The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Chapter 106

About ten minutes later, it was outside the hotel by the curb. Andrea’s eyes widened at the sight of a row of black luxury cars and bodyguards; she instinctively clung to lan.

She clutched lan’s sleeve, her voice trembling. “Ian, can I ride with you?”

Chloe watched the two of them, so close and clingy, and turned away without a word.

Mia hooked her arm through Chloe’s and led her toward one of the cars in the back. “Chloe, come ride with me.”

Ian, without betraying any emotion, nudged Andrea aside and took Chloe by the wrist.

A fresh wave of panic hit Andrea when she saw this.

She walked up to Chloe and Ian, her voice hesitant. “Ian, I need to talk to you. Can we step aside for a moment?”

Edward from the Hamilton family was a vicious old bastard, always scheming and ruthless.

If he’d singled her out tonight, Andrea knew there was no way it was for anything good.

Maybe stirring things up wasn’t so bad after all.

Now everyone knew about her and Ian.

Now that Ian was backing her up, Andrea was itching to see what those stubborn old relics from the Hamilton family could really do to her.

Ian gave Chloe a reassuring glance, then turned to Andrea. “Don’t worry. I’m right here.”

Thomas opened the door to one of the cars in the back. “Ms. Sherman, please get in.”

Andrea had no choice but to grit her teeth and get in.

Mia spat, her eyes flashing with disdain. “Little bitch, just wait till Edward deals with you.”

Mia shot Ian a bold, defiant look. “Don’t glare at me. Mom told me to slap you until you beg for mercy. I haven’t forgotten about the rest–I’ll save them for later.”

With that, Mia hooked Chloe’s arm and started to lead her away.

Ian tightened his grip on Chloe’s wrist, his voice cold and commanding as he shot a glare at Mia. “Go get in your own car. I’ve got something to say to Chloe.”

Mia flinched at Ian’s harsh tone, instantly ducking behind Patrick for cover.

Patrick gave Mia an easy pat on the shoulder. “Don’t mind him. Come on, let’s ride together.”

19:02 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 106

lan snapped, “Stay out of this. It’s none of your business.”

Patrick scoffed. “Chloe’s my sister–anything that happens to her is my business. I want to be there to watet you finally pay for it.”

With that, Patrick grabbed Mia and pulled her into the car.

Once everyone else was in their cars, only Ian and Chloe were left.

Neither of them looked happy as they got into the car, one after the other.

As the car started moving, Ian lowered the privacy partition between the front and back seats.

Ian tilted his head, his piercing gaze locked onto Chloe, his tone laced with ambiguity. “So, is this what you wanted?”

Chloe met his eyes, unfazed, refusing to back down.

For once, she was dead serious as she told Ian, “I’m doing this for you–and your family.”

Ian’s expression turned cold, a storm brewing in his eyes.

His grip on Chloe’s hand tightened, almost reflexively.

He said, “Andrea just called me that out of habit. She didn’t even realize it–she wasn’t trying to get under your skin.”

Chloe yanked her hand out of Ian’s grasp. “If she’s so used to calling you that, then let her. You don’t have to cover for her. I’m just here to keep up appearances for you and your family–believe me, I know it.”

Ian’s face clouded over, his expression so cold and threatening it would make anyone’s heart skip a beat.

He didn’t take his eyes off Chloe, studying her for any sign of weakness.

He said, “Chloe, if you want to think that way, be my guest.”

Chloe kept her composure, even when Ian refused to explain himself.

She met Jan’s gaze with steady resolve. “Your mutual devotion with Andrea is honestly touching. I genuinely want to see you two end up together.”

As they stared each other down, the cramped back seat felt suffocating–the tension was so thick, it made every breath feel like a struggle.

Ian’s chest tightened with an unbearable heaviness, every inhale sharp and strained, as if something was lodged inside him.

His chest rose and fell sharply, an intimidating energy rolling off him that practically screamed at Chloe to keep her distance.

He warned, “Chloe, my patience with you doesn’t last forever.”

19:02 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 106

Chloe

Jan fixed his gaze on Andrea, seeing how shaken she was, and spoke gently to reassure her. “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

19:02 Fri, Oct 3

Chloe didn’t pull away–she couldn’t, even if she wanted to.

Ian was a master at putting on a show.

By holding her hand as they walked in, he was making sure the Hamilton elders saw that, even with Andrea around, he could keep his wife in line and their marriage would stay intact.

He wanted Edward to see that keeping Andrea close wouldn’t cause any trouble or stir up any drama in his life.

At the entrance of the villa, the maids and bodyguards stood in two neat, respectful lines.

Andrea followed behind Thomas, anxiety twisting in her gut as she cautiously entered the living room.

Seeing lan holding Chloe’s hand as they walked side by side, Andrea’s eyes went red with envy, flames of jealousy flickering inside her.

‘If it weren’t for that bitch Chloe, Andrea thought bitterly,

‘I’d be the one walking through the doors of Hamilton Manor with Ian, hand in hand.’

In the main hall of the Hamilton Manor, Edward sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding the

room.

Ian’s parents sat just below him, stiff–backed and respectful, careful not to step out of line.

The security chief of the Old Hamilton Manor stood at the door, waiting attentively.

The vast living room was eerily quiet, the air so thick with tension that no one dared to breathe too loudly.

Patrick stayed back, choosing not to step forward.

Mia saw Patrick hang back and held herself back too.

When Thomas stopped, Andrea stopped right along with him.

Ian led Chloe up to the elders, keeping their hands linked as they approached.

Edward gave Thomas a pointed look.

Thomas prompted Andrea, “Ms. Sherman, please come forward and speak.”

Andrea nervously walked up to lan, her movements timid, not daring to take another step forward.

Ian’s gaze rested on Chloe for several seconds, his expression unreadable, before he released her hand and stepped to Andrea’s side.

He said, “Edward, if you have a problem, take it up with me.”

19:02 Fri, Oct 3