The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 170

lan was sitting at his table when he saw Chloe and Philip walking by with Simon. He instinctively pulled his

hand back.

Seeing lan’s awkward expression, Andrea quickly got up and walked over to Chloe. “Dr. Irvine, please don’t get the wrong idea. I asked lan to come over because I wanted to talk to him about something.”

Chloe set her bag down. “What am I supposed to misunderstand? That you two were holding hands while you were chatting just now?”

lan sat there, unconsciously clenching his fists.

Andrea hesitated on purpose before saying, “Dr. Irvine, do you have to be so harsh?”

Simon tugged at Chloe’s hand and gently led her to sit down. “Mom,” he called softly.

Andrea’s eyes darted over to Simon and Philip, both standing close by Chloe–a family picture that clearly unsettled her.

Andrea scoffed, “You and Ian aren’t even divorced yet, and here you are dining out in public with another man, acting like you’re his kid’s mom. Ever thought about how Ian might feel?”

Chloe sighed, fixing Andrea with a matter–of–fact look. “This is just tradition in the Hamilton family. You haven’t married in yet, so of course you don’t get how things work. I won’t blame you for not understanding.”

Andrea was left so speechless by Chloe’s sharp retort that she almost felt her heart skip a beat.

Chloe turned and shot a look at lan, who was sitting behind her.

She reached out and yanked him to his feet. “Ian, why don’t you let your new flame know what it’s like playing dad with zero effort?”

With a mix of emotions in his gaze, lan stared at Chloe.

He took her hand and said, “Don’t get all worked up. Just eat your lunch. Got some stuff to handle, I’m out.”

lan gave Philip a nod, glanced at Andrea, and walked right out.

Seeing this, Andrea hurried after lan, leaving the restaurant in a rush.

Philip let out a sigh.

Chloe flashed an embarrassed smile. ‘Mr. Foster, guess this turned out way duller than you expected, right?”

Philip said, ‘Just glad you’ve sorted it out”

She really had

But fan was stubborn as ever–never letting go, no matter what

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Chapter 170

She still couldn’t figure out what he was really after.

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After lunch, Chloe and Philip headed back to the hospital with Simon. From a distance, Chloe spotted a black Bentley parked by the curb outside the hospital.

As lan stepped out of the car, Philip, holding Simon, said, “You two talk. I’ll take Simon inside.”

Philip left with Simon, and Chloe stopped in her tracks.

lan walked up to her and handed her a thermos. “Chicken soup. If you get hungry later, just have some.”

Chloe reached out and took the thermos.

I really have to take care of myself now, especially after what happened,‘ Chloe thought. She couldn’t afford to be careless with her health.

Seeing Chloe accept the thermos, Ian said, “I just met with Andrea. It was to talk about—”

Chloe cut him off before he could finish. “I don’t want to hear about any of it!” she snapped.

Ian was forced to stop mid–sentence.

They locked eyes, and Ian’s gaze was a storm of emotions, impossible to read.

When he spoke again, his voice was tight with restraint.

He said. “I can tell you really care about Philip’s son. If you want to acknowledge him as your own, I’ll organize a family acknowledgment dinner someday. We can pick out a special gift for Simon together.”

Chloe just stared at Ian for a long moment, her eyes unreadable.

She said, “Ian, what Simon needs is a mom–not another dad. He has me, and that’s enough. You don’t need to be part of this.”

As soon as Chloe said that, Ian’s expression turned stormy.

He snapped, “Chloe, we’re still married. I’m here, alive and kicking. How is it fair that you can acknowledge Simon as your own, but I get shut out?”

She pressed, ‘Or was I already dead to you back then?”

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Ian stood frozen, hand to his cheek.

Amelia snapped, “I’m only letting this slide because of your father. If you stir up trouble again, you’re out of the Monroe family–go back to your mother!”

Vivian glared as the luxury car rolled away, fuming and stomping her feet in place.

Chloe headed back to her office, packed up, and got ready to head to Rowe Estate.

Eric knocked on the door and stepped in ‘Looks like your VIP patient list keeps growing. What made you hit up the outpatient clinic again this afternoon?”

Chlor smiled. “Mrs. Monroe was my grandma’s closest friend. She’s not sleeping well lately, and I couldn’t help but worry. Figured I’d write her a prescription to help her sleep better

Eric placed a patient file on Chloe’s desk. “This one’s a member of the Marlovian Royalty. Pretty special case They’re coming to Kingsford next week, and you’ll be their doc. Heads up–take a look at their file first”

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Chapter 170

Chloe shot Eric a thumbs–up. “Eric, you really do have some insane connections.”

Teaming up with Eric was her lucky break–she’d scored both prestige and perks.

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On top of that, she’d rubbed shoulders with power players from all walks of life and built a whole new network of friends.

Eric just waved it off, modest as ever. “Compared to the networks of the Hamiltons and the Wynns, mine barely count.”

After Eric left, Chloe tucked the patient file in her purse and headed out to Rowe Estate.

It was late afternoon, almost quitting time, and Ian was in his office at the Hamilton Group.

There was a hurried knock at the door, and Mitchell rushed in. “Mr. Hamilton, your father’s been discharged from the hospital!”

Ian set his pen down and looked

1. up.

Mitchell braced himself and said, “Mrs. Hamilton was on her way to Rowe Estate, but your father’s people intercepted her and took her to The Old Hamilton Manor!”

Ian shot to his feet. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?!”

Mitchell wiped the sweat from his brow. “Mr. Hamilton, your father also ‘invited‘ Mrs. Hamilton’s parents over to The Old Hamilton Manor.”

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