The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Ian stepped in front of Chloe, blocking her way.

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He asked, “Are you really doing this to save someone? Or is it just for show?”

Chloe met his stare, her gaze cold and distant.

She replied, “lan, you and your people aren’t even worth my time for revenge.”

Ian was shocked by the icy look in her eyes, but he held back his anger.

Chloe shot a look at Patrick, who quickly did the same to Arthur.

“Emergency! Doctor needs space, everyone step back!” Patrick yelled.

The two of them started shooing people back, scattering the crowd like herding chickens.

Chloe crouched down beside Laura and pulled a small black hairpin from her hair.

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She leaned in close and whispered, “Your daughter stole my husband, wrecked my family, and now she has the nerve to drag my name through the mud in public.”

‘I’ve been waiting ages for this moment,‘ Chloe murmured. ‘One jab with this hairpin and you’ll be paralyzed from the neck down, stuck in a hospital bed for the rest of your life.’

‘So don’t blame me–blame your darling daughter, the homewrecker,‘ Chloe hissed.

With that, Chloe pressed the hairpin mercilessly to Laura’s carotid artery.

“She’s going to kill me!” Laura shrieked in panic.

On pure instinct, she scrambled away, crawling and rolling toward the crowd for safety.

The crowd watched it unfold and couldn’t help but marvel at Chloe’s medical skills.

Andrea stole a guilty glance at Ian, then forced a nervous smile. “Thank goodness, my mom’s finally awake.”

Ian’s gaze lingered on Chloe, a storm of emotions flickering in his eyes.

He stepped up to Chloe and said, “If she’s alright now, I’ll take you back to the hospital.”

Chloe extended her hand toward Jan, palm open, the gesture cold and unyielding.

Ian’s gaze zeroed in on the small black hairpin lying in her palm, uncertainty flashing through his eyes.

He moved to grab it, but Chloe, clear disdain in her every gesture, dropped it to the floor without hesitation, leaving Ian’s hand awkwardly suspended in midair.

For a few quiet seconds, they locked eyes–neither saying a word, both refusing to back down.

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Chapter 143

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Chloe’s words were cold as ice. “I never wanted to waste my time on them, but you just kept coming after me. You wouldn’t stop.”

Ian felt a pressure in his chest. He tried to reach for Chloe’s hand, but she took a step back, avoiding him entirely.

“If my memory serves me right,” Chloe snapped, “weren’t you just in my office two hours ago, asking for time? You said you’d handle things to my satisfaction.”

lan’s heartbeat hammered in his chest.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Chloe’s voice was sharp. “Even Patrick and Arthur saw through that lousy performance. Hell, I could see right through them—and I’m not exactly naive. Yet you still chose to trust them.”

Ian stared at Chloe, his eyes dazed, and took a step toward her.

Chloe took another step back.

She said, “Ian, we’ve known each other since we were kids, you were my husband for three years. But tonight, in front of everyone, you stood unwaveringly by another woman’s side. You said I was acting out of spite, doubted my integrity as a doctor, dragged my name through the mud, and publicly declared I wasn’t even fit to practice medicine.”

Ian felt like the oxygen in his body had been sucked dry—like every bit of air had been ripped from his chest.

He wanted to move closer to Chloe, but his legs just wouldn’t budge.

Chloe met Ian’s gaze and said, “Don’t forget, Ian–ever since I was little, all I ever wanted was to be a violinist. But because you couldn’t sleep, I walked away from my spot at the conservatory and chose medicine instead -all for you.”

She continued, “Go ahead, let everyone else doubt me–but not you, Ian. You don’t even have the right.”

With that, Chloe turned and walked away without another glance,

“Chloe!” Ian called out, his voice raw with emotion.

He watched her walk away, her figure so frail and worn, and a dull ache twisted in his chest.

Just then, the ambulance arrived.

Andrea shot Laura a glance, and Laura dramatically dropped to the ground, clutching her chest and gasping loudly.

Andrea quickly urged the medics to hurry her mother into the ambulance.

Andrea stepped right in front of Chloe, all fake concern on her face. “Mrs. Hamilton, I want to apologize for what I just said. My mom suddenly collapsed and I panicked–I hope you won’t hold it against me or stoop to my level.”

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Chapter 143

As she spoke, Andrea gave Ian a pointed, almost pleading look.

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She said, “Ian, I was just really overwhelmed when my mom fainted, so I blurted out things that didn’t sound good. Once I get her admitted to the hospital, I’ll come over myself to offer a proper apology.”

Without waiting for a reply, Andrea hurried into the ambulance and disappeared down the street.

‘What a joke, Chloe thought to herself, watching the ambulance drive off down the street.

Patrick and Arthur flanked Ian, holding him firmly in place and making sure he couldn’t go after Chloe.

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Ian asked, “Joanna, where’s Ms. Irvine?”

Joanna handed him the medical report. “Ms. Irvine’s out on a house call. Here’s the report.”

Ian glanced at it, then handed it back. “Just give it to Ms. Irvine.”

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Joanna rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck. “Ms. Irvine said you two are getting divorced, so she told me to send the report back to the medical center and have the patient pick it up themselves.”

His expression turned stormy.

It was just after five in the evening.

Chloe had just pushed Julian Rowe’s wheelchair around the garden, and the two had only just come back into the living room.

That was when Ian showed up.

Ian shot Julian a quick look, then walked straight up to Chloe,

His voice heavy and subdued, he said, “I’m here to take you home.”

Chloe kept pushing Julian toward the dining room, tossing over her shoulder, “I’m staying at the Rowe Estate for dinner tonight. You can head back.”

Jan stepped into the dining room after her, the tension practically written all over his face.

Julian didn’t even blink–he just told the staff to set out another plate like it was the most natural thing in the

world.

Ian had barely sat down when his phone started ringing.

From Ian’s reaction, Chloe could tell exactly who was calling.

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She ladled out a small bowl of herbal soup for Julian. “Sir Julian, this soup is really good for your sleep. You should eat more–it’ll help you rest better.”

Just as Chloe finished speaking, Ian paused for a moment, reluctant, then finally stood up.

He said, “Chloe, I need to step out for a bit. I’ll come back for you later.”

Watching lan rush out of the room, Chloe’s lips curled into a cold, mocking smirk.

With a loud clank, Julian Rowe tossed his spoon into the bowl, the sound echoing through the dining room.

He announced, “Dr. Irvine will be spending the night here at the Rowe Estate. There’s no need for you to come back and pick her up.”

Ian froze right at the doorway, caught completely off guard.

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