The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

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That evening, lan received a call from Edward and reluctantly returned to the Hamilton Manor,

Mia was still fuming. “lan, didn’t you already turn your back on all of us because of that woman, Andrea? So why’d you bother coming back?”

Ian’s face turned cold as he scolded her, “Mia, watch your tone. Who gave you permission to speak to me like that?”

Mia shrank back, hiding behind Thomas.

Miranda got up, her voice sharp with protective anger for Chloe. “If you can shut out your own mother, what is your sister to you anymore?”

Ian rubbed his temples, exasperated. “Mom, please stay out of my private life.”

He added, “Andrea is Clint’s mom. A public fight with her is exactly the kind of thing the press loves. Think of the scandal–have you considered what that would do? We would all be tarnished by it.”

Miranda’s expression was one of pure defiance. “Let them see! Maybe then your real wife, Chloe, can finally be free of this nightmare you’ve created.”

Ian lowered his eyes and didn’t say another word.

Shane snapped at Miranda, “Acting like this only proves how clueless you are. When you kick up a fuss, do you ever stop to think about Ian’s future–or what the Hamilton family stands to lose?”

He pressed on, “Ian’s the heir–family has to come first, and feelings don’t get a say. He already gave Chloe her chance, and she’s the one who walked away. Be real–do you honestly expect lan to get on his knees and beg her to stay?”

Miranda was so furious she was rendered speechless.

Edward also scolded Miranda sharply, “As the Hamilton family’s lady, you’re out here striking another woman in public? Is that the image you want us to project?”

He pressed on, his tone cold and uncompromising, “Kindness doesn’t win wars. Morals don’t line pockets. Feelings don’t get the job done. To uphold this family’s position, one cannot be ruled by emotions”

Miranda glanced at the three ruthless men before her, their logic a wall she couldn’t breach. She fell silent, not daring to challenge Edward further.

Throughout history, few who achieved fame were truly ‘good‘ in the idealized sense, and those in power were never easy to contend with.

Beneath high society’s dazzling facade lurked a predatory game: the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.

They spoke in the most elegant of terms, yet their actions were so chilling they sent a shiver down your spine.

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Chapter 69

In this circle, no one cared for feelings, and no one bothered with morals.

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They might seem cultured, even gracious- but the moment interests clashed, they’d bare their fangs and tear you to shreds without a shred of mercy.

Her son had been raised this way since he was a child–cold–blooded, just as they’d wanted.

Miranda said nothing. She quietly took Mia’s hand and left the living room.

Ian, meanwhile, was so fed up he could barely stand it. As soon as his mother and sister were gone, he made an excuse to leave the manor, too.

Deep into the night at Blue Cove Residences, Ian, lounging in a dark robe, was kicking back with Patrick on the terrace, drinks in hand.

Patrick nudged him. “Come on, man. It’s already gone this far. Just finalize the divorce with Chloe and put a ring on Andrea. Trust me, it’ll simplify everything.”

Ian leaned against the railing, his brow furrowed deep. “If Grandpa hadn’t come down so hard on Andrea six years ago, she wouldn’t be this timorous now. She begged me to keep Clint’s identity secret–all because she wanted to protect her kid. She’s a mother; I get why she’d do that.”

Beyond that, Andrea had never once asked him for anything unreasonable.

Even when she’d brought Clint to live in the house, that had been Chloe’s idea–she’d only gone along with it so Clint would have someone to call “dad.”

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He paused, tone softening slightly. “Our team talked to everyone–neighbors, friends, her family back home. Turns out, not long after she gave birth, the abuse started. Wade began beating her… and it went on for four straight years.”

Mitchell pulled a stack of papers from the folder, setting them aside. “During that time, she lost three pregnancies because of the violence. She also developed severe depression–we’ve got all the hospital records and medical files to prove it.”

Ian shut the folder, his movements slow and deliberate. He walked to the lounge’s bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey–his hand heavier than usual.

Mitchell followed, staying a step back. “Four years ago, Wade suddenly came into money, and the beatings stopped. But according to the hospital logs… that’s when her depression spiraled completely out of control.”

He pressed on. “A year after that, Wade overdosed and died. But Ms. Sherman was stuck in the Smiths‘ house -our investigation confirms her mother–in–law and sister–in–law abused her nonstop that year. Physically, verbally… all of it.

“Then, another year passed–just a few months ago–her mother–in–law tried to force her to remarry,” Mitchell added, his voice quieting. “She got so desperate, she stole a gold bracelet from her sister–in–law, sold it secretly, and used the cash to buy a one–way ticket home.”

He tapped the folder. “We checked every account–hers, her mom’s, her brother’s, the Smiths‘–Wade’s, his relatives, everyone. Not a single large transfer, not one deposit over $100,000 in the past six years. She had nothing.”

Ian’s face was a storm–dark, taut, his jaw clenched so hard it looked painful. His grip on the whiskey glass tightened until his knuckles blanched white.

Andrea hadn’t lied to him

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Chapter 69

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She’d only come back to ask for help because she’d run out of options. Because there was nowhere else left to

turn.

That evening, in a modest apartment building on the city’s south side, Andrea fussed over a hearty dinner before hopping in the shower and slipping into a new dress.

A knock at the door made her glance at her mother, Laura, who grinned from ear to ear and practically skipped to answer it.

The door swung open, and Ian stepped in. Clint came zooming over, latching onto Ian’s leg with a shout. “Dad!”