Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116 The Photo That Set Him Off

63%

Finished

She hung up before he could say another word. When the elevator arrived, she walked straight to her room, swiped the key card, and started to shut the door.

Dorian placed a hand on the door to stop it from closing. Arden looked at him with zero expression. “I’m tired. I’m not in the mood to play games with you, Mr. Vale.”

The cold in her eyes struck him harder than any words could. “No more meeting up with Vincent.”

She slammed the door shut and locked it. Control freak.

Dorian stood outside for a second, staring at the closed door. Then he turned around and went back to his

own room.

He ate a rushed dinner, then opened his laptop to handle some work. There was a tech company he’d been eyeing for acquisition. Now that he was in Zevia, it was the perfect time to look into it.

He picked up his phone and texted Arden.

Dorian texted, “Tomorrow morning at 8, we’re visiting Intervia Technologies. Don’t oversleep.”

She was in the shower, so she didn’t reply right away. Half an hour later, she answered, “Okay”

That was it. No punctuation. No emotion.

Dorian stared at the chat thread. Not long ago, she’d called him “babe” in every message, sweet and

affectionate.

Now? Just “okay.”

He called Lucien in. Lucien entered the room already bracing for impact. “Boss?”

“Why is Vincent in Zevia?”

Lucien didn’t dare pause. “It’s Ares’s grandfather’s 70th birthday in two days. The Draven family from Eloria is invited. Vincent’s likely here for the celebration.”

The Sinclair family–Ares’s people–were big in the military. His father, grandfather, and even his uncle were all decorated officers. The birthday was a major event.

“Has Vincent had any involvement with military tech in Eloria?” Dorian narrowed his eyes. Last time, in Northmere, that same surname had shown up competing with him over fighter jet chip data. He didn’t buy that Vincent was just here for a party.

Lucien replied, “No, Eloria’s side is completely under our control.”

“Find out what companies he’s connected to overseas. Who he’s working with. And whether there’s any link to Sevra or Ellis. Vincent wouldn’t show up here without a reason.”

Lucien nodded and left. Dorian’s phone buzzed again. I was the group chat–the one with all the guys from

Avalen.

Cassian tagged everyone. “Check this out. Dorian’s girl and her childhood sweetheart out to dinner. Dorian’s nowhere in sight. Let’s gossip.”

11:37 Sat, Feb 7

Chapter 116 The Photo That Set Him Off

Finished

The photo was taken at Rivergaze Pavilion. You could see the city lights behind them. Vincent was in a white shirt, black trousers, leaning slightly toward Arden.

Arden was smiling sweetly, dimples showing, eyes crinkling as she held up a peace sign. Her skin looked flawless. The two of them together? Picture perfect.

Dorian opened the photo.

And instantly saw red. He zoomed in on Vincent’s face. Bastard.

White shirt? Trying to look clean and harmless? Trying to charm innocent girls?

Please.

He was just playing the gentleman act. And of course, Arden bought it. She was smiling like she’d just won the lottery.

The chat blew up.

“Tsk,” Theo said. “Told you Arden’s not into you, Dorian. Might be time to accept it.”

“Honestly?” Damon added. “Vincent’s kind of perfect. He and Arden? Total power couple vibe.”

Cassian chimed in, smug. “So, Dorian… thoughts?”

Dorian’s eyes darkened. He gripped his phone tighter. Dorian asked, “Where’d that photo come from?”

Cassian didn’t miss a beat. “Vincent posted it. A friend of mine has his Instagram. Saw the pic, sent it straight to me. I’m a good friend, right?”

“Come on, Dorian,” Theo said. “How’re you feeling right now? We’re dying to know.”

“Same here,” Damon added. “Spill it.”

Cassian tossed another grenade. “Don’t worry, that’s not even the only photo.”

Dorian felt a headache coming on. “There’s more? Why the hell didn’t you send them all at once?”

A beat of silence.

Dorian texted, “Send them to me privately. Why are you posting in the group?”

“Because I live for chaos,” Cassian replied. “I want to watch you squirm in real time.”

“Exactly,” Theo said. “We all want to see you finally lose control. Love, rage, jealousy–we want the full meltdown.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Damon jumped in. “Come on, Cassian. More photos. Preferably kissing. Let’s go.”

Dorian massaged his temples. “Whose side are you guys even on?”

Cassian replied, unfazed. “Don’t get mad, Dorian. There’s more…”

More?

Dorian’s jaw tightened. He clenched his fists. “Just send everything. Now.”

2/3

11:37 Sat, Feb 7

Chapter 116 The Photo That Set Him Off

Cassian texted, “Nope. A little pain at a time makes it memorable.”

Theo replied, “Is the next one a hug? A kiss? Come on, let’s see.”

120