Chapter 8
Chapter 8
55 vouchers
Andrea felt deeply comforted by Ian’s defense of her. She looked at him with soft eyes and urged gently, “Ian, I don’t feel like shopping anymore. Please, go after Chloe and make things right with her p>
Ian remained calm and unhurried. “Mia is with her. She’ll be fine. Let me take you back to the hospital first.” He asked the staff to pack the shoes Andrea had tried on, then led her out of the mall.
The driver, Robert Brown, a long–time employee of the Hamilton family, wiped his brow nervously when he saw lan approach. “Mr. Hamilton,” he said, “Mrs. Hamilton just ran past here in tears p>
“It’s nothing,” Ian replied flatly as he helped Andrea into the car and slid in beside her. Once the door was closed, he said, “Let’s go p>
Andrea offered Ian a bottle of water, but he didn’t take it. She stole a few glances at him, noting his calm expression but distant gaze. He was clearly lost in thought. Andrea cleared her throat and called his name softly again. Only then did Ian snap back to attention.
Looking both guilty and conflicted, Andrea turned to him, her eyes pleading. “Ian,” she began, her voice soft, “please promise me you won’t tell anyone about me or my son.
Ian frowned, a look of confusion crossing his face. “What’s wrong?” he asked and turned slightly toward Andrea, trying to read her expression.
Andrea’s eyes welled up before she could even speak. “Back then, your grandfather used you to threaten me,” she began, her voice trembling. “He forced me to break up with you and pressured me to go abroad and marry someone else, just so you would let go p>
She took a shaky breath, tears now streaming freely. “All these years, I never forgot you. My husband abused me because of it. He forced me to have the child, and I fell into severe depression. There were times I just wanted to disappear and die, but I couldn’t abandon my
son p>
“Maybe heaven finally showed me mercy. About a year ago, he died of a drug overdose. My son and I were free at last. I’ve been so alone overseas, longing for home, my parents and you. That’s why I came back secretly. Ian, I’m terrified your grandfather will come after us again. Please don’t tell your family I’m back. I’m so afraid p>
Seeing lan nod, Andrea went on, “Ian, I really don’t want to relive those painful memories. I’m also afraid of what people might say about us.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Before I fully recover, please don’t tell anyone about my son’s past, not even your wife. Will you promise me that p>
Andrea’s emotions grew more unstable. She even mentioned thoughts of suicide. Ian pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her.
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“Don’t talk like that, Andrea. Everything you went through is because of me. I won’t tell anyone what you’ve endured. I will take care of you and your son. That’s my responsibility now p>
Hearing his promise, Andrea gradually stopped crying and managed a fragile smile. “Ian, please don’t worry,” she said softly. “I’ll get better soon. I won’t let you worry about me forever p>
Ian took Andrea back to the hospital, stayed until she finished her lunch, and then returned to the company.
Noticing over a dozen missed calls from Mia and other family members, he paused briefly before finally calling Mia back.
When the call connected, Ian asked calmly, “Has Chloe finished throwing her tantrum? Or is she still causing a scene?” He didn’t even bother with a greeting.
From the other end came Mia’s tearful shout. “Chloe is missing. Mom and I have been looking everywhere for her, but we can’t find her anywhere p>
The call ended. Ian froze for a second, then stood up and walked to the window. They’re probably working together to fool me again, he thought.
Ian’s assistant, Mitchell Garrison, stepped into the office. “Mr. Hamilton, should we proceed with the 2:30 meeting as planned?” Ian lit a cigarette and responded with a calm, affirmative hum,
Mitchell had been by Ian’s side for years. Despite his youthful appearance, he carried himself with a serious and professional manner. He was smooth in communication, steady under pressure, and highly skilled in combat. He was, without question, Ian’s most trusted
man.
After finishing work, lan left the office on time. Normally, his driver Robert would simply go wherever lan instructed without question, but this time he ventured to ask, “Mr. Hamilton, shall we head home or go to see Ms. Sherman p>
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2:55 PM P
Chapter 8
55 vouchers
Ian hesitated for a brief moment before answering, “Home.” A look of relief immediately washed over Robert’s previously tense expression, and he nodded in acknowledgment before smoothly pulling into traffic.
Ian leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. ‘I was going to stay away a few days to let her cool off. But after what she saw today, she’s probably tearing the house apart by now. Half a day has passed, and she should’ve taken it all out. If she’s finally calm, we need to talk.
When lan arrived home, Chloe was nowhere to be seen. Following his usual routine, he took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and headed to the study to work.
By 9 pm, Miranda and Mia arrived. Miranda had spent the entire day searching for Chloe, her anxiety so intense that she could barely rest. When she saw her son acting as though nothing was wrong, working calmly at home as usual, she nearly collapsed from fury.
Ian tried to reassure her. “Mom, don’t worry. She’ll be fine. He knew exactly how dramatic Chloe could be. Once, he had been a day late giving her a birthday gift. In a fit of anger, she had hidden away on her own. When he finally found her, she was soaking in a hot spring, sipping red wine, and enjoying a massage.
‘She loves herself too much to ever actually get hurt. She’d rather make everyone else miserable, Ian thought.
Miranda threw a cup of tea directly in Ian’s face. Her voice shook with fury. “Ian, I carried you, gave birth to you, and raised you for thirty years. I have always been proud to be your mother. But now I see. You’re just as cold and heartless as your father p>
Jan remained completely undisturbed, calmly wiping the tea from his face. “Mom, you’re overreacting,” he said.
Miranda’s eyes welled with tears. “Chloe is your wife. She has loved you since she was a child. After a fight, this is how you treat her? Are you deliberately trying to ruin this marriage p>
Ian’s tone was firm and resolute. “Mom, we are not getting divorced,” he stated clearly. “I know exactly what I’m doing, and I have everything under control p>
Mia gave Ian a thumbs–down gesture. “Ian, you’re just taking advantage of the fact that Chloe loves you too much to ever leave. But don’t forget. To those who love deeply, they can’t bear a single flaw in the one they love p>
“Enough,” Ian cut in, his voice sharp and final. Mia fell silent immediately, though her expression remained openly defiant.
After Miranda and Mia left, Ian lit another cigarette. At 3 am, he called Mitchell. “Take the next couple of days off from the office. I need you to keep an eye on the hospital. Let me know immediately if you see Chloe return p>
Before hanging up, he added, “Chloe’s mother just had heart surgery and needs quiet. Be discreet and don’t disturb her p>
On the other end, Mitchell’s eyes widened as he checked the time. ‘It’s 3 am. Mr. Hamilton asked me to stake out at the hospital at his hour. Has his insomnia come back again p>
Three days later, there was still no sign of Chloe. Miranda and Mia wanted to call the police and notify the Irvine family, but lan refused. He was convinced she was fine and would return on her own in a few days.
lan’s father Shane and grandfather Edward agreed with him. After all, the disappearance of the famous lan Hamilton’s wife was an embarrassment. Besides, with the Irvine family long bankrupt, Chloe held no further value to them. She simply wasn’t worth the trouble.
Time passed quickly, and the day finally came for Jill to be discharged from the hospital. Ian sent Mitchell to pick up Jill while he went to handle Andrea’s discharge paperwork.
At 9 am, Mitchell spotted Chloe, looking safe and unharmed, arriving at the hospital to pick up her mother. He immediately called his boss to report the news.
Ian, who was packing Andrea’s things, showed no visible reaction upon hearing the news. He told Mitchell to take the rest of the day off. As for Chloe, he was confident she would return home on her own, without him needing to say a word.
Jan carried the luggage and stepped into the elevator
Andrea. Meanwhile, Chloe was waiting for the elevator with her parents.
When the doors opened, she saw lan immediately, holding Andrea protectively in his arms and shielding Andrea from the crowd, just as he had once done for her.
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