Dorian''s adoration and ttery from everyone around him reignited his confidence, and his frustration from L''s rejection dissipated.


    He initially thought that with his position and resources, she would regret her choices and return to him. But after several days without any sign of her, he decided to take the initiative, thinking she should see his sincerity—even amidst his busy schedule, he would still make time for her.


    Before acting on his n, he saw her at his own film set. At that moment, she was helping Teddy adjust the buttons on his costume.


    Dorian''s expression darkened instantly, his mood turning sour.


    "You need to fasten it this way. Didn''t the costume instructor teach you?" Her


    voice was soft, like that of a kind and patient older sister.


    Teddy''s eyes widened. "I''m done for. I''ve worn this costume several times already. When the show airs, will the audience mock me for being clueless?"


    Jamie, who was standing nearby, put down her script and teased, "If it were someone else, maybe. But you? Everyone will just think it''s normal."


    "Why?"


    Her tone grew more yful. "Because everyone knows you''re naturally clueless. It''s no surprise when you mess up!"


    He immediately turned to L toin. "Ms. Hart, did you hear that? She''s bullying me! Scold her for me make her cry!"


    L couldn''t help butugh. "What you were doing wasn''t exactly wrong, but this looks way better."


    Dorian''s face turned ck when he saw the closeness between them. He strode over and forcefully pulled her away. "L, what do you think you''re doing?"


    The sudden pull made her stumble a few steps before regaining her bnce.


    Jamie''s yful demeanor vanished, her face stern as she stepped between them. "What''s your problem this time?"


    He didn''t spare her a nce. His eyes were locked on L. "We need to talk. Alone."


    "There''s nothing for us to talk about," L said coldly.


    "Fine. We''ll talk here if you''re not afraid of causing a scene," he sneered, his gaze sweeping disdainfully over Teddy. "Are you out of your mind? How could you settle for trash like this?"


    "Dorian!" she warned sharply. Seeing her rare disy of anger fueled his rage. Was she scolding him for someone he could crush with ease?


    He let out a bitterugh. "What can you gain from being with him? All your years of hard work, and this is how you throw it away? Look at yourself: how far have you fallen since you left me?"


    He stared at her icy expression, his brows furrowed further. "Everyone in the industry knows we were together for years. Will anyone still want to work with you if we have aplete fallout?


    "You''re already without support. What happens when you''re out of work? Who would even marry you then?"


    He pointed at Teddy, scoffing. "Are you expecting someone like him, who can''t even afford a house, can''t pay for a maternity center if you get pregnant, and can''t manage ten thousand a month for expenses to marry you? What''s the point of staying with him?"


    L''s expression turned utterly cold. Her gaze was sharp, like a de concealed beneath the frost.


    "Are you done?" she asked, her voice calm but biting. "What does my life or death have to do with you, Mr. ke? What right do you have to interfere? You keep saying there''s no benefit in staying with them.


    "Well then, tell me what can you offer me? Watching you flirt with other women every day? Showering them with tenderness and affection?"


    Her voice wasn''t loud or aggressive, but the indifference in her expression, plus the faint chill in her demeanor, were enough to irk Dorian.


    His prideful eyes narrowed. "Haven''t you noticed? I just won an international


    award. Big productions and endorsements are flooding in.


    "What could you possibly want that I can''t give you? And yet, you''re still causing a scene with me. What leverage do you even have?"


    Her reaction almost made herugh. The way she looked at him was full of disbelief, as if the situation was absurd. L was the one who had chosen that arthouse film for Dorian.


    At the time, he had dismissed it as a small-scale arthouse film and didn''t want to take the role. She had to persuade him tirelessly, exining that while his fame was sufficient, he needed work to showcase his acting skills and win more awards, proving his talent to the world.


    She reminded him not to settle for just a single Best Actor title. Eventually, he agreed, though reluctantly, having been worn down by her persistence.


    Although the film didn''t perform well after its releasepared to his previous works, its box office earnings were respectable for an arthouse film. Still, heined afterward that taking the role had dragged down his average box office numbers. Now that the award was in his hand, it was suddenly all thanks to him?


    Dorian had never seen L look at him with such piercing sharpness. Her gaze seemed to see straight through him.


    Still, he didn''t lose hisposure entirely and softened his tone slightly. "L, let''s make up. Let''s get married. If you want to be a top director, I''ll assemble the best team for you."