Chapter 198
Ian and Chloe had divorced in secret, keeping it from everyone.
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Patrick and Arthur were in on it, but since lan and Chloe hadn’t put anything about the split on Instagram, they kept quiet and didn’t pry.
On Tuesday evening, lan headed back to The Old Hamilton Manor after work.
The family had just finished dinner when lan showed up out of the blue, catching everyone off guard.
Shane said, “Now that you two are trying to make things work, have her show up with you at more business dinners. It’ll help shut down those rumors out there.”
He added. “If she wants to keep her title as Mrs. Hamilton, then she’d better give you a kid soon.”
Ian stayed silent and just put the divorce papers on the coffee table.
He said. “Mom, Dad, Edward–Chloe and I are divorced.”
As soon as Ian spoke, everyone went quiet–their faces shifting in shock.
Mia rushed to grab the divorce papers.
When Mia saw the divorce photo of Ian and Chloe, her eyes filled with tears.
Mia carefully handed the divorce papers to her parents.
Miranda barely glanced at them before turning away.
Edward just sat there, silent the whole time.
Shane asked, “So, how much did that woman try to take from you?”
Jan lowered his gaze, not wanting anyone to see the turmoil in his eyes. ‘No point arguing about this, he though
He said. “She didn’t take a single thing
Shane sported and slapped the divorce papers down on the coffee table. ‘Guess she knew better than to ask for anything
Edward stayed stone–faced as he spoke up. Just some bruke rich girl, stubborn as a mule and never listenesk No kids, nothing rying her here. So what if they’re diversest?“
fan got up, looking wore out. I just wanted to drop by and let you know I head back more”
He turned and left the rOGED
Mia, eyes red and swollen from crying blocked hun by bas
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She choked out, “Ian, you know damn well how Chloe treated you after all these years. You’re the one who cheated–you broke her trust. You’re the one at fault here. So how could you just kick her out and leave her with absolutely nothing?”
Faced with Mia’s angry accusation, lan’s chest tightened, and for a moment he could barely breathe.
He didn’t say a single word. He just brushed past Mia, got into his car, and drove away.
Mia turned and stormed back into the living room. Shane, his face grim, rebuked her sternly, “Your brother and that woman are divorced. From now on, don’t associate with her anymore.”
Mia stomped her foot, fuming. “Dad, Ian’s the one who screwed up! You’re always covering for him, but what gives you the right to tell me I can’t see Chloe?”
Shane’s tone was forceful. “When she was Mrs. Hamilton, she threw her weight around in high society. Now that she’s divorced from your brother, she doesn’t mean a thing anymore.”
Mia was about to snap back, but Miranda pulled her back before things could escalate.
Edward, who’d been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up. “Mia, how’s it going with that guy we set you up with last week?”
Mia’s anger, which she’d just managed to suppress, flared right back up. “I’m never getting married! Don’t even dream of using me for some stupid business deal!”
Fuming, Mia grabbed her car keys and stormed out.
Late at night, in a private room on the second floor of the Royal Court Club, Patrick and lan each lounged on
their own sofa.
Patrick asked lan, “So what made you suddenly go through with the divorce? Was it really just something Chloe said that night?”
lan sat slumped on the couch in a white shirt and black pants, looking completely out of it.
He kept his head down, just staring into his glass of red wine without saying a word to Patrick.
Everything Chlor said that night really made me rethink everything Lan thought to himself.
In her eyes, I was a total failure as a husband, Tan admitted inwardly.
I neglected her fur way too long, and I owe her more than I can ever repay, he thought, the guilt weighing Susavy sni his chest
He just wanted to sort out all the crap he was dealing with and make a fresh wart with her, lan thought to
After sitting in adence for ages. Jan hnally changed the set You got chasest all the way abroad just t dodge your family’s constant hagging to arte do wnd you will gut the time to worry about my mess too?”
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Patrick sprawled out on the sofa, groaning. “Come on, I’m nowhere near done living it up, and they’re already throwing me into the marriage pit–kids and all! Man, the way old folks think is just nuts.”
Ian shot back, “Is it that you’re just not ready to settle down, or you just haven’t found the right person yet?”
Patrick tilted his head at lan. “Were you sure Chloe was the right one when you married her?”
Ian’s grip on his wine glass tightened unconsciously.
He said. “From the moment I decided to marry Chloe, I was all in for a lifetime together.”
That still hasn’t changed.
On Wednesday, Hamilton Group went public with Ian’s divorce, and the news set off a storm in social circles.
That afternoon. Chloe grabbed lunch with Philip at a restaurant.
Philip said, “Honestly, I never thought your divorce would be so drama–free. Now that it’s all over, just go with the flow.
He didn’t bother with a “congratulations.”
Chloe gave a casual smile.
She said, “I was hoping to get you, Sir Julian, and the whole gang together for dinner, but Sir Julian’s over in Riverton right now. It’ll be a few days before he gets back.”
Chloe added. “Still, thank you, Mr. Foster.”
If Philip hadn’t helped her out, that whole thirty–day cooling–off period would’ve taken ages.
Philip flashed a relaxed smile. “No need to thank me, Dr. Irvine. It’s just the way things turned out between you and Mr. Hamilton–he chose to end things gracefully, so the whole breakup went down without drama.”
Philip always knew just what to say,
He never tried to overhype Chloe or throw shade at lan
That’s exactly why Chiloe felt so relaxed and genuinely comfortable around him,
Simon, sitting well–behaved beside Philip, hadn’t interrupted once
Once the adults were finished, Sunan tugged at his dad’s sleeve and softly asked. ‘Dad, can ask my gudmother to help me pick out some cool soakers!
Philip shot Clior a warm smile
Chlor said, ‘Simon, if you want help from your godter juste directly, okay?
12:45 Sat, Oct 4
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Simon hadn’t seen Chloe in a few days, so he smiled at her a little shyly.
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After finishing lunch, Chloe, Philip, and Simon left the restaurant together and headed straight for the mall.
Chloe took the lead up front with Simon, while Philip followed behind them patiently, pushing the shopping
cart.
Andrea and her mom, Laura, happened to catch sight of the three of them shopping together like one big happy family in the mall.
Andrea, barely able to contain herself, whipped out her phone and started madly taking photos nonstop–she just couldn’t resist capturing every moment.
Then she grabbed her mom and dashed off with her into the ladies‘ room.
Andrea was bursting with excitement; it was written all over her face.
Laura scoffed, “No wonder the split happened in a snap—looks like she’s been seeing someone on the side this whole time!”
Andrea was so wired she could barely keep her hand steady as she clutched her phone.
Ian and that homewrecker Chloe are finally done, Andrea thought, her heart racing with excitement.
At last–this is my shot!‘ she told herself, almost squealing with delight.
Laura pressed, “Andrea, you better jump on this while you can–don’t let some other woman snatch him up first”
Andrea tossed all her shopping bags to her mom. “Mom, you head home. I’m going to find lan right now!”
Around eight that night, Andrea was waiting outside Ian’s building for him to show up.
kan stepped out of his car, his expression unreadable. “So, what’s the big emergency? Why’d you call me out here
Andrea said, “Tan. I know you and your wife just got divorced and it must be rough right now. Honestly, I didn’t want to bother you, but I just couldn’t ignore this”
With that. Andrea sent lan a photo she’d carefully selected–one where Chloe and Philip looked suspiciously
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Chapter 199

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