Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32 Do You Like Me

Finished

Lucien didn’t even think. He said, “Of course, sir. I’ve never seen anyone better looking than you.”

He added, “Even those male celebrities don’t compare. Plus, you’ve got power, status, wealth. You’re young, successful–hands down, ridiculously good–looking.”

Dorian looked at him with suspicion. “Seriously?”

Lucien nodded. “Seriously.”

Dorian asked, “You think I look old standing next to Arden?”

Lucien glanced at his boss, then actually gave it some thought. “Well, Mrs. Vale’s got that innocent, fresh- out–of–college vibe. Just a young girl, you know? You’ve been battling it out in the business world for years. That kind of experience, it shows. So yeah, you do come off more mature.”

Dorian’s eyes darkened. “Lucien, was that your way of calling me old?”

“No! Absolutely not!”

He quickly added, “You and Mrs. Vale look insanely good together.”

Dorian gave a slight huff. Then he asked, “Do you think she likes me?”

Lucien nodded. “Of course she does. You were gone for three years overseas, and she was confessing to you every single day. She sent you seasonal clothes, bought gifts on every holiday, and kept sending you messages even when you didn’t reply. She wouldn’t go through all that if she didn’t love you like crazy.”

It actually made sense.

He’d spent those three years overseas building his business empire–real fights, real threats. People carried guns there. He’d been ambushed more than once. Gotten injured more than once.

She probably found out about it from Eugenia, because Arden would message him about his injuries. She even called once. He didn’t answer, and she never called again.

But despite how cold he’d been, she kept caring. She even called his doctor directly. She’d told the chef to make sure he took his meds and drank the tonic soup.

In that villa he stayed in, his closet was always stocked. Four seasons‘ worth of clothes, year after year, all new. She filled an entire room with them.

Gifts too. She’d never stopped. Even if he never opened them, they kept coming.

She’d poured so much into him, and never asked for anything back.

Even back home in Avalen, the house was more lively because of her. His grandfather, grandmother, and parents had all become more cheerful with her around. His grandma would send him photos and videos from home. Arden always sat quietly in the middle of all that noise, smiling like she didn’t have a care in the world. She looked unreal.

3:36 am GP pp.

Chapter 32 Do You Like Me

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Even his bratty little sister in Merovia adored her. Every time they talked, before hanging up, she’d remind him. “Be nice to Arden.”

Thinking about it all now, Dorian’s mood lightened just a little.

Back at home, Arden had just woken up from a nap. When she saw Dorian’s message, she was genuinely horrified.

Especially that line- He sent a message, “Arden, do you think I’m good–looking?”

So she opened WhatsApp. She sent a message, “??”

He sent a message, “???”

She sent a message, “Dorian, did your account get hacked?”

The second he saw her call him Dorian, his mood soured.

He sent a message, “You should just call me babe.”

She sent a message, “Nope. Dorian works just fine.”

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He sent a message, “…”

She sent a message, “So you’re really Dorian? Not someone pretending?”

He sent a message, “Yeah.”

She didn’t reply again. But it was the internet age. Arden was bound to find out about the video sooner or later.

Especially since she had a best friend like Isla.

Isla had studied fashion design in Merovia and was back in Avalen to work at her family’s business, but she hated the idea. She wanted to go independent. Always online.

The second Buzznet—the media company under Vale Group–posted the video, she lost it.

She sent a message, “Damn. Your man seriously likes Vivienne, huh? And I actually thought he was the one who deleted those trending posts about her before. Guess not. Now he’s making sure everyone sees that video from three years ago.”

She sent over a few videos and photos. Arden had just finished changing when she saw Isla’s texts and froze. She quickly pulled up the Buzznet website.

It was all true.

Vivienne, meanwhile, was thrilled. She was convinced Dorian was backing her.

She sent a message to someone in her contacts labeled “Jane.” A few ultrasound photos. A pregnancy confirmation report. A photo of her and Dorian waiting at the OB–GYN’s office three years ago. A recent shot of Dorian driving her to the hospital. A birthday party video where she clinked glasses with him. And finally, a screenshot of the video just posted by Vale Group’s official Twitter.

Chapter 32 Do You Like Me

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