The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

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The sudden ring of the phone in the bedroom snapped lan out of his thoughts.

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It was Miranda calling, asking him to come with Chloe to The Old Hamilton Manor for the reunion dinner that evening.

Ian refused.

He said that from now on, he and Chloe would spend New Year’s Eve at the Irvine family’s place, and only return to The Old Hamilton Manor on New Year’s Day.

Miranda didn’t object.

By noon, the three members of the Irvine family were in the kitchen putting together their New Year’s Eve dinner when Chloe came home.

Carl grabbed the black lockbox. “Sis, did you really redeem the jewelry?”

Jill asked her son to put the jewelry in her room.

She led Chloe into the dining room. “Chloe, be straight with me–how did you manage to get that jewelry back?”

The money from selling the jewelry was still in Jill’s hands, and she was well aware that Chloe didn’t have any cash on her.

Chloe reassured her parents, “Dad, Mom, Ian paid a high price to get the jewelry back.”

She kept quiet about the fact that Ian had already redeemed the jewelry days ago.

And she definitely didn’t mention how she’d forced herself to swallow her pride, push through her feelings, and do whatever it took–even the most degrading things–to get the jewelry back from Ian.

Jill and Frank exchanged a glance and let the topic drop.

Later that afternoon, Chloe was helping out in the kitchen, steaming rice cakes, when Ian showed up at the Irvine family’s place, carrying a medical kit.

When Carl saw Ian, he stormed off to his room, clearly pissed.

Jill and Frank looked pretty annoyed, but they didn’t kick him out either.

Ian was always so respectful and courteous around Chloe’s parents. “Dad, Mom, Happy New Year!”

Jill just nodded and turned to head back into the kitchen.

Frank muttered a quiet “Mm” and set the steamed buns out on the table to cool.

Before Ian could say anything, Chloe pulled him away into the room.

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Chapter 97

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It was New Year’s Eve, and she didn’t want to add any stress for her family.

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After tending to lan’s wound, Chloe packed up the medical kit. “You should go and explain things to The Hamilton elders. My mom just got out of the hospital, and I want to spend New Year’s with my family.”

Ian buttoned up his shirt with effortless grace. “I already told them. We’re spending tonight here.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow, a bit thrown. “You’re really not worried your dad and your grandpa will get pissed?”

lan reached out, smoothing Chloe’s hair away from her face with easy familiarity. “Forget about them. They’re not important right now.”

Chloe said nothing, just turned around and walked out of the room.

She’d known from the start–he hadn’t just come by for a quick bandage job.

Chloe headed into the kitchen to help her parents, while Ian made his way into Carl’s room.

Carl was hunched over his desk, tinkering with a computer motherboard. When he saw Ian walk in, he immediately shoved his headphones on.

Ian glanced at what Carl was working on, hooked a finger under his headphones and pulled them off. “That problem’s probably because your LED isn’t rated for the voltage. Swap it out and try again.”

Carl shot up from his chair. “Who asked you?”

Ian reminded him, “Show some respect. Call me your brother–in–law.”

Carl clenched his fists. “You’re not my brother–in–law! You’re just some bastard messing with my sister!”

Ian grabbed Carl’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to mess up your wrist last time. So, come on—what do so you’ll stop being mad?”

Carl gritted his teeth. “Let me break your hand, and we’ll call it even!”

Ian held out his left hand to Carl. “I said it, I mean it. A man keeps his word.”

Carl didn’t hold back. “You brought this on yourself!”

As soon as Carl said it, the dull pop of bone echoed through the room as he wrenched Ian’s hand.

Ian let out a stifled groan of pain. Carl, meanwhile, finally felt satisfied.

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Ian’s expression turned grim. “Chloe, we’re married. If we spend New Year’s Eve apart, how am I supposed to explain that to The Hamilton elders?”

Chloe rocked a scarlet top under a long beige coat.

The wind whipped through Chloe’s hair, sent her coat tails flying, and teased the hem of her dress—she looked every bit like a rose daring to bloom in the cold.

The dim yellow streetlights stretched their shadows out, long and lonely.

Behind them, a black Bentley cruised along at a slow, watchful pace.

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Chapter 97

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In the white sedan parked across the street, Andrea Sherman’s eyes were blazing with jealousy.

She murmured a few covert instructions to her little rascal, and the kid obediently popped open the car door.

Noticing Chloe was slowing down in her heels, lan suddenly bent down and scooped her up in a bridal carry.

He looked at her and said, “You don’t have to act tough with me. If you’re tired, just tell me–just like you. always did.”

Chloe dropped her gaze in silence, and lan carried her over to the car.

Just as the driver swung the car door open and lan was about to carry Chloe inside, Clint Sherman suddenly dashed over, throwing his arms around Ian’s leg, his face full of innocent excitement.

“Daddy-!” Clint called out, his kid voice soft and sticky–sweet.

lan set Chloe down calmly, without a change in his expression.

Andrea rushed up, giving Clint a couple of quick swats on the backside. “How many times have I told you? You can’t call him Daddy!”

“Daddy, I don’t want to go home with Mom! I want you to set off fireworks with me!” Clint whined, refusing to let go.

Clint clung to lan’s leg, wailing and throwing a tantrum.

When lan didn’t pick him up, Clint just climbed right into lan’s car.

Andrea gave a helpless shrug. “Ian, he’s too much for me–can you pull your son out yourself?”

After saying that, Andrea quietly watched Chloe to see how she would react.

Ian had already come clean to The Hamilton elders about Clint being his son.

He’d once sworn to Andrea that he’d never let anyone else in on Clint’s real identity.

But now, with Clint calling him “Daddy” right in front of Chloe, Ian didn’t have a choice–even if he wanted to deny it, he couldn’t escape now.

lan’s troubled gaze stayed locked on Chloe, searching her face for any sign of how she felt.

He said, “I’ll get you a ride. You should go home and get some rest.”