L looked at him with a hint of pity. "Mr. ke, is it because you often use underhanded methods that you assume everyone else does the same?"


    The bright overhead lights fell on her face, her ck slit dress making her skin appear as white as snow.


    Dorian didn''t know when, but it seemed their positions had shifted-he was no longer the one in control.


    Despite her having nothing, she always managed to make him feel like the truly barren one. Just like at this moment, she gazed at him with pity, like a divine being looking down on a mortal struggling in vain.


    He furrowed his brows tightly. "No matter how much you deny it, you can''t change the fact that this g isn''t a ce for someone like you to be.


    "L, I don''t care what method you used, but after all this time, you should realize that the freedom you want isn''t easy to obtain. This industry is aplex one to navigate.


    "If you obediently return to my side and do what you''re told, I''ll give you your position as my agent again, and you won''t have to struggle anymore.


    "You may have managed to get into this event, but how much effort did you put in without me? You know the truth. As for me, I could have gotten in with a word. Clearly, there was an easier way for you to take, but you chose to endure all that humiliation. Do you enjoy self-torture?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, she couldn''t help butugh. But her beautiful eyes, which could see through people''s hearts, showed no trace of amusement.


    After a moment, she stoppedughing, her expression turning yful as she looked at him. "Mr. ke, don''t you find your words contradictory? Look at this g today. Who here isn''t someone of importance?"


    L''s long, slender fingers pointed toward the crowd, and Dorian followed her gaze.


    Men in suits and women in exquisite dresses-every single one of them was influential in one way or another in Northridge. But many people in the room were far less sessful than himself.


    Dorian remained silent, but his gaze already spoke volumes. What did that mean?


    L seemed to understand his thoughts, her eyes darkening. "Yes, many people here aren''t as good as you, but most of those who are better than you are so because of years of hard work. If you say that one day, when you reach their age, you won''t be any worse than them—"


    She nodded. "There''s a possibility. But does that mean there''s no one here that you can''t beat?"


    "For example," she said calmly. "Vince Lane."


    As soon as she finished her sentence, Dorian''s expression changed. Though they were the same age, Vince had already been in charge of the Lane Group business when Dorian had just started his career.


    It took him a moment to react, and the anger in his eyes was evident. He was clearly trying to hold it in, but his face still turned pale with fury.


    "He only got where he is because of his family. When did you be so materialistic?"


    L knew that his family background had always been a sore point for him. His parents had also been in business and had done quite well. If it hadn''t been for that car ident years ago, perhaps he would have been a wealthy heir by now.


    His family background might not matter as much if he were an ordinary person now. But as a superstar in this industry, background yed a huge role. When he had just debuted, he went around with various crews doing minor roles, and there were people with better backgrounds who would tell him that his lowly origin meant he would never be a famous celebrity. His background was set in stone, and no matter how hard he worked, he could never change the fact that he came from the slums.


    L knew about this, and at the time, she had fought one of the crew members. Later, Noah found out about it. Not long after, that person''s familypany was embroiled in a financial dispute, and the person disappeared from the industry. Dorian was quite pleased, saying that bad people would eventually be punished. But she thought momentarily, suspecting that this could have been Noah''s doing. Even if it were, it was because that person''s family had done something wrong, and no one could have caused such argepany to copse unless they deserved it.


    L slowly raised her eyes and nced at him, her gaze as cold as the first snow falling yet still beautiful enough to make it impossible to look away.