The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 211

Chapter 211

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After Philip spoke his mind, Chloe couldn’t help feeling a little awkward.

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Even though she’d only spent a few months around Philip, she had absolute faith in his character.

Besides, she and Simon really hit it off.

Simon called her ‘godmother‘, but there she was addressing Philip as ‘Mr. Foster‘–yeah, that did feel a bit too formal, Chloe thought.

But Philip was always so calm and courteous, the model of a straight–laced, respectable guy.

She could joke around with Arthur, teasing him and calling him all sorts of nicknames–Arthur, even Old Six

-no sweat.

She could easily banter with Julian, slipping back and forth between calling him ‘Sir Julian‘ and ‘Uncle Julian‘ whenever she felt like it.

But with Philip, she really couldn’t bring herself to be that casual.

Chloe fidgeted, unsure what she should say, her mind circling but coming up empty.

Philip just passed the question to Chloe, then turned his attention to his steak, cutting it up gracefully and not uttering another word.

An awkward silence settled between them.

Chloe braced herself, feeling a bit awkward. “Maybe… should I call you Philip instead?”

Philip set his knife and fork aside, smiling warmly. “Really, I was just making a casual remark. No need to worry about it, Dr. Irvine.”

Chloe tightened her grip on her water glass.

Philip’s words were always deliberately vague–if you didn’t stay sharp, you could easily get lost trying to follow his train of thought.

Chloe gave a polite nod. “You’re right, Philip. I’ll seriously think it over.”

These big shots were all valuable connections, and she really needed to get along with them.

If things ever got awkward, Chloe could just round up Sir Julian, Arthur, and a few more, and start a sworn siblings club right then and there.

Simple as that: anyone older than her, just call ‘bro‘.

Anyone younger? ‘Little bro‘ it is.

Big bros and little bros would all have her back–she’d never have to worry about a thing.

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Chapter 211

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Philip suddenly piped up, his tone playful. “Dr. Irvine, don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of pulling me into your sworn sibling club?”

“Pfft-” Chloe almost did a spit–take.

She nearly choked to death on her water.

Philip stood up, grabbed a napkin, and handed it to her. “Just messing with you, Dr. Irvine. No need to take it

to heart.”

Chloe bent over, nearly hiding under the table as she reached for the napkin, choking and coughing for several long moments.

Other than with Ian, she’d never made such a spectacular fool of herself in front of any guy.

Chloe wished the ground would just swallow her up.

Philip sat back down and smoothly changed the subject. “I heard Sir Julian got back yesterday. If you’re free this weekend, Dr. Irvine, how about we set up a mahjong game? I’d love to partner up with you and see how we do.”

As soon as Chloe heard the word ‘mahjong, she perked right up—now that was something she couldn’t resist.

But then it hit her—something was off.

Julian’s already back from abroad, but why haven’t I gotten a call to come do a check–up at the Rowe Estate?‘ Chloe wondered.

That afternoon, Chloe gave Julian a call, but all he said was, “Don’t come to the Rowe Estate for now,” and then hung up before she could even ask any questions.

Chloe mulled it over again and again–there was definitely something fishy going on. Unable to shake off her curiosity, she finally made up her mind: she would go check things out at the Rowe Estate herself.

Upstairs in the Rowe Estate’s study, Julian relaxed in his wheelchair, dressed in dark loungewear, looking a little pale.

He glanced over at Chloe with a faint sigh. “Didn’t I ask you to stay away for now?”

Chloe put down her medical kit, flashing an uncertain smile. “If I hadn’t come, you’d probably say I was neglecting you. You promised to let me check up on you as soon as you got home, but you’ve already put it off for a whole week.”

Julian rolled the prayer beads slowly between his fingers. “I know you mean well, but let’s pause the treatment for a while. Go on, head back.”

Chloe’s keen senses picked up a faint metallic tang of blood in the room.

She didn’t dare press for answers–instead, she obediently slipped out of the study.

‘I know it. Something’s seriously wrong with Julian, Chloe thought, her instincts sounding alarms.

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Chapter 211

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As Chloe reached the door, Julian turned to his right–hand man, Quentin. “See Dr. Irvine home.”

Ten minutes later, Chloe was standing next to her car with Quentin nearby.

Quentin gave her a reassuring nod. “Ms. Irvine, I’ll be driving behind you to make sure you get home safely.”

Chloe couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Quentin, be straight with me–did something happen to Sir Julian?”

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Ian flipped on every light in the house, then headed straight out to the balcony.

Tonight’s forecast called for rain, so Ian figured he should bring in the succulents Chloe had planted on the balcony.

As he slid the balcony door shut, Ian noticed one of the cushions on the sofa had fallen onto the floor.

After they got married, so many nights Chloe would sit curled up on the couch hugging that cushion, quietly watching TV dramas and waiting for him to come home.

Every time he walked in, she’d toss the cushion aside and throw herself into his arms.

She’d ask if he’d eaten, how much he’d had to drink, if he was tired….

But now, she wouldn’t even look his way, let alone talk to him.

Ian could barely breathe through that heavy feeling in his chest. He bent down, picked up the pillow, and quietly set it back where it always was.

He’d had a little too much to drink tonight, and figured a shower might help him sober up.

Ian staggered into the master bathroom, let the cold water pour over him for a good ten minutes, but no matter how long he stood there, he still couldn’t quiet the storm inside.

He stood at the bathroom sink, wearing nothing but a white bathrobe, his whole body feeling empty and

spent.

Chloe’s rinsing cup was still there, and her face towel, just recently unwrapped, lay barely used beside it.

Ian reached out and grabbed the black hair tie Chloe had forgotten on the counter, gripping it tightly in his palm.

With both hands pressed hard against the edge of the sink, he stared into the mirror, lost, with Chloe’s image haunting every corner of his mind.

“Ian, I got these two rinsing cups online–they’re custom–made couple’s cups! You have to use yours,” Chloe

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Chapter 211

had said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

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But Ian couldn’t be bothered to use the couple’s cup she’d gotten just for him.

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Chloe’s eyes filled with disappointment, but she still forced a smile and sidled up to him, trying to act all sweet and clingy.

When he turned her down again, she pouted, her eyes turning red as she huffed, “I’m mad at you!”

But Ian didn’t bother to cheer her up at all.

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