Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 123

Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce

Finished

Chapter 123 Power Plays

“Vincent’s getting engaged. Pretty normal at his age, right?”

Arden said casually, “He’s the same age as you. So does that make you old too?”

That hit Dorian right in the pride. She was 21. He was 20 Five years apart.

No wonder when they were kids, and Caleb used to bring his sister along. Dorian always hated it. He remembered once going out with Caleb, and Arden insisted on tagging along. She must’ve just finished crying.

Dorian didn’t want a crybaby killing the mood, so he warned her, “Where we’re going? It’s not exactly safe for the soft–hearted.”

Sure enough, she burst into loud sobs.

Dorian had no patience back then. He slapped Caleb’s arm and said, “Take your sister home. I came to hang out with you, not babysit.”

He hadn’t thought about that in years, but now those childhood memories came flooding back. Dorian turned, voice low and lazy. He looked amused. “So, what you think I’m too old?”

“You’re older than me,” Arden said flatly.

“Five years.”

“Two years is already a generational gap. You and I? Two and a half.

Dorian blinked. “Great. I’ll be the mature one and let it go. Keep up.”

Arden followed him inside. When they were side by side again, Dorian said, “Vincent’s marrying into old money.”

“I figured. He’s in his twenties, settling down makes sense.”

Dorian looked at her. She was holding a folder to her chest, calm, unreadable.

“You’re not upset?”

“Why would I be?” she asked like it was the dumbest thing she’d heard all day.

Right. She really only saw Vincent as a friend. But Vincent? Definitely didn’t see her as a sister. They stepped. into the company lobby.

“I’ll have someone bring you warm milk,” Dorian said. “Stick close during the meeting, just listen. You don’t need to say a word.”

Arden nodded. She wasn’t about to pretend she had deal–making experience. She’d only shadowed Sienna once, and that was just to observe. They entered the conference room.

Arden sat beside Dorian, immediately pulled out her notepad and pen, sitting upright like a model intern.

Dorian, legs apart, lounged like a king. He glanced at Arden’s serious little posture and smirked.

He knocked his knuckle on the table. “Arden.”

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Chapter 129 Power Plays

“Hmm”

Finished

She was flipping pages in her notebook, pen in hand. He fingers were long and pale, nails painted a light pink. The black pen made her hands look even whiter.

You’re my assistant now, remember?”

“Oh.” Arden blinked, then stood. “Would you like a coffee. Mr. Vale?”

Good instincts.

Lucien, who had been about to ask someone else to handle it, backed off quietly. He was catching on. His boss didn’t like people touching his things–especially not when Arden was around to do it.

“Black. No sugar. And only if you make it.”

Arden stared at him for a beat. Dorian leaned into his palm, meeting her gaze. His eyes were dark but soft for once.

“Got it. Please wait a moment.”

She turned toward the door, just as another team walked in–Vincent and his assistant among them.

Vincent lit up when he saw her. “Hey, where you headed”

“Getting coffee for my boss,” she said with a polite smile.

A forsoward

the door, just as another team cent

Dorian’s face darkened. “Arden, are you seriously leaving me standing here while you chat with the competition?”

She glanced back at him, but he’d already switched back to his usual blank, aloof expression. Arden turned away and followed a staffer to the break room.

Vincent watched her disappear around

then walked in and took a seat across from Dorian.

Dorian didn’t acknowledge him. He picked up Arden’s pen and started spinning it between his fingers.

Finally, he looked up and said to the man in the suit, “Where’s your CEO? You invited me here for a business meeting and also brought Vincent along. Care to explain?”

The man in the suit started sweating. Their CEO had warned them–Dorian wasn’t someone they could afford to piss off.

He rushed to explain. “He’s finalizing the lunch reservation for today. It’s a big day with both companies interested in investing. He didn’t want to leave anything to chance.”

Dorian’s face didn’t change. “I see. So he’d rather risk this company going under than show up on time.”

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