Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Leverage and Lies

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“Or maybe he’s using me to figure out who was really behind those foreigners who tried to steal his chip years ago.”

Boey Nox gave Vivienne a cold glance, watching her spiral out with no emotion. “Mr. Vale already knows you’re not the girl who saved him. He was just playing along.”

Vivienne froze, then something clicked. “If he’s so desperate to find her, why stop pretending? Why not keep the act going?”

Even now, even after everything, she was still delusional enough to think Dorian might look at her again.

“You tell your boss this. If he agrees to see me in person, I’ll tell him the truth. I’ll tell him who really saved him that night–and who was behind the chip heist.”

Boey looked at her like she was dirt. “You really don’t know the boss at all. Keep dreaming.”

He turned and walked off with his crew, not even looking back.

Vivienne’s expression twisted with jealousy. “Dorian, you’re really that into Arden? Since three years ago? Fine. I’ll make her doubt you. I’ll make sure she sees the same cold indifference you once showed me. I’ll make you suffer what I did–loving someone who couldn’t care less.”

She laughed, the kind of bitter, broken laugh that only came from obsession turned toxic.

When her brother, Martin, walked in and saw the trashed living room and Vivienne’s messy hair, his face darkened. “Dorian sent his people again?”

Vivienne got to her feet. “Yeah.”

“What’d they want?”

She sneered, “What else? To warn me. To stay away from Arden.”

Martin sat down heavily, his face stiff. “You’re still hung up on him? He never gave a damn about you. You were just a temporary distraction. When will you finally see that? You’re staring down a hundred million in breach–of–contract penalties, all thanks to him. How long are you planning to let your obsession ruin you?”

Vivienne lit a cigarette with shaking fingers. “Starting now, I’m done being obsessed.”

Martin didn’t buy it. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

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Chapter 73 Leverage and Lies

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He leaned forward, voice low. “Ellis knows you were pregnant with his kid, and that you had it aborted just to keep chasing Dorian. He’s furious. The second he found out about your feelings for Dorian, he nearly blew a fuse. Vivienne, listen. The Vale Group’s pulling out, and we’ll need Ellis to keep the Ash family afloat. You know what to do. I don’t need to spell it out.”

Vivienne’s stomach turned. Just the thought of Ellis Dray–built like a tank, dark–skinned, with zero charm–made her want to puke.

But he had serious power in Auronia. And he made sure her family got contracts, protection, and cash flow.

So she nodded. “I know.”

It’s just a body. Who cares.

Martin seemed satisfied. He stood and looked her up and down. “All you’ve got going for that face and that body. Keep ‘em in shape, and use them well.”

you

is

He turned toward the stairs, but not before letting his gaze linger a little too long on her curves.

“Take a shower. Wear something sexy. My room.”

Vivienne snapped her head up. Martin looked right back at her, voice dripping with sleaze. “Need me to say it twice?”

Vivienne forced herself to nod. “Okay.”

Once he was gone, she collapsed into the couch, legs trembling. This world had never given her anything for free.

She thought if she could just cling to Dorian, she’d escape all this filth. But she’d never had a real shot.

Even her body wasn’t really hers. Always borrowed, always for sale.

And Dorian? Why the hell didn’t he care about sex like the others?

She picked up her phone and made a call. “You’re coming with me to the Haflin Global jewelry auction tomorrow. I’ll send someone over with a dress. Look amazing.”

She glanced outside. The sunlight was blinding. And her smile was twisted.

At lunch, Lucien asked, “Sir, Haflin Global sent over an invite for tomorrow night’s jewelry auction. Should I RSVP?”

“Yes.”

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Chapter 73 Leverage and Lies

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Lucien nodded. “Would you like your wife to attend as well? I can get her a gown.”

“No.”

Lucien glanced up, surprised. His boss’s face was completely blank. He really thought the man might want to bring Arden–especially after how he’d been treating her lately.

But of course not. Their marriage was still a secret. That was Dorian’s idea. And when they got married, he didn’t even give her a ring or a necklace. Nothing.

Lucien wondered if his boss would regret that someday. “Get Mira a dress. Hair and makeup,

too.”

Lucien blinked. “Miss Luce is back?”

“Yeah.”

Lucien bit his tongue. If Arden found out, it wouldn’t go over well. But judging by his boss’s mood, Lucien wasn’t about to question him.

That night, Dorian didn’t come home. Arden, curled up in bed, had no memory of Dorian whispering to her about Northmere while she slept.

Just like always, she sent him a message around 10, “Are you coming home tonight?”

It took a while, but he finally replied, “No.”

Lately, he’d been softer with her. And Arden had foolishly started to hope.

Hope she might actually get to have him. Have a real marriage,

He used to stay out all the time. She’d gotten used to it. “Okay. Don’t drink too much. Sleep early. Good night.”

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