Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 12

thing Wave Deal Until Divorce

Chapter 12 Lipstick Stains and White Lies

Dorian glanced at Caleb and raised an eyebrow.

FIFA

They had grown up together and used to be close. But after Dorian married Arden and his scandals multiplied, Caleb naturally took his sister’s side and stopped engaging with him.

That look almost felt intentional.

The two of them fell behind the others. Caleb asked quietly, “Arden, does he treat you badly?”

“He’s fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Didn’t he come to see Dad and Mom?”

As she said it, Arden kept her head down. She couldn’t meet Caleb’s eyes. He always knew when she lied.

“But there’s lipstick on his shirt.”

Arden smiled faintly. “With his looks and status, what woman wouldn’t want him? Besides, our marriage isn’t public. Do you really think he’s someone anyone can control?”

Caleb knew exactly what kind of man Dorian was. He was cold, detached and heartless. He sighed. “In the end, it’s our family that wronged you.”

Arden grabbed his hand. “Plenty of people want to marry him. I signed the papers and got five billion out of it. That’s not so bad, Caleb.”

The more understanding she was, the guiltier he felt. He silently vowed to rebuild the company and pay the money back.

If she truly wasn’t happy, the marriage could end.

Inside, Dorian and Gareth were discussing business.

“Stay for dinner tonight,” Gareth said.

“Alright.”

Arden came in, and Gareth motioned for her to sit next to Dorian. Dorian spoke easily. Arden listened quietly. Just as dinner was set, Dorian’s phone rang.

Arden looked over. She could vaguely hear a woman’s voice.

“Which hospital?” Dorian asked.

He stood up.

After getting the address, he hung up and turned to Gareth, Elise, and Caleb. “Sorry. There’s an urgent issue at the company.”

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Chapter 12 Cipstick Stains and White Lies

Fosford

Gareth and Elise exchanged a glance and looked at Arden. She showed no expression. If you’re busy, you

can go

Dorian grabbed his jacket and left. Caleb frowned at his back. “Is he always like this at home?”

Elise held Arden’s hand. “Be honest with me. Does he have other women?”

“He’s powerful and untouchable. Of course there are women. He hates being controlled. He didn’t even want to marry me. I don’t know what he does outside.”

Gareth sighed. “This is on me. I shouldn’t have pushed you into this.”

“I married him because I wanted to,” Arden said with a smile.

Caleb watched her quietly. She hugged Elise. Elise patted her back gently. “Eugenia and Theresa really care about you. And no matter what, every woman in Avalen wants to marry him. Since you’re married, try to make it work. But if he ever hurts you, whatever you decide, I will support you.”

Gareth nodded. “If you don’t want to stay with the Vales anymore, you still have us. We’ll pay the money back. As long as you’re happy.”

Arden knew the state of the Wynn Group. The project scandal hadn’t been resolved. The company was still struggling.

She couldn’t let everything her father built disappear.

Two more years. She could endure that. Life wasn’t only about love. If you didn’t care, it couldn’t hurt. Still, she was grateful she had family to catch her if she fell.

I’m doing fine,” she said softly.

She stayed until ten. When night fully fell and Dorian still hadn’t come, Gareth told the driver to take her home.

Back at Silverbay Villa, Dorian wasn’t there.

Martha came over. “Would you like something to eat?”

Arden glanced upstairs. “Has he come back?”

“Wasn’t he with you at the Wynn house?”

“Yes. Martha, please clean up the guest room on the second floor.”

Martha froze. “The guest room? Why?”

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