The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Ian said, “Edward, I still need Andrea for something. You can’t touch her for now.”

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Then he turned to his parents. “Dad, Mom, I know I’ve hurt Chloe deeply. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her.”

Miranda was practically shaking with anger. “You’ve hurt Chloe so badly, and you still think she’ll stay with you until you’re old? Dream on!”

Ian said, “Mom, if there ever comes a day when I don’t even get the chance to make it up to her, I won’t ever get married again, and I won’t have any more kids. I’d rather spend the rest of my life alone.”

With that, Ian walked out of The Old Hamilton Manor without looking back.

Shane was so furious he started throwing whatever he could get his hands on, crashing things everywhere. “You ungrateful brat! We gave everything to raise you—this is how you treat us?”

Edward was so enraged he actually coughed up blood and collapsed on the spot.

Miranda was so angry she saw stars and nearly fainted right then and there.

Shane growled, “That useless son! From now on, nobody is to bother with him. Let him crash and burn on his own!”

The whole night, Hamilton Manor was an absolute madhouse.

A little past three in the morning, the helicopter touched down at Hamilton Private Airfield.

Ian was leaning against the car door, smoking.

He wore tailored dress pants and a crisp white shirt–untucked, with the top three buttons undone in a way that made him look nonchalant and a little defiant.

Andrea stumbled out of the helicopter, crying as she threw herself desperately toward Ian, hoping he’d catch

her.

But lan just shifted aside slightly, and Andrea was left hugging empty air–missing him entirely.

She hit the ground with a muddy, disheveled thud, grabbing desperately onto Ian’s pant leg. “Ian, I barely escaped with my life! Your grandfather almost had me killed,” Andrea sobbed, tears streaking her dirty face.

Jan replied coldly, “If I could have you brought back here, I can make sure nothing happens to you.”

He continued, “There’s another place set up for you. Take the kid and move in. If you get into trouble, come to me–otherwise, don’t bother.”

Still visibly shaken, Andrea climbed into Mitchell’s car

Through the tinted glass, Andrea couldn’t take her eyes off lan, coolly leaning against that flashy car, cigarette

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in hand, looking like he owned the world. Her gaze was restless, full of complicated emotions.

She was sure of it–Ian still couldn’t let her go.

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It was all because of his high status, the older generation breathing down his neck, and the fact he still hadn’t kicked Chloe–ugh, that bitch–to the curb. Too many things tied his hands, made it impossible for him to be with Andrea out in the open.

Otherwise, with Chloe losing his own child and Edward flying into a rage, ditching Andrea at the Tri–Border Area like she was nothing,

there’s no way Ian would reach back out to her–let alone pull her back into his life.

And on top of that, he’d even set up a new place for her ahead of time.

‘Men are all dogs, can’t change their stripes… Andrea scoffed to herself.

‘It’s always the forbidden fruit–they only want what they can’t have!

‘This is my last shot,‘ she resolved. ‘Whatever it takes, I’m not letting Ian slip away again–I will make him mine, for real this time.

It was late when Ian finally got home, and the place was pitch black.

He flicked on the lights, exhaustion written all over his face.

As he bent down to change his shoes, he realized there were a few pairs missing from the rack. Ian opened up the cabinet, a sense of unease creeping in.

Suddenly, it hit him. Ian rushed into the living room and saw the master bedroom door wide open.

He walked in slowly, and the king–sized bed was perfectly made–no sign anyone had slept there.

“Chloe!” Ian called out, his voice cracking with desperation.

Still calling her name, he rushed into the walk–in closet and yanked open her wardrobe, panic rising in his chest.

Not a single trace of her usual clothes was left. She had taken everything.

lan just sank to the floor, powerless, all the strength gone from his body.

Without even thinking, he pulled out the crystal glass pendant from his pocket, his eyes red and fixed on the tiny baby photo inside, his fingers trembling.

He clutched the crystal pendant to his chest, and the moment his eyes fell shut, tears slid silently from the corners of his eyes.

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Jill still couldn’t help but worry. “Chloe, once you divorce Ian, there are going to be a lot more expenses. You should really save your money. Your dad and I don’t need such a nice house.”

Chloe couldn’t really handle alcohol, so she hardly even drank.

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Chapter 172

Patrick was the same age as Ian–both of them had just turned thirty.

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Mia was blunt and straightforward, and honestly, every guy in her circle ended up just treating her like one of the guys.

Whenever his family tried to pressure him into marriage, Patrick would just take off abroad. He couldn’t care less about any of the candidates–they couldn’t pay him enough to settle down.

Patrick totally spoiled Mia, and both families were constantly trying to play matchmaker for them.

But Mia always said she wouldn’t even think about marriage until she turned thirty, and Patrick just laughed. that off, claiming he still wasn’t done having fun yet–neither of them took any of it seriously.

Whenever those two hung out, they were like actual family–if not even closer.

Honestly, nobody really knew what to make of the whole situation.

Watching Mia just laughing it up, hugging both guys like there’s no tomorrow, Chloe couldn’t shake this weird, uncomfortable feeling inside.

She wanted to ask Mia how she really felt about Patrick, but seriously, she had no clue where to start.

After hesitating for a moment, Chloe wiggled her finger, motioning for Mia to get closer.

As the four male models slowly got up from their seats, Mia sat up straight and crossed her arms, looking suddenly all serious. Chloe felt a cold draft behind her, making her shiver.

She followed Mia’s line of sight–turning to see Ian standing behind her, like a statue, totally emotionless and just staring.

Chloe pursed her lips, took her time pouring herself a glass of wine, and then took a slow, deliberate sip.

Mia jumped up, looking all flustered and started stumbling over her words. “Uh, Ian, seriously–don’t blame Chloe! It was my idea, I was just thirsty and dragged her in for a drink, that’s all!”

Ian jerked his chin toward the door. “The family car’s outside. Go home. Now.”

Mia snatched up her bag and scurried off.

Ian scanned the room, scowling at all the unfriendly stares. Then, with a low, hard voice, he spoke to Chloe: “You leaving on your own, or do I have to haul you out myself?”

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