Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

As Chloe wheeled Julian Rowe slowly over, all eyes turned their way and the crowd burst into hushed gossip.

“Didn’t Mr. Hamilton just say his wife was too busy working to show up?” one person murmured.

“Yeah, so what changed? And she’s here pushing some guy in a wheelchair!” another chimed in.

“Check out Chloe’s dress–that’s the latest Vera Couture, fresh off the runway! No wonder she’s basically the queen of the richest family,” someone else said with a hint of envy.

“Pff, don’t flatter her just yet. For all you know, maybe the guy in the wheelchair gifted it to her,” someone teased.

“Word is, Mr. Hamilton’s got a woman stashed away and even has a secret kid. He’s been cheating on his wife for ages,” someone whispered.

“Looks like Mr. Hamilton and his wife are each up to their own tricks. This drama’s about to get real,” another snickered.

The whispers in the crowd were only getting uglier, and Ian and his parents could barely hide how uncomfortable they felt.

The Weasleys couldn’t hide their mixed reactions as soon as Julian Rowe appeared.

Some practically darted over with excitement, some shot him dagger looks while grinding their teeth, and a few just stood there rooted to the spot, completely gobsmacked.

Miranda leaned in and whispered to Ian, “Ian, didn’t you say Chloe was too busy to come?”

Shane’s face darkened, his features stiff with anger. “Ian, what on earth is happening here?”

Ian fixed Chloe with a calm, almost unreadable stare, not showing a hint of emotion.

Without missing a beat, he replied, “Dad, Mom, Chloe’s Sir Julian’s attending physician. I’m guessing she only dropped by with him since his treatment just wrapped up.”

Shane and the other elders finally relaxed a bit after hearing Ian’s explanation.

With just a few words, Ian managed to turn the whole tense, gossipy atmosphere around.

Ian strode up to Chloe, firmly grasped her wrist, and drew her to his side.

“You take a breather–I’ll handle pushing Julian,” Ian said coolly.

‘Wow, he’s really keeping his cool, Chloe thought, a bit surprised. Ian didn’t grill her or show the slightest trace of anger.

12:06 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 147

‘I honestly didn’t see that coming,’ she mused.

:

85

10 vouchers

Chloe scanned the room, then took a small step back, not doing anything to stop lan from taking charge.

She knew it bringing Julian to the Weasley family banquet was sure to send both the Weasleys and the Hamiltons into a frenzy. There was no way they’d just sit calmly and watch.

Now that there was no prenup hanging over her head and Ian wasn’t pulling any intimidation tricks, Chloe felt completely free to push boundaries.

She was honestly curious–just how much could she stir things up before the Hamiltons finally lost it?

With the help of a few family members, Grandpa Oliver walked right up to Julian Rowe and said, “Ian, help your uncle inside so he can get some rest.”

That one sentence made it obvious Julian was part of the Weasley family.

It also spelled out exactly how Julian was connected to both Ian and Chloe.

Ian shot Chloe a quick look, then wheeled Julian toward the inner hall.

Chloe just stood where she was, watching them go without making a move to follow.

Miranda ushered the others away and called Chloe over to a more private corner.

Miranda leaned in and cautioned her, “People who’ve been sick for ages can get prickly and unpredictable. Just be careful when you’re dealing with him.”

Chloe nodded, keeping her expression gentle and polite.

Back when Chloe first started working with Julian, his temper could honestly scare anyone off.

But after everything she and Dr. Jones did to help him, Julian’s moods have finally leveled out and now he’s pretty easy to work with during treatment.

Chloe and Miranda had barely started chatting when Ian came wheeling Julian out of the inner hall.

Chloe walked up and asked, “Sir Julian, leaving so soon?”

Julian nodded.

“Let me see you out,” Chloe said.

Ian, still pushing the wheelchair, stared hard at Chloe, his intense gaze unyielding, and his brow furrowed so deeply it was clear he was barely keeping his feelings in check.

Just then, Thomas Quinn, the Rowe family’s butler, strode in flanked by a couple of bodyguards. “Chloe, you can leave Sir Julian to us,” he assured her.

Seeing Thomas approach, Chloe straightened up and quietly stepped back.

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 147

85

B10 vouchers

She couldn’t forget how Carrmen Rowe had shot her a frosty look that night when she crashed at the Rowe

Estate.

Guess he’d already caught wind of the divorce rumors and was worried Chloe might be getting a little too cozy with Julian.

Julian extended his hand, offering Chloe a string of Buddhist prayer beads. “They’re yours,” he said.

Chloe was about to accept, but Ian’s sharp look made her freeze mid–motion.

“Sir Julian, those beads were a gift from your grandfather,” Ian reminded him, his voice steady.

In that instant, Chloe understood how important the beads must be to Julian. She responded softly, “Sir Julian, I’ve heard Buddhist prayer beads bring good luck. You should really hold on to them.”

But Julian simply reached over, gently took Chloe’s hand, and pressed the beads into her palm.

After Julian left, Miranda’s eyes lingered on the string of prayer beads in Chloe’s hand. She hesitated for a moment, the words right there on her lips, but in the end, she just stayed quiet.

Miranda quickly changed the topic, glancing at Ian. “So, what did you guys talk about in there?”

Ian answered, “Julian just came by to collect his mom’s belongings. He’s still refusing to patch things up with Oliver.”

‘I’m honestly so done with their chatter,‘ Chloe thought, tuning them out completely. She looked at Miranda and said, “Mom, I’ve got work in the morning, so I’m heading home now.”

Ian locked his hand around Chloe’s wrist, not letting her leave. “Hold on. I’m coming with you.”

Shane strode over, his face dark with anger. “You two, get back to Hamilton Manor–right now!”

A little over ten minutes later, the two of them got in the car together.

Ian gently draped a blanket over Chloe’s lap and took the prayer beads from her hand.

He looked over at her and explained, “These prayer beads have a crazy history–they’ve gone through three generations of abbots at the temple. When Abbot Serenity passed away, he handed them over to Oliver, and honestly, Oliver barely ever took them off for more than thirteen years. People have thrown insane nine- figure offers at him for these beads, but he never let go of them. In the end, he gifted them to Julian. And now that Julian’s passed them on to you, make sure you keep them safe, okay?”

Chloe glanced at lan, her eyes full of suspicion.

Ian carefully tucked the prayer beads into Chloe’s bag, his voice steady. “No matter what anyone else says, I trust you.”

Chloe turned her gaze away, her tone icy. “I don’t trust you. And I don’t need your trust.”

Ian was left completely speechless by her words.

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 147

85

10 vouchers

Chloe tightened her grip on the prayer beads, letting out a slow, shaky breath as she tried to calm herself.

‘I never imagined such a simple string of prayer beads would carry so much history, Chloe mused, her thoughts swirling. ‘I definitely need to make sure I give them back to Julian personally next time.

Chloe turned to the window, zoning out as the city lights and rooftops slipped past in a blur.

Ian watched her, his gaze steady and unreadable.

She didn’t trust him anymore. Not one bit.

He might look genuine now, but to her, it all felt like just another lie.

The whole drive to Hamilton Manor passed in utter silence–neither Chloe nor Ian said a single word the entire way.

Chloe got out and brushed her long hair back from her face.

Ian shrugged off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

He leaned close and said, “Whatever my mom, dad, or grandpa say later, just tune them out. I’m here for you.”

Chloe shot Ian a cold look. “Honestly, keep your so–called protection for Andrea. I don’t want it.”

Ian caught her wrist, frustration evident in his voice. “I’ve deleted every way of contacting Andrea. I’ve apologized to you, haven’t I? Do you have to keep shutting me out like this?”

They locked eyes for a moment, but Chloe jerked her wrist out of his grasp.

At the Weasley family banquet tonight, the guests were trading the nastiest kind of gossip behind her back.

Even Chloe couldn’t help but frown at all the things they were saying–if it was enough to make her wince, Shane must have been absolutely livid.

Julian had sworn he’d shield her family from any fallout, no matter what.

She was itching to find out, when push came to shove, which powerhouse would really dominate–the Hamiltons, the Rowes, or the Weasleys.

She wanted to see just how much clout Julian had in the eyes of both the Weasley and Hamilton clans.

This was her way of finding out if Julian could truly back her up, cover any risks, and help her finally walk away from this marriage.

Chloe and Ian had just stepped into the living room when, out of nowhere, a teacup was hurled straight at Chloe’s head.

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 148