The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Ian gripped the handle of his suitcase tightly and stared hard at Chloe.

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He hadn’t seen her in over half a month, and now that he’d come home, she didn’t even bother to greet him or help with his coat–she still had the nerve to call “Pong!” at the mahjong table.

Cora sensed the tension and quickly stepped forward to take the suitcase. “Let me take that for you, Mr. Hamilton.”

The others, seeing all this, just kept playing mahjong.

Ian handed his suitcase and coat to Cora, changed into his house slippers, and walked over to Chloe, his gaze settling on Carl.

He asked Carl, “Did the results for last week’s monthly exam come out yet?”

Carl let out a disgruntled huff and plopped down next to Patrick.

Chloe tugged on Ian’s arm and told him, “Hey, that’s something for my parents to worry about–not you.”

Ian dragged his eyes away from Carl, fixing his gaze on Chloe. He looked clearly annoyed.

He said, “Move over, let me handle a couple of rounds for you.”

When Chloe noticed Ian eyeing her tiles, she hurried to block them. “No way, Ian! I finally drew a good hand.”

She’d been at the mahjong table all afternoon, and kept losing every single game.

Now that luck had finally swung her way, she was determined to see this round through, no matter what.

Arthur had once lost a fortune to Ian on a cruise ship.

Seeing lan trying to take Chloe’s seat, Arthur jumped up instantly. “Nope, not a chance–I’m not playing against you.”

Patrick, who had never managed to win a single game against lan, flatly refused as well. “Playing with Chloe is just for laughs, but with you, it’s like betting our life savings. Seriously, stay out of this!”

If lan really took a seat at the table, they’d all end up getting cleaned out by him in no time.

Julian chimed in, “Actually, I’d love to see how my game stacks up against yours, Mr. Hamilton.”

Seeing the situation, Chloe hurriedly hooked her arm through lan’s and dragged him down the hall. “Cora made all your favorite dishes. Go wash up and change, then come out for dinner.”

Ian stopped at the doorway, his eyes lingering on the group at the mahjong table.

With a grumpy look, he grumbled, “Did Cora really cook all that just for me?”

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Chapter 150

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Chloe him a half–hearted smile. “Of course, it’s your special dinner. I just asked them to come keep you company while you eat.”

The two stared each other down.

Chloe’s smile was obviously forced.

Ian’s face was stormy.

Chloe shoved lan toward the bathroom, then spun back around and jumped right in at the mahjong table, ready to claw her way to a win.

Patrick turned to Julian. “Sir Julian, ever thought about moving over here? It’d make our mahjong nights so much easier.”

Arthur cut in, “There aren’t any empty units left–except for the so–called hellish 18th floor. That place’s cursed, nobody dares set foot there.”

Julian had a cigarette clinging to his lips, his long, knuckly fingers tapping on the mahjong tiles, his narrowing to slits.

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Julian replied, “Other folks hit the 18th floor and get haunted by some petty ghost. Me? I’m the king of the underworld–if anyone should be afraid, it’s them, not me. Bad luck? That doesn’t apply to me.”

Patrick chimed in, “Sir Julian, you should move over here and keep the place protected! With you around, not even ghosts or weird stuff would dare come near.”

While the three men chatted, Chloe was focused on her mahjong tiles, quietly crunching the numbers and saying nothing.

Julian sighed, pushing his tiles out. “Self–drawn win–got it.”

Chloe pouted, her whole face falling in disappointment.

When Patrick saw Ian walk out, he shoved his tiles aside. “Alright, let’s eat.”

Jan noticed Chloe attentively pushing Julian’s wheelchair and stepped in before she could. “Let me do it.”

But Carl jumped in first, grabbing the handles and rolling Julian himself toward the dining room.

Ian eyed the folks by the dining room door and asked Chloe, “When did Carl get so friendly with those guys?”

Chloe answered carelessly, “They just started hanging out over mahjong while you weren’t home, that’s all.”

Ian pulled his gaze back, hiding any reaction.

He looked over at Chloe. “You suck at mahjong, but you never wanna quit. So, how much did you blow this time?”

Chloe flashed an awkward smile. “Relax, we’re just playing low stakes–ten bucks a round. I haven’t lost much.”

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Ian gave her a look. “Those three toss around millions like it’s pocket change. You’re telling me they’d go easy and play for ten bucks with you?”

12:07 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 150

Jan stared Patrick down, his look carrying a clear warning.

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Ian turned to Carl. “After dinner, Chloe and I will take you home. We’ll swing by and pay your folks a visit while we’re at it.”

Arthur shook his head. “No need, I know the way. I’ll take Carl home myself.”

Ian coolly put down his chopsticks. “You’ve been there before?”

Arthur puffed out his chest with a big grin. “Of course! Chloe’s parents are huge fans of mine.”

Ian shot Chloe a look and took a slow, silent breath, trying not to lose his cool.

After dinner, Arthur took Carl home, Thomas Quinn came to pick up Julian, and Patrick headed upstairs.

Once everyone left, only Ian and Chloe were alone in the house, and it suddenly felt so much quieter.

Chloe started cleaning up the mahjong table, and Ian came over to help.

He stood over her, his gaze fixed on her face, searching her expression.

He asked, “Does Arthur hang around your parents‘ place a lot?”

Chloe shot back, dodging the topic. “Oh, your precious side chick has been getting dragged through the mud online for days for hawking knockoffs in her livestream. And as for your son–I don’t even know if anyone’s actually watching him. Maybe you should run and play hero over there.”

Ian grabbed Chloe’s wrist.

He looked her straight in the eye and said, “Cut the sarcasm, okay? I only have one home, and it’s right here.”

Chloe made a face. “Last week, your grandpa decided to mess with me, so I pissed him off so bad he wound up sick. No idea if he’s even out of the hospital yet. Shouldn’t you be heading over to the Old Hamilton Manor to check on him?”

Ian was clearly losing his cool.

He frowned. “It’s the middle of the night, Chloe. Where exactly are you trying to send me off to?”

Chloe let out a tired yawn. “Don’t get mad, I’m just looking out for you.”

She added, “You’ve been on a long flight–you must be exhausted. Why don’t you get some rest?”

With that, Chloe turned to head back to the bedroom, but lan caught her around the waist and pulled her back.

He asked, “How much longer do you expect me to sleep on the couch?”

The two stared at each other.

Chloe pointed toward the smaller bedroom. “Or… how about I let you have the master bedroom instead?”