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Chapter 237
“Why are you still awake at this hour p>
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As the call connected, Philip’s voice came through the phone loud and clear, reaching everyone in the room.
There was a subtle warmth and concern in his usually calm voice,
Chloe’s voice unconsciously softened, “Philip, how much did that dress you gave me last week cost p>
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Philip said, “It’s not expensive. As long as it suits you, that’s what matters p>
Chloe admitted, “I went to the Quinn family’s dinner tonight with Eric, and someone ruined my dress. They’re insisting on compensation at full price p>
The dress she was wearing had been a gift from Philip, who insisted she have it as a thank–you for looking after his son these days.
She’d always known the dress was probably worth a lot, but Philip never told her how much it cost, so there was no way for her to really reimburse him.
There was another brief silence before Philip’s voice came through again. “Are you in trouble? Do you need me to come pick you up right now p>
Philip’s concern for Chloe was so obvious–he wasn’t even trying to hide it. Everyone in the room caught it crystal clear.
Vivian and Violet shot each other a look; their expressions couldn’t have been more sour.
Even though Philip wasn’t part of the eight powerhouses and rarely interacted with them, his status was so high that none of those families would even think about offending him.
Ian fixed his gaze on Chloe, restraining himself so hard that the veins on the back of his clenched hand bulged visibly.
No matter if people were around or not, she was always ice–cold to him, but when it came to Philip, she spoke with such tenderness.
Patrick watched lan, worry etched on his face as he couldn’t help but frown.
Henry raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
He’d always thought Chloe was just someone the upper crust had tossed aside, and even if she hung around Mr. Eric Jordan, it was nothing but business. That’s why he’d always let Violet Quinn do as she pleased.
But he never expected Eric and Patrick to go out of their way to back her up, let alone tan circling her like she was too precious to touch.
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And now, even the legendary, rarely–seen Philip was personally driving over to pick her up.
He’d really misjudged this woman.
Chloe shot Violet a look, then turned back to Philip. “Philip, just tell me how much it cost p>
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“Godmother, I know!” Simon Foster’s clear, childish voice piped up from the phone. “It starts with a three, and then… one, two, three, four… seven zeros p>
Hearing Philip’s low voice gently scolding Simon on the other end, Chloe couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Simon. Now go listen to your dad and get some sleep p>
Chloe ended the call and swept her gaze across the room, taking in everyone’s shell–shocked expressions.
Henry and Violet looked like they’d just seen a ghost. The fact that Chloe was actually Philip’s son’s godmother? Impossible.
Unbothered, Chloe pulled out her phone. “Mrs. Quinn, thirty million and medical expenses. Cash or bank transfer p>
Violet was still in shock, unable to process what she’d just heard.
She blurted out, “That dress you’re wearing can’t be worth more than tens of thousands. Who actually trusts a kid’s word on this? ”
Vivian and Andrea’s brother and sister–in–law jumped in, “Seriously, kids can’t even count their own fingers- you’re actually taking what they say for real p>
Patrick gave his ear a lazy scratch, not bothering to hide his attitude. “This dress? My sister–in–law custom- made it for Dr. Irvine at Philip’s request. Just the diamond–studded waist chain is worth at least ten million. Mrs. Quinn, you might not know luxury if it bit you, but don’t ever insult my sister–in–law’s skills p>
The whole room buzzed with murmurs–everyone was floored. Violet’s knees nearly buckled, and she had to grab onto something just to stay upright.
Patrick hadn’t even finished speaking before Henry rushed over to Chloe, scanned a swift thirty million straight into her account and added the two hundred thousand in cash, all handed over with trembling hands.
Without a second thought, Chloe stuffed the cash into her bag. “You all keep talking–I’m heading out p>
She gave Eric a quick look, and the two of them turned and strode downstairs together.
Patrick watched lan getting worse and leaned in, keeping his voice low. “You shouldn’t stay here like this. It’s too risky. Let me drive you to the hospital, just to be safe p>
Jan shoved Patrick away. “I said, just leave me alone p>
‘Why?‘ lan thought, his mind in turmoil.
Why would Philip give Chloe a thirty–million–dollar evening gown?
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Chloe had always been clear–cut about her boundaries–she never took presents from others lightly.
She’d once told him she only liked the gifts he gave her.
‘Why?‘ lan thought, his mind spinning.
‘Why did she accept something from Philip?‘ Ian couldn’t help but wonder–she never takes gifts from anyone, so why him?
Seeing lan barely holding it together, his steps all over the place, Patrick rushed downstairs after him, worry
written all over his face.
As soon as everyone caught on, they quickly headed down too, awkwardly leaving Henry, Violet, and Andrea’s brother and sister–in–law stuck upstairs, their faces burning with embarrassment.
Violet’s face turned a sickly gray, completely drained of color.
She thought she’d finally humiliate that woman Chloe and help her niece Andrea get some payback. Instead, Chloe flipped it around and slammed her with a loss of over thirty million.
Seeing Henry’s face go dark, Violet hurried to make a show of clutching her stomach and bent over. “Honey, my stomach suddenly hurts p>
Henry didn’t even have a chance to get angry–he quickly rushed to get Violet out of there and back to their
room to rest.
About ten minutes later, Ian cut off the car Chloe and Eric Jordan were riding in, forcing them to pull over at the side of the road.
Eric looked over at Chloe.
Chloe said coldly, “Eric, I don’t have anything to say to him p>
Eric nodded.
As soon as Ian stepped out of his car, Eric got out too.
Jan went to open Chloe’s car door, but Eric got in his way before he could even reach for the handle.
As a doctor, Eric immediately noticed something was off with lan. “Mr. Hamilton, your stomach’s directly affected by your mood. You just got rushed to the hospital for a gastric bleed this morning. Seriously, for your own sake, you need to calm yourself down p>
Jan’s chest rose and fell violently–he was visibly struggling to keep calm.
He tried hard to rein himself in, but his voice was still unsteady. “Eric, whatever’s going on between me and my wife–it’s not your business. Stay out of it”
Eric stood firm in front of the car door. “Mr. Hamilton, I’m Chloe’s senior and her partner. It’s my duty to protect her p>
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Ian had been bottling up his frustration all night, but by now, he’d run out of patience–he snapped.
With no warning, he lunged and clamped a hand on Eric’s shoulder, only for Eric to catch his wrist in a fast, practiced hold.
Watching through the car window as the two men suddenly went at each other, Chloe’s heart skipped–she jumped out of the car without thinking.
Right as Chloe stepped out, Patrick came rushing over.
Chloe shoved lan out of the way, putting herself in front of Eric. “Ian, what are you trying to do p>
Ian stumbled back, his steps unsteady.
He’d lost count of how many times Chloe had pushed him away for someone else.
Ian looked straight into Chloe’s eyes, the hurt clear in his gaze. “Chloe, I’ve got something to ask you p>
Patrick saw just how pale and shaken Ian looked, and tried to reason with him. “Ian, you need to stop forcing yourself. Let me take you home, get some rest. When you’re in better shape, then you can talk to Chloe–face to face, calmly p>
Ian’s eyes were rimmed with red as he shoved Patrick away, his voice nearly breaking. “I can’t wait any longer! I have to hear it from her right now p>
Chloe hesitated for a moment, then turned to Eric and Patrick. “Eric, Patrick, you two go on ahead. I actually have something I want to ask Mr. Hamilton myself p>
Eric knew Chloe was just trying not to drag him into it.
But since she’d already said it, he didn’t push any further.
After all, Ian was clearly trying to make peace–there was no way he’d hurt Chloe now.
Eric and Patrick got back in the car and drove off.
Late at night on a deserted stretch of road, only Ian and Chloe remained.
Chloe looked at Jan coldly. “Mr. Hamilton, whatever you have to say, go ahead and say it p>
Jan was stung by Chloe’s icy indifference.
His eyes tinged red, he stepped closer and gripped Chloe’s shoulders tightly.
He locked eyes with her, voice low and wounded. “Why would Philip give you such an expensive evening gown?
Before Chloe could reply, his composure broke and he shook her shoulders, voice cracking. “Why did you accept his gift? Why are you wearing the dress he gave you p>
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Chapter 238