The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Ian suddenly threw a question at Andrea, making her face go stiff for a second.

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But Andrea had seen this coming. She just paused for a heartbeat under Ian’s sharp gaze, then slipped right back into her usual self.

Andrea stayed calm and shot back at him, “Ian, did I mess up again or something?”

Ian oozed a cold menace that seemed to drop the temperature in the room.

He pinned Andrea with a glare and demanded, “Chloe’s already suspicious of us. Why are you using Clint to get to her? What are you up to?”

Andrea’s eyes flickered with panic, her voice suddenly coming out shrill. “Ian, you’ve misunderstood me!”

Ian just stared at her with a piercing look, waiting for her answer.

Andrea’s voice wavered, sounding genuinely hurt as she said, “It was Chloe who forced me to acknowledge Clint. She said if I didn’t go along with it, she’d have Edward kick both me and Clint out of Kingsford!”

Andrea’s eyes stayed firm, but her hurt was plain for anyone to see.

Ian paused, pulled out a bank card, and held it out in front of Andrea.

He said, “Andrea, I’m giving you one last chance. Take this money and Clint, move to a different city. Don’t come back.”

Andrea completely lost it. “I’m not leaving!”

She’d finally carved out a life for herself in Kingsford. Her job was stable now, and she’d even scored a powerful friend in Vivian Monroe, from one of those rich families.

Jan had kept Chloe in the dark, willingly accepted Clint as his own son, and even gone toe–to–toe with the Hamilton elders for the sake of her and Clint. There was no doubt–he still had feelings for her.

Once Jan divorced Chloe, she’d be the only woman at his side–and she was never going to walk away.

The look on Jan’s face turned stony as he took in Andrea’s reaction.

When he spoke again, his voice was laced with a warning.

He said, “Andrea, this card holds more money than you could make in several lifetimes. If you don’t take it now, there won’t be a third offer.”

Andrea stood in front of lan, her palms slick with sweat as she clenched her fists.

No matter how much was on that card, it was nothing to someone like lan.

Once she married Ian and became Mrs. Hamilton, she’d have access to the entire Hamilton fortune.

11:52 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 123

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She couldn’t trade the big score for a quick payout.

With that thought, Andrea’s voice grew firm.

She said, “Ian, ever since your mom came to see me, I moved out of the house you bought for me. I’ve been keeping my distance from you and Chloe all this time–you know that.

“The apartment upstairs? Chloe offered it to Clint as a welcome gift. She was the one who came to me and wanted to make Clint her godson. I tried to say no, but she threatened me. What was I supposed to do?”

When lan still didn’t say a word, Andrea paused for a moment.

She went on, “Now the Hamilton elders and Chloe have already accepted Clint as your son. If Chloe really makes Clint her godson, it’ll be easier for us to explain things to others if anyone asks.”

Andrea was quick with her words, never missing a beat and always ready with an answer.

Not waiting for Ian to speak, she went on, “But if it really bothers you, I’ll give the deed back to Chloe tomorrow. The place upstairs can be just a rental, nothing more.”

Andrea said, “Ian, I may be short on cash, but I’ve still got my dignity. You don’t have to keep putting me to the test. If I was really after you, I wouldn’t have spent six years outside the country before coming back.”

Andrea held her ground, and the icy look in Ian’s eyes started to thaw.

Noticing lan’s expression finally loosen up, Andrea spoke up,

“Ian, I just realized that Chloe is actually a really great person. We just click, and I genuinely treasure our friendship. Honestly, I’d much rather have a friend like her than take your money and spend my whole life with my head down.”

“Because of you, Edward ruined my shot at happiness for a lifetime. You tried to make things right by accepting Clint, even if it meant clashing with Chloe. Let’s just call it even between us. From now on, even if the sky falls, I’d rather ask Chloe for help than ever come to you again. Please, leave.”

Andrea put everything on Chloe, turning her into the perfect scapegoat.

She flat–out refused lan’s bank card and drew a clear line between them–no strings, no lingering feelings.

That move left Jan totally at a loss for words.

As Jan looked at Andrea sitting all alone with Clint in that quiet hospital room, he finally spoke up.

He said, “Clint’s asleep. You should get some rest too.”

Jan made his way home, his heart heavy with thoughts.

Andrea had always been meek and insecure–she never had the nerve for things like this.

He used to be rational and composed, but now he was getting more unpredictable by the day, way more hot- headed than before.

Jan held out the gift to her. “It’s a present for your promotion.”

Chloe set her bag down, smiled, and said, “Thanks.”

11:52 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 123

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Chloe casually set the gift on the cabinet, didn’t so much as glance at it, and Ian’s face darkened just a little.

He asked, “Aren’t you going to open it?”

Chloe flashed him a smile. “There’s no need–I’ll like whatever you give me.”

There was that same half–hearted smile again.

Ian’s face immediately darkened.

Chloe finished getting ready to go out.

She walked up to Ian, stood on her tiptoes, and was about to kiss him–then it struck her: the marriage agreement was history.

Chloe pulled back from Ian and spun around without hesitation.

Ian stood there in stunned silence, his gaze fixed on Chloe as she walked away, his eyes full of complicated

emotions.

Now that the agreement was officially off the table, Chloe had clearly decided she was done with all the fake acting–she wasn’t even going to play along anymore.

It was almost noon at Westside General Hospital.

Chloe was heading to the cafeteria with her colleagues when she noticed Andrea making her way over.

She greeted her coworkers and then came to a stop.

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