Chapter 3 Chapter 3: They Didn't Owe Each Other

The sales director stopped his presentation mid-sentence as the entire conference room fell silent, with the only sound being a barrage of text notifications, like a string of firecrackers going off.

Dorian frowned slightly.

This was his private phone number that only his assistant and close friends knew.

He even had spam protection enabled, which should have blocked any unwanted messages.

Yet now it seemed to be incessantly buzzing with notifications.

He picked up his phone and his eyes widened immediately.

There were dozens of purchase alerts, all made within the last hour.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dorian recalled giving Celeste a supplementary card linked to his number.

Throughout their marriage, he had never received any purchase notifications from that card, meaning Celeste had never used it.

But now...

Celeste was going on a shopping rampage with his card!

The corner of Dorian's mouth twitched.

This proud woman had refused to spend his money during their marriage but was now splurging recklessly after their divorce. Was this her way of pillaging him?

Fine, this card was merely the tip of the iceberg compared to his vast wealth and assets. Even if she maxed it out, it wouldn't bankrupt him.

Initially, he had considered giving her a share of the company's stocks, but since she chose this approach, once the divorce was finalized, they would go their separate ways, even stevens.

He would consider this her "compensation" for being his wife this past year.

Dorian put his phone on silent and continued the meeting.

...

At the mall.

Celeste finally stopped her "shopping spree" after maxing out the card.

Hearing the cashier say "Ma'am, your card has been overdrawn" filled her with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

She couldn't remember the last time she had indulged herself like this.

Since inheriting the Atwood Group, she had been consumed by work with no time for leisure shopping. Today, thanks to Dorian, she could finally "liberate" herself.

With too many purchases to carry, Celeste had the mall's service desk package everything to be delivered to her home address.

Only then did she check the time. It was already past 5 PM.

She found a cafe to rest, browsing the news on her phone. There were no reports of her divorce from Dorian yet.

No doubt Dorian had immediately suppressed that information, as their divorce would undoubtedly impact the stock prices of the Dynasty Corp and the Atwood Group.

Dorian was a businessman. Profit was always his top priority.

In that sense, he and Celeste were quite alike.

Celeste had once thought they were perfectly matched as a couple.

But facts proved her wrong.

A loveless marriage, no matter how compatible, could never last.

After a coffee, Celeste headed to her next destination.

Why should Dorian dictate when they got married or got a divorce? Celeste wasn't lacking male attention.

Since today was about indulgence, she would go all out!

...

At Navy Nights.

The elegant blues music played as youths on the dance floor swayed with their partners in unbridled intimacy.

This infamous nightclub in Valerian was always packed.

It was Celeste's first time visiting such a place.

Expressionless, she strode through the dance floor, still wearing the red dress from her divorce, the V-neck revealing a milky expanse of skin, but not excessively so.

Her mere presence immediately drew all eyes, her beauty shining even in the dim lighting.

Many men approached with drinks but stopped short upon seeing her cool gaze.

Celeste made her way to the bar and politely ordered a Bloody Mary from the bartender.

The bartender swiftly prepared the drink, garnished with a fresh red rose.

Celeste flashed him a faint smile, delicately grasping the glass to sip with refined elegance.

Her striking eyes swept across the club. She was unsure what she was seeking but unable to keep from curiously scanning the room.

Perhaps not finding what she wanted, a hint of disappointment flashed across her bright gaze.

Celeste's exceptional beauty drew admirers even as she sat idly sipping her drink.

A man in a charcoal gray suit approached with an expensive watch on his wrist. He elegantly held his own drink, clearly a refined aristocrat.

"Alone?" His rich, smooth voice was pleasant to the ears.

Celeste's lips curved into a teasing smile.

"Yes, alone."

The man swirled his glass casually. "Mind if I join you?"

Celeste nodded slightly. This spot was unoccupied so she had no reason to refuse him.

As he sat, the man attempted to make conversation. "You look familiar. Have we met before somewhere?"

Celeste took a sip. Her cheeks flushed slightly pink as she smiled faintly. "Perhaps in a dream."

As CEO of the Atwood Group, she rarely made public appearances, so it made sense many didn't recognize her.

The aristocratic men at Navy Nights were skilled flirts, each with their own seduction tactics.

Celeste was hardly naive enough to take such an obvious line seriously.

"You're quite witty," the man raised his brows approvingly. He clinked his glass against hers before glancing towards the dance floor. "Shall we join the fun?"

"Sure!"

Celeste had come out to have a good time, so she agreed without hesitation.

However, from her business dealings, she had developed an intuition for reading people's intentions.

The dim, crowded dance floor provided ample opportunity for "intimacies" between couples.

Celeste had no plans to actually dance with him. With a coy smile, she gracefully headed towards the raised stage in the center of the dance floor, her loose wavy tresses swaying alluringly with each step.

After saying something to the bartender, the man followed Celeste onto the dance floor with a smirk on his lips.

On the stage.

Celeste's presence whipped the entire club into a frenzy.

She exuded an irresistible allure, her mere presence and gentle smile commanding the spotlight. The lighting crew readily obliged by focusing the beams on her.

As the music played, Celeste began to sway her body sensuously.

She ran her slender fingers down to teasingly undo the top button of her dress, enhancing her already enticing figure.

The men below lustfully cheered and whistled their appreciation.

On the second floor.

Gideon Winter approached carrying two whiskeys on the rocks. Glancing at Dorian's tense expression, he plopped down on the sofa beside him with a cheeky grin, handing him one of the drinks.

"Here's to you finally being a free man again!"