Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224 Not Your League, Sweetheart

Arden smiled at Celine. “Go get ready. Aren’t you nervous? Half the city’s here tonight.”

She glanced at Lacey, who had just reached Dorian, then turned away and walked off.

Lacey approached Dorian and softly called out, “Mr. Vale.”

Finished

Dorian lifted his head briefly, saw who it was, then looked up toward the second floor–just in time to see Arden’s back as she turned the corner.

A cigarette hung loosely at the corner of his mouth. His collar was open, two buttons undone. He was flipping his lighter lazily, the flame flashing and vanishing in his fingers. He shot Lacey a cold sideways glance but didn’t say a word.

That one look alone sent a chill down Lacey’s spine. Her grip on the wine glass trembled.

Dorian was seated in a relaxed sprawl, surrounded by his usual circle–Ares, Cassian, Theo, Damon. Caleb had just arrived. Cassian poured him a drink.

As Lacey walked over with her wine, Cassian noticed and clicked his tongue. “Hey, Caleb, doesn’t that one look a little like Arden?”

Caleb let out a low, unimpressed laugh and glanced at Lacey. “She doesn’t come close. Doesn’t even share the same league. Not even the same planet.”

Cassian smirked, clearly amused. “So what’s her deal with Dorian? They know each other?”

Caleb shrugged. “Who knows. Doesn’t matter. My sister’s divorcing him anyway. He can chase whoever he

wants.”

Dorian didn’t say a word. He didn’t look at Lacey. He kept flipping the lighter in his fingers like she wasn’t even standing there.

Then, without warning, he stood up and casually switched seats with Ares, placing Ares between himself and Lacey, without saying a word.

Lacey looked slightly thrown, but tried again. “Mr. Vale, I wanted to talk to you.”

Theo let out a short, mocking laugh. “What’s there to talk about? Confessing your love? Save it. He’s not into girls like you.”

He could joke around with Dorian all day, but when random women came snifling around, he had no problem shutting it down.

Lacey opened her mouth again, but this time, a sharp female voice rang out behind her.

“Lacey,” Alice said coldly, “put a lid on it. You see a guy from a powerful family and your first move is to chase after him. Didn’t the last time embarrass you enough?”

The moment Alice spoke, Caleb looked up. He remembered her clearly from the last event–classic features, elegant posture, not the type to fake anything. Someone who made a lasting impression.

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Chapter 224 Not Your League, Sweetheart

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Finished

He found himself watching her a little longer than necessary.

Alice didn’t notice. Her eyes were locked on Lacey.

Lacey turned around and forced a smile. “I’m just saying hi, Alice.”

Then she turned back toward Dorian, clinging to hope, looking at him like he might come to her rescue.

But he didn’t even glance her way.

Alice stepped forward. “He’s clearly ignoring you. Do you not get it?”

She really didn’t bother hiding her disgust. Lacey was always begging her dad to let her tag along to events like this. Every time, Alice was told to keep an eye on her–and every time, she ended up causing trouble.

And honestly? Alice’s mom hated Lacey’s mom with a passion. As far as Alice was concerned, that made Lacey her problem.

Still smiling, Lacey said stubbornly, “He wouldn’t ignore me. He just wouldn’t.”

Alice gave a soft, cold laugh. “What? You think you’re going to land a guy like Dorian with some cheap trick? Please. You’re just trying to climb your way in.”

“Don’t accuse me, Alice.”

“You know exactly what you’re doing.”

Alice didn’t care that half the room was watching now. She raised her voice just slightly, just enough to sting. “Tonight’s for Celine. The Vales are hosting, and you better not screw it up with one of your little

stunts.”

The last time something happened involving Arden at a Sinclair family event, Dorian had ordered Ares to keep it quiet. Outside of their tight circle, no one knew the details.

Alice wasn’t in on it either.

Lacey’s expression soured. She clearly didn’t appreciate being called out like this in front of so many people. Still, she tried to save face.

“I would never ruin an event like this. I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Vale,” she said sweetly,

She turned back to Dorian. “Mr. Vale, can you say something?”

Her voice was soft. Her eyes were full of hope. She looked like she’d taken a bet on this one last play.

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