The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 94

Chapter 94

lan startled Chloe so badly, any sleepiness she felt vanished in an instant.

She bent down to pick up the plush toys that had fallen, then walked inside without a word.

Ian grabbed her arm, his eyes fixed on the colorful plush toys in her arms.

His tone was sharp as he asked, “Why are you back so late?”

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Chloe shot Ian a look, not saying a single word. She brushed his hand off with a cold sideways movement and strode straight into the living room.

After being brushed aside by Chloe, Ian’s expression turned so dark it was almost menacing

They both walked into the living room.

Ian’s tone was icy and impatient as he called after her, “Chloe, I’m talking to you.”

When Chloe still didn’t answer, Ian seized her wrist.

His grip was so tight that the plush toys spilled from her arms and tumbled to the floor.

Chloe stared at the plush toys now scattered at her feet. Staying calm, she said to Ian, “You seriously stayed up all night just to ask me that?”

Ian pressed her again, “Why are you back so late?”

They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Chloe suddenly smirked.

She said, “Ian, our prenup doesn’t say I have to come home at a specific time every night.”

Ian was left speechless, nearly fuming at her response.

His chest rose and fell sharply, and he slowed down, reminding her, “I reminded you after the press conference–we’re supposed to go to The Old Hamilton Manor tonight.”

Chloe gave a careless “Whatever. Sure, you said it, but I never agreed.”

Ian’s dark eyes stayed locked on Chloe, waiting to see how she’d react.

He demanded, “So why’d you end the call when I tried reaching you?”

Chloe said, “Maybe I hit the wrong button by accident.”

Her dismissive attitude couldn’t have been more obvious, and lan could feel anger simmering beneath the

surface.

But Ian was always cool–headed–he didn’t go off just because of those photos and lame excuses Andrea sent

him.

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Chapter 94

Still, there were some things he had to get straight.

He pressed, “Don’t tell me you accidentally turned your phone off too?”

Chloe shrugged, “Nah, it just ran out of battery and shut off.”

For a moment, Ian felt like he couldn’t breathe.

He stalked back and forth in front of Chloe, restless, then froze in place, glaring at her.

Chloe lounged on the couch, totally unfazed, her gaze lowered in a cool, bring it on‘ attitude.

Ian’s hands clenched, veins popping at his temples as he fought to keep it together.

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He said, voice tight with frustration, “Chloe, we’re married. You stay out all night and don’t even bother picking up the phone–did it ever cross your mind how I might feel?”

Right in the middle of his sentence, Chloe sprang to her feet.

She marched straight over, chin tilted up as she stared him dead in the eyes.

Chloe fired back, “So now you remember we’re married? Funny how you only care about that when it’s convenient for you–but the whole time you were sneaking around, lying to me, and playing happy family with your precious Andrea and her kid, that didn’t seem to matter at all.”

She kept going, her voice cold, “Every single time you hurt me because of her–did it even cross your mind how I felt, or was I just supposed to suck it up?”

Chloe snapped, “All I did was come home late. It’s not like I was out hooking up with some random guy. Is that really worth freaking out over?”

They stood there, glaring at each other, the tension so thick neither one dared to back down.

Ian pressed his lips together, his deep eyes fixed intently on Chloe.

The two of them stood locked in silence for a long, drawn–out moment.

Eventually, Ian spoke up. “So you leaked my connection with Clint to the reporters, and you let Andrea know to bring Clint to the press conference ahead of time. Were you looking to make my relationship with them completely public?”

Chloe didn’t find it surprising that Ian knew all this.

She straight–up admitted it, totally unfazed. “Yeah, I planned the whole thing against you. Too bad it blew up in my face. Next time, I’ll know better–I’ll make sure I get it right.”

Ian locked his gaze on Chloe, completely stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing.

He asked, voice rough with disbelief, “Seriously, Chloe, when did you get so calculating?”

Chloe gave Ian a calm, almost fearless smile.

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Chapter 94

many times do I have to repeat myself?”

Chloe didn’t bother to argue; she just tossed out casually, “Yeah, she’s not–guess that makes me the culprit,

huh?”

Here we go again with this toxic back–and–forth, Chloe thought, nearly suffocating from the tension.

lan stalked around the living room, agitation written all over his face.

He snapped, “Chloe, keep this in mind–you’re Mrs. Hamilton. Every single thing you do represents the Hamilton family and reflects on me!”

Chloe gave a noncommittal nod, barely hiding her impatience.

Ian said, “I don’t care if it’s about the press conference or that Mr. Logan–this is the last time. Don’t let anything like this happen again.”

Chloe still didn’t say a word, and Ian’s frustration grew–even his face darkened when she stayed silent

He raised his voice, “Chloe, don’t think I can’t rein you in. Now that you’re back, just cut out the attitude and behave yourself.”

Just then, Chloe’s phone started ringing.

When Chloe didn’t budge, Ian grabbed her phone and checked the screen.

It was a message from Mr. Logan.

The message said: “Chloe, the pillow you got me is way too high. Can we video chat while I try to sleep?”

Ian’s expression went beyond furious–he looked downright scary.

Ian scoffed, “Really, Chloe? Since when does a doctor buy pillows for her patients–aren’t you taking it a little too far?”

Chloe leaned back into the couch, stubbornly keeping her eyes down.

Ian, unable to hold back his irritation, sat beside her and gripped her shoulders.

Chloe didn’t resist, simply gave in and slid right into lan’s arms.

Ian looked down and realized Chloe had already fallen asleep.

Scowling, Ian couldn’t tear his eyes away from Chloe, watching her sleep like he was trying to figure her out.

Three–thirty in the morning, and she showed up hugging plushies some other guy gave her–just what was he supposed to make of that?

Whenever his tone got harsh, Chloe would instantly switch to that defiant, reckless vibe, like she couldn’t care less if everything went up in flames.

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Chapter 94

If this keeps up, our family’s gonna fall apart sooner or later.