Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100 Blood and Smoke, and Her

“Seyva’s moving arms and product. They’ve got their eye on Avalen’s ports. They’re trying to smuggle in through Ardellia. Want us to keep eyes on it?”

Dorian’s face turned cold. “Yes. And report anything unusual. Seyva can’t handle a shipment that big on his own. Find out who he’s working with. Drugs and weapons don’t come into Ardellia. Period.”

Boey hesitated. “He’s also asking around about you. Trying to ID you.”

“Let him. All he knows is that I go by ‘Ray‘ down there. No name, no age, no face. If he’s got the skill to track me down, good for him.”

Boey understood the assignment but still added, “Boss, you were deep undercover for years. You made enemies. You were ruthless, they remember. Be careful. Lucien’s sharp, but those hitmen–those guys don’t care if they live or die. And don’t forget that fighter jet chip you snatched. Plenty of people want payback for that.”

Dorian grunted and hung up. He stood, lit a cigarette, and looked down at the long scar on his abdomen. Fingers brushed over it. His gaze turned icy.

No way they’d dare set foot in Ardellia. And even if they did, a little firepower didn’t scare him. He was born in gunfire. If they thought they could sneak arms and drugs through his turf, they were dreaming.

Smoke curled around his face as bloodstained memories clouded his mind… until Arden’s face broke through. Her clear eyes. Her softness.

The storm in his chest quieted.

What the hell. He could almost hear her whispering in that sweet sleepy yoice–babe.

“Say it again,” he murmured, flicking ash into the tray.

But the room was silent. Lucien had just finished getting half of Zevia’s designer boutiques to rush over dresses.

So when Arden, relaxing on the bed, heard the knock and opened the door, she wasn’t ready for what came

next.

Lucien stood there, smiling politely. “Mr. Vale asked you to choose something for tonight’s dinner.”

He clapped his hands. Immediately, a team of brand ambassadors in tailored suits rolled in racks of luxury

gowns.

Arden blinked. “I brought clothes.”

“Boss said to pick something you like. They’re all your size. If you prefer, we can come inside and lay them

out.”

The hallway was completely blocked, so she stepped aside. The stylists smiled warmly. “Mrs. Vale, take your

1. me. Try on whatever you’d like.”

as all dresses. Beautiful ones, luxurious and high–end. Arden randomly pointed to a black one.

18:23 Wed, Feb 4 MGG.

Chapter 100 Blood and Smoke, and Her

Finished

Lucien turned to the stylists. “Check if these designs are available at the Avalen branches. If they are, send them all to Silverbay Villa. I’ll message the address.”

The staff beamed. This commission alone could make their month. Lucien then turned to Arden. “Boss also wants to know–do you need a glam team?”

“No thanks. I’ll do my own makeup.”

He bowed slightly and left. Arden looked at the sleek black dress in her hands. What kind of dinner was this, that needed such a show?

Back in his room, Lucien had just closed the door when Dorian called. Lucien walked in to find his boss sprawled on the couch, legs apart, a cigarette in his mouth, brow furrowed.

“Boss?”

Dorian didn’t look up. “You think Arden hates me?”

“Uh, definitely. She used to look at you like you were her whole world. Now she’s moved out of the villa, won’t even share a room. Yeah, I’d say she’s over it. She blocked you on every app. That’s usually a good sign.”

Dorian took a long drag. “Why?”

Lucien rolled his eyes. His boss might be a genius with business, but clearly clueless about women.

“Maybe because you treat her like a ghost?” Lucien said carefully.

Dorian sat up, snuffed out his cigarette. “How so?”

Lucien didn’t hold back. “That night at Haflin Global, you brought Mira as your date. Then casually dropped half a billion on a necklace–for her.”

Dorian frowned. “That necklace was for Mira’s brother. Barry asked me to bid on it. Back in the day, he saved my life during a race–took a hit to the leg for me. I just wanted to repay the debt. Clean break. I don’t like owing people.”

Lucien exhaled, relieved. “Okay, but you never explained that. From where Mrs. Vale was sitting? You looked like the world’s richest simp. Big spender, buying jewels to win a woman. She was at that auction. Of course she misunderstood.”

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