Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 52

hapter 52 Taken Away

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Vincent wrapped an arm around her lightly, polite but warm. For some reason, just that small gesture settled something in his chest. Even in such a casual embrace, he could tell just how delicate her waist was.

Out in front of the Vale Group building, Dorian stood in all black. As he lifted his eyes, them–Arden and Vincent, standing by a black BMW, arms around each other.

he saw

He narrowed his eyes, watching the scene for a few seconds. Then scoffed under his breath.

Lucien glanced sideways and caught sight of the hug, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. “Shit.” He quickly turned to look at his boss, whose expression had gone sharp and cold.

Vincent looked down at her, smile soft. “You hungry? Let’s grab dinner.”

Arden nodded as she pulled away from the hug. He opened the car door for her.

But just as she bent down to get in, a familiar scent hit her–cool and clean, laced with dominance. Someone stepped in, blocking her way.

She turned–and locked eyes with Dorian.

His gaze was sharp as ever, darker than ink and full of restrained fury. He stared straight at her.

“Arden, come home. Dinner with Grandma.”

Vincent’s smile dropped the moment he saw Dorian. His whole demeanor shifted. If he remembered right, this was the man who had yanked Arden out of his arms at Stellar Lounge.

Dorian stepped closer, positioning himself between Arden and Vincent. His tone turned dangerously quiet.

“She’s not leaving with you.”

Vincent had already done his homework on Dorian. It wasn’t even their first encounter. They had crossed paths years ago in Northmere, both chasing the same high–stakes chip deal. Back then, Arden had helped Vincent when he was hurt. He recognized those wide, kind eyes immediately–but he’d been in too deep to tell her who he was.

He’d been thinking about her ever since.

Of course he knew Dorian, heir to the most powerful family in Avalen, the man running the Vale Group globally. The same man who’d spent three years overseas, embedded with a ruthless private military unit. A man with the kind of connections that meant the line between legal and illegal never quite applied.

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Chapter 52 Taken Away

Vincent didn’t back down. “Mr. Vale, I’m having dinner with Arden. Caleb set it up.”

Dorian shot him a look. “Arden? You two on first–name basis already?”

“She’s not going anywhere with you.”

Then he turned to Arden. “Let’s go.”

Arden shook her head. “I already told Caleb I’m going to dinner with him.”

She looked over at Vincent. “Let’s

go,

Vincent.”

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Dorian clenched his jaw. “Vincent?”

He leaned one hand on the car door, blocking her from getting in. “Didn’t know you two were so familiar.”

Arden rolled her eyes. What the hell is wrong with him? Since he was still blocking the front door, she stepped toward the back seat instead.

Dorian beat her there–long legs moving fast, cutting her off again. He didn’t say a word. Just reached out and swept her into his arms like it was nothing.

“Dinner’s off with him. You’re coming with me.”

Vincent’s expression hardened. Dorian was stealing her–literally–in broad daylight.

He moved in to pull her back, but two of Dorian’s bodyguards stepped in to block him. These weren’t your average rent–a–cops. Dorian brought home ex–special forces from his time abroad. These men could fight.

Vincent’s voice sharpened. “Dorian, don’t do this. Put her down.”

But by then he was already locked in a scuffle with the guards.

Arden struggled in Dorian’s arms, trying to break free. He held her tighter, leaned down close

to her ear.

“You take one step toward him, and I’ll make sure he ends up in a hospital.”

His voice was low, terrifyingly calm.

He was handsome as hell–but his eyes… his eyes were unhinged. There was something feral

behind them.

Arden panicked. Vincent didn’t know what Dorian was capable of. She turned her head, voice

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urgent.

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“Vincent, go. Tell Caleb I’ll reschedule dinner. Don’t fight them–you’re outnumbered. You’ll get hurt.”

Right then, Lucien pulled up beside them, opening the door without a word.

Dorian didn’t hesitate. He shoved Arden into the backseat and climbed in after her, slamming the door shut.

Vincent stood frozen for a second–then yanked out his phone and called Caleb immediately. “Caleb, Dorian just took Arden.”

There was a pause. “You ran into Dorian?” Caleb asked, startled.

“Yeah. Is she going to be okay?”

Caleb’s voice lowered. “She’ll be fine. Dorian’s a friend. He knows Arden.”

But Vincent didn’t sound convinced. “Are you sure?”

Caleb knew exactly how dangerous Dorian could be. The man carried bodyguards like shadows -and those shadows weren’t just for show.

Vincent hesitated. Then asked quietly, “Does Dorian like her?”

Caleb replied without thinking, “No.”

But Vincent’s gut said otherwise.

He’d seen the look in Dorian’s eyes–possessive, dark, and absolutely territorial. That wasn’t indifference. That was a man ready to go to war over a woman.

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