Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65 Chaos

Arden had no idea what he was trying to get at.

:.

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Finished

If it were just the two of them, sure, she could call him that. But out here? In public? They were in a secret marriage. If she didn’t call him Mr. Vale, what else was she supposed to say?

“You used to call me honey, didn’t you?”

Arden stiffened. I definitely didnot.

“Mr. Vale‘ sounds a little cold, don’t you think?”

Dorian rested his hand on the table. His fingers were long, his joints distinct. The sleek black watch on his wrist only added to the whole air of quiet dominance he carried without trying. Just sitting there, he had presence.

“Say it. Let me hear you call my name.”

He’d never heard her say his name out loud. Her voice was soft, and he could imagine it sounding especially good wrapped around those syllables.

Arden shook her head. But the second she looked up and met his gaze–dark, dangerous, full of that familiar heat–she panicked. He looked like he might lean over and kiss her right then and there. She had caved.

“…Dorian.”

He nodded, satisfied. “Good girl.”

Arden was speechless. The second Vincent spotted Dorian, his expression turned cold.

He’d seen what this man was capable of back in Northmere. Ruthless and calculated. The kind of man who didn’t lose. They’d once competed for the same chip technology, and Dorian had beat him to it–flawlessly.

But more than that, the way Dorian looked at Arden held something intense–fierce, possessive, maybe even obsessive.

Like a lone wolf guarding what he saw as his, daring anyone to come too close.

Dorian didn’t even try to hide his disdain. He glanced at Vincent, scoffed lightly. “So, Vincent, right? What are you doing asking around about whether Arden has a boyfriend? You interested in her?”

He tsked. “That’s tough. See, I happen to be the man she’s very into. So maybe let that little

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Chapter 65 Chaos

crush go, yeah? You’re not getting anywhere.”

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Finished

Vincent leaned back in his chair, unbothered. “Yeah? Funny. She looks more like someone being forced into something. You sure this isn’t just one–sided on your end?”

“And, Mr. Vale,” Vincent added casually, “if you’re so into Arden, how come your company let

got that viral video stay up on your media group’s website, huh? The one that online?”

her dragged

Their eyes locked. Dorian tapped his fingers against the table. His gaze darkened, narrowing sharply. “Who told you to butt in and upload that ‘reveal‘ video early?”

Vincent wasn’t dumb. He knew Dorian had that same footage. If he hadn’t posted it when he did, Dorian’s team probably would have uploaded it themselves within minutes.

He could admit it–Dorian really had wanted to protect her. But Vincent had acted first, disrupted the timing, and threw off his plans. Their stares held, tense and unreadable.

Right then, Caleb came out of the restroom and paused, staring at the man sitting in his chair.

“…Dorian?”

“Caleb. Long time.”

“What are you doing here?” Caleb had no choice but to sit in the only open seat left–next to

Vincent.

“Ran into Arden while grabbing dinner,” Dorian said. “Thought I’d come say hi.”

“Mind if I join you? Haven’t eaten yet.”

Caleb saw how uncomfortable his sister looked sitting there, but before he could say anything, Dorian waved a server over and added a few dishes.

Caleb was speechless. Whatever. If Arden’s here, this guy’s not leaving anyway.

Dorian glanced at the woman next to him who hadn’t said a word. He nudged her with his elbow.

“So? Aren’t you going to introduce your favorite neighbor?” He emphasized the phrase like it left a bad taste in his mouth. Arden had no choice but to gesture. “This is Vincent.”

Then she turned to Vincent, “And this is… Dorian.”

Dorian reached out and picked a rose from the centerpiece vase, raising an eyebrow. “Too bad

Arden doesn’t like roses. She’s into lilies.”

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Arden blinked. What was he even talking about tonight? “Says who? I like roses.”

Finished

Dorian let out a quiet “Oh.” He brushed the fully–bloomed red rose against her chin, the red petals against her pale skin making her glow. “Really? Then why are you always buying lilies for the house?”

She smacked his hand away. “I like all pretty flowers.”

Dorian’s face darkened. He tossed the rose back into the vase without another word.

The food came quickly. Crab, shrimp, and steak–all Arden’s favorites.

Vincent reached out to grab her steak, about to cut it for her. Dorian stopped him with one hand. “Cutting steak? That’s a boyfriend’s job, don’t you think?

His voice was ice cold, and he wasn’t gentle either. Vincent let go and picked up a crab instead

Arden hurried to reach for her own steak. “I can cut it myself. Mr. Vale, no need.”

“Just sit there and eat.”

Dorian noticed Vincent already cracking the crab shells. He asked without looking away. You like crab:”

“Yeah. I do.”

He glanced at Vincent again, clearly irritated, and let out a sharp breath.

Then, with perfect posture and annoying grace, he picked up the utensils and started cutting her steak.

Vincent finished cracking the crab and passed it to Arden. “You always loved crab. Just hated peeling it. Back in school, you’d always beg me to do it. Guess that hasn’t changed?”

Arden looked a little embarrassed. “I’ve grown up since then. Vincent, you should eat. Tonight’s dinner is on me and Caleb, after all.”

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