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

Kieran remained silent.

"Take a shower first." His voice was hoarse.

Lila stared at him motionlessly as if resisting his touch.

His voice was even more strained than before as he said, "After you finish the shower, I'll let you touch me. Okay?"

She lowered her eyes, a trace of a smile twinkling in her gaze. Her head was spinning now, and she had lost most of her rationality. Her actions were driven by pure instinct.

Just as she was about to enter the bathtub, he swiftly stopped her. He took off his coat and gently guided her.

"I'll step outside. You undress and shower for a while."

Lila frowned. "Aren't you joining me?"

Kieran was speechless. The bathroom fell silent momentarily before he spoke again, his voice low. "I'll get your clothes. You go ahead and shower."

She could barely understand what he was saying at this point. She just nodded, watching him leave the small, intimate space.

She obediently undressed and stepped into the tub. The water wasn't too hot, and gradually, she regained some clarity. She glanced at the red marks on her shoulder, her expression darkening.

Then, she scrubbed with the washcloth as if trying to scrub away the disgusting man's marks, turning her shoulder completely red. She wouldn't let those traces stay.

At the Locke residence, after the guests had left, the hall was left with only the Lockes. Pierre and Vivian knelt side by side, with several of their peers watching them mockingly.

Pierre's face was pale, his expression venomous, glaring coldly at the others.

"You think you can escape?" Before anyone could respond, Jay stormed up and slapped him across the face.

"You ungrateful brat! I've warned you to watch your actions, but you still dared to target Kieran! Do you know how much you've disgraced the Locke family? Now, the entire Locke family will be ruined because of you! Can't you live without a woman?"

Pierre sneered, "You have a lot of women, too."

"Enough!" Martin yelled sharply, his face dark with anger. His expression grew even darker when he remembered Kieran's words before he left.

"You two," he barked, striking Vivian with his cane. "Not only did you not stop him, you joined in his madness!"

Vivian let out a muffled grunt, lowering her gaze without saying a word, her face devoid of expression. She had long been used to such blatant favoritism.

Pierre narrowed his eyes. "It was my own idea. Vivian had no idea."

"You bastard! If you want to save yourself and the Locke family, go kneel outside Evergreen Heights. Wait until Kieran calms down, and then Iffcome back and deal with you properly!"

Martin's eyes burned with fury. He was enraged not just at his grandson's failure but at how Kieran, for the sake of a woman, had tarnished the Locke family's reputation.

"Do you think me going there will do the Locke family any good?"

"Do you have the right to refuse?" Martin's gaze turned cold. "Since it's your mess, you must fix it. I won't hesitate to find a new heir if you don't listen. As for Vivian shall bene Sent away with you."

Upon hearing this, the first person to panic wasn't Pierre but Jay.

"Dad, I won't discuss Vivian for now, but Pierre is your successor; he's the one you trained! Who else can take over the Locke family besides him?"noveldrama

Martin shot him a glare and turned back to Pierre. "Take this bastard to Evergreen Heights!"

"Grandpa," Vivian spoke up. "I'm willing to kneel on behalf of Pierre and beg for Mr. Morgan's forgiveness."

Pierre glanced at her, his eyes flickering momentarily, then stood up and walked

out.

"Stop being delusional. Do you think these pointless sacrifices will make me respect you more?" He sneered, his eyes flashing with danger.

Kieran had humiliated him today, and he would get his revenge. And that woman... He had been so close!

At Evergreen Heights, Lila woke up the following day, still dazed. She remembered being in the shower, so how did she end up backin beda She was confused, but she go dressed, freshened up, and went downstairs.

Kieran wasn't there and was likely out for his morning exercise.

When she looked out the window, she noticed the ground was wet, as if it had

rained the night before. But then, her gaze froze as she spotted someone kneeling outside the gate.