the initial shock of his harsh tone, she felt unjustly treated. "You just had a fight with Lila, and now Ms. Parker won't teach me anymore. You know I'm about to graduate, and without her guidance, I might not have any chance of getting into the Northridge Opera House!"

Alex Parker was a renowned figure in stage acting, having revitalized the nearly defunct Northridge Opera House during her long career. Although retired, the opera house couldn't bear to let her go and had rehired her.

Although Dorian wasn't particularly fond of Darcy, she was one of the few remaining family ties, and he cared about her situation.

Lila, understanding his struggles, had been helping to ease this burden. Despite not liking the bossy and spoiled Darcy, she had never neglected her.

When Darcy refused to live on campus, Lila arranged for her to rent the best apartment nearby. When she needed help with her skills, Lila hired the best etiquette teacher and even used connections from the Morgan family to bring in Alex, who hadn't taken on students in years.

In a way, Darcy had inherited Alex's guidance. As long as her skills were up to par, the opera house would reluctantly accept her, especially because of Alex's reputation. Now, with graduation approaching and the opera house's assessments looming, Darcy was devastated to hear that Alex would no longer teach her.

Feeling indignant, she had come to complain to Dorian that morning, unexpectedly running into the source of her grievances. She pointed an accusatory finger at Lila and sneered. "You think you can use my future to force Dorian to apologize and win you back?

"Didn't you have the guts to break up first? What are you trying to play at now?"

Dorian's gaze turned even colder. "This is between us; why drag Darcy into it?"

Lila regarded them silently for a moment before laughing softly. She lowered her eyes, then raised them to meet Dorian's. Despite the early summer heat, her expression was icy enough to send a chill through him. In that instant, he felt as if he had lost something significant.

But before he could dwell on it, Lila said calmly, "I'm not aware of the situation with Ms. Parker."

"You're lying! How could you not know? She's the one you hired, and now that you and Dorian have broken up, she's stopped teaching me. Who else could be behind this?" Darcy was growing frantic.

"You're really calculating and malicious, aren't you? Dorian, don't consider reconciling with her! Look at her true colors!" Darcy shouted.

"Darcy Blake!"

This was the first time Lila addressed Darcy by name. Her tone was sharp, which frightened Darcy a little.

"You—"

With unwavering intensity, Lila replied, "I had nothing to do with Alex's decision not to teach you. Even if I did, what can you do?"

"See? She admits it! It was her all along!" Darcy smirked disdainfully. "Do you think Dorian won't be able to bring Ms. Parker back just because you made her leave?"

Lila ignored her, focusing on Dorian instead. "Do you remember what you said the day you confessed your feelings? You said you only loved me and trusted me, right? What about now?"

Darcy scoffed. "Someone like you doesn't deserve Dorian's affection."

Dorian looked deeply into her eyes. "What I said that day still stands; I've never considered breaking that promise. You hold a special place in my heart that no one can replace. But your recent actions have been so disappointing.

"Regardless, I'm willing to give you a chance. Bring Ms. Parker back so she can continue teaching Darcy. This is about her future, not a bargaining chip to manipulate me."

Lila let out a short laugh, finding the situation utterly absurd. How could he still say he held her in his heart after all this?

"Dorian, you can't keep seeing her! Don't you remember what I told you about the sandalwood bracelet?" Darcy was confused. Given the circumstances, why was he still considering being with Lila? "What do you expect Zara to do if you don't want to be with her?"

Lila lowered her gaze, unwilling to hear any more about this topic. She didn't want to say anything further, so she turned to leave.

"You can't leave!" Darcy grabbed her, unwilling to let go. "You owe me an explanation about Ms. Parker!"

Lila turned back. Her expression was calm, but her voice was icy. "Who do you think you are? Why would I owe you an explanation?"

Darcy felt a chill run down her spine, experiencing a sense of fear toward the once docile woman.

"You're just trying to save your skin now that Dorian is done with you, right? Not only do you want to ruin my chances at the Northridge Opera House, but you also want to drag his reputation down with you, right? How can you be so vile?"

Dorian furrowed his brows at this accusation. "Lila, when will you stop this? Are you trying to stir trouble everywhere? First, it was at Mr. Foster's place, and now it's at the company. Is it your goal to make everyone uncomfortable?"

Lila's already cold gaze hardened further. "What? Do you want an explanation from me as well?" She let out a bitter laugh. "You think you can ask me for an explanation? Shouldn't you be asking yourselves what you did that was immoral and shameful?"

Before she could finish, Dorian slapped her. He was unable to tolerate her unreasonable behavior any longer. 

The once fair skin on her face instantly bore the mark of his hand, swelling in response. Pain radiated from her cheek, and tears of frustration welled in her eyes.

She let out a mocking laugh and raised her gaze. Her cold gaze sent chills through anyone who dared to meet her eyes.

Dorian's palm felt numb, and he clenched his fists to steady his trembling fingers. The moment he struck, he regretted it. But it was too late.

Darcy was equally stunned. "Dorian..."

She didn't expect him to hit Lila.

It wasn't his fault; she pushed it too far! If this led to a complete fallout, his relationship with Zara could finally be established on solid ground. 

There was no need for her to meddle since Lila was digging her own grave!

After collecting himself, Dorian spoke, "Lila, feel free to cause trouble as much as you want, but don't drag Zara into this. I have nothing but a pure relationship with her, and to say otherwise is—"

He hadn't finished speaking when she raised her hand and returned the slap.

"Lila, are you insane? How dare you hit Dorian?" Darcy shrieked, fuming with rage.

Lila seized her collar and forcefully shoved her onto the sofa. "Make a sound again, and you'll be next!"

Stunned by the sudden force, Darcy had to suppress her urge to yell. When she glanced at Dorian's cold gaze, she immediately fell silent.

He looked at Lila as he rubbed his face. "You didn't lose out; that should have relieved some of your anger, right?"

She smiled faintly. "Drag Zara into this? Did I ever mention her at all? Why are you so worked up? Or do you think your relationship is already tainted, so you're eager to prove your innocence?"

The question momentarily took aback Dorian. His brow furrowed in frustration. "Stop being unreasonable. You've changed just because of a broken bead necklace."

Lila closed her eyes. She clenched her hands and then loosened them repeatedly until she felt exhausted. 

He rubbed his temples, feeling utterly drained. "Why can't you accept Zara? Why can't you learn from her kindness and generosity? 

"She has always respected you; even when we argue, she defends you first and analyzes things from your perspective.

"What exactly do you find so objectionable about her?" His last question was almost like a growl, revealing his dwindling patience.

She looked up at him. "If she's so great, you should immediately cut ties with me and pursue her. You two are childhood friends, a perfect match."

She scoffed. "You think about her while entangling yourself with me? You're just a shameless jerk—a total waste of time!"

"What did you say?" He had never heard Lila curse before and thought he was hal

Chapter 12