The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Ian couldn’t help but frown at Shane’s overbearing and unreasonable attitude.

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He shot Chloe a subtle glance before saying, “Dad, I saved her because I wanted to. You shouldn’t be here making a scene.”

Ian added, “If you’re pissed, take it out on me. This has nothing to do with Chloe.”

Shane, furious, raised his hand and slapped Ian hard across the face. “You damn idiot! Everything I do is for you!”

Ian, already injured and barely holding himself together, nearly lost his balance from the slap.

He staggered a few steps but quickly steadied himself, standing firmly in front of Chloe. In a resolute tone, he said, “If you want me to stay alive, Dad, then leave right now.”

Shane looked at Ian, who was barely standing, feeling both furious and heartbroken.

He turned back and shot Arthur and Carl a fierce glare, spitting out, “Just you wait!”

Patrick quickly stepped in, urging Edward toward the door.

Edward stopped right in front of Chloe, saying, “I’ll be keeping tabs on this today. Do yourself a favor and think long and hard about my offer. Refuse a peaceful solution, and I’ll have to do things the hard way.”

Chloe kept her eyes on Edward as he walked away, worry etched clearly in her gaze.

Edward was always a tough old fox, never one to play nice. Shane was even more of a piece of work–arrogant as hell, acting like everyone else didn’t matter.

If Ian hadn’t been seriously hurt and fought to keep Shane back, there’s no way Shane would’ve just walked away. The only reason he left was because he actually worried about his son for once.

If you’re too soft, people will stomp all over you,‘ Chloe thought.

Even if the Hamilton family becomes a nightmare, there’s no way I’m ever going to cave, she told herself.

Jan stood there, gazing at Chloe with a dazed, troubled look.

He humbled himself and said to Chloe, “I want to sincerely apologize–for everything my grandfather and my father did. I’m serious.”

Before Jan could get another word out, Chloe shut him down with clear annoyance. “Ian, we’re divorced. My life, my choices–even whether I live or die–aren’t any of your business. Don’t act like you still get a say in what I do

Chloe cut him off so abruptly that lan just stood there, his eyes clouding with hurt. He didn’t say another word

12:58 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 226

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Chloe said, “You saw it for yourself–if it weren’t for you, none of this mess would have landed on my family, and Arthur wouldn’t have been dragged into all of this either.”

She added, her voice pleading, “Ian, I’m begging you–just keep your distance from me, please.”

Every word Chloe spoke felt like it drove another wedge between them, making lan realize just how unreachable she was now.

Ian was so shaken by her words that he almost lost his balance.

Jill, overwhelmed by emotion, broke down in tears and in a burst of desperation shoved Ian away from Chloe.

Ian staggered back, a pained grunt escaping him.

Jill pointed at Ian, her voice shaking with rage. “You Hamilton! Even after the Irvine family lost everything, we still treated you like you were our own blood. From the time you were young, we welcomed you as family. Chloe married you fresh out of college, threw her whole heart into loving you, and how did you repay her? You pushed her away, you stabbed her in the back!”

Jill sobbed harder. “Now Chloe’s divorced you, but the Hamilton family just won’t let her go. What do we even owe you people? What does the Irvine family have to pay for, huh?”

Ian’s eyes were bloodshot as he struggled to speak, his voice raw with emotion. “Mom, I’m sorry.”

Jill snapped, her voice breaking, “Don’t you ever call me ‘Mom‘ again!”

She jabbed a finger toward the door, her whole body trembling with fury. “If you’ve got even a scrap of conscience left, take this message home: you and your family better stay out of our lives. Don’t ever come bothering us again!”

Patrick held onto Ian’s arm, instantly noticing that Ian was shaking all over–barely keeping it together after forcing himself to stand for so long.

Patrick said softly, “With things blowing up like this, let me take you back to the hospital, okay?”

Ian looked at Chloe, but she turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

Determined, Jan stubbornly brushed off Patrick’s helping hand and dragged himself over to Chloe, every step showing just how badly he was hurt.

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Chloe said, “It doesn’t matter if it’s your grandfather or your father–every move they make is about you. You’re the only heir to the Hamilton family; whatever matters to you matters to them. If you care, they care- if you turn away, so do they.”

But all he could say was, “I’m sorry.”

Ian lowered his head, grimacing from the pain of his wounds, each step heavier than the last as he dragged himself out of the Irvine residence. Even the air felt suffocating–all he could do was leave, each footfall echoing with defeat.

Ian slumped into the car, looking utterly beaten. He muttered to Patrick, “Drive me back to the Old Hamilton Manor

Mia, who was driving, glanced back at Jan, worry etched all over her face.

12:58 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 226

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Patrick looked genuinely concerned. “Ian. just listen to me, okay? You can’t rush this—we have to handle things step by step. You’re already hurt so badly. What if something happens to you?”

Ian leaned back against the headrest, closed his eyes, and muttered with weary indifference, “Just drag my body out and burn it if I die.”

Chloe’s words kept echoing in Ian’s mind, refusing to fade away.

‘He could feel it–she was blaming him, Ian thought.

‘She hated how he’d thrown everything away for Andrea, like Chloe never mattered, he realized.

‘She resented how he let his family wreck her life, never stepping in, Ian couldn’t help but admit.

‘She couldn’t stand how he kept rushing to save her without even asking–how he always got too close, no matter how far she tried to push him, his thoughts finally trailed off.

He remembered the way Chloe had looked at him back then–when he’d stood up for Andrea and gone head- to–head with Edward. Her gaze was hollow, stripped of hope, like every ounce of trust had drained out of her.

That memory stabbed straight through Ian’s heart, leaving him numb inside–so numb, the physical pain from his injuries barely registered anymore.

Over an hour later, at the Old Hamilton Manor.

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