The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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Chloe woke up the next morning to see a message from lan. He’d already checked out early that morning.

She took a deep breath, shook off the lingering frustration, and threw herself into work.

A week flew by. As soon as Chloe returned to Kingsford, she got a call from the auction house. They’d finished appraising Jill’s jewelry set.

After talking things through with Jill and Frank, she set a minimum price of 500 million and authorized Glory Profit Auction House to handle the sale.

If she could secure at least that amount, it meant she could finally divorce Ian and break free from her miserable situation.

On top of that, Carl would be able to finish his courses at that elite private school. Also, Jill and Frank could finally enjoy a better life.

From now on, her one and only goal was to make as much money as she could and buy back that jewelry set while Jill and Frank were still around to enjoy it.

The next morning, Chloe showed up at work as usual, but was immediately summoned to Richard’s office.

Richard addressed her respectfully as “Mrs. Hamilton” and tactfully asked if she’d consider resigning.

Chloe didn’t make things difficult for Richard, just thanked him politely and walked out, feeling utterly crushed inside.

Edward had given her an ultimatum at the Hamilton Mansion one week to quit, or he’d call Richard himself.

She hadn’t resigned in time, so Edward stepped in and made things happen.

As Chloe walked out of Richard’s office, she unexpectedly bumped into Ian, Andrea, and Clint right outside the elevator.

Chloe froze in place.

Ian had Clint cradled in his arms, while Andrea was snuggled up close to lan, her head gently resting on his shoulder.

Anyone who passed by would think they were the perfect happy family.

Even though Chloe had already made up her mind to leave, she couldn’t help but feel a stabbing ache inside

as she watched them.

The moment they locked eyes, Ian’s gaze sharpened.

He hurriedly set Clint down, instinctively stepping toward Chloe before he even realized it.

Andrea caught him by the arm, her voice soft but firm. “Ian, Mrs. Hamilton probably doesn’t want us here

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Chapter 40

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right now. Clint’s still got that fever. Can you take us upstairs first? Then you can come back and talk to her, okay?”

The elevator doors slid open and lan looked back at Chloe.

He hesitated for a second. Then he scooped Clint back up and walked into the elevator with Andrea, his expression torn.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, Chloe walked away without looking back. Her heart was broken into pieces and seemed to be scattered by the wind.

Inside the elevator, lan held Clint, staring at Chloe’s determined departing figure as if he couldn’t breathe, feeling a crushing tightness in his chest.

He had gone to Seahaven actually wanting to sit down and talk things through with Chloe, maybe even bring her back home.

But then Andrea called and messed everything up.

Now, after a whole week apart, Chloe had just gotten back, and the very first thing she saw was him standing at the hospital with Andrea and Clint, looking just like a happy family again.

When they reached the hospital room, Ian just paused at the door without going in. “If you feel unwell, call the doctor right away. I need to head out now.”

Andrea stood at the doorway, watching Ian hurry off, biting down on her lip to keep her frustration in check

Andrea thought, her mind racing, ‘If I hadn’t called Ian that night, I’d never have found out the truth. It turned out lan was the last person thinking about divorcing Chloe.

‘He doesn’t want to leave her at all. In fact, he wants Chloe to have his child to solidify their marriage. I can’t let lan control my fate any longer. I’m determined to drive Chloe out of lan’s life once and for all. If I fail, I’ll be stuck on the sidelines forever!

Ian went to Chloe’s department to find her, but she was nowhere to be seen. He called her, and to his surprise, she answered.

Chloe was standing by the river in the park behind the hospital, watching as lan ran over to her.

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Chloe looked at Ian calmly. “Ian, when I first caught you cheating, I lost control. I couldn’t sleep. I went hysterical. I even thought about ending everything.”

Ian reached for her hand, but she stepped aside, avoiding his touch. Ian’s hand fell helplessly to his side.

Chloe looked up, locking eyes with Ian. “When I was in so much pain that I didn’t want to live, you just thought I was overreacting. Your indifference hurts more than death itself.”

Ian felt Chloe’s anguish deep in his bones. He wanted to hold her, but his legs were like stone.

Chloe turned to face him, looking straight into his eyes. “Do you remember the day we went to the Hamilton Mansion after our honeymoon?”

Jan’s reply was rough. “Yes.”

Chloe told him directly. “I overheard you talking to your dad that day.”

Ian’s eyes flickered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Chloe…”

Chloe kept going. “You said, ‘When the Irvine family went bankrupt, you’d step in and save the day. That way, you’d get both fame and fortune.”

Ian grabbed Chloe by the shoulders. “Chloe, please… just stop.”

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Chapter 40

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But Chloe shook her head. “You said marrying me was all about weighing your options. I was your last resort, not your first choice.”

At this point, Chloe couldn’t hold back her tears.

Ian hugged Chloe tightly, as if holding on for dear life. It felt like his heart was being squeezed in a vise, making it hard to breathe and almost knocking him off his feet.

Chloe didn’t struggle. She just leaned quietly against Ian’s chest, her voice flat and heavy. “Ever since that day, I’ve been too scared to stand up for myself. I’ve been bending over backward to please you, always watching my words and actions in the Hamilton family, terrified that you’d get tired of me and cast me aside.”

Her voice trembled. “Ian, I’m not that proud, bossy Irvine heiress anymore. Did you really never notice?”