Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Carrying Andrea in his arms, lan turned, his gaze locked on Chloe as she walked away.
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Lately, Chloe had been storming at him, throwing tantrums over Andrea. Yet now… she had calmly told everyone that he and Andrea were married.
Ian wasn’t expecting this at all.
Andrea sneaked a glance at Ian, trying to gauge his reaction. Though his face was calm, she could sense the stiffness in his body.
“Ian?” she called him several times before he snapped back to the moment.
After sending Andrea back to her room safely, Ian was pulled aside by Patrick.
They hung around a bit, then went to the small park behind the hospital together, Standing by the riverbank, Ian lighted a cigarette.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked Patrick.
He and Patrick had grown up together, so he knew about Patrick. He had dragged him out here obviously to have a private conversation.
Patrick cleared his throat. “I’ll be upfront. I’m just stating the facts, not taking sides p>
Ian flexed his fingers, letting the smoke curl into the air. “Go ahead p>
“It’s about that night. Andrea herself said she came back for you. And her housekeeper Linda was even more aggressive than Mia,” Patrick’s expression stayed serious. “She threatened Mia, saying she’d call you to get Mia kicked out of Kingsford p>
Ian shot Patrick a look, eyes darkening with something deeper.
Patrick continued, casually pressing, “Mia’s your sister. Family comes first. You can’t just ignore her for some outsider p>
“Andrea is not an outsider,” Ian’s jaw tightened. “If it weren’t for my family blocking us, I would have married her p>
Patrick sneered, then sighed, “Look, six years is enough to change a person. But Mia grew up with you. Isn’t she just as innocent as Andrea p>
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Ian didn’t reply. Patrick leaned in, probing further. “After Andrea sent you that breakup text and went abroad, do you even know why she ended things with you p>
Ian’s expression darkened, almost frightening in its intensity. But Patrick pressed on.
“That’s what she said that these past six years haven’t been easy, and everything she did was for you,” said Patrick. “But did you even check with Edward if it was true p>
“It had to be.” Ian replied. “I know my grandfather. He’s capable of anything p>
Ian knew Andrea feared Edward. If he confronted Edward about the so–called truth, Edward might stir up trouble behind his back. He couldn’t risk putting Andrea and Clint in danger.
“Fine, Patrick nodded, “but admit it, Andrea came back for you, didn’t she p>
lan corrected him flatly. “Don’t read too much into Andrea. She and I are over p>
“Over?” Patrick blinked at him in disbelief. “And yet you’re acting as stepdad, taking care of her and her son p>
Seeing lan’s expression darkened, Patrick smirked slyly. “Let me guess. You didn’t get lucky six years ago… and now you’re making up for lost time p>
“Stop it,” Ian shot him a warning look. “I’m picky about women. I don’t sleep with Andrea, no matter what–no matter the history p>
“Impressive,” Patrick clicked his tongue. “I heard it from Mia. Even when Chloe threatened to kill herself, you didn’t budge. And now you’re telling me you two are over p>
Jan rubbed his temple, sighing. Mia really was a megaphone–everything came out eventually.
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2:57 PM P.
Chapter 21
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Patrick leaned in, serious. “You always complain about Chloe being ‘spoiled‘ and ‘temperamental. But she’s no longer the proud heiress she used to be p>
Ian remained silent. Chloe had changed after marrying him, and he could sense that. She’d grown clingy, gentler.
But the core of her temper and her manipulative streak? Ian didn’t believe that would ever go away.
Back in the hospital room, Linda was helping Andrea with her meal.
“Linda,” Ian pulled out his phone and settled Linda’s monthly wages. “Starting tomorrow, you’re off the job p>
Linda froze, stunned. “I don’t understand, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Sherman,” she mumbled. “What did I do wrong? Please tell me, and I’ll fix
it p>
Ian lowered his gaze, masking his emotions. “This job isn’t for you. Just pack up and leave p>
Linda looked at Andrea for help, but Andrea lowered her head in silence. Linda had been hired by Ian. She couldn’t say a word against
him.
She was actually happy with Linda–just yesterday she’d mentioned it to Ian, and he had promised a raise next month. So why fire her all of a sudden?
Andrea thought of what happened that night, then she thought of Mia.
That night, Mia had caused trouble, and Linda had spoken up to defend Andrea–probably a bit too bluntly.
Now it all made sense: Mia must have tattled to Ian, which led to the dismissal.
Andrea hadn’t expected lan to stand up for his family like this. She knew she needed to get along better with Mia from now on.
She didn’t ask anything, and Ian said nothing further. After Linda left, the room fell silent.
Seeing that Ian was clearly distracted, Andrea cautiously spoke up, “Ian, Chloe caused such a scene and even told your colleagues that we’re married. I think I need to apologize to her properly p>
Ian’s voice was calm. “No need p>
“But Chloe works here, too. If she sees you visiting me, she’ll throw a fit again,” Andrea frowned. “From tomorrow, you don’t have to come here. Just hire another caretaker for me p>
lan didn’t argue. He sighed, then changed the topic. “I’ll apologize on behalf of Chloe and Mia,” he said to Andrea. “I’ll also have someone renovate your place. You’ll stay at the hospital for now. ”
And then, he shifted his tone. “Andrea, I know you’ve been wronged. But as I said before, don’t meet Chloe without my permission p>
Andrea hurriedly explained, “I only wanted to apologize, nothing more p>
Ian shook his head. “Even an apology is off–limits p>
To lan, keeping Chloe and Andrea apart would prevent conflict.
Chloe, proud and sharp, would never notice Andrea unless provoked. Andrea was simple and obedient. As long as she stayed out of Chloe’s way, she wouldn’t be bullied.
Ian’s voice was firm, so Andrea relented quickly. “Alright. I promise won’t go near Chloe on my own again p>
It was already past eight in the evening after lan settled Andrea in. He returned home, but the room was dark, silent, as if no one had lived there.
He trudged upstairs, exhausted, only to find the master bedroom door locked from the inside.