L covered her eyes, hiding the sorrow deep within them.


    "L, stop being so stubborn," Dorian advised, narrowing his eyes as he caught sight of the mocking curve on her lips.


    "We both know it hasn''t been easy for us to get to where we are today. No matter the wrongs or rights in the past, can''t we let it go and start on a clean te?"


    "No!"


    L lowered her hand and looked at him coldly. For the first time, her temper red, causing her to snap at him.


    Though she appeared petite and delicate, with typically gentle features, at this moment, she was as cold and unyielding as frost.


    "Dorian, we were no longer the same as before the moment you started leaving me repeatedly for other women."


    The white overhead light entuated her slightly raised brows and eyes, intensifying her cold expression. She looked like snow strayed from a wintery realm-beautiful but cold yet impossible to approach.


    "It''s not that I didn''t soften or I didn''t give you chances. Look at what happened?


    "Dorian, you chose this path-for both of us. Now that we''ve ended up here, you''re telling me to let it go? To start over? Don''t you think that''sughable?"


    She stood tall andposed, her tone calm, but it carried a deep sense of


    sorrow.


    For a moment, Dorian couldn''t bring himself to meet her gaze. He looked away, his demeanor flustered. "I never did anything to hurt you," he muttered defensively.


    L''s cold gaze turned mocking.


    Dorian faltered, recalling the drunken night with Zara, a mistake that had haunted him. He quickly amended his statement.


    "At least not before we broke up. I never did anything to betray you before then."


    He thought L''s expression might soften at his words, but it didn''t.


    Her indifference remained, and she simply responded with a detached, "Mm."


    L wanted to tell him that what he said no longer mattered to her. Bo she


    d her eyes briefly, deept


    it wasn''t worth the effort.


    Her apathy made Dorian restless, the growing sense of powerlessness within him threatening to consume him.


    "L, stop being difficult. If you keep this up, it won''t do you any good."


    L took a deep breath, and when she looked up again, her expression was calm. "Are you done? If so, you can leave now."


    Her blunt dismissal further ignited Dorian''s frustration. Did she think


    that signing with Magi Pictures gave her the right to speak to himdike


    this?


    Before he couldsh out, she added, "Or would you rather I call security to escort


    you out?"


    "Ethan," she called toward the door.


    True to his word, Ethan had been waiting outside. Hearing her call, he


    immediately stepped in. "L."


    "Show Mr. ke out," she said firmly.


    Dorian''s gaze turned icy. He red at L and then at Ethan, his expression dark and stormy.


    "Fine!"


    He spat the word three times, his face a mask of fury. With onest re, he stormed out, his movements agitated and clumsy.


    He had given her multiple chances out of respect for their past, yet he couldn''t believe how she had treated him. Not only did she refuse his request, but she had the courage to speak to him in an arrogant manner. That was uncouth of her!


    He summarized internally, "Fine. Let her watch as I secure the role of Rowan in


    style. Then, she''ll know just how wrong she was!"