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

Cole glanced at the latest news and reported to Kieran in the president's office, high up on the top floor of Morgan Group Headquarters. "Madam did visit the hospital that day, but according to the surveillance footage, she only stayed for about 20 minutes."

Kieran remained silent, his eyes lowered in contemplation. Cole paused as it hit him that the timing matched when the earthquake hit Portmere. Was the president feeling jealous?

After a brief hesitation, he cautiously added, "Mr. Morgan, I'm sure Madam has her own reasons. she believed that you'd be alright. I'll be blunt-if something had really happened to you, honestly, she might've followed you to the end. I—"

Before he could finish, Kieran's sharp gaze snapped up. "Are you that free?"

Cole instantly straightened up. "No, no! I've got plenty of work to do. I'll get on it!"

Without wasting a second, he bolted from the office, muttering inwardly, "The president is obviously head over heels for his wife. He won't even let anyone badmouth her. So, why did he look into all this? They're married, so what's the worst that could happen—a divorce? If he doesn't like Matthew, he could just send him off somewhere else. Matthew's his artist, after all."

Kieran sat for a bit, then grabbed his coat and left. "Love truly makes fools of us all," he brooded.

Meanwhile, Lila and Amelia were sitting side by side, with Xyla sitting across from them at the café.

"I need a small favor from you two. Honestly, I don't know why, but Vince is always so cold to me. I've known him for quite a while, and I know you're part of his circle. So, could you help me out? Maybe give me some tips to win him over."

The moment she mentioned "help", Lila had a feeling it was about Vince—after all, they weren't exactly friends. But she hadn't expected Xyla to straight-up ask how to win him over.

While she thought about how to respond, Amelia chuckled. "Ms. Zimmerman, I'm afraid we can't help you with that. We're not exactly close with Vince either."

"Really? You've known him for so long. How are you not close?" Xyla blinked, genuinely surprised. Deep down, she wondered if they just didn't want to help her, but she bit her tongue.

It wouldn't be polite to accuse them of withholding information—especially when she was the one asking for a favor.

Noticing her disappointment, Amelia swirled her spoon in her coffee. "You could ask his sister. Jamie knows him better than anyone else."

"Jamie? She's always so busy. Besides, Vince dotes on her. If I bother her and she complains, he'll probably dislike me even more."

A brief silence fell over the table before Xyla managed a weak smile. "Forget it. I'll figure something out. sorry for bothering you two. I'll pick out some outfits from my boutique and send them to you as thanks."

Lila smiled politely. "That's really not necessary. We didn't actually help you with anything."

She then stole a quick glance atnoveldrama

Amelia, who seemed a little distracted. After a beat, she said, "But I'm curious, Ms. Zimmerman

You've known Vince for quite

'œ

while has there been no progress at all?"

Xyla pondered for a moment before answering truthfully, "Well, not

exactly. He's taken me out for dinner, to the movies, fireworks shows and even shopping. We're familiar enough on paper. But when we're together, there's still this wall between us."

Her frustration was evident. Lila offered a polite, comforting nod. "Maybe he's just the reserved type. Quiet people can come off a bit distant.

"Since we can't really help you, we should get going," she said, nudging Amelia from her daze. "Let's hit the shops."

Xyla rested her chin on her hand, watching the two girls stroll off side by side. Once they were some distance away, Lila glanced sideways at Amelia. "Alright, spill. What's on your mind?"

Amelia looked up. "I was just thinking how I didn't even finish my coffee before you pulled me away. What a waste."

Lila didn't call her out and continued walking. When they passed by a flower shop, she stopped dead in her tracks. "I'm going to buy a bouquet."

"Let me guess, it's for Uncle Kieran, isn't it? Geez, you two have been married forever. I didn't know you were such a romantic."

Lila blushed a little from the teasing, but then she realized she hadn't actually gotten Kieran flowers before. "You're right, I should get him a bouquet," she said with a smile.

Amelia watched her pick out the flowers, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.