The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 258

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It was the middle of the day, and Chloe never imagined her car had been compromised, that someone was hiding inside.

A hand shot out, holding a dagger to Simon’s throat, forcing her into the car.

For the boy’s safety, Chloe had no choice but to comply.

That night, in a derelict propane depot on the outskirts of Kingsford. Chloe and Simon were tied up in two separate warehouses.

Philip and his bodyguards descended on the scene, swiftly rescuing his son. “Tell Daddy, are you hurt anywhere?”

The moment the tape was ripped from his mouth, Simon burst into tears. He pointed a small finger at the adjacent warehouse. “Daddy, the bad guys took Godmother in there!”

The color drained from Philip’s face.

He handed the child to a bodyguard. “Get him out of here first.”

Two guards blocked his path. “Mr. Foster, we’ve already tipped them off. The next warehouse is full of propane tanks. It’s too dangerous, you can’t go in there!”

But before the words were even out of their mouths, Philip was already gone, sprinting toward the building.

Inside the warehouse, Chloe was bound to a pillar, her mouth sealed with tape.

Her blood ran cold as she heard the men discussing breaking her legs before using her as a hostage to escape.

These were desperate, violent men. She had no idea if Simon was okay.

Just as a brutish–looking man raised a club to swing at her legs, Chloe squeezed her eyes shut in despair.

A sudden scream tore through the air, followed by the sounds of a violent struggle.

When Chloe opened her eyes again, the men were scrambling out of the warehouse, groaning in pain.

Seeing Philip frantically working to untie her ropes, Chloe was overwhelmed with a sense of relief that brought tears to her eyes.

“It’s okay,” Philip comforted her, his voice gentle as he saw the tears streaming down her face. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Wincing, Chloe tore the tape from her mouth.

“Quick, Simon is in the next building!” she said urgently.

Philip gently steadied her arm. “Don’t worry, Simon is already safe. Let’s get out of here first.”

18:48 Sat, Oct 18

Chapter 258

Chloe’s shoulders finally slumped in relief.

But as they turned to leave, a lit lighter was tossed through the window.

“Dammit,” Philip cursed, grabbing Chloe and pulling her toward the door.

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Before Chloe could process what was happening, a deafening explosion erupted behind them. A wave of intense heat and shrapnel from the exploding canisters blasted toward them.

In that critical moment, Philip threw his body over Chloe, shielding her completely.

“Chloe!”

When lan arrived, the first thing he saw was Philip and Chloe lying together amidst the wreckage.

Chloe shook her head, trying to clear the ringing in her ears. She opened her eyes to see lan’s worried face looming over her. “What are you doing here?”

lan instinctively looked away. “I was just passing by. I saw Philip’s car parked outside.”

Chloe didn’t question it, struggling to push lan away.

Police officers swarmed in behind him to secure the scene.

Noticing a deep gash on Chloe’s arm, Ian bent down to lift her. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

But Chloe wrenched herself free with all her might and scrambled to Philip’s side.

Seeing him unconscious on the ground, she was afraid to move him. “Philip, wake up!”

Tears of panic streamed down her face. “You have a son to raise! Why would you risk your life to save me?”

Ian stood frozen, watching Chloe’s helpless distress over Philip, a bitter taste filling his mouth.

‘Without me, another man would still risk everything to save her, to protect her.’

He stared as she sobbed for another man, his own eyes turning red with a mixture of helplessness, despair, and pain.

18:48 Sat, Oct 18

But Simon grabbed Chloe’s hand and suddenly started running.

They jogged across the street, and Simon puffed, “Godmother, how can you be so not alert? You really need to watch out!”

After that, Simon used his smartwatch to call his bodyguard, but he just couldn’t get through no matter what.

Chloe looked at Simon, feeling a sudden jolt of anxiety.

‘I remember Ian mentioning once that Philip took on a really nasty court case,‘ Chloe thought, the details suddenly flashing through her mind.

After Philip won the lawsuit, the defendant lost big time.

To get back at him, the opposing side kidnapped his wife and son.

In the end, his kid made it out alive, but his wife… she never woke up again.

‘Wait, could someone be after Philip again–this time going after his kid?‘ Chloe shivered, the thought making her throat go dry. ‘Shit, this could turn ugly fast.

Her fingers hovered over Philip’s number, but she didn’t hit dial. ‘He’s all the way in Yarland right now… Even if I call, he won’t make it back in time. Chloe gripped her phone tighter, fighting down the anxiety.

‘Real threat or not, no way I’m taking chances, Chloe told herself, instantly switching into high–alert mode.

18:48 Sat, Oct 18

Chapter 257

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“Simon, stick close to me. We’re going straight to the hospital,” Chloe said, keeping her voice calm and

protective.

She grabbed Simon’s hand and hurried toward her car.

The hospital was the nearest safe spot, and with Eric Jordan there, Chloe trusted he’d know exactly how to deal with whatever came up.

Chloe opened the back door, ready to usher Simon inside first.

But in the very next instant, a hand lunged out from inside the car and forcefully dragged him in.

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