Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103 Too Hot to Handle

28%!

Finished

They were all around Dorian’s age–young, rich, and way too comfortable with privilege.

From the suits they wore to the watches on their wrists, Arden could tell: these weren’t average guys. They were Zevia’s elite–heirs to old money, the kind who grew up in private jets and family–owned skyscrapers.

Zevia was one of Ardellia’s top–tier cities, and this group They practically ran it.

When Dorian opened the car door for her, and Arden stepped out, a few of the guys immediately started teasing.

“Well damn, Dorian brought a woman? Did the sky fall or something?”

“Gotta say, your taste’s on point. She’s hotter than any actress I’ve seen lately.”

“Don’t tell me Dorian finally caught feelings?”

“Bro’s pushing thirty and just now figuring out what a crush is?”

Ares raised an eyebrow and gave Dorian a look full of meaning. “First time you’ve ever brought a girl to one of our hangouts. You gonna introduce her or not?”

Just as Dorian opened his mouth, Arden beat him to it with a confident smile. “Nice to meet you all. I’m Mr. Vale’s assistant.”

She delivered it sharp and clean, her tone strictly professional–and with that one sentence, she drew a clear line between them.

The mood shifted fast. Dorian’s expression darkened on the spot.

He glanced at her, and for some reason, he suddenly wanted to hear her say something else- Maybe something like “He’s my husband,” or “We’re together.”

But no. Just assistant.

Ares caught the tension, lips quirking. “Yikes. That sounded like a line drawn in the sand, huh?”

Now that Arden had publicly declared herself “just the assistant,” the other guys perked up, game faces on. “Wait, seriously? Just an assistant?”

Dorian didn’t say a word. One of the guys leaned forward with a grin. “What’s your name?”

“Arden.”

Her smile was effortless. Sweet, but not naive. Her makeup was understated but perfect, bringing out her soft features and dimpled smile. Even her voice had that gentle, feminine lilt that made people lean in closer. “Pretty name. Arden, you got a boyfriend?”

Wherever she went, attention followed. Especially someone who looked like that.

And Dorian… looked like he was about to lose it. His eyes were dark, fixed on her like a storm waiting to break. And Arden? She kept smiling, acting like she didnt feel his gaze at all. “Not right now. Work’s been. keeping me too busy.”

Boom. Dorian’s hand flexed, veins pushing out against his skin. He ground out her name. “Arden.”

19:09 Thu, Feb 5 BNB.

Chapter 103 Too Hot to Handle

28%

Finished

She looked over, and the smile disappeared immediately. Just like that. Gone. He used to be the reason she smiled. Now he could barely get a glance.

“What is it, Mr. Vale?”

“You don’t have a boyfriend?”

Arden blinked, all innocent. “Nope.”

“Say that again.”

She didn’t even flinch. “I don’t have a boyfriend. What, is my boss keeping tabs on our love lives now?”

Dorian let out a humorless laugh. Then turned to the guys and said, flat and cold, “She does have a boyfriend. She’s taken. Very taken. So don’t bother.”

Everyone at the table got the memo. The famously cold, emotionally detached Dorian? Yeah. He was into her.

Nobody wanted to be the idiot who tried to compete with that. Arden looked over, slightly startled. What was with him today?

He met her eyes. She quickly looked away.

“Let’s go,” Dorian said.

As they walked, he asked, “You hungry?”

“A little.”

He turned toward Ares. “Let’s eat first. Business later.”

Ares glanced at Arden walking just behind him and smirked. “Sure. We’ll eat.”

He’d never seen Dorian act like this. It was… interesting. And entertaining. They were led upstairs into a private dining room buzzing with conversation. Most of the guys had brought women with them.

But the moment Dorian walked in, every female head turned. A few even subtly adjusted their dresses or smoothed their hair, trying to look more presentable.

The main seat was left empty. Obviously reserved for Dorian.

He walked in like he owned the place, straight to the head of the table.

Arden, however, stopped near the entrance. She clearly had no intention of following him to the front.

She reached for the back of a chair by the door. “Arden Dorian’s voice stopped her cold.

“I’ll just sit here.”

He looked at her, one hand resting on the back of his chair. “Sit next to me.”

His tone was low, steady–but made it very clear. She could sit herself, or he’d bring her over.

19:09 Thu, Feb 5 BNB.

Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce