Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Ian shot Patrick a look over his shoulder.
‘No way Chloe isn’t home,‘ he thought, refusing to believe it.
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Last time she’d come back late, she’d looked him in the eyes and swore it wouldn’t happen again.
Patrick strolled out of the elevator and followed him in.
The room was dead quiet. Ian marched straight to the bedroom, threw open the door, and finally had to admit to himself–Chloe really wasn’t home.
He stepped back out of the bedroom and tried calling Chloe, but for the second time tonight, her phone was switched off. ‘Again?‘ Ian thought, irritation spiking.
Ian’s face was stormy as he turned to Patrick. “Where is she p>
She’d promised Ian she’d come home early every day, that she’d stop hanging up on him, and keep her phone on like she’d said.
But it had only been a day, and she was already back to ignoring her promises.
Patrick rolled his eyes at Ian. “Seriously, what’s your hurry? You literally just got back yourself p>
Ian’s face was dark as thunder; without saying a word, he spun around, ready to storm out and hunt her down.
Patrick blocked his way. “Sure, Arthur’s kind of a hassle, but with Eric there? Trust me, you can chill. She’s not in any real trouble p>
Ian yanked his arm out of Patrick’s way, making the white bandage on his wrist impossible to miss.
Patrick’s expression turned serious. “Dude, you’re hurt?” he asked.
Ian just shut down, refusing to say a word.
It wasn’t just his wrist–his back was all messed up too.
Chloe knew he was injured, but she hadn’t bothered to check on him.
Ian checked the card statement and saw that Chloe had blown over 2 million dollars at Imperial Lounge tonight. She’d even booked seven drinking companions–guys and girls both.
‘Fine, Ian thought, jaw clenched.
‘Perfect, he muttered silently, dripping with sarcasm.
Ian dropped onto the couch and lit up a cigarette.
Patrick clapped him on the shoulder. “Seriously, man, you love messing around, but Chloe’s not allowed to
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Chapter 99
blow off a little steam? She’s finally moving on, so what’s your hang–up p>
Ian ground his teeth. “Moving on? She’s just playing with fire at this point p>
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Patrick just snorted. “Why don’t you just go ahead and kill her yourself? The Irvine family’s got no pull–what are they gonna do, send a complaint letter p>
lan shot Patrick a death glare.
Patrick wasn’t letting it go. “Seriously? You ditched your own wife out on New Year’s Eve just to go set off fireworks with Andrea and her kid? That’s your idea of love p>
Ian replied, clearly irritated, “Clint’s just a kid. He called me ‘Dad‘ out of nowhere. What do you want me to do, pretend I didn’t hear it p>
lan explained, “Chloe’s not the type to keep secrets–anything I tell her, she’s bound to let slip. If she finds out Clint isn’t really my son, Edward will know in no time. And if he does, trust me, he’ll go after Andrea and Clint way harder than he did six years ago p>
Patrick shot back, “Well, if you’re planning on being the substitute dad long–term, why not just marry Andrea and make it official? Wouldn’t that sell your story even better p>
Ian felt suffocated, taking a drag off his cigarette and exhaling hard. “There’s just no way I’d ever divorce Chloe because of Andrea and Clint p>
Patrick sighed, shaking his head. “Ian, don’t you see? Chloe’s just not in love with you anymore p>
The two men stared each other down in heavy silence.
Ian’s expression was downright menacing. “She would never p>
Patrick smirked, gloating a little. “You wouldn’t believe how calm Chloe was when she told me about you hanging with Andrea and Clint tonight. And when she was playing drinking games with Arthur–man, she was genuinely having fun p>
The two men locked eyes again.
Ian went silent.
Patrick pressed on, “If she still loved you, would she really be pushing you into Andrea’s arms like that p>
Patrick shot back, “If you don’t love Chloe, can you really just stand by and watch her go after other guys p>
After Patrick left, lan went out to the balcony for another smoke.
He had to admit it–he didn’t love Chloe anymore.
But there was one thing he knew for damn sure: no way could he ever accept Chloe being with some other
man.
By five in the morning, Ian hadn’t slept a wink–and Chloe still wasn’t home.
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Chapter 99
This was the second night she’d vanished with her phone shut off, nowhere to be found.
At exactly six in the morning. Thomas from The Old Hamilton Manor called fan to say Edward had taken a bad fall and was on his way to the hospital.
By the time lan got there, the whole Hamilton family was already waiting
In the hospital room, Shane demanded, his tone low and sharp, “lan, why are you the only one who showed up p>
lan kept his gaze lowered, silent.
Miranda cut in to lighten things up. “It’s normal for young folks to sleep in. We’re here, that’s what matters.
Shane turned on lan, his tone sharp. “Your grandfather’s in the hospital, and she can just keep sleeping? Call her now and tell her to bring breakfast p>
lan, clearly exhausted, said, “Dad, I’ll have her come by a bit later p>
Mia, sensing her brother wasn’t himself, dialed Chloe’s number right then and there. Everyone heard it–her phone was still off.
Shane told Miranda to call Thomas Quinn and have him go fetch Chloe personally.
Miranda didn’t have much of a choice–she just sighed inwardly and dialed.
It was New Year’s Day again, and Edward was back in the hospital.
Everyone else was there, but Chloe–the granddaughter–in–law–was missing. Honestly, it was kind of hard to explain away.
Just as Miranda hesitated, about to call Thomas, Chloe finally called Mia back.
After Mia finished the call, she told everyone, “Chloe said she’ll be here soon p>
Ian’s hands clenched tight at his sides before he even realized it.
He had called and messaged Chloe several times since last night, but she never replied.
Now that her phone was finally on, she still hadn’t called him back first.
Chloe rushed into the hospital not long after.
She knocked, stepped inside the room, and instantly, it was like somebody hit pause–everyone’s face changed at once.
She was reeking of alcohol and was clearly still drunk, making everyone’s jaw clench in silent judgment.
But the real showstopper was the man’s jacket she had thrown over her shoulders.
That thing was so bold and bright–definitely not Ian’s style, and everyone knew it.
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Chapter 99
Chloe shook her head hard, trying to shake off her drunken haze, “Happy New Year, Mr. Hamilton, Mrs Hamilton,” she said, voice still a little thick from all the drinking
After politely greeting lan’s parents, Chloe wobbled over to fan, still unsteady on her feet.
She looked at lan and asked, “How did Grandpa end up in the hospital all of a sudden?
Jan’s face looked absolutely furious.
Even so, she was still swaying, but somehow acting all composed, ‘Gotta hand it to her, fan thought, keeping up a front even when she’s still half drunk
Before his parents could jump in, lan held Chloe close, arm protectively around her shoulders,
Shane pointed at Chloe, his voice deep and full of authority, “lan, care to explain what’s going on? ”
lan stayed calm. “It was New Year’s Eve last night, Chloe went a little overboard celebrating with her folks p>
Not letting his parents get a word in, lan quickly added, “There’s not much she can do here anyway. I’ll take
her home p>
lan basically dragged Chloe out of the hospital room at lightning speed.
At the elevator, he ripped the jacket off her shoulders and chucked it straight in the trash.
Chloe
spun around to snatch it back, but lan just bent down, hefted her over his shoulder without warning, and strode into the elevator.
He didn’t stop until he’d hauled Chloe all the way back home.
Before Chloe could register what was happening, Ian briskly ushered her straight into the bathroom.
She was still tipsy, but Chloe instantly understood exactly what Ian meant by the way he handled her.
After vanishing for the night, stumbling back home wasted, and wrapped in another man’s jacket–it was impossible to miss the implication.
‘He thinks I’m filthy, Chloe thought, a mix of shame and bitterness tightening in her chest.
Chloe washed off, slipped into her pajamas, blow–dried her hair, then strolled out of the bathroom at her own laid–back pace, looking totally unfazed.
There was Ian, parked at the edge of the bed, his expression stormy, pinning her with a glare that could freeze anyone in their tracks.
Chloe wandered over, her tone breezy. “I know you’re dying to pick a fight with me, but just chill for a sec, okay? Let me crash for a bit–when I wake up, we can go at it all you want p>
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