Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Ian walked out of Andrea’s hospital room without looking back.
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Andrea pressed her hands to the floor, grinding her teeth. ‘Asshole!‘ she fumed to herself, cursing Ian under her breath.
When he was being nice to her, he’d listen to anything she said.
But the moment she stepped out of line, he’d make sure she knew who’s really in charge.
Andrea was scared half to death by Arthur, and after Ian exposed her feelings right there in front of everyone, she just broke down, exhausted and crying on the floor.
From the way Ian acted today, it was obvious he wanted to draw a line between them and win back that scheming Chloe.
She couldn’t let that happen.
She was determined to marry into the Hamilton family and become the lady of Kingsford’s top powerhouse. There was no way she was going to let herself get edged out now.
Andrea stumbled to her feet, snatched up her phone with trembling hands, and hurriedly called Miranda.
Later that evening at Rowe Estate, after Chloe finished treating Julian, she just didn’t feel like leaving.
Julian said, “If you really don’t want to see him, just let me know. I’ll have the staff get a room ready for you, and you can stay here as long as you want p>
Just as Chloe was about to say yes, Mr. Rowe walked in.
Chloe greeted him politely, and Mr. Rowe said, “Dr. Irvine, Mr. Hamilton has been waiting for you downstairs for quite a while. If there’s nothing else you need here, you can head back now p>
Chloe gave Julian an awkward glance, then hurried downstairs.
Julian lounged in his wheelchair, rocking black slacks and a white deep–V shirt.
His long, narrow eyes tracked the doorway, his deep voice teasing at the end. “Mr. Rowe, did you really just run off my doctor like that p>
Mr. Rowe’s face stayed stern. “Jules, Dr. Irvine is Mrs. Hamilton now. You need to remember your place p>
Julian scoffed. “Doesn’t matter whose she is–when she’s here, she’s mine p>
Mr. Rowe swung his cane and smacked Julian across the back.
Julian barely reacted–he’d gotten used to it a long time ago.
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Mr. Rowe said, “I get that you’re frustrated, Jules. But you’ve only just come back–you don’t really know how things run in Kingsford yet p>
Mr. Rowe explained, “Of Kingsford’s eight powerhouses, the Weasleys and Hamiltons have been in league for a while now. The Lewises have gotten close to the Hamiltons, while the Jordans are linked to the Lewises through marriage. Mess with one, and you set off a chain reaction with all four. And that’s not even counting the tangled web of other big families running things around Kingsford–none of these relationships are simple p>
Mr. Rowe continued, “That Hamilton kid acts all refined and courteous, but when he flips the switch, he’s colder and sharper than his granddad ever was. Ever since he got hold of Hamilton Group, he turned it into a business empire almost overnight, making the Hamilton family the undisputed top dog in Kingsford. So you’d better not make any reckless moves p>
Julian let out a low, teasing hum, clearly unimpressed.
He said, “Can’t even handle one woman? Is he really all that, like you keep saying, Grandpa p>
Mr. Rowe shot Julian a sharp warning look before turning and leaving the room.
By the time Mr. Rowe made it downstairs, Chloe and Ian had just gotten in the car and driven off.
When Chloe got home, she headed straight for the guest room.
Ian blocked her at the door.
He said, “Chloe, I did the checkup just like you asked, and you saw the results. Can we stop this now p>
Chloe pushed him aside. “STDs can lie dormant for days or even months. Just because your test looks clean right now doesn’t mean I’m willing to risk my own health p>
They locked eyes. Ian was struggling to keep it together. “I’ll sleep on the couch,” he said.
Chloe nodded. “Fine p>
They both went to wash up, and Chloe did a quick skincare routine before getting ready for bed.
But with Ian just standing there in the bedroom, Chloe couldn’t bring herself to get into bed.
Ian walked over, pulled out his phone, and deleted all of Andrea’s contact info right in front of Chloe, just to make his point.
Chloe shot him a look like he’d lost his mind.
Ian met her gaze. “About what happened at the restaurant carlier–1 shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry p>
Chloe was genuinely stunned.
After knowing Ian for over twenty years, this was the very first time she’d ever heard him apologize.
Chloe couldn’t hold back. “Ian, did Andrea seriously hook up behind your back or something p>
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Ian’s face darkened.
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He said, “Chloe, I know I let you down and you’ve been hurt. Let’s bury all the bad memories, okay? I swear, I won’t let Andrea mess things up for you again. Can we just move on and be alright, please p>
Seeing Chloe still frowning and not saying a word, Ian softened his voice. “The Weasleys have a dinner party tomorrow. Will you come with me p>
Chloe squinted at him. “Wait, so the whole point of you running in circles was just to have me there covering for you p>
Ian quickly shook his head. “I meant every word tonight. Honestly, if you really don’t want to go, I won’t push you p>
Chloe replied flatly, “Alright, then I’m not going p>
Ian didn’t push it and let the matter drop.
He pulled a hair tie from his pocket and held it out to Chloe.
“I noticed your hair tie broke at the sink this morning,” he said softly, “so I picked up a new one with your favorite bow p>
Chloe just stared at the hair tie in his hand, not reaching for it.
She said, “Ian, it’s not just that I like bows. I liked that hair tie because it was a gift from you. That’s what made it special p>
Ian looked at Chloe, his eyes full of longing.
He softly murmured her nickname, “Chloe p>
He was certain now–she still hadn’t let
go
of him.
Chloe said, “But the man you are now–Andrea’s lover, the father of her child—I just can’t take a gift from another woman’s man p>
They stared at each other, neither willing to look away.
Ian’s eyes were red and wet as he forced the words out. “Chloe, I’m still the Ian you grew up with. I haven’t changed p>
Chloe turned away, her voice cold. “The Ian I knew died last summer. I waited a month for them to find his body. You’re not him p>
Without another word, Chloe climbed into bed and killed the lights, shutting him out for good.
Ian just stood there, frozen, his eyes shut tight, hurting like hell.
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Chapter 146
The next afternoon, Chloe showed up at Rowe Estate right on time.
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Julian waved an invitation at her. “Hey, you free tonight? Want to be my plus one at some fancy dinner p>
Suddenly, Chloe remembered that Ian had brought this up last night.
She glanced at Julian. “Is this one of those Weasley family parties p>
They exchanged a look.
Julian nodded.
Chloe nodded back.
‘What would they even say,‘ Chloe wondered, ‘if the Hamiltons saw Mrs. Hamilton stroll into the Weasley family dinner as Sir Julian’s date p>
At eight that evening, the Weasley family’s dinner party was in full swing.
Ian showed up with his parents, making a grand entrance.
With those chiseled features, a perfectly tailored black suit, his 6’3” frame and model–like proportions, plus that cold, aristocratic aura–his mere presence commanded the whole room and instantly drew every eye.
Even the old–school business moguls who’d ruled the industry for decades showed him nothing but respect.
Ian and his parents were surrounded by a crowd, everyone eager to get a word in.
A well–dressed middle–aged lady asked, “Mr. Hamilton, your wife isn’t here with you tonight p>
Ian replied smoothly, “Unfortunately, she’s swamped with work and couldn’t get away tonight. I’ll bring her by another time p>
The Weasley elders couldn’t stop singing Chloe’s praises–saying she was not only beautiful and sensible, but also ambitious and career–driven.
Just as everyone was busy flattering Ian, a young woman suddenly pointed toward the entrance. “Wait, isn’t that Mrs. Hamilton p>
Ian and the whole crowd turned their heads toward the door.
And there was Chloe, stepping in with an ethereal blue evening gown, gracefully pushing Julian’s wheelchair -as everyone stared in astonishment and awe.
Chapter 147