Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 228: Chapter 228

The next second, Nathan's message popped up: [You guys at Larkridge High? At the girls' dorm?]
Derek ignored him completely.
Then another notification—Aria had just transferred him a hundred thousand dollars. [This month's living expenses.]
He clutched his phone, grinning like an idiot, and after a few seconds, burst out laughing.
He took a screenshot and posted it. [What's it like to have a sugar mama by your side?]
Lennox saw the post and was stunned.
Aria was really this generous with Derek?
Well, considering she'd made off with thirty million from him, it kind of made sense.
Just the thought of it annoyed him; his brows drew tight, a cold look in his eyes.
With a sneer, he sent screenshots of both posts into the family group chat.
Lennox: [Aria's so generous to you, I'm honestly jealous.]
Derek, in a great mood, shot back: [Too bad, you're not as lucky.]
Gloria: [You took money from Aria?]
Arnav: [Running away from home and taking handouts? Derek, get your ass back here!]
Derek: [So what if Aria felt sorry for me and sent me money? You're the ones who froze my cards!]
Lexie: [Arnav, why'd you freeze Derek's cards?]
Derek: [Not just froze my cards—they kicked me out too. Thank God Aria took me in.]
Lexie looked at the messages and quietly smiled.
Their housekeeper asked, "Should I bring Derek home?"
Lexie shook her head, "No need. Aria's a good one. Derek's happy there."
But even as she said it, she still sent money to her grandson.
Derek didn't touch it—he'd already lined up a part-time job, ready to support himself.
The accusations in the group chat kept coming, but Derek had had enough and left the group altogether.
Lennox noticed right away: [Looks like Derek left the group.]
Arnav: [Ungrateful brat!]
In his room, Lennox smirked at the screen as a call came in.
He answered, "Lennox, Patrick's started a company—Nimbus Tech. You can intern there over winter break," said Peyton Maddox.
Lennox knew Patrick—a PhD student at Kanit University, three-time programming competition champ, and Deangelo's star pupil. Lennox was excited. "Send me Patrick's WhatsApp?"
"I don't have it, but I'll send you the recruiter's contact," Peyton said.
That cheered Lennox right up.
He DM'd the recruiter, but Peyton soon replied: [We're full up.]
Lennox frowned and quickly typed back: [Peyton, this internship's really important to me. Can't you kick out the weakest link and let me try? I know I could help you guys.]
Lennox wasn't lacking in talent or awards, and as a Fletcher, it wouldn't look great to turn him down.
Peyton: [Alright.]
He had HR bring up the new hires' résumés, and his eyes landed on one. "Derek? Isn't he a pharmaceutical analyst? What's he doing at a tech company?"
"He's got great hands-on skills," said the recruiter.
Everyone knew Derek wasn't valued at home like Lennox was.
Peyton made the call. "Not in the right major. Why'd we even hire him? Cut him—bring Lennox in."
Seven new hires, all friends or Patrick's referrals—Derek was the easiest to drop.
"But the offer's already been sent. He got in through..."
"Is what I say useless?"
"Fine."
In the girls' dorm, Lily's five roommates couldn't stop grinning at the skincare products she brought, international brands, a thousand bucks a set.
They tried to play it cool, but, "Aria, you really don't have to bring us anything next time you pick Lily up!"
"Lily's helped us all so much with our studies—our whole dorm's grades improved after the mock exams. The homeroom teacher even gave us all thermoses. We'd feel bad taking your gifts again."
High school was rough, especially senior year—everyone sacrificing for that one goal, losing sleep, breaking out, looking like death.
Aria's gift hit right where it counted. Still, they worried they'd get used to the good stuff and spoil their skin.
Aria just smiled, "If you all get into good universities, I'll cover your skincare for the next four years. So study hard, alright?"
"Thank you, Aria!"
Lily was officially their lucky charm.
Aria waved. "See you next time! We're heading out."
"Bye!" The girls waved them off.
Just then, Nathan ran up, only to spot Derek grinning as he took Lily's books.
"Lily, time to head home," Derek said.
"Thanks," Lily replied.
Aria started the car, her gaze passing right over Nathan without a flicker.
She pulled away, leaving him standing there, chest tight and aching, watching the car disappear.
They were supposed to be the closest in the world—he was the one who'd ruined it.
Back home, Caleb stood at the door with a bag of gifts, a tired smile on his face. "Aria, Lily."
"You're back," Aria greeted him.
Caleb had just returned from a two-month business trip to Dluoland, looking absolutely exhausted. "Yeah, the deal went through. I'll have more time now."
This international partnership had eaten up all his time.
Lily crept up shyly. "Hello."
Aria opened the door and they all headed in. Caleb reached to ruffle Lily's hair, then paused, remembering he hadn't washed his hands yet—and held back.
Instead, he handed her a small box. "A gift for Lily. And this one's for Aria."
Derek eyed him. "What about me?"
Caleb tossed him a bag. "Sneakers."
"Thanks, Caleb!"
"You planning on staying with me?" Caleb asked, having heard about Derek's fallout from Gloria.
Derek shook his head. "I'll stick with Aria."
Aria finished texting Owen and turned to Caleb. "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
Just then, Owen replied. Aria glanced at her phone. "Owen says to come over for hot pot tonight—he invited all of us."
Caleb raised a brow. "Owen?"
Derek explained, "He lives across the hall. Sis pays for groceries sometimes, and we eat at his place."
He lives right across the hall.
Caleb had actually considered buying the apartment across from Aria, but if Owen had it, that was probably out of reach.
He glanced up at the floor above.
Derek noticed. "Caleb, the upstairs apartment is taken. I asked about downstairs too—nothing available. There are still a few left in the building, though. If you buy one, we could be neighbors."
Caleb shot him a look. "You got money for that?"
Derek hesitated. "You could lend it to me."
Caleb shrugged, "Sure. But only if you ask me nicely tonight in front of everyone."
Derek scowled, "Why don't you ask yourself?"
Caleb gave him a sly grin. "I'm afraid Aria will think I'm a nuisance."
Derek just rolled his eyes.