Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 284

Chapter 284 No Way Out

“And if I refuse the reassignment, Mr. Vale?”

Finished

Dorian leaned back, fingers tugging lazily at his collar. His eyes were patient–but predatory. “What do you think?”

“Are you going to fire me?”

Her eyes suddenly lit up, hopeful.

If he fired her, she’d get severance–maybe even a good chunk of it, depending on the terms. And better yet, she’d be free from that ridiculous three–year non–compete.

The spark in her eyes made his face tighten.

So she really couldn’t wait to leave Vale Group. To leave him.

‘Arden, you’re dreaming. Fire you? You were employee of the year. Outstanding performance. Why would I let you go?”

Her eyes dimmed.

Dorian continued, slow and deliberate. “Employee handbook. Section eleven. All staff must comply nanagement’s job assignments and internal transfers. Want me to read it out loud?”

He turned. “Lucien, bring the handbook. Flip to section eleven.”

Lucien glanced at Arden–tight–lipped and tense. Then at Dorian–calm, smug, completely in control.

t looked exactly like what it was: a shark circling a guppy. He clicked his tongue and walked off to get the >ook.

Meanwhile, Arden screamed inside her head. You bastard. Self–righteous piece of shit.

The more he pressed, the more she wanted to quit. ASAP.

Lucien returned and placed the handbook on the desk.

Dorian flipped to the second page, turned the book to face Arden, and tapped a finger on the paragraph.

Read it.”

Arden glanced down. There it was. In black and white. All employees must comply with internal job assignments.

Dorian saw her reading. He tapped the desk again. “Clear?”

‘Crystal.”

‘Any questions?”

Chapter 284 No Way Out

Finished

“No.”

“Good.”

“Then your new office is here. Lucien will give you a breakdown of your duties.”

“Now?” Arden blinked. She checked the time. Lunch hour.

“Now. Problem?”

“It’s lunchtime.”

“You’ll eat here.”

He turned to Lucien. “Order Arden lunch.”

“No need. I brought my own. I’ll eat downstairs.”

“There’s a microwave here. Bring it up. I’ll have someone heat it for you.”

Arden was speechless. “Mr. Vale, I’m an employee. Not your-”

“Go

get it.” He paused. “Want me to send Lucien instead?”

“No. I’ll go.”

Arden left, trudged downstairs, grabbed her lunch bag, and sighed. Everyone else was at lunch. She looked like she was heading to prison. Dorian was still seated when she returned, holding her plain lunchbox.

He looked up. “That face–do you always look this miserable at work?”

She forced a smile. “Is this better, Mr. Vale?”

He didn’t let it slide. “That smile’s faker than half the boardroom.”

Arden replied, “I’m going to heat up my food.”

He nodded,

When she came back, she saw a full spread already laid out on the small table near the window. Dorian sat at the head, looking every bit the king he acted like.

The curtains were drawn back. For once, the sky was clear. Golden sunlight streamed through the glass. casting a warm glow across his normally unreadable face.

Don’t fall for it. He’s the devil.

She glanced at the couch and headed that way, lunchbox in hand.

“Come here.”

Dorian had seen her walk in, head down, planning to eat alone.

313

5:26 pm P

Chapter 284 No Way Out

“Huh? I’m fine here.”

“I said come here. You don’t even have a table there. How are you going to eat?”

She didn’t move.

“Want me to come get you?” He actually started to stand,

She bolted upright. “I’m coming. You stay there.”

He sat back down. “When are you going to break that habit of making me repeat myself?”

“You could just stop talking.”

0:41

Finished

She sat across from him, opened her lunchbox. She didn’t glance at his fancy dishes. Not once. He eyed her tray–only one dish.

‘That’s all you brought?”

‘Yeah.”

‘Enough nutrition?”

‘I don’t eat much.”

Without a word, Dorian used the serving tongs to place some ribs and a drumstick onto Arden’s plate, the poured her a bowl of soup.

名