Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 An Unwanted Guest

“We’re here,” Lucien said.

Arden stepped out of the car and followed the room number Dorian had given her. When she pushed the door open, the room was already full. Men and women crowded together, the atmosphere loud and lively.

A closer look showed that every woman was dressed to stand out, sexy and eye–catching, as if afraid to leave anything covered.

When she entered, the room quieted for a brief moment, all eyes turning toward her.

Arden looked up and immediately saw Dorian. He was impossible to miss.

Dressed in a black shirt and black pants, he sat there with his legs relaxed apart, a cigarette between his lips, looking effortlessly languid. Two buttons at his collar were undone, revealing the clean lines of his

chest.

He raised a hand toward her. “Come here.”

Isla also called out, “Arden, over here.”

Isla was seated next to Dorian. Perhaps his presence was too intimidating, because although the socialites kept glancing at him, no one dared approach. Both seats beside him had been left empty.

At his call, the women looked at Arden again. Curiosity, envy, and plenty of jealousy filled their gazes.

Arden walked over and sat in the seat between Isla and Dorian. Dorian turned his head to look at her.

Her makeup was light, but the orange skirt and earrings complemented her skin beautifully. There was a soft, almost innocent elegance about her that instantly overshadowed the heavily made–up women around them.

Dorian rested his arm along the back of the sofa behind her, the posture subtly enclosing her space, like a silent claim.

“Hungry?” He leaned forward, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and asked casually.

“No.”

Arden felt him sitting too close, his cool, clean scent invading her senses. She shifted slightly toward Isla without making it obvious. The movement did not escape Dorian’s notice.

Cassian had been watching Arden ever since she walked in. Seeing her sit beside Dorian and then subtly lean away, he was immediately tempted to tease his friend.

This must be Miss Wynn, right?”

Arden looked at the tall, casually dressed man. She nodded. “Hello.”

Cassian raised a brow. Young and pure. Exactly as rumored.

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Chapter 16 An Unwanted Guest

Dorian shot Cassian a look. Cassian laughed. “What, can’t even say hello to a pretty girl?”

Finished

Cassian genuinely could not understand why Dorian had brought his wife to this kind of gathering. Her presence felt almost too proper, like a well–raised girl dropped into the wrong room.

Cassian opened the group chat and typed.

Cassian asked, “You bring your wife but refuse to acknowledge her in public. What’s the plan?”

“Trying to push her into asking for a divorce?” Theo asked.

Another person chimed in. “Looks like it.”

“There’s food and there are women here,” Dorian replied coolly. “Isn’t that enough to shut you all up?”

Isla and Arden were just as confused about why Dorian had brought her.

They leaned in and whispered, “Arden, what is your husband thinking?”

Arden shook her head. “No idea.”

Isla glanced at the women eyeing Arden like predators and clicked her tongue. “Is he trying to force you into a divorce?”

“Maybe. I’ll ask him when we get back.”

There was no need for such trouble. Just then, the door opened again.

A woman stood outside. The moment she entered, her gaze locked onto Dorian, and she called out softly, “Dorian.”

Arden looked up and met Vivienne’s face. She froze for a second and then turned to look at Dorian.

His expression was unchanged, his features sharp, with a faint trace of danger.

She murmured, “Vivienne.”

“Seriously,” Isla muttered, elbowing Arden. “What is your husband thinking, inviting the woman from the rumor too? And calling him Dorian like that. Gross.”

Arden looked over calmly. “He’s probably trying to push me into a divorce.”

Vivienne wore an off–the–shoulder V–neck dress that hugged her curves. Her loose waves framed her face, making her look even more alluring than three years ago.

After calling his name, she walked straight over and forced her way into the space between Arden and

Dorian.

When she turned and saw Arden, she paused, then raised a brow. “Arden?”

Arden’s expression cooled. Her voice followed suit. “Vivienne.”

Arden’s gaze flicked briefly toward Vivienne’s stomach.

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Chapter 16 An Unwanted Guest

Finished

Vivienne caught it immediately. Perhaps she wanted to drag the moment back to three years ago and make Dorian hate Arden all over again.

She spoke suddenly, “Arden, why are you looking at my stomach? Wondering if my baby is still alive?”

Arden glanced at Dorian. He was looking over, a cigarette resting loosely at the corner of his mouth.

“I haven’t said a word,” Arden replied calmly. “How did you know I was going to ask about your child?”

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