Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 Weird Vibes at Lunch

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Talia was about to walk over when Arden looked up and saw the two men standing nearby. She paused, lips tightening. “Hey… maybe we can come back for the lemonade later?”

She didn’t want to go near them.

Talia looked confused. “Why? It’s packed. If we wait, we’ll lose our seats. Let’s go.”

She was already walking off, waving Arden to hurry up. Arden followed, reluctantly.

Dorian was still watching her. When he saw her holding a tray and heading toward him, he glanced at the iced lemonade sitting by his side.

So. She comes for the lemonade.

Talia might’ve thought the boss was insanely hot, but she wasn’t naive. Guys like him weren’t in her league, and she knew it. That’s why she didn’t get nervous around him.

When she reached the tea station, she greeted them politely, “Afternoon, sir. Mr. Fox.”

She filled her glass, then stepped aside for Arden. Arden lowered her eyes, heart thudding.

She could feel both men watching her. The air suddenly felt heavier. She told herself to stay calm and act normal.

Talia, standing to the side, kept nudging her with looks that clearly screamed, “Say something!”

Left with no choice, Arden lifted her head and forced a polite, “Good afternoon, sir. Mr. Fox.”

Cassian raised a brow, amused.

Seriously? We’re married, and you’re still calling me sir?

Dorian noted that she greeted them… but didn’t actually look at him. She didn’t want to,

Then he saw her reach for the lemonade. Her fingers were dainty, her nails painted soft pink. He asked, “You like that one?”

The question dropped into the air like a bomb. The surrounding tables went completely quiet.

Wait–what?Is the man in the suit actually making conversation?

Women around them looked over like they’d just seen a UFO land. Arden hadn’t expected that at all.

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Chapter 49 Weird Vibes at Lunch

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She quickly placed the lemonade on her tray. “Uh… yeah. It’s refreshing.” And then she turned and walked away like her shoes were on fire.

Cassian let out a low whistle. “Damn. That girl wants nothing to do with you.”

Back at the table, Talia leaned in the second Arden sat down. “You know him?”

Arden shook her head. “No.”

Talia gawked. “Okay, what? He barely blinks when people greet him, and today he asked if you liked the drink?”

They sat down at a four–person table. Talia gave her a long look. “You know what this is? It’s your face. You’ve got that classic first–crush look. Maybe he’s into it.”

Arden choked on her lemonade. Talia handed her a napkin, laughing.

Wiping her mouth, Arden muttered, “That’s ridiculous.”

There’s no way. He didn’t like her. If anything, he could barely stand her.

She grabbed her fork. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

But just as she reached for her sandwich, a tall figure appeared beside her.

She looked up.

Dorian.

Holding a tray. And next to him–Cassian, wearing a slow, knowing grin. “Mind if we join you?” Cassian asked, flashing that smirk that could probably melt glass.

The booth they were sitting at was a four–seater–two on each side, facing one another.

Arden sat across from Talia.

Cassian was stupidly attractive. Especially those eyes–like they were always half a second from flirting. Honestly, he could look at a dog and still seem like he meant it.

When Talia realized their boss and Cassian were sitting right next to them, her heart nearly launched itself out of her chest.

Blushing furiously, she scooted aside and smiled. “No one’s sitting here. You guys can take these seats.”

Arden stiffened almost immediately. She could smell him–Dorian. That familiar clean scent with a hint of sandalwood, subtle but sharp. It hit her like a nerve.

She froze. Dorian gave her a sidelong glance.

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Chapter 49 Weird Vibes at Lunch

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She sat upright, proper posture, head slightly lowered. She looked… almost obedient. Talia noticed Arden’s silence and nudged her under the table with her foot.

Arden blinked and looked up, confused. Talia gave her a very obvious say something! look.

But Arden didn’t move. She quietly picked up her fork and went back to eating.

Cassian glanced between them. It looked like a dangerously composed man sitting next to someone who didn’t even realize they were in the lion’s den.

Weirdly enough, they kind of matched. Dorian finally broke the silence. “First day going okay?”

Arden looked up, surprised he was speaking to her at all. He was watching her–eyes dark, unreadable.

She nodded. “It’s going well.”

Talia jumped in. “She’s in my department. I’ll help her settle in.”

The whole lunch was… tense. Dorian said very little. Arden stayed quiet, head down, focused on her food.

It was mostly Cassian trying to keep the mood light, throwing in jokes and questions. Talia— naturally bubbly–chimed in often.

But Dorian and Arden? Barely exchanged a word.

After the meal, they headed back for a short break. In her bag, Arden still had the dessert and fruit Agnes had packed for her that morning.

She turned to Talia. “Hey, you want some sweets?”

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