Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Dead Silence

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“Wow, you’re kind of the worst, you know that?” Celine texted.

Dorian texted, “Say that again and you’re getting a $200k allowance this month.”

Celine replied, “You mess up and I get punished? That’s real mature, Dorian.”

Dorian texted, “I’m your brother. Whose side are you even on?”

Celine asked, “You don’t even like Arden?”

He didn’t respond. Celine continued, “If you’re not into her, can I set her up with someone? She’s way too pretty to waste on you.”

Dorian sighed and rubbed his temple. “Send me your grades. If they’re not all A’s, you can kiss your allowance goodbye.”

Celine replied, “Ugh. You’re not just a jerk, you’re cheap too.”

That night, Dorian actually got home early for once, walking into Silverbay Villa a little after nine. The lights were on.

Martha peeked out from the kitchen when she heard the door. “Evening, sir. You haven’t eaten, have you?”

“Not yet. Just throw something together, anything’s fine.”

“Mrs. Vale didn’t come back with you?” she asked, curious but cautious.

He hesitated, loosening his tie as he walked further in. “She’s staying with her family for a few days. Not coming home.”

The dining table still had the bouquet of lilies Arden had bought. Their scent lingered faintly in the air. Martha smiled. “She picked those out herself.”

Dorian glanced at them briefly, his expression unreadable.

After dinner, he went straight to his study and logged into a video meeting. Between Vale Group and all the overseas operations, he rarely had time to breathe, and honestly, he was used to that kind of pressure.

His phone kept ringing. His family again. He ignored them and had Lucien screen the calls–he wasn’t in the mood for lectures.

He had released the truth, held the press conference, made the apology. He figured the damage

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Chapter 44 Dead Silence

was done, and the air finally cleared.

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Finished

By 11 p.m., he checked his phone. Arden’s name sat quietly in his contacts. No messages.

He got up, poured a glass of cold water in the kitchen, then wandered back into the study. Standing at the floor–to–ceiling window, looking out at the glittering skyline, he finally called Lucien.

“Did we find out who leaked the reversal video?” he asked.

Lucien sounded nervous. “Not yet. Caleb’s looking too. Apparently he wants to thank them personally.”

Dorian was silent for a moment. Lucien hesitated. “Mr. Vale?”

“What about the girl from Northmere who saved me that night? Any leads?”

“Still nothing. Whoever she was, she made sure her trail vanished.”

Dorian hung up and lit a cigarette. He’d barely taken a drag when Lucien called again. “Did you find her?” Dorian asked.

“No. It’s Vivienne. She wants to speak to you.”

Dorian let out a cold laugh. “What for?”

“She’s getting slaughtered online. Since you released the DNA test and that… video, everything’s collapsed. She’s been dropped from every brand deal and project she had. All her

endorsements terminated. Her team’s freaking out about the penalties, and she’s begging to talk to you.”

Dorian exhaled smoke slowly. “Funny how she didn’t think about the consequences when she framed Arden. She made her bed.”

Lucien took the hint, but just before he hung up, Dorian added, “Tell her to hold a press conference. I want her to apologize to Arden in public.”

“Understood.” Lucien disconnected.

By the time Dorian wrapped up work, it was nearly midnight. He checked his phone again. Nothing from Arden.

He grabbed his clothes and stepped into the shower. When he came back out, the silence hadn’t changed. Her chat window was still quiet. No texts and replies.

He tossed the phone aside and sank back against the pillows. Arden’s faint scent still clung to the sheets and his pillow, soft and clean, weirdly familiar. He closed his eyes and tried to drift

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Chapter 44 Dead Silence

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off, but sleep wouldn’t come. After a long moment, he gave up, reached for his phone again, and opened Arden’s chat.

Dorian texted, “You awake?”

Dorian texted again, “Did you see my press conference?”

No response. Morning came, and still, there was nothing.

Dorian didn’t sleep well that night. Not that it was anything new. After breakfast, he headed to the office.

Meanwhile, Arden got a call from Vale Group. She was in the middle of breakfast when her phone buzzed. She picked it up, listened, and hung up calmly.

Caleb looked up from his coffee. “Was that Dorian?”

“No. It was HR from Vale Group. The interview went through. I start tomorrow.”

Caleb frowned. “You’re going to headquarters?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“So you’ll be bumping into Dorian every day?” His tone tightened. “Come join Wynn Group with me and Dad. You don’t need to be around that guy anymore.”

Gareth and Elise chimed in immediately, both worried. “He’s right, sweetie. It’s too close for

comfort.”

Arden sighed. “You think I didn’t try to say no? But Grandma and Dorian’s mom insisted. If I turn it down, they’ll just come knocking here. Look, Dorian’s office is on a different floor. He barely even shows up. I doubt we’ll run into each other at all.”

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