Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 114

She even called him Vincent. Of course she did. They were childhood friends, after all.

“Find out what Vincent’s doing in Zevia,” Dorian said through gritted teeth.

He arrives and immediately goes after Arden? The thought of it had his jaw tight enough to crack.

Lucien noticed his boss’s face dark again and didn’t dare ask questions. He hurried to make calls.

Finished

Dorian called Arden. She didn’t answer. He called again. Still nothing. Arden looked at the screen and put her phone on silent.

Vincent, up front, glanced at her. “Someone important?”

“Just a friend.”

Vincent, sitting beside him, raised an eyebrow. “Is it Dorian?”

“Yeah.”

Vincent’s fingers tightened briefly around the steering wheel. “He’s in Zevia too?”

“Mm–hmm. I came here with him. Temporary secretary”

At a red light, Vincent turned to look at her. Her eyes were calm, detached. Not the eyes of someone in love.

“You two had a fight?”

“No. Vincent, let’s not talk about him. What do you feel like eating? My treat.”

Vincent smiled. “Let’s go for steak.”

“Great.”

He chuckled. “Then I’m taking you to Rivergaze Pavilion, best spot in Zevia.”

Dorian had taken her there last night–the food was actually pretty good. Arden’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, sounds great.”

Vincent laughed softly and started the car. All throughout the ride, he kept her talking. Just like the brother next door he used to be. He remembered all her quirks.

When they sat down to eat, he was gentle, attentive, and warm. Once all the dishes had arrived, he looked at the soft–eyed girl beside him, the one who used to follow him around as a kid, and smiled. “Hey, mind if we take a picture?”

The table was lit with soft lights and a bouquet of red roses. Behind them, floor–to–ceiling glass windows framed the glittering night city skyline.

Arden smiled. “Not at all.”

Vincent moved to her side and asked the waiter to snap the photo. Afterward, he sent her the picture. It was still early. Outside the restaurant, a plaza stretched out with a carousel and small amusement rides nearby.

Vincent tilted his head. “Wanna ride the carousel?”

11:37 Sat, Feb /

Chapter 114 Vincent and the Merry–Go–Round

Finished

She used to love it as a kid.

Every chance she got, she’d pout and beg Caleb to take her to the amusement park.

When Caleb was busy, he’d ask someone else to take her

And yes, sometimes that “someone” was Dorian.

But Dorian, even as a teenager, had always been cocky and full of himself. He looked down on everything and everyone. To him, a little girl who cried easily and clung to people was just annoying.

So, he always said no. Which meant he missed more than a few chances to actually meet Arden.

Vincent, on the other hand, was patient and easygoing. Arden clung to him more anyway, and he never minded taking her. In fact, he kind of loved it.

She laughed. “Aren’t I a little old for that?”

Vincent smirked. “You’re still a kid to me. Come on, it’ll be fun. I’ll go get the tickets.”

While she waited, he stopped by a stand and bought a few lollipops–her favorite flavors. When he handed them to her, he said, “Figured you still like these.”

Her eyes lit up. She tore one open and popped it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out adorably.

“So sweet,” she said, grinning like a five–year–old.

Vincent went to pay while she waited. He spoke briefly with the carousel operator, who laughed and waved her over.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” she asked.

The operator smiled, “You still look like a teenager. Come on.”

Arden hopped on. Vincent stood nearby taking pictures as she rode. She was smiling so brightly, eyes curved like crescent moons. Who says merry–go–rounds are just for kids?

Later, he bought her favorite milk tea for the ride home. At the Intervia Hotel entrance, Vincent parked the car, got out, and opened the door for her.

“Thanks for tonight, Vincent. And hey–I said I’d pay. You totally snuck off and paid the bill.”

He was standing close. A gust of wind blew, scattering tiny blossoms in her hair. He reached to brush one off.

Right then, a black Hummer parked nearby turned its headlights on–blazing and deliberate.

Vincent squinted. Inside the SUV sat a man dressed in black, a cigarette clamped between his lips, gaze sharp enough to slice through steel.

That arrogant posture, that predator energy… He recognized him instantly. Dorian.

Just as Arden turned to look, Dorian stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut.

11:37 Sat, Feb 7✔

Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce