Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 96

Dorian turned to look at her a few times, but she didn’t react. Not a blink. Not a glance. It was like nothing he said–or whoever he flirted with–had anything to do with her.

And it got under his skin. The more indifferent she looked, the more it messed with him.

Mira, who’d spent most of her life abroad, was the type to act on impulse. Warm, bold, and always ready to chase what she wanted.

Mira turned to Arden and immediately tried to make a play. “Hey, would you mind switching seats with me? I know Dorian, we’d love to catch up.”

Arden finally looked up and saw who it was. Of course. The woman he dropped five hundred million on for that blue diamond necklace.

“Sure,” she said simply, already unbuckling her belt.

“No,” Dorian snapped.

Mira froze. “Wait, do you two… know each other?”

Arden smiled politely. “No misunderstanding here. I’m his assistant. Feel free to take

She tried to stand, but Dorian blocked her with his leg and pressed her waist down with one hand.

He stared at her and spoke to Mira without breaking eye contact. “She’s not switching.”

His voice dropped, cold and sharp. “Arden, sit down.”

His leg was long, angled just right to block her from getting out. Mira stared at the hand on Arden’s waist for several seconds.

Dorian doesn’t touch women. He’s a clean freak.

And yet here he was, casually holding this woman’s waist like it was the most normal thing in the world. Her chest tightened.

But then she reminded herself–he’d given her a five–hundred–million–dollar necklace. That meant something.

She clenched her fists. “Dorian, isn’t she your assistant?” she pressed.

“She’s not,” he replied without even looking at her.

The man’s expression was as distant as ever, cold to the point he didn’t even bother pretending with her. Mira felt it clearly. He’d always been this indifferent to her.

That necklace he gave her? It probably had less to do with her and more to do with the fact that her grandfather once saved Dorian’s grandfather in the military.

he’d dreamed of marrying someone like him her whole life–a man that dazzling, that untouchable. Her

her had even brought it up with the Vale family a few times, but Dorian had never agreed.

18:22 Wed, Feb 4 MGG.

Chapter 96 Seats

Finished

And then there was that accident a few years ago. Her brother had pulled Dorian’s car out of a spin during a race, only for his own car to lose control and crash. He’d injured his leg pretty badly and spent months recovering.

It was hard for Mira not to overthink it all. Maybe Dorian is just trying to repay the Lucefamily.

Over the years, he’d barely spoken to her. But at least… at least he hadn’t been with anyone else. That gave Mira hope.

Dorian was twenty–six now. Who’s to say? Maybe someday, he’d fall for her. Maybe he’d marry her.

With everything her grandfather and brother had done, the Vale and Luce families weren’t going to drift apart anytime soon.

But now, watching this man–always so far out of reach–actually care about the woman beside him… He was holding her by the waist.

And the girl… she was striking. Porcelain skin, small frame, a soft waist that invited attention. The kind of beauty people couldn’t look away from.

Arden glared at him. “Let go.”

Her wide eyes were filled with indignation. Dorian looked at her and finally let go of her waist–though he was still lounging across the seat like he owned the place. “You haven’t eaten,” he said. “I told the flight attendant to bring you something.”

“I don’t need you to.”

“Arden, you’re stuck with me for the next five days. I’m responsible for your safety. That means you fall under my jurisdiction.”

Arden’s eyes went even wider. “I thought it was only two days. When did that become five?”

“Five.”

She was fuming. Mira sat back down in her seat, watching the two of them talk like no one else existed.

But even in just a few minutes, it was obvious. Dorian cared about that girl.

Yes – girl.

Her skin was flawless, her face soft with youth. Mira guessed/she’d just graduated college. She wasn’t intimidated by Dorian. She argued with him, got mad at him.

And Dorian? He let her. That was the most shocking part,

He wasn’t the kind of man you could talk back to–not without consequences. Dorian was known for being ruthless, calculated, and utterly unforgiving.

The flight attendant had already come over without being called–she’d spotted Dorian boarding earlier.

Mr. Vale, is there anything I can get you?”

Two meals. One warm milk, one iced Americano.”

18:22 Wed, Feb 4 MGG.

Chapter 96 Seats

“Right away, Mr. Vale.”

Finished

It didn’t take long before she returned with two trays, a cup of coffee, and the milk. Arden was genuinely hungry. She picked up the fork and started eating without a word, eyes focused on her food.

Dorian saw her eating obediently and his mood visibly lightened. Mira kept glancing over. “Dorian, do you already have a place to stay in Zevia?”

Dorian didn’t look up. “Yeah.”

“Where is it?”

“No comment.”

The wall went up fast, and Mira’s smile faltered. Once they were done eating, Dorian headed to the bathroom. Mira took the chance to slide into the seat beside Arden.

“So,” she said, lowering her voice, “you’re really Dorian’s assistant?”

100

18:22 Wed, Feb 4 MGG.