"I'm all for it!" Teddy responded without hesitation, sitting up straight like an overexcited puppy.
But the next second, his enthusiasm waned, and he slouched, looking like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"I'd love to, but I can't just leave. The company signed us on three-year contracts. If I breach it, I'll have to pay a huge penalty, and I can't afford it."
That was what Lila wanted to clarify. "How much is the penalty?"
He pursed his lips. "Two million."
He remembered the number clearly. It was the closest he had ever been to that much money—not as earnings, but as a liability.
She nodded. "What about Jamie? Is it the same for her?"
"What are you two talking about? What about me?" Jamie joined them as soon as her scene wrapped.
Teddy explained, "We're discussing the penalty for breaching our contracts with Nexus Entertainment. Yours is probably two million, too, right?"
She shook her head indifferently. "Nope, three million."
"What?" He shot up from his seat. "We're both newcomers! Why are you worth more than me?"
While engrossed in their conversation, they failed to notice Dorian passing by with Oliver. Upon hearing them discuss penalty fees, he let out a mocking laugh.
The three turned to look at him, their expressions darkening instantly.
This time, Dorian didn't say anything. He gave Lila a cold glance, his silence signaling that she had gone too far this time and that he wouldn't show her any more leniency.
He knew she wouldn't easily abandon the two newcomers under her care, and he was confident she couldn't possibly come up with the exorbitant penalty fees.
He was forcing her to bow her head. A sneer played on his lips. This was just the beginning.
Jamie scowled and deliberately spoke loud enough for him to hear. "What's that jerk so smug about?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)