Chapter 135
hapter 136
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Chapter 136
Andrea sprang to her feet, anxiety flashing across her face when she saw Ian’s reaction.
She hurried to say, “Ian, don’t get mad. Mrs. Hamilton just really misses her grandson and asked me to bring Clint over for a visit p>
lan gave Andrea a sharp look, then turned on his heel and walked out.
Miranda slammed her glass down. “Stop right there p>
Ian paused and turned back.
Andrea shot Ian a humble, almost desperate look, then pulled and tugged him back down into his seat.
Miranda ignored Ian’s stormy expression.
She said, “I just heard Andrea’s mom got into a fight with her brother and sister–in–law, and it made her so upset she got sick. Even Clint was scared. As his father, shouldn’t you care about this p>
Ian’s brows knitted together. “Mom, can you just stay out of my business p>
Miranda shot back, “I wish I could stay out of it. I told you to handle it yourself, but have you p>
Andrea felt so awkward as Ian and Miranda started bickering right in front of her–she just couldn’t take it
anymore.
She mustered up the courage and said, “Mrs. Hamilton, you’ve got it all wrong. Ian really does take care of Clint and me p>
Miranda shot Andrea a look full of contempt.
She sneered, “Andrea, is this all you can do? The whole circle is gossiping about you two. You’ve got no shame, and us elders still have to show our faces outside. Even if you want to spend your whole life as the third wheel, have you ever considered how this will mess Clint up p>
Miranda went off, ripping into both Ian and Andrea without mercy.
Ian’s face was thunderous. “Mom, could you stop with the insults p>
Miranda didn’t hold back at all. “Since you’re not afraid to do things that embarrass us, why should I worry about calling them out right to your face? Your daughter and son are standing right here–have you ever thought about what any of this is doing to them p>
Ian’s brows knitted together.
Andrea bowed her head, hiding the hurt in her eyes.
Judging from Miranda’s tone, it sounded like she was finally planning to bring Clint back into the family as her grandson.
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Chapter 136
Grandparents always dote on their grandkids.
To the old guard of the Hamiltons, her son was Ian’s own flesh and blood.
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No way would the Hamilton family–the top powerhouse in Kingsford–ever let their only great–grandson stay outside the fold, unrecognized and left out in the cold.
Andrea felt a quiet thrill inside and eagerly stepped in to help the waiter serve the dishes.
As she was handling a plate, it tilted a bit and some of the food spilled over.
Clint, without missing a beat, just reached out, picked up the spilled food, and popped it straight into his
mouth.
Andrea merely grabbed a napkin and wiped his hands, not stopping him at all.
Ian saw how the two acted and couldn’t help frowning at the sight.
Miranda’s disapproval was written all over her face.
Once the waiter was gone, Miranda turned to Ian and said, “If you couldn’t let go of Andrea, you never should’ve married Chloe in the first place. And since you did, then you shouldn’t have betrayed her like this. Now look at what you’ve done–this family isn’t really a family anymore, just a tangled mess. Chloe is in agony because of your betrayal, and Andrea and Clint are left with no standing, no real place to call their own p>
Ian couldn’t sit still any longer. “Mom, what are you really trying to say p>
Miranda replied, “You’ve already done wrong by Chloe, so don’t drag Andrea and her son down, too. You and Andrea have a kid together. Sure, you’re the one who messed up in the eyes of the law, but you and Andrea are as good as married now. You have a responsibility to support your son p>
Ian’s face was practically thunderstruck–there wasn’t even a word for how torn up he looked.
He tried to twist his lips into a smile, but he was utterly speechless.
This whole disaster was inevitable the moment he decided to publicly claim Clint as his son.
The real shock, though, was that his own mother was actually willing to let him divorce Chloe.
Miranda pressed on, “Andrea’s mother is your mother–in–law now, too. She’s sick–so as her son–in–law, you really ought to visit her. That’s just basic decency p>
She added, “Since you can’t give Chloe the marriage she deserves, the least you can do is stand by Andrea and her son. With you going back and forth all the time, I honestly have to wonder if Clint is even your own blood p>
As soon as Miranda spoke, Andrea’s expression shifted instantly–shock and hurt flashing across her face.
For a moment, Ian’s gaze turned even stormier, his emotions barely masked.
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Miranda grabbed her bag and stood up. “I’ll leave you and your little family of three to finish your meal in peace. When you’re done, make sure you take Andrea and Clint home and actually spend some time with them. As for Chloe, there are no kids or interests tying you two together–just let her go her own way p>
She finished speaking without giving Ian the slightest chance to respond, sweeping out of the private room and leaving him speechless.
After Miranda left, Ian fell into a heavy silence.
Andrea stole a look at Ian, trying to read his expression, then ventured softly, “Ian, maybe you should go home and spend some time with your wife. Clint and I can just catch a cab back ourselves p>
Ian gripped his glass tight, his tone sharp. “Did you tell Vivian to come talk to me p>
Andrea’s stomach dropped. She immediately denied it, “Ian, what do you mean? Vivian actually talked to you p>
Before Ian could get a word in, Andrea defensively said, “My family has been in a mess recently. Vivian saw how down I was and kept telling me to ask you for help, but I refused p>
She continued, “Maybe she just couldn’t watch me struggle anymore and went to you behind my back. I’ll ask her straight about it p>
Ian felt a restless frustration stirring inside him. “I’ve got stuff to do. Just take a cab home later,” he said, not even looking up.
Seeing Ian about to walk out, Andrea grabbed his sleeve and pleaded, her voice shaky. “Ian, you saw it yourself -your mom just questioned whether Clint is really your son p>
She begged, “Can’t you at least have some pity for the two of us? Just pretend a little for our sake. Do you actually want to see your grandpa make things hell for me again, just like he did six years ago p>
Ian clearly had no appetite left. “Just feed Clint—I’ll be waiting for you in the car,” he said, barely glancing her
way.
Andrea didn’t dare hesitate. She urged Clint to take a few quick bites, then hurried him out to the car as fast as she could.
Ian drove Andrea and Clint back to the apartment complex where they were renting.
Jan pulled the car over by the curb at the entrance to the apartment complex. As Andrea stepped out, she accidentally twisted her ankle.
She cried out, “ Ow! ” but when she realized Jan was staying put in the car, she quietly tugged Clint over to her.
Sure enough, the little troublemaker started fussing, “No! I want Mommy to carry me!
Andrea squatted beside the car, clutching her ankle. With a look that screamed ‘help me, she called out to lan inside, Tan, I twisted my ankle. Can you carry Clint upstairs for me p>
Jan shot a reluctant glance at Andrea, then finally got out of the car.
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He bent down to help her up, grabbed her bag off the pavement, and easily picked Clint up into his arms.
“Does your ankle even let you walk?” he asked, a hint of concern slipping into his voice.
Andrea wasted no time hooking her arm through his, her voice soft. “Ian, my ankle really hurts. Let me lean on you, okay p>
Ian nodded.
Across the street, Chloe had just dropped off a coworker and was about to get in her car when she caught sight of lan carrying Clint, with Andrea holding onto Ian’s arm–the three of them looked every bit like a small family crossing the road together.
Clint, eyes sharp as ever, pointed over. “Mommy, Daddy, Ms. Irvine is watching us,” he said.
Ian glanced up, and his gaze met Chloe’s.
AD
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