Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

James chuckled darkly. "If your father had been as smart as you back then, he might still be alive."

"What's the point of dying for the Morgan Group? All these years, not a shred of truth has come to light. Isn't that pathetic?"

Lila's tone sharpened. "It's because my father and the Morgan Group understood that what they safeguarded wasn't just personal wealth, but the lifelines of countless people."

"When a company goes bankrupt, do you think only one person gets hurt? Many placed their entire livelihoods on the Morgan Group. My father didn't just fight for the Morgans. He had a sense of duty, something you'll never understand."

James scoffed. "Spare me the self-righteous speeches. What good is being dead?"

"The Morgans have treated you well over the years. Otherwise, do you think you'd still be alive?" Lila questioned.

"If it hadn't been for your father," he sneered, "I wouldn't have been cast out by Morgan Group. I wouldn't have been driven to desperate measures and killed them!"

Lila's heart turned cold. "A man as incompetent and heartless as you would have driven the Morgan Group to bankruptcy even if it had been handed to you."

"What's the point of provoking me?" James snapped.

"And what's the point of killing me?" Lila countered, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Let Ash go, or I'll scream for those officers. My parents are already dead. I have nothing to lose. I'm not afraid to die. But I'll make sure you die with me!"

The man went silent for a moment.

Then he barked, "Go!"

"I won't leave Lila behind!" Ash clung tightly to Lila's hand.

be good. I know Mr. Mapleford. He just needs my help with something. I'll be

that Ash couldn't tell if it

to you? Now go home. And ask Grandma

morning. This

face lit up, and he nodded. "Okay! But you have to

and Ash finally turned

she called

Ash broke into

"Why bother being so

more meaningful than the way you

no one left. Haven't you thought

clenched, but

in days, thoughts of him lingered.

way, her feelings

led her to an abandoned courtyard at the edge of the

when James abruptly pulled her back. But they only managed a few steps before they

immediately pulled out a knife and

their guns. "Surrender now, and we can consider letting

Morgan?" James demanded coldly, scanning the

Lila's neck nicked her skin, and a

Kieran hurried in. Dust covered his polished shoes, evidence