The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

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Ian’s phone was sprawled on the floor, ringing over and over without a break.

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But Ian was completely consumed by his agony, so caught up in the storm inside his head that he didn’t even notice a single sound from the outside world.

Andrea Sherman tried calling Ian Hamilton three times in a row, but when he still didn’t answer, she could only sigh and give up, feeling utterly powerless.

Early the next morning, Andrea Sherman hurried out of the apartment Ian had arranged for her, only to be cornered right at the entrance of the neighborhood by her brother, Chloe, and her mother.

Chloe didn’t even bother with pleasantries. She went straight for the money: “Andrea, you were the one who pushed us into selling our house and moving to another city, just so we wouldn’t stand in the way of you and that Hamilton guy. Now, thanks to you, we can’t afford to live over there at all. If you don’t give us cash today, this isn’t over–I’m not letting you off the hook!”

Andrea, panicking about people staring, desperately dragged Chloe aside and whispered, “Chloe, could you lower your voice? The place I’m staying in was given to me by Ian, I didn’t buy it with my own money.”

Laura jumped in to remind her, “Andrea, your two nephews are boys and still in school, and your brother and Chloe are struggling to make ends meet. You really ought to lend them a hand. Get Ian to help out more, maybe even buy two apartments, but they have to be in a good school district, alright?”

Chloe nodded without hesitation. “If Ian can set you up with a place to live, he could do it for us too. He’s the richest guy in Kingsford—his pocket change could buy us a villa! If he won’t give us money, we’ll go raise hell at his office.”

Andrea tried to sidestep, sounding flustered. “Chloe, whatever you do, don’t mess with Ian. If he gets angry, he could make life miserable for all of us.”

Andrea hurriedly took out her phone to transfer what money she had. “I’ll send you everything I’ve got right now. Go home quick–make sure Ian doesn’t see you. I’ll figure out a way to get the money for your house.”

After finally persuading her parents, brother, and Chloe to leave, Andrea sat restlessly at home, unable to calm down.

She was strapped for cash, but Ian just refused to give her anything.

If she’d known it would get this bad, she never would have bought into Miranda’s talk about being some independent woman‘ and turned down Ian’s help.

Now, with the baby’s true parentage out in the open, those old geezers in the Hamilton family didn’t want anything to do with her.

Jan’s attitude was anyone’s guess, and the sixty million she almost got her hands on had vanished into thin air.

And the worst part? Jan still hadn’t divorced that bitch Chloe.

She’d called him last night, but he hadn’t bothered to call her back. She had no idea what he was up to.

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Chapter 174

The more Andrea thought about it, the more anxious she became.

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She couldn’t just sit around and wait for disaster to strike. She had to find a way to meet lan face to face.

At eleven in the morning, in the CEO Office of the Hamilton Group.

Mitchell knocked and quietly informed Ian, “Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Sherman is downstairs in the lobby.”

Ian paused mid–page, then said, “Send her up.”

Mitchell nodded and soon brought Andrea into the office.

As soon as Mitchell was out the door, Andrea couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted, “Ian, can you lend me some money?”

Ian shot her a look, obvious suspicion in his eyes. “Are you really that desperate for cash?”

Andrea rushed over and stood in front of Ian, practically in tears and looking like she was about to break down.

She said, “Ian, you know my streaming job got messed up and I lost it. Your mom tricked me into that contract–there was a trap, and now she’s asking me for thirty million in compensation. I don’t have that kind of money, so she’s gone after my brother and Chloe, and now they’re both being squeezed and have no choice but to come begging me.”

Andrea paused, voice trembling. “I can barely keep myself together, so how am I supposed to get enough to help them, let alone pay your mom back? I really don’t have anywhere else to turn except you–I’m totally out of options.”

With her face buried in her hands, Andrea couldn’t hold it together anymore–her muffled sobs filled the

room.

Ian turned his back on her and walked to the liquor cabinet, keeping his expression hidden from Andrea.

He said, “The company just rolled out a new project, and cash is tight right now. I can’t give you anything at the moment–you’ll have to wait.”

Andrea bit her lip, a hint of desperation in her voice. “Ian, is there any chance you could personally loan me some money right now?”

Ian let out a heavy sigh, looking away. “After my wife’s miscarriage, my grandfather flew into a rage and froze everything I own. Honestly, I don’t have anything I can give you at the moment.”

The company is short on cash?

‘His personal accounts are frozen too?‘ Andrea’s mind raced, disbelief flashing across her face.

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Andrea hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she hovered in place.

He subconsciously stepped closer and lowered his voice, trying to sound gentle. “You’ve just gotten back on your feet–don’t work yourself to death. I’m free all next week for the holiday. Name the place, and I’ll take you.”

Chloe didn’t even blink. “Nice try, Mr. Hamilton, but there’s a long line of people wanting to hang out with me. You’ll have to take a number.”

She finished, grabbed Simon’s hand, and left without looking back.

Jan just stood there, dumbfounded, not even bothering to go after her. ‘Guess I’m not even close to the top of her list, he thought bitterly.

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Chapter 174

Just like that, the May Day holiday rolled around.

Ian headed back to The Old Hamilton Manor by himself to check in on the family elders.

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Miranda had been holed up in bed for three days straight, so mad she wouldn’t let anyone near her.

Edward’s condition was even more dire–he had the family doctor on an endless twenty–four hour rotation.

As Ian stepped out of Edward’s room, Shane, his father, stormed over, his face dark with rage. “You ungrateful bastard! All because of some woman, you’ve pushed your grandfather to this point. How dare you even show your face here?”

Ian kept his eyes down and walked away without a word.

As lan was strolling through the living room, he caught Mia talking about Chloe heading off to Europe, and the words made him freeze in place.

Ian’s brows furrowed and he pressed, “Wait–who said Chloe went to Europe?”

Mia blinked, totally baffled, waving her just–hung–up phone. “Uh, Chloe told me herself. I literally just spoke to her.”

Ian lowered his gaze, his brows knitting together.

‘Blew me off with the whole “working overtime” spiel, and now she’s already jetted off to Europe to see Arthur Logan,‘ Ian thought, a wave of bitterness washing over him.

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