Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 29

hapter 29 Not the Rival She Imagined

Finished

Arden dialed Dorian’s number right in front of her. To Vivienne’s surprise, the call connected after just two

rings.

Arden put it on speaker. Dorian’s low, steady voice came through. “Where are you?”

There was an ease in his tone, familiar and unguarded.

Arden watched Vivienne’s expression darken by the second and replied, “Outside the office building.”

“Wait there,” he said. “I’ll take you to lunch.”

The invitation hit Vivienne like a slap. Why would Dorian invite Arden to lunch? Did he actually like her?

“I’ll pass,” Arden said calmly. “You already have a beautiful woman delivering lunch for you, packed in a huge lunch box too. Looks pretty elaborate. Enjoy your meal.”

She hung up and raised an eyebrow at Vivienne.

“I’m not interested in your rumors or whatever love story you think you have with Dorian,” Arden said evenly.

“And I don’t like him,” she continued, stepping closer, her tone sharp but controlled. “So you don’t need to treat me like some imaginary rival. With my looks, there are plenty of men lining up for me. I don’t need to ruin my own dating prospects over Dorian.”

She held Vivienne’s gaze. “Don’t waste your energy on me. And don’t think about trying to hurt me.”

With that, Arden turned and walked away in her heels, leaving Vivienne standing there, stunned.

What Arden did not know was that Vivienne had started recording the moment she spoke. Every word had been captured.

Watching Arden’s retreating figure, Vivienne smiled to herself. If Dorian heard this, he would probably be irritated.

A man as proud as him would not take kindly to being told he was unwanted.

Back in the office, Dorian stared at his phone, his expression dark. The front desk called at that moment.

Seeing that his boss had no intention of answering, Lucien picked up.

After hanging up, he glanced at Dorian. “Vivienne is downstairs at reception. Should I let her come up?”

“No,” Dorian said.

Lucien hesitated. “She brought you lunch.”

Dorian looked up sharply, his gaze cold enough to make Lucien’s scalp prickle.

Then Dorian asked, “Are you hungry?”

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Chapter 29 Not the Rival She Imagined

Finished

Lucien nodded. “It’s almost noon. Yeah.”

“Then eat it.” Dorian said flatly. “The lunch she brought. You eat it.”

Lucien froze. “That doesn’t seem appropriate. She brought it for you.”

“I said eat it,” Dorian repeated, clearly impatient. “And tell her I told you to, right in front of her.”

Lucien went silent.

Vivienne was blocked by the front desk and was already irritated. She took off her sunglasses and said sharply, “Dorian knows me. Why aren’t you letting me upstairs?”

The receptionist, a young woman, smiled politely. “I’m sorry,.Miss. Without Mr. Vale’s approval, I can’t let anyone through. He asked that you wait here.”

She even added politely, “Would you like some water?”

Vivienne had no patience. “Take a good look at who I am.”

The receptionist smiled again, unbothered. “I’m sorry, but regardless of who you are, I can’t let you go to the executive floor without permission.”

Vivienne said bluntly, “I’m Vivienne Ash.”

The receptionist blinked. “And?”

“I’ve been all over the news,” Vivienne said. “Dorian went to the hospital with me.”

“Oh,” the receptionist replied. “But without his approval, no one can go to his office.”

She had seen too many women try to get close to the CEO. If she let every one of them through, she would have lost her job long ago.

Vivienne was speechless. She had no choice but to wait until she saw Lucien coming down. Her eyes lit up. “Lucien, did Dorian send you to get me?”

Lucien cleared his throat. “Ms. Ash, Mr. Vale already had lunch. I haven’t eaten yet, so he asked me to come down and eat the lunch you brought.”

The air went awkwardly still.

Vivienne frowned. “That’s for Dorian.”

Lucien nodded. “He also asked me to correct how you address him. He said you’re not close, so you should call him Mr. Vale, same as everyone else.”

The receptionist could not help laughing softly.

Lucien did not press further. “Mr. Vale has meals arranged by his assistants. You don’t need to trouble yourself. If you don’t plan to eat it, feel free to throw it away.”

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Chapter 20 Not the Rival She imagined

With that, he turned and left.

“I want to see Dorian.” Vivienne said quickly, then corrected herself. “I mean, Mr. Vale.”

“He’s busy,” Lucien replied without stopping.

Vivienne was left outside. At the same time, Cassian called Dorian.

Finished

“Dorian,” he said, “the video of Arden pushing Vivienne was posted by Vivienne herself, using a burner account. Looks like the big star is pretty persistent when it comes to you.”

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