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

Lila looked at him silently. Tomorrow was Moore Group's shareholder meeting, and if Kieran stepped in now, everything Faith had worked for would likely go up in smoke.

"What, is your life worth less than our family's business?" Andy sneered, his gaze both teasing and cruel.

All of a sudden, he shoved Lila to the edge of the fourth floor. "I'll ask you one more time. Are you going to make that call or not?"

The wind howled past, whipping her already disheveled hair into further chaos. she stole a quick glance at the overgrown greenery below and took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll make the call."

"I believe you know exactly what to say-and what not to say," he said, dialing the number before shoving the phone into her hands.

The call rang a few times, but no one picked up. Lila silently prayed it would stay that way. She turned to the two men beside her. "Kieran doesn't usually answer unknown numbers. You should try Mr. Mason instead."

Andy shot her a look but didn't end the call. In the end, no one answered. Lila exhaled, relieved.

"What's Cole's number?"

Lila shook her head. "I don't know. I only have it saved on my phone."

He grabbed her chin in a tight grip. "Are you messing with me? Where's your phone? Call him now!"

Lila struggled and answered, "You knocked me out and dragged me here. My phone's still in the car. Ms. Moore or Mr. Moore should know it. Ask them."

Andy frowned, studying her for a moment before reluctantly pulling out his own phone to make a call.

Lila turned to the burly man beside her. "How much is Andy paying you? Has he actually given you the money yet? Do you really think he plans on letting me walk away from this alive? When I end up dead, who do you think the cops will come after?

"He'll pin it all on you, and you'll get arrested while he gets away without paying you a single cent!"

The man narrowed his eyes, as if weighing the truth in her words.noveldrama

Sensing his hesitation, Lila added, "I know you only kidnapped me because he talked you into it. You don't have anything against me personally. I just want to live. Let me go, and I'll pay you whatever you want."

Even though she rushed her words out, Andy had already finished his call. He returned just in time to hear her last words. His face twisted with anger, and he slapped her hard across the face.

"You think you can turn my own people against me? You'll regret this!"

He had never liked Lila to begin with, so he didn't hold back. A bright red handprint bloomed across her pale skin almost in an instant.

Lila turned back to the burly man. She noticed something shift in his gaze before

he suddenly reached for Andy's phone. "You promised me 500 grand. Transfer it now, and I'll keep working for you."

Andy, who was just about to call Cole, instantly lost his temper. "You'd rather believe this woman than me?"

"Mr. Moore, if you're worried I'll take the money and run, then pay me a deposit first. I won't ask for much-just 200 grand upfront."

Andy's expression tightened when he heard that. It wasn't that he didn't want to pay it was that he literally couldn't. All his accounts had been frozen Forget 200 grand, he didn't even have 20 thousand dollars at his disposal.

Dennis already had it out for him, and if Faith managed to take control of Moore Group, he was completely screwed. Thinking back to how he had treated her before, he realized just how desperate his situation had become. If things weren't this bad, he wouldn't have resorted to kidnapping.

Noticing that Andy had no intention of transferring the money, the burly man's expression darkened. "Mr. Moore, you do realize I'm risking my life for you right now."

Initially, he had assumed Lila was just trying to save herself by sowing discord. But seeing Andy's reaction, now he wasn't so sure. Maybe she was right. Maybe Andy had no intention of paying him at all.

"Once I have control of Moore Group, do you really think I'd care about 500 grand? Don't let her get in your head. Stick to the plan, and I'll give you another 200 grand on top of it."

After hearing that, the muscular man hesitated yet again. After thinking it over, he said, "Alright. I'll trust you

just this once." After all, he was strong. If Andy tried to pull anything, he could always take care of him first.

Andy noticed the look in his eyes and frowned. But ultimately, he didn't say a thing.