The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199

Chapter 199

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Ian unlocked his phone, glanced at the photo Andrea had sent, then locked it again.

Andrea watched him, waiting for some kind of reaction, but Ian just sat there, completely unfazed.

She said, “lan, I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me, so I took a photo to show you. Honestly, when they’re together, they’re even more intimate than what the photo shows.”

Andrea added, “I always thought Chloe loved you, but turns out she’s so determined to divorce you because of this guy.”

Ian eyed her, his voice cool. “So you called me up, said it was urgent, just to tell me this?”

Andrea blinked, thrown by his reaction.

She quickly clarified, “No, Ian, that’s not why I called. Things have been getting worse for me lately, and that’s why I came to you. I just mentioned Chloe because it came up.”

Ian gave Andrea a quick once–over. “Chloe’s already agreed to help you out. I’ll reach out to her and take you there myself.”

Andrea hadn’t expected Ian to be looking out for her–especially with the whole divorce drama going on. Her heart skipped a beat with excitement. ‘So he’s still thinking about me after all, she thought.

Feigning sweetness, Andrea said, “Ian, thanks so much for doing this for me. I’ll just head home and wait for your call–I won’t trouble you anymore.” ‘If only he knew how much I cared about his help, she thought silently.

Ian watched Andrea walk away.

Leaning against the car door, he lit a cigarette, looking completely worn out.

He unlocked his phone again, staring at the photo Andrea had sent. Frustration gnawed at him–he honestly had no idea what to do next.

He couldn’t bring himself to go home–not when Chloe was no longer there.

He wanted to just drive straight over to the Irvine family’s place and see Chloe right now.

But he didn’t have the faintest idea what sort of excuse he could use to see her.

That’s right, lan told himself, frustration bubbling up.

Now I even have to think of a reason just to see her, he thought bitterly.

Ian leaned heavily against the car door, feeling utterly spent. He upped his head back and closed his eyes, exhaustion weighing down on him.

–

12:45 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 199

Early the next morning, Ian showed up at the hospital to see Chloe.

He watched as Chloe’s car slowly pulled into a parking spot, then got out of his car.

Chloe spotted lan and stopped in her tracks.

Ian just stood there, dazed, staring at Chloe’s delicate face with its touch of makeup.

She looked radiant–not at all like someone who’d just gone through a divorce.

He handed her the breakfast. “I got your favorite–crab roe soup buns.”

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Chloe ran her fingers through her hair and didn’t accept the food. “No, thanks. I’m staying at my parents‘ place, and my mom always makes me breakfast–just the way I like it.”

Ian’s hand, still clutching the breakfast, fell weakly to his side.

He’d gone out of his way, even crossed two blocks just to buy her those buns, but now it all felt pointless. ‘Guess there was no need for me to worry so much,‘ Ian thought bitterly.

Ian felt drained, a sense of defeat weighing him down.

Chloe glanced his way, her tone impassive. “Anything else?”

Ian spoke, bracing himself. “I’ll bring Andrea over this afternoon. Remember–you said you’d help hypnotize her. I need you to keep that promise.”

Chloe glanced around and dropped her voice. “I’m not seeing any patients this afternoon. Just wait for me to text or call you.”

After saying that, she greeted a nearby coworker and headed off with her.

Ian stood there, staring after Chloe and her colleague, unable to look away even after she was completely gone from view.

It finally hit lan–he didn’t even know exactly when, but somewhere along the line, he’d lost every bit of the special place he used to have in Chloe’s life.

Meanwhile, Chloe had just walked into her office when Eric handed her a patient file. “This is Avalonia’s youngest triple crown winner. His situation’s a bit better than Mr. Logan’s used to be, but his family life is a

mess. Take a look first.”

Chloe took the file. “Don’t worry, Eric. Messy, hopeless cases are exactly my thing–I love the ones everyone else runs from

Eric flashed Chloe a supportive smile. ‘Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

“There’s this TV segment about medicine–they do free public education. You won’t get paid, but it’s a solid way to boost your own reputation and put the hospital’s name out there. I think you should give it a try.” Eric suggested.

Miranda said, “When fan divorced you, he didn’t touch any of his shares, didn’t sell off any of his properties,

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Chapter 199

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and didn’t even move a penny from his domestic accounts. This money must have come from one of his personal overseas accounts.”

Miranda said gently, “Since lan went out of his way to give you this money–without anyone else knowing- you should just accept it. Mia and I won’t tell a soul.”

But Chloe shook her head, holding firm. “I really can’t keep it. If I did, I’d just feel uneasy.”

Mia urged her, “If my brother gave it to you, then it’s yours. Honestly, for him, that’s nothing–just put it in your own account. What’s there to feel anxious about?”

‘Not much? Are you for real?‘ Chloe thought, totally floored.

Chloe felt so awkward she didn’t even know how to respond.

She said, “Mia, I really can’t take this money.”

Chloe had learned firsthand just how much trouble the Hamilton men could be.

She and Ian were divorced now, and she was fully capable of supporting herself–no way was she going to get tangled up in more Hamilton drama.

With a resigned sigh, Miranda took the card back when she saw how firm Chloe was.

Chloe finally let out a sigh of relief.

The three chatted over their meal, and the atmosphere gradually thawed.

Outside the restaurant, Andrea happened to walk by and spotted the three of them inside.

She watched as Miranda thoughtfully served Chloe some food, and Mia chatted and laughed with her- Andrea’s eyes burned with jealousy.

That bitch Chloe is already divorced from Ian, so why are those two women from the Hamilton family still treating her so well?‘ Andrea fumed inwardly.

Andrea, burning with jealousy, lurked behind a billboard, refusing to leave. She kept her eyes glued on the restaurant, determined to wait until the three finished dinner and stepped out.

She watched Miranda and Mia drive off together, leaving Chloe standing alone on the sidewalk, ready to cross the street–looking so isolated it made Andrea seethe even more.

Unable to hold back, Andrea darted after Chloe and cut her off right at the edge of the street.

12:45 Sat, Oct 4