The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

85

10 vouchers

Ian and Chloe exchanged a long, silent look at close range. Ian just kept his lips tightly pressed together without saying a word.

Bored out of her mind. Chloe simply shut her eyes, pretending to rest.

The whole ride home passed in utter silence.

Still, neither spoke a word as they each went off to freshen up.

When lan came out of the bathroom, he saw Chloe already in bed, ready to sleep.

He walked over to the bed, looking sulky. “If I hadn’t come over to talk to you, were you just going to keep giving me the silent treatment forever?”

Chloe sat up in bed and nodded at him, completely serious.

Ian snapped, “Chloe, this is emotional abuse!”

Her expression turned icy at Ian’s words.

She knelt up in bed, meeting his gaze head–on.

Chloe said. “So me staying quiet counts as emotional abuse in your book? Then what about you cheating, slipping out to see Andrea in the middle of the night, just leaving me alone at home–not even caring when I passed out? What does that make you?”

They locked eyes, both silent, tension thick between them.

Ian felt like punching himself.

She still remembered every bit of pain he had ever caused her.

He shouldn’t have rushed her like that.

lan sat down on the edge of the bed and grabbed Chloe’s hand, refusing to let her go as he tried to steer the conversation away. I’m leaving for Marlovia on a business trip tomorrow. Should be back in about two weeks”

Chloe couldn’t help but feel exasperated at how he kept dodging the real issue.

She pulled her hand free. “Why are you even telling me about your work trips? It’s not like Fin waiting up for you.”

fan wasn’t about to let Chloe escape. He hauled her right into his arms, holding her tight so she couldn’t wriggle free.

Burying his face against her neck, his voice was low and stuffed with unspoken feelings. You’re my wife–if I don’t tell you, who do you want me to tell?

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 149

85

10 vouchers

Chloe felt squeezed so hard she almost wanted to puke. She squirmed desperately until she finally broke loose from his hold.

She shot back, “Big strong man like you, got all this love to give? If you’ve still got energy left over, why not run off to Andrea Sherman and chat her up all night? Knock yourself out. I’m dead tired–I need to sleep.”

She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket. “Don’t forget to close the door on your way out.”

lan stared at her, his expression was downright menacing.

He said, “Chloe, I know you’re disappointed in me, but let me remind you–Sir Julian’s got it out for the Hamilton family. Don’t let him pull you into one of his schemes. If you can, just stay away from him.”

Chloe didn’t buy it. “He’s your uncle, not some stranger. What’s wrong with me spending time with him?”

lan frowned. “Julian Rowe’s been overseas for years, and he’s got ties to the international underworld. I’m just looking out for you.”

Chloe shot back. “Ian, if you keep pushing me, I might just go ahead and become your aunt–in–law!”

Ian’s face darkened. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Chloe retorted, “You can cheat, sleep around, and even have a secret kid–what’s stopping me from doing the

same?”

They locked eyes, the tension between them so thick it was suffocating.

Ian’s breaths came out rough and uneven, his chest heaving with barely contained frustration.

He just kept staring at Chloe for what felt like an eternity, then, without another word, got up and stormed out of the room.

As soon as lan left, Chloe slipped out of bed barefoot and locked the door behind him.

Early the next morning, while Jan was on the phone in the study, Chloe quietly slipped out before he even realized she was gone.

Around nine, lan knocked and stepped into Chloe’s office.

He set the morning coffee down on her desk. I’m about to catch my flight. If anything comes up, just give me a call anytime!

Chloe remarked, “Your mother–in–law from your second marriage is still lying in the hospital bed. Aren’t you even going to check on her before you go?

Jan’s face turned visibly stormy

Chloe decided to keep quiet.

He gazed at Chloe in a daze, and before he knew it, he was drawn toward her, unable to stop himself.

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 149

:

A85

85

10 vouchers

Without even thinking, he pulled her into a fierce embrace. “Chloe, don’t push me away with those angry words. You’re it for me–the only one I’ve got.”

Just then, Mitchell knocked on the door to remind him it was time to go. Ian finally let go of Chloe, but there was clear reluctance in his eyes.

They’d known each other for years, and they’d been apart plenty of times before.

room.

She teamed up with Patrick, while Arthur and Julian Rowe formed the rival duo.

Cora was busy whipping up dishes in the kitchen, and Carl floated around with drinks and snacks, chatting with everyone as he went.

As Chloe drew her next mahjong tile, a sly grin kept tugging at her lips.

Honestly, this is the good life–plenty of cash, not a man in sight to mess it up,‘ she mused.

In a word? Bliss, Chloe thought, thoroughly satisfied.

Arthur was getting all fired up over the game. “Carl, be a pal and fetch me a cold bottle of water, would ya?”

Carl scurried over, energetic as ever, and handed it off. “Here you go, Arthur!”

Patrick pointed at the lighter off to the side, and Carl was quick on the draw. “Got it, Patrick–here you go!”

Chloe gestured at the jacket tossed over the couch, and Carl hustled to grab it, gently draping it around Julian Rowe’s shoulders. “Don’t want you catching a chill, Sir Julian.”

Julian Rowe shot Carl an approving look. “Whenever you’re free, come by the Rowe Estate and pick out any sports car you like.”

Arthur snorted, “Carl, when you go to college in Europe, don’t sweat the money–I’m footing the whole bill.”

Patrick chuckled and joked, “With me as his brother, you guys can stop worrying about him.”

Carl grinned sweetly. “Three big brothers getting together for good food and drinks–if we get wasted, we can all crash on the floor together!”

As the guys bantered back and forth, Chloe was laser–focused on her mahjong tiles, barely paying them any

attention.

Arthur joked, “Chloe, once Carl goes back to school tomorrow, we’re losing our little butler How about I get you another servant to help out?”

Arthur hadn’t even finished talking when the doorbell suddenly chimed through the house.

Cora swung open the door and smiled. “Arthur, you’re back.”

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 149

(85)

10 vouchers

Ian walked in, dragging his suitcase, and was hit with the sight–his living room was buzzing with guys, all crowded around the mahjong table with Chloe.

He stared everyone down, totally thrown for a loop. ‘A couple weeks away and now my home looks like some kind of casino?‘ Ian thought, half shocked and half pissed off. ‘Is this even my place anymore?‘

None of the guys had expected lan to show up out of the blue–everyone froze for a split second, looking at him like they’d seen a ghost.

Chloe was gripping an eight–wan mahjong tile in her hand.

Feeling lan’s intense gaze locked on her, Chloe tossed down her tile and said quietly, “Pong.”