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Chapter 155
Andrea cautiously unfolded the contract–it turned out to be a lease agreement.
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Andrea’s eyes narrowed with suspicion and puzzlement. “Mrs. Hamilton, what’s this for? Why give it to me p>
Miranda carried herself with quiet elegance, her voice gentle and calm.
She said, “I have a private apartment downtown- not even my son knows about it p>
Miranda went on, “The whole internet’s coming after you because of that counterfeit scandal. It’s gotten risky for you to stay out there. Take some time, pack up, and bring Clint to live downtown p>
Andrea’s eyes darted, swirling with suspicion and uncertainty.
‘Miranda keeps going on about how Clint is her real grandson, and she knows the two of us don’t have a place to stay. So why is she offering me a lease instead of just giving us the apartment outright?‘ Andrea thought, her doubts deepening.
Miranda casually intertwined her fingers and set them on the table’s edge. “You really don’t need to doubt my kindness. I’m only doing this for your sake p>
Andrea scoffed to herself. “Mrs. Hamilton, I still don’t get what you’re really trying to say p>
Miranda cocked an eyebrow. “Andrea, you come from a regular background, no impressive career or credentials to your name. Yes, you gave the Hamilton family an heir, but the truth is–there’s an enormous difference in status between you and my son p>
Andrea clenched her jaw, struggling to keep her irritation in check.
This woman just won’t quit, Andrea fumed to herself.
“Even now, she still can’t get past my background p>
Miranda said, “Ian is always telling us how you’re pure, kind, independent, and not at all materialistic. I don’t want to be the one who ruins that perfect image he has of you, and I want Edward to see all the good qualities that make you shine p>
She went on, I really thought this through before deciding. Just sign the lease, and you’ll pay the annual rent at market price–at least on paper p>
Miranda assured her, “But don’t worry, this is all just for appearances–I won’t actually take a cent from you. You and Clint can live there with dignity and comfort, and aside from me, no one will ever know the place isn’t truly yours.
She continued, “Even now, you’re struggling but still refuse any help from the Hamilton family. If lan finds out, he’ll only care for you more and respect you even deeper. And I’ll make sure to put in a good word for you with Edward p>
Andrea lowered her eyes, doing her best to keep her excitement under wraps.
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‘Oh, so that’s how it is, Andrea realized, everything suddenly clicking into place.
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‘Good thing I didn’t lose my cool with that old woman, Andrea told herself, relief washing over her.
‘She’s right, Andrea admitted inwardly.
‘Can’t let those old folks in the Hamilton family think I’m only after Ian for his family’s status and power, Andrea told herself.
Even though seeing that outrageous monthly rent almost made Andrea’s hands shake, she still bit her lip, braced herself, and signed on the dotted line–leaving her mark at the bottom.
It’s not like Miranda was actually going to charge her, or so she claimed–so what did Andrea have to lose by going through with it?
If she moved into the city center, she’d have an excuse to be that much closer to Ian. Just the thought made her heart beat a little faster.
Miranda gathered up the contract, ready to leave.
Andrea blurted out, a hint of urgency in her voice, “Mrs. Hamilton, if we move in, what about Clint’s school p>
Miranda picked up her bag and got to her feet, her smile toward Andrea as gentle and harmless as always- revealing nothing but sophisticated calm.
She said, “My grandson deserves only the finest education. I’ll have lan send Clint straight to a prestigious elite academy. And don’t trouble yourself about tuition–money isn’t something you ever need to worry about p>
Andrea stayed rooted to her spot, watching Miranda walk away.
Her excitement was written all over her face–she was so thrilled she could barely stop herself from screaming right then and there.
Miranda wasn’t just giving them a new home downtown–she was also making sure Clint would get into a prestigious elite academy.
They say grandparents have a special kind of love for their grandkids.
Seems like this old lady really can’t get enough of her grandson!
With this old lady backing her up, Andrea knew it was only a matter of time before she and Ian became the real deal.
After parting ways with Andrea, Miranda made her way back to the office.
Ian walked out of the conference room, cutting a striking figure in his dark suit, surrounded by a crowd of corporate bigshots. With his height and natural alpha energy, he was basically a spotlight magnet in that sea of elites–everyone’s attention locked right onto him.
His face was icy, his strides were bold and wide. The folks with shorter legs in his entourage had to jog and
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hustle just to avoid getting left behind–it was clear who called the shots around here.
As soon as Miranda walked in, everyone paused and respectfully addressed her, “Mrs. Hamilton p>
But the moment Ian saw his mom, his expression instantly soured.
Once the others had left, lan said, “Mom, what are you doing here p>
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Miranda didn’t bother beating around the bush. “Andrea and Clint can’t stay in their old place anymore. I’ve arranged for them to lease an apartment downtown–it’ll be easier for you to keep an eye on them p>
At the mention of Andrea, Ian’s face grew even more stormy.
He said, “If you have something to say, let’s talk in my office p>
Miranda gestured at the conference room. “No need. I’ll just say my piece and get out of your way p>
Ian shot Mitchell a look, then followed Miranda into the conference room.
Mitchell closed the door behind them and waited outside.
Ian handed Miranda a glass of water with barely a glance, his tone hard. “Mom, how many times do I have to spell it out? Stop meddling in my life p>
Miranda set the glass down with a thud. “You had your little affair–and now everyone in the Hamilton family is getting trashed. You really think this isn’t bigger than just you p>
They were back to the same old argument, and Ian just went quiet.
Miranda was blunt, not leaving any room for discussion. “Since you turned your back on Chloe and chose to recognize Andrea and Clint as family, it’s your responsibility to step up and be there for them. They’re at rock bottom right now–I want you to move in for a few days and actually support them like a real man p>
Ian couldn’t come up with any explanation, so he forced himself to stay quiet, swallowing back his frustration.
He said, “Mom, seriously–do you have to watch me and Chloe split up to finally be happy p>
Miranda let out a cold snort. “Deep down, you know whether Chloe genuinely wants to stay married to you p>
Ian braced his hands on the edge of the conference table, his shoulders slumped.
He stayed silent for a long moment.
Finally, he said, “Mom, I know you watched Chloe grow up and you can’t stand to see her hurt. But I’m your son too, you know. I’ve told you–I don’t want a divorce. I’m trying to fix things with Chloe. Can you please stop pushing me p>
Miranda said, “Clint is your own son, pure Hamilton blood. You need to step up and do right by both him and Andrea p>
She pressed on, “Tonight, you go be with them. If you don’t, tomorrow I’ll bring Clint into the Hamilton
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family myself–he’ll take his rightful place, and Andrea will be cut out, no mother, just the son p>
With her last harsh warning thrown down, Miranda turned and left without another word.
After Miranda left, lan let himself collapse into his office chair, feeling utterly spent.
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He claimed Clint as his own just so Edward would lay off Andrea and quit making things tough for her.
Clint wasn’t really his kid–there was no way he’d let his mom officially bring Clint into the Hamilton family or have him recognized as an heir.
Ian sat there in silence for several long minutes.
He took a deep breath and dialed Chloe’s number.
He made up some excuse about a business dinner, saying he’d be home late. On the other end, Chloe just gave him a quiet “mm“-then hung up, cold as ice, not even giving him a chance to say anything else.
After work, Chloe found herself tagging along with a bunch of her female coworkers to hit up one of those Insta–famous restaurants everyone was dying to try.
It was just past eight when Chloe stepped out of the restaurant, and a light drizzle had started to fall.
After watching her coworkers head off, Chloe pulled her coat a little tighter around herself and started walking alone down the sidewalk.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure up ahead.
Chloe came to a stop on the sidewalk, standing still as she recognized the silhouette.
Right ahead, there was Ian in a crisp suit–Mr. Big Shot himself—and Andrea, in nothing but her pajamas and slippers, flung herself straight into his arms, sobbing her heart out.
Rain misted the night, streetlights painting everything in golden haze. The way the two of them clung to each other–it was straight–up like something out of a dream, heartbreakingly romantic.
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