The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

With the clear clink of the glasses, almost everyone’s eyes turned to Andrea.

Andrea exchanged a glance with Chloe.

Chloe pouted and dropped the piece of fruit she was about to offer Ian back onto the plate.

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Ian sat there expressionless, his deep eyes locked onto the fruit Chloe had just thrown into the bowl.

Seeing lan’s face looking downright scary, Andrea quickly jumped up and apologized.

Patrick called a waiter over to quickly tidy up the place, then, trying to lift the mood, handed the dice to Mia, nudging the game back on track.

Mia shot Andrea a fierce glare, then gave the dice everything she had, and rolled an eight.

Mia pointed at Patrick. “Patrick, come over here.”

With that, the crowd erupted in laughter and teasing.

Patrick took a step back, looking scared. “Can’t we pick someone else?”

Patrick set up the game and called Andrea over, which left Mia feeling annoyed.

There was no way she was going to touch him gently.

Seeing Patrick hiding off to the side like a little girl, Mia got even more pissed.

She marched right up to Patrick and smacked him hard on the butt–a sharp ‘smack!‘ rang out.

After giving him a smack, Mia glared at Patrick. “Come on, it was just a pat. It’s not like you’re gonna break or anything. Why are you acting all scared?”

Patrick rubbed his stinging backside but kept up a cheerful front, helping Mia back to her seat. “Did I hurt your hand? Want me to kiss it better?”

Arthur elbowed Chloe. “Hey Chloe, isn’t Mia basically Patrick’s kryptonite?”

Chloe glanced over at Patrick and Mia. “Nah, Patrick’s just got a soft spot for his little sister. He spoils her. that’s all.”

Chloe really couldn’t say if Mia was actually Patrick’s kryptonite.

But one thing’s for sure–Mia really has been picking on Patrick ever since they were kids.

Chloe’s gaze drifted over to Andrea and lan.

Ian sat there with a stony expression, gripping his glass, silent and unreadable.

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Chapter 127

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Andrea, still rattled from the recent drama, sat meekly beside Ian, hardly daring to make a sound.

Chloe snuck a peek at the time on her phone, quickly shot Andrea a message, then made up an excuse to go to the restroom.

After Chloe left the room, Andrea clutched her phone, looking pretty uneasy.

A few minutes later, Andrea finally worked up the nerve to say to Ian, “Mrs. Hamilton’s been gone for a while. I’m a little worried. Mind if I go check on her?”

Ian nodded, and Andrea got up and left the private room.

In an empty private room at the end of the hallway, Chloe pointed at Andrea. “If you keep stalling, this party’s gonna break up any minute. Do you even want your kid to get in with the Hamiltons, or not?”

Andrea was totally at a loss, patting her chest. “There are so many people in that room, and Ian’s right there watching me. I’m honestly freaking out.”

Chloe started pacing anxiously.

Ian’s a tank when it comes to booze–at parties like this, no one’s ever seen him drunk.

But here’s the catch: once he left the table, he’d never use the same cup again, no matter what.

And here’s the real kicker–unless he’s stepping out for a smoke, he won’t leave his seat for anything.

Strangely enough, tonight Ian hadn’t even gone out for a cigarette, which was totally weird for him.

Andrea quietly handed Chloe the stuff and whispered, “How about we switch seats? Maybe you could give it a shot?”

Chloe brushed Andrea’s hand aside. “If I suddenly swap seats with you, Ian’s definitely gonna get suspicious.”

Chloe was planning to sneak the pills into Ian’s drink herself, but out of nowhere, Patrick threw Andrea right next to Ian instead.

Chloe had no choice but to keep hustling. “Andrea, just go for it. Don’t let him scare you. Either play it smart and get pregnant, so you can use the baby to level up or I’ll storm in and catch you guys in bed, then force Ian to step up. You figure out how you want to do this, and I’ve got your back.”

Chloe added, “The Hamilton elders live and die by their reputation. If Ian tries to bail, you just call it assault and take it public. For their name and for their interests, the Hamilton family will have no choice but to accept it.”

But the reality was, Ian had drawn a hard line between them ages ago. Whatever he did now, it was only to pay back what he owed her in the past–nothing more, no feelings attached. He just wanted to put a full stop to any fantasies Andrea might be holding onto.

If Ian ever found out she’d tried to spike his drink, even if nothing came of it, he’d totally flip the blame onto

her.

Since Chloe was willing to take the heat for her anyway, Andrea wasn’t about to let this chance slip by. She needed to make herself lan’s woman first–then she could figure out her next move.

Andrea steeled herself, her nerves stretched tight under everyone’s watchful gaze, and threw the dice- landing a nine.

With a chorus of let–down groans from the group, Chloe leaned over again and said, “Andrea, didn’t you pop cold medicine before coming? No way you should be drinking right now.”

Chloe kept frantically signaling Andrea, shooting her loaded glances and exaggerated winks.

Patrick chimed in with a teasing grin, “Hey, if she can’t drink, no problem–lan can handle it for her!”

Andrea, barely daring to speak up, whispered softly, “lan… can you help me out and take the drink for me?”

11:53 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 127

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Seeing that lan didn’t object, Chloe gave Andrea another loaded look. “Don’t worry, I’ll give the green light for my husband–just hurry up and pour him a drink!”

Andrea gripped the little bag tightly, nodding quickly in a panic.

Chloe speared a piece of fruit and held it out to Ian, but he coolly nudged her hand away, keeping silent.

All of a sudden, Mia called out, “Hey, what are you hiding in your hand?”

Andrea’s nerves were shot–she flinched in fright, fumbled, and the bag of pills tumbled straight to Ian’s feet.

Chloe and Andrea locked eyes for a split second, then scrambled, both diving for the little bag lying near Ian’s feet.

But Ian was faster–he bent down and beat them to it, picking it up before they could even touch it.

The crowd swarmed over, craning their necks. “What’s that?”

Ian’s gaze settled on Chloe. He stared straight into her eyes and spoke in a lazy, unreadable tone, “Something good.”