Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46 Elevator Pressure

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But when that familiar, clean scent hit her nose, Arden instantly tensed. She turned and met Dorian’s eyes–dark, unreadable, intense.

Instinctively, she stepped back. “Good… good morning, Mr. Vale.”

He frowned. “Why’d you back away?”

“Huh? Just… kind of startled to see my boss, I guess.”

Lucien caught a glimpse of Arden’s face–suddenly flushed, clearly flustered. It was… kind of adorable.

Honestly, the back–and–forth between these two? Low–key hilarious.

He almost burst out laughing.

Dorian pressed his lips into a thin line, his eyes narrowing as he gave her a slow once–over. She looked way too good.

Her skin was glowing, lips naturally pink, and her high ponytail added a fresh, effortless charm. She looked like she hadn’t lost a single night of sleep.

Lucien pulled out the CEO’s elevator keycard, ready to swipe for the executive lift just down the hall. The employee elevator dinged open first.

Arden exhaled–relieved—and stepped inside. What she didn’t expect? Dorian followed right behind her.

Lucien froze mid–swipe, card still halfway to the sensor, and just stood there staring after them like Wait, what?

His hand slowly dropped back to his side as he stared at his boss like he was seeing a unicorn. Arden glanced at him. “Lucien, you coming? I’m about to hit the button.”

“Uh–yeah. Coming.”

He quickly stepped in and retreated to the corner, trying to blend in with the wall.

Arden hit 27. “Which floor are you going to, Mr. Vale?”

“28.”

She reached out and pressed it. Dorian glanced at her hand. Her nails were painted a soft rosy shade. Her fingers were slender, skin pale.

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Chapter 46 Elevator Pressure

The doors started to close–then opened again.

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A middle–aged man in a dress shirt started to walk in, then froze. Dorian was in the elevator. The man blinked, confused. Why is Mr. Vale using the staff elevator?

“Mr. Vale. Good morning.”

“Morning.”

“Mind if I come in?”

“Go ahead.”

The man stepped in, looking a bit shaken. His forehead was already sweaty.

It was Warren Lowe–the manager who’d interviewed Arden a few days ago.

Arden greeted him politely. “Good morning, Mr. Lowe.”

He glanced at her. “You’re Arden, right?”

“Yes, it’s my first official day. You remember me?”

“Of course. You’re kind of… hard to forget.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Dorian shot him a sharp look. When Warren glanced up again, Dorian’s face had gone back to neutral.

Arden didn’t want to linger on the conversation, especially with Dorian right there. She gave Warren a polite smile and stayed quiet.

Dorian felt a flash of irritation at the smile she’d just given someone else.

When she’d first seen him, all he got was shock and distance.

Now she was standing stiffly, like she couldn’t wait to be anywhere else,

He glanced at her again. Her ponytail swayed as she stood perfectly still, loose strands brushing her neck. Her neckline was clean, her skin so fair it almost glowed.

She was wearing a simple white tee tucked into high–waisted jeans. Slim waist, perfect posture, and quietly composed.

She looked sweet. Polished, quiet, with a calm kind of charm. The elevator ride was silent.

When they reached the 27th floor, Arden stepped out first. Warren followed and turned back

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toward the elevator. “Sir, we’re here.”

Dorian glanced at Arden’s back but didn’t say a word.

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Lucien noticed Arden didn’t even look back, yet the boss kept his eyes glued to her the entire time. He pressed the button, and the doors slid shut.

Warren led Arden to an open workstation. “You can sit here for now. Someone will come walk you through things once the shift officially starts.”

“Thank you, Warren.”

Arden sat down and exhaled. The image of Dorian’s face still lingered in her mind. He looked just as sharp and intimidating as ever, like the last few days hadn’t touched him at all.

Well… why would they? She didn’t matter to him. Nothing about her could affect a man like that. She pressed her lips together and looked away.

As people trickled into the office, everyone settled into their desks. Most gave Arden a passing glance, then went back to their routines. No one seemed particularly curious or overly friendly -just heads–down and focused.

She didn’t mind.

Work, to her, was just work. As long as she did her part well, that was enough. The social stuff? That could happen naturally.

She already had a few close friends. She came here to learn. That was all that mattered.

But the girl sitting next to her turned out to be surprisingly warm.

She had a short bob, was fashionably put together, and practically bounced into her seat. The moment she spotted Arden, she gasped. “Okay, who let a Disney princess into our department?”

Sliding into her chair, she leaned over with a bright grin. “Hey! I’m Talia Cohen.”

Arden smiled back politely. “Hi, I’m Arden.”

Talia’s eyes lit

1. up. “Your skin is flawless. What do you use?”

She was clearly into beauty, and Arden’s smooth, porcelain complexion had her instantly

envious.

“Uh… nothing, really.” It was a hot day, and Arden didn’t like putting too much on her skin.

Talia reached out and gently poked her check. “Are you serious? That soft? You’re just naturally perfect?”

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“Maybe,” Arden said, a little awkwardly.

Talia stared at her with mock frustration. “Seriously? Why couldn’t my mom pass on those kinds of genes? Unfair!”

Arden laughed, genuinely amused.

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