The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Chloe glanced at the clock. It was already past ten.

After saying her goodbyes to the hosts, Chloe was ready to head home.

Si

Andrea had been publicly mocked by Patrick tonight, and everyone had joined in the ridicule. lan was probably beside himself with worry for her.

He was probably busy comforting Andrea right now, like he’d even care about Chloe at the moment.

“Are you Mr. Hamilton’s wife?”

At the entrance to the gala, Vivian stopped Chloe in her tracks.

Chloe paused and nodded.

Vivian gave Chloe a once–over, jealousy practically radiating from her eyes. “Just because you’re good–looking doesn’t mean you can go up against Andrea. Mr. Hamilton only loves her, not you.”

Chloe shook her head. “Wrong. Ian and I have been childhood sweethearts for more than twenty years. I’m the only one he has ever loved.”

Vivian looked at Chloe like she was out of her mind.

She covered her mouth, laughing. “Mrs. Hamilton, maybe you should swing by the lounge and see who your dear husband’s cozying up to right now?”

Chloe’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Thanks for the heads–up, Miss Monroe.”

‘So that’s where they went–upstairs,‘ Chloe mused.

Spotting the Langleys deep in conversation with Amelia Monroe, Chloe adjusted her shawl and headed over.

The ladies greeted her warmly.

After exchanging a few polite words, Chloe grinned, “Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Langley, Ian’s off busy with work and left me here all alone. Anyone want to join me upstairs for a couple rounds of mahjong?”

As soon as she heard ‘mahjong‘, Yvonne’s eyes lit up and she was totally on board.

Soon, Chloe and Yvonne helped Amelia upstairs, with a few other socialites trailing behind.

Right behind them was Vivian, tagging along just to see what drama would unfold.

And bringing up the rear was a whole crowd of guests, all hoping to cozy up to someone important.

The third floor was reserved for VIP suites, where guests could relax in style.

Inside the suite Ian and Chloe shared, Andrea stepped out of the bathroom after her shower, now dressed in a

1. a.

Chapter 104

fresh set of clothes–clothes

fresh set of clothes–clothes that obviously belonged to Chloe.

Noticing lan standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, a cigarette between his fingers, Andrea moved closer, cautious and a little awkward. She said softly, “lan, I’ve changed. Thanks for getting me out of that mess earlier.”

Ian turned, his eyes lingering for a moment on the clothes Andrea was wearing–Chloe’s clothes. His expression was hard to read, mixed with a hint of something he couldn’t quite hide. “The driver’s waiting downstairs. You should head back,” he said flatly.

Then he added, “Remember, don’t use the main entrance.”

Andrea nodded, but she didn’t move.

‘Seriously? Ian won’t even let me walk out the front door, all because he’s afraid that Chloe might catch me wearing her clothes, Andrea thought, annoyance twisting inside her.

She snuck a glance at Ian, then took a deep breath and apologized.

“Ian, it was careless of me tonight. I never meant to make it look like there was something going on between us–I really didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” she said, her voice small and apologetic.

Ian crushed out his cigarette. “I know you didn’t mean it. I’m not blaming you.”

When Ian spoke, it was like a soothing balm for Andrea–her nerves finally loosened, and she felt her whole body relax, as if she’d finally found her sense of safety.

Ian said quietly, “From now on, I think you should address me differently.”

Six years ago, when he agreed to be with Andrea, he’d given her permission to use that intimate name for

him.

And after she returned six years later, swept up in the rush of reunion and pitying everything she’d been through, he simply allowed her to keep calling him in that familiar way.

But tonight, seeing the frostiness in Chloe’s gaze as she questioned him, Ian felt a deep heaviness pressing down on his heart.

It struck Ian that since Andrea returned, Chloe hadn’t called him ‘big brother‘ even once.

Chloe was way too stubborn–if Andrea kept using that affectionate term, there was no way Chloe would ever say ‘big brother‘ again.

A flash of frustration flickered in Andrea’s eyes. “But Ian, if we start acting like strangers, your grandfather might start asking questions.”

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When lan didn’t answer, Andrea rushed on, “Honestly, Ian, what I call you really doesn’t matter to me. I’ve always kept things proper between us–never wanted Mrs. Hamilton to get the wrong idea. I’m not someone who doesn’t know her place, and I’m definitely not after anything.”

Andrea casually unfastened two buttons on her blouse, taking her time, then reached for the cigarettes and lighter sitting right there on the table.

Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Chloe and Yvonne were helping Amelia along, escorted by a small crowd of elegant ladies.

They bumped into Ian as they made their way down the corridor.

Ian walked straight up to Chloe and paused, his face giving nothing away. “What brings you

all up

here?

Chloe grinned at him. “You slipped away to rest and didn’t even give me a heads up–I was searching all over for you downstairs and you’d completely vanished.”

Ian’s gaze darkened.

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Chapter 104

Yvonne said with a laugh, “Mrs. Hamilton was totally bored, so she rounded us all up here to play some mahjong–looks like we just happened to run into you.

lan’s gaze landed quietly on Chloe, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Without so much as a change in expression, he took Chloe’s hand and explained, “I just came up to make phone call. Was about to go downstairs and look for you.”

Seeing this, Amelia smiled and gently urged everyone, “Chloe, since lan’s here, let’s just save the mahjong for next time.”

The group began to disperse.

Right then, Andrea stepped out into the hallway, cigarettes and lighter in hand. “Ian, you left these in our room.”

Everyone’s attention snapped to Andrea as she appeared, her clothes a bit rumpled, and suddenly, every eye in the hallway was fixed on Ian.

Chloe’s stare dropped to the outfit Andrea was wearing, and her face darkened, icy and unreadable.

She demanded in front of everyone, “Why was she in our room?”

Not giving Ian or the others a chance to respond, Chloe fired off her next question, her words taut and direct: “Why is she wearing my clothes?”