The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218

Downstairs in the banquet hall, Chloe had just greeted Eric when Vivian spoke up.

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“Today’s Sophie’s coming–of–age party. I wonder what kind of present Dr. Irvine brought for her?” Vivian asked with a sly smile.

Chloe shot a look at Vivian, who was clearly trying to stir up trouble, and couldn’t be bothered to respond.

Vivian’s two friends deliberately raised their voices. “Vivian, which wealthy family is Dr. Irvine from?”

Vivian cleared her throat. “Dr. Irvine isn’t from any wealthy family. She’s Mr. Hamilton’s ex–wife.”

Vivian might just be the illegitimate daughter of the Monroe family, but she wasn’t someone you could mess with.

‘If Chloe thinks she can play games with me, she’s got another thing coming. I’ll make sure she regrets it,‘ Vivian thought, her eyes cold.

The guests nearby started gossiping in hushed voices, clearly intrigued by Vivian’s announcement.

Arthur Logan had a habit of speaking before he thought.

He pointed at Vivian, then turned to Eric, “Eric, where did you find this ugly thing? Should’ve just buried her back wherever you dug her up.”

His remark made the crowd burst into laughter, and Vivian’s face darkened with humiliation and anger.

Vivian bit back her frustration, keeping her voice meek as she said, “Mr. Logan, I’ve never done anything to offend you. Even if you and Dr. Irvine are close, it’s not fair for you to say such things about me.”

Eric glanced at Vivian with an unreadable expression. “Miss Monroe, you’re here as a guest, and Dr. Irvine is an honored guest of the Jordan family.”

Eric kept it brief, but Vivian caught the hint in his words. Her face fell, and she couldn’t quite hide her embarrassment.

Chloe didn’t flinch, meeting Vivian’s eyes with an unwavering stare.

Vivian was out to make a scene, desperate to stick Chloe with the label of “Mr. Hamilton’s ex–wife” in front of

everyone.

She was also throwing shade at Chloe’s background, hinting that without that title, Chloe was a nobody- someone who had no business even being at Sophie’s coming–of–age party.

Chloe walked straight up to Vivian and, in front of everyone, said, “Last week, Amelia Monroe threw you out of the family. Should I still call you Miss Monroe, or would the illegitimate daughter of the Monroe family‘ be more accurate?”

Vivian snapped. “I have a name! Say that again and I’ll make you regret it!”

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Chapter 218

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Simon, hugging Chloe’s leg protectively, chimed in, “Ma’am, didn’t your dad ever teach you it’s rude to yell at people?”

“You-!” Vivian sputtered, completely thrown off by a kid.

Vivian was left utterly speechless, floored by a little kid.

Chloe hugged Simon close, shielding him protectively in her arms.

Her expression was ice–cold as she shot Vivian a warning: “Vivian, you can call me Ms. Irvine or Dr. Irvine. But if you keep slapping that ‘Ex–Mrs. Hamilton‘ label on me, you’ll seriously regret it.”

She’s her own person.

She’s not defined by anyone else.

Not far away, Ian couldn’t take his eyes off Chloe as she confidently cast aside the “ex–wife” label in front of everyone. Her determination made him falter, his footsteps slowing as he watched her.

‘What if Chloe and I really never cross paths again?‘ Ian thought, a sudden wave of panic clutching at his chest.

Vivian tried to take Chloe down a peg but ended up humiliating herself in front of everyone. Her face was flushed with embarrassment and she looked absolutely mortified.

“Chloe, don’t waste your breath on people like her. If she tries anything, just slap her right back,” Mia called

out.

Mia showed up fashionably late, dressed in a tight, stunning black dress that radiated confidence.

One of Vivian’s friends shot her a glare and demanded, “This is Sophie’s coming–of–age party. Who do you think you are, coming in here with that attitude?”

Mia exuded a fierce, untamed energy that dominated the entire room.

Mia marched right up to the woman who’d mouthed off, looking down her nose and sneering, “How many daddies you got? Takes guts to talk to me that way.”

Vivian wasn’t about to pick a fight with Mia. She grabbed her friends and hustled them out of there without another word.

Sophie, the little princess of the Jordan family, showed up in a sparkling diamond tiara and a fantasy princess dress. She made a beeline for Chloe and asked, “Third Brother, is this the Dr. Irvine you’re always bragging about?”

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Seeing Philip shake his head, Chloe looked genuinely worried.

Julian stayed silent, Quentin didn’t dare breathe a word, and lan definitely knew the truth, but he’d refused to tell her anything.

Worried about it, Chloe decided she’d make a trip to the Rowe Estate herself tomorrow.

Not far away, Patrick elbowed lan. “Dude, you’ve been glued to Chloe all night and she still won’t give you the time of day–what’s up with you staring so hard?”

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Chapter 218

Ian masked his reaction and finally looked away, keeping that cool–as–ice act.

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Patrick smirked, “You see Philip and Arthur over there? They’ve got Chloe flanked on both sides, man. If you try crashing that, you’ll just turn into the ultimate third wheel.”

Ian shot Patrick a warning glare. “Keep quiet and maybe we’ll stay bros.”

Patrick lifted his chin with a grin. “Hey, I only mess with you this much because you’re my bro.”

Patrick continued, “Strength–wise, Philip may be a dad now, but he holds his own–he’s just as good as you. And as for Arthur, he’s got the family, the looks, and the youth. Be real, Chloe could just pick either of them blindfolded and they’d be an upgrade on you.”

Every word was like a jab in Ian’s gut, leaving him a little rattled and unable to keep his composure.

He glanced over at Chloe, lingering just a few steps away, then told the other two, “I need to take a call.”

From across the room, Carl spotted Ian heading upstairs alone. He quickly set Simon down with his sister Chloe, then grabbed Arthur and hustled him off to somewhere quiet.

Carl pointed at Ian, who was heading up the stairs, and whispered to Arthur, “Keep watch for me.”

Tonight, he was dead set on letting off some steam.

Arthur stopped Carl and warned, “Seriously, I’ve sparred with him before. Even if you trained for another three years, you still wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Carl grabbed Arthur and insisted, “Come on, Arthur, let’s team up! Two against one–we’ll finally teach him a lesson!”

Arthur hesitated for a beat but then nodded. “Alright, this time let’s finally settle the score and make him pick his teeth up off the floor!”

The two of them were totally on the same page, sneaking up the stairs behind Ian.