Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 A Secret Marriage

The man had a wild edge between his brows, yet his voice was cool and distant.

“No need for Mr. Vale to see me off. Someone already sent me flowers.

Theresa and Eugenia both froze for a moment when they heard her call him that.

Finished

Theresa shot her son a hard look, then took Arden’s hand and smiled. “Arden, didn’t you always call him your husband before? Why the sudden change?”

Mr. Vale sounded so distant.

“I told her not to,” Dorian said.

He brushed past the three of them and walked straight into the house.

“Stop right there.” Eugenia snapped. “Dorian, what do you think you’re doing?”

He turned back, a cigarette tilted between his lips, and let out a low laugh.

‘Grandma. I never wanted this marriage to begin with. You backed me into a corner.” His eyes cut briefly toward Arden. “Agreeing to make it legal was already more than I was willing to give. What, you expect me to dote on her and treat her like a treasure?”

Arden watched him quietly, the wildness in his eyes and the arrogant ease in his posture.

She did not care. She did not crave it either.

The only reason she stayed silent was Eugenia. Eugenia had always been genuinely kind to her, and Arden did not want to hurt her.

She gently tugged at Eugenia’s sleeve and changed the subject. “Grandma, I’m a little hungry.”

Eugenia immediately smiled and patted her hand. “Then let’s eat.”

She glanced at Dorian’s cold, arrogant expression and added sharply, “A girl like Arden, you’ll regret this one day.”

Dorian scoffed, cigarette still between his lips, and followed them inside.

As soon as they sat down, Eugenia spoke up, “You’re staying here tonight.”

Arden looked up at Dorian, remembering the storm he had kicked up that morning.

Theresa shot her son another glare and smiled at Arden. “Arden, don’t mind him. If he dares run around outside, he might as well never come back to this family.”

Arden did not look at him again and stayed with Theresa and Eugenia, chatting quietly.

At six in the evening, Gideon Vale returned as well.

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Chapter 5 A Secret Manage

Finished

Gideon was Dorian’s father. He held a nominal position on the board and only checked in occasionally. Dorian handled nearly all of the company’s affairs now.

When he saw Arden, she smiled sweetly and greeted him. “Dad.”

Gideon’s face creased into a warm smile. “Arden’s here?”

Yes. Dad, have some coffee first.”

Gideon was very satisfied with her.

The Wynn family had always doted on their youngest daughter, sheltering her carefully. Even at twenty- one, she still carried a rare sense of innocence.

She was straightforward, sincere with people, and especially considerate of elders. She knew how to make everyone smile, and the whole family adored her.

Everyone except his troublesome son, Dorian.

That son had spent three years abroad handling Vale Group’s overseas business and never once took the initiative to call his father.

Now that he had finally come back to the family house, he sat on the sofa like a statue even after Gideon returned.

Only when Gideon walked closer did Dorian finally say, “Dad.”

Gideon gave a dismissive grunt. “Everything settled with the Merovia branch?”

He already knew the answer. In just three years, his son had turned the overseas division into a thriving operation.

Dorian responded coolly, confidence bordering on arrogance. “I handled it myself. Who would dare stop

me?”

‘So you won’t need to go there as often?”

Just occasionally for meetings.”

Gideon took a sip of coffee before continuing. “Good. Now that you’re back, spend some time with Arden.”

Eugenia’s eyes lit up. “Arden, you’ve graduated. You’re not in a rush to work yet, right?”

Arden answered honestly. “My dad and my brother want me to join Wynn Group.”

Theresa immediately turned to her son. “Oh, Vale Group has plenty of positions, and the company is huge. Arden, why not come to Vale Group? After all, you’re the CEO’s wife. One day, the whole company will be yours.”

Dorian sat there scrolling through his phone, silent, his expression cold.

Theresa reached over and gave him a light smack. “Dorian, what do you think?”

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Chapter & & Recret Marriage

Finished

Eugenia thought it was a wonderful idea. If Arden worked at headquarters, she and Dorian would see each other all the time Feelings could grow naturally.

I agree. She should come to Vale Group.”

Arden was about to decline when Dorian’s grandpa, Elias Vale, came downstairs and made the decision outright. “I’ll have my secretary arrange it.”

Arden stole a glance at Dorian. He sat with his legs spread, cigarette between his fingers, his eyes dark and

stormy.

She hurriedly said, “No need. Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom. I’d rather go to Wynn Group.”

Gideon tapped the table in front of Dorian. “Dorian, did you hear that?”

Dorian glanced at Arden. She had turned her head and was speaking softly with Eugenia.

He withdrew his gaze and gave a brief acknowledgment.

If he did not agree, they would keep pestering him. He had no patience for it.

Seizing the moment, Gideon said, “Three years ago, the overseas branch needed you to stabilize things. Now the company is on track. Shouldn’t you start planning your wedding with Arden?”

Eugenia quickly added, “Exactly. Arden deserves a wedding like no other in Avalen.”

Dorian leaned back on the sofa, exhaled a thin stream of smoke, and said calmly, “No wedding.”

Theresa’s face tightened. “Dorian, what do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said.”

Elias frowned. “Then at least the company should issue a public statement about the marriage.”

He felt the Vale family had wronged this granddaughter–in–law.

A secret marriage, no announcement, no wedding. Even saying it out loud felt embarrassing.

Dorian took the cigarette from his lips, holding it loosely between his fingers. His voice stayed flat. “You agreed from the start that this would stay quiet. Making it official came with that condition.”

His sharp gaze landed on Arden. “What now, you want it public? You want a wedding too?”

Arden clenched the hem of her dress until her fingers turned white.

She lowered her head. She felt humiliated.

She had been pampered by her parents and protected by her brother her whole life. She had never been

treated like this.

“So what you’re saying,” Gideon said coldly, “is that Arden should remain nameless forever?”

Dorian flicked ash into the tray. “Didn’t she agree to this herself? If she didn’t want this, she could have

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Chapter 5 A Smet Mamage

walked away before it ever became legal.”

The sharp clack of a cup echoed through the room

Gideon had slammed his cup down. Coffee sloshed out and soaked the table.

Fintehad

“Dorian, don’t take advantage of her just because she’s gentle. The Vale family is one of the four great families of Avalen. You think we can’t afford a wedding?”

Arden took a deep breath and called softly, “Dad.”

Hearing her gentle voice, Gideon’s expression softened immediately. “Arden, I will stand up for you.”

She shook her head. “If he has someone he loves, I’ll step aside.”

Eugenia’s expression hardened. “Dorian, this wedding must happen.”

At that moment, Dorian’s phone rang. He answered it.

Cassian Fox’s voice came through lazily. “We’re setting something up tonight to welcome you back. You in?”

“Where.”

“Reverie Lounge.”

Dorian acknowledged, already standing. He picked up his suit jacket and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Elias demanded, furious.

I’m a grown man,” Dorian replied coolly. “You still think you can control me?”

He bent down and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

“Be back by midnight,” Eugenia said.

Dorian glanced back at Arden, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Sure.”

Then he walked out.

“Outrageous,” Eugenia called after him. “You’re married. Don’t fool around outside.”

The man was already gone.

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