too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)

Lila had hoped this deal would help take some of the burden off Kieran, but her patience had its limits.

"You bitch! How dare you hit me?" Andy had never been humiliated like this before. Enraged, he raised a hand to strike back.

Michael moved quickly, stepping forward to shield Lila, but she had already sidestepped on her own. Without hesitation, she grabbed a nearby wine bottle and smashed it over Andy's head.noveldrama

A pained scream tore from his throat as the commotion drew the attention of the surrounding guests.

Michael and Faith both froze, staring at Lila in shock.

Was this the same gentle, easygoing woman they knew?

"You're dead!" Andy touched his forehead, fingers coming away slick with warm blood. His eyes burned red with rage.

Michael made a move to intervene, but Lila blocked him with an outstretched arm. "Stay back. You're a public figure. Don't get involved."

"Lila Hart, right?" Andy's temple throbbed, but his voice dripped with venom.

"Do you think you can do whatever the hell you want just because Kieran has your back? This is why women are idiots. Kieran needs the Moore family's cooperation, so what the hell do you count on?"

Maybe it was the pain clouding his judgment. Maybe he had just never seen women as a real threat. Either way, he let his guard down.

Lila had taken a hit herself, but she still managed to land a brutal kick right between his legs.

The once-arrogant Moore family heir immediately collapsed, clutching himself as a wretched howl ripped from his throat.

"You fucking bitch!"

Just then, the event coordinator rushed over, ready to explode-only to freeze in place. His mouth opened, but no words came out. His face turned red from sheer panic.

Two Moore family members, and the company president's wife.

There wasn't a single person here he could afford to offend.

Andy's face was deathly pale as he fixed his furious glare on Faith. "Are you just gonna stand there like a fucking corpse? You're siding with outsiders to humiliate me? Just wait until we get back to Luxford, you're gonna rot in the basement for this!"

His teeth clenched so hard his jaw trembled, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

Andy hadn't come alone. His second uncle, Harrison, was with him.

When the commotion broke out, Harrison had been deep in conversation with some of Northridge's most influential figures.

Hearing the noise, he hurried over.

The moment he saw Andy-half his face covered in blood, still curled up and clutching himself-his expression darkened. "What the hell happened?"

His gaze swept across the crowd before locking onto Faith.

"Faith, he's your brother. This is about the Moore family's reputation, and you just stood there watching while he got humiliated? Is this what all those years of Moore family upbringing taught you?"

Lila frowned, not expecting Harrison to start berating Faith without even asking what had happened. And to do it so publicly, without sparing her a shred of dignity?

Her face turned cold. She was about to speak when Michael tugged her sleeve and muttered, "Stay out of it."

But Andy wasn't about to let her fade into the background.

Propping himself up against Harrison, he spat out, "Uncle Harrison, she's the one who attacked me!"

Faith cast him an indifferent glance. Before Harrison could respond, she spoke first. "This is Mrs. Morgan. Lila."

Harrison stiffened. The reprimand died in his throat.

Andy might be stupid enough to spew nonsense about Kieran begging for the Moore family's cooperation, but he knew better.

For years, their family had tried everything to secure a deal with Morgan Group. This collaboration was something the entire Moore family took seriously.

Harrison shot Andy a sharp glare. If Andy's idiocy ruined it, he would be the one cleaning up the mess.

Andy, oblivious, whined, "Uncle Harrison, why are you looking at me? Hurry up and-"

"Shut up! Did you forget why you're even here? Look at yourself, shouting like a fool in public. Go get your injuries taken care of. Now."

His tone was harsh, leaving no room for argument.

Before leaving home, Andy had been specifically warned-if he wanted a shot at inheriting the family assets, he needed to lock in the Morgan Group deal flawlessly.

That thought made his expression twist even further.

He glared at Lila, eyes full of malice, but forced himself to swallow his anger. He could always deal with her later.

Andy turned to leave. But before he could take a step, Lila called out, "Wait."