Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286 Everyone Sees It

“Mm.”

Lucien glanced past him. “And Arden?”

“She’s still sleeping. Don’t wake her. Make the coffee yourself.”

So that’s why he looks human again. He glanced at the couch. No Arden.

Automatically, his mind filled in the blanks. One bed. Private lounge.

He exhaled in relief. Maybe the boss had fixed things.

“Warren called earlier asking where Arden was.”

“Tell him Arden is covering for Ethan for one month. If Sienna needs help, assign someone else.”

“Understood.”

Dorian paused. “Who argued with Arden this morning?”

“Bonnie.”

He asked, “Who won?”

“Arden.”

Dorian raised a brow, mildly surprised.

Lucien thought, Well, with you backing her up, who wouldn’t lose.

“Is Arden being isolated in her department?”

“No. She gets along with most people. It’s just Bonnie.”

Finished

Dorian slid one hand into his pocket. “Keep an eye on Bonnie. If she causes trouble again, let her go.”

Lucien froze. “…Okay.”

Arden woke up at three in the afternoon. The room was still dim. For a second, she thought she was dreaming.

She grabbed her phone. 3:00 PM. She shot upright. “What? Three? Work started at one!”

Then she realized she was on a bed. Her heart skipped. She pulled open the curtains and looked around.

Dorian’s lounge. Her clothes were intact. The bed was empty.

She finally relaxed. She stepped into the office. No Dorian.

She straightened her clothes and walked out. In the conference room, Dorian sat at the head of the table.

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Finished

Chapter 286 Everyone Sees It

Executives in suits lined both sides. Lucien stood beside him.

They were in a meeting. Arden froze.

She had no idea what she was supposed to do.

Dorian glanced toward the office often. When he saw her standing there, half–awake and lost, his lips curved slightly.

He picked up his phone. Her phone buzzed.

Dorian texted, “There’s a document on the desk. Bring it in.”

She turned. The document was there.

She picked it up and walked into the conference room. The room fell silent instantly.

“Why’d you stop?” Dorian said calmly. “Continue.”

He gestured to the seat on his right. “Sit here.”

Arden looked at Lucien. Lucien always stood during meetings. How could she sit?

She placed the document in front of him. “Mr. Vale, the file.”

Then she moved to stand beside Lucien.

Dorian tapped the table. A director who’d been speaking stopped again. Everyone turned to Arden.

Arden felt her scalp tighten.

He looked at her. “Sit.”

Not wanting to become the center of attention, she gave in. “Yes, Mr. Vale.”

She pulled out the chair and sat down.

Lucien handed her a notebook. “Arden, take the minutes.”

“Okay.”

She opened the notebook and picked up the pen.

The faint scent of cedar and something colder lingered around Dorian. Assertive. Unavoidable.

Out of the corner of her eye were his long fingers resting casually on the table.

“Continue,” Dorian said.

He leaned back, relaxed, unbothered.

The board members exchanged looks.

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2:50 pm P PPP.

Chapter 286 Everyone Sees It

Finished

What is going on? The CEO who never lets women get close is sitting next to his female assistant–in the middle of a board meeting?

They all glanced at Lucien. Lucien stood there, expression neutral. The meeting continued.

The meeting ended close to the end of the workday.

Arden followed behind Dorian, notebook in hand. As soon as they exited the conference room, she started heading for the elevator.

Dorian called out, “Arden, where are you going?”

She blinked. “Huh? It’s almost 5:30. Workday’s over.”

“Come with me to Silverbay Villa.”

Arden looked at him like he was speaking another language. “It’s after hours, Mr. Vale. I’m going home.”

“Didn’t Lucien explain the full job description of a personal secretary?”

She shook her head. “Nope. What’s included?”

“I’m injured. You handle my bandages, apply medication, and cook my meals. And every morning, you pick out my outfits.”

She stared. “You have Lucien. And Martha’s at Silverbay, right? She’s known you since you were a kid, knows what you like, and she’s a better cook than I’ll ever be. What do you need me for?”

Every time Dorian laid down a condition, Arden fired back with a counter. She had zero intention of going anywhere with him.

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