Chapter 277
Chapter 279
Chapter 279
Chloe pushed lan away, quickly fixed her clothes, and rushed out onto the sidewalk.
If she stuck around any longer, he’d totally end up having his way with her.
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With a bold look, she said, “lan, I’ve always treated you like my friend, but you want to get in my bed? Don’t think I won’t drag you online and let the whole world tear you apart p>
Chloe’s no–filter comeback totally threw lan off.
This was her real side, raw and unfiltered.
She did whatever she felt like–reckless, bold, always stirring things up.
But if he didn’t make a move and get passionate, this wedding wasn’t going anywhere.
Chloe started ticking off her points on her fingers. “You know what they say–if the head of the family is crooked, the rest are just as bad.
“Seriously, there’s not a single decent guy in the Hamilton family.
“Your grandpa’s old and ruthless, only out for himself. Your dad acts like he’s better than everyone, and he’s always looked down on us p>
Ian was left speechless.
Chloe pressed on, “All these years, it’s always been me chasing after you. You act like it’s some kind of epic punishment, like being with me is the worst thing in the world p>
Still, Ian didn’t say a word.
Chloe continued, “You’ve never told me you liked me, let alone loved me. Not even a half–assed proposal. Let’s be real, marrying me was never something you actually wanted p>
Ian hesitated, words catching in his throat. “Chloe, I p>
Chloe interrupted him. “Funny enough, I’ve come to my senses too. Let’s just end it here–no hard feelings, no more drama. If you’re really itching to tie the knot, go pick someone else. Heck, if you’re struggling, I’ll even play matchmaker for you p>
She wondered, ‘By now, Andrea’s kid is already past two. If it really comes down to it, I’ll just take a trip to Tecnovia myself and drag back his first love!
Ian’s expression turned seriously gloomy,
He gazed at Chloe, looking a bit lost, then said with total certainty, “I just want you. That’s all p>
Chloe waved her hands, cutting him off. “Ian, I’ve spelled it all out. If you’re still confused, I’ll go talk to everyone we know and set the record straight myself. You go home and check with your folks–see if they
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Chapter 279
even want me sticking around. Let me know what they say p>
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Chloe didn’t give lan a chance to get a word in. She shoved past him and bolted down the sidewalk.
Ian just stood there, watching Chloe bolt home like she was being chased by a pack of mad dogs; his gaze grew colder and colder. Just be her friend? No way in hell p>
Suddenly, lan heard someone say, “This is weird. Normally, Ian’s the one leaving in a huff while Chloe just stands there, head over heels, watching him walk away. But today, the tables have totally turned p>
Another one said, “I’ve never seen Chloe actually call Ian out like that. Did he do something behind her back or what p>
Hearing those two familiar voices chirping behind his back, Ian scowled and whipped around.
The two who’d been gossiping from afar instantly clammed up, falling silent on the spot.
Ian jabbed a finger at the fancy car a few steps away and shot Mia a look. “Go chill out in the car and wait for me p>
Mia ducked behind Patrick, throwing him her best puppy–dog eyes. “You do your grown–up talk, I’ll keep quiet p>
Patrick turned around and grinned, ruffling her hair. “Hey, these are boring adult secrets–way too much for
you p>
Patrick ushered Mia into the car, popped a pair of headphones on her, and set her up with a game to keep her busy.
He and Ian stood chatting on the sidewalk.
Patrick looked at Ian, curiosity in his eyes. “Chloe’s always been crazy about you, man. How did you piss her off so much she’s actually talking about breaking up p>
Ian tucked his hands into his pockets, staring at a nearby tree. “She’s mad that I wasn’t sincere enough, never gave her a proper proposal, and she can’t stand my grandpa or my dad p>
He told himself, ‘And yeah, she pretty much can’t stand me either p>
Patrick let out a breath, grinning. “Told you, girls want someone who treats them like a queen. You keep acting all moody around her–how long do you think she could put up with that p>
Ian shifted his gaze, keeping that calm mask on.
He was going to love Chloe the right way, spoil her silly, and make sure she always felt cherished.
This lifetime, it was his turn to take the lead.
It didn’t matter how he did it–as long as he was the one running after her now.
Ian turned to Patrick. “I’m thinking about proposing. You’ve been to tons of weddings and proposals–any
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Chapter 279
advice p>
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Patrick cleared his throat, grinning. “That’s easy. Trust me, no girl can resist a good dose of romance p>
Then he continued, “Don’t you have a luxury yacht under your name? Set the scene right and you’ve got the perfect place for it p>
When lan heard “yacht,” his expression froze, his whole face going tense.
Secing lan wasn’t interested, Patrick tried again. “Or how about renting out the Riverfront Promenade? It’s gorgeous at night, super romantic–any girl would love it p>
Ian glanced away, his eyes evasive, refusing to meet Patrick’s.
Deep in his chest, that familiar pain stabbed at him once more.
Patrick could tell Ian still wasn’t feeling it.
He let out a sigh. “Look, if you don’t want to go all out for Chloe, at least order a cake, grab some roses, and after she says yes, post something on Instagram so everyone knows you’re for real. That’s literally the bare minimum p>
Ian’s mind was buzzing, his chest heaving–he could feel the pressure building inside.
Yacht, beach, cake, flowers, Instagram… Every single one was a reminder of the chances he’d let slip by–and all the regrets that came with them.
It was the pain in Chloe’s heart that she could never get rid of–the pain that would always be there, no matter
what.
Patrick could tell Ian was really bummed out.
He patted lan on the shoulder, trying to cheer him up. “Chloe’s a total drama queen, you know. She’s even faked being sick before just so you’d rush over and babysit her. Give it a couple of days—I’ll set up a get- together and bring her along. That’ll be your shot to smooth things over with her p>
The pain deep in Ian’s heart slowly eased up. ‘Patrick’s right. Chloe had always been this way, long before any talk of marriage.
‘She’d pull all kinds of tricks just to get my attention, always scheming for extra time with me.
‘She’s probably just doing what she always does–throwing a little tantrum so I’d be the one to come closer, to finally come clean about how I feel. I’m just being way too impatient p>
With that thought in mind, lan felt way more at ease. He decided to set up a romantic proposal and confess his feelings before they ever got married–let Chloe truly feel how much she mattered to him.
Two days later, in the evening, Chloe treated Eric to dinner to thank him for helping her get in touch with the auction house and for inviting her to intern at the Jordan Family Hospital.
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Around nine, Chlor and Eric stepped out of the restaurant and spotted Patrick jumping out of his car
Patrick quickly greeted Eric, barely stopping before hurrying over to Chloe. “Hey, Chloe, I need to talk to you about something”
Eric made himself scarce and headed off.
Chloe was just about to head home.
But Patrick said Mia was waiting for her in a private room, so she had no choice but to let him whisk her off to the Royal Court Club.
Chloe trailed after Patrick into the private room, and as soon as she walked in, a strong smell of booze slammed into her senses.
Mia jumped up the moment she spotted Chloe. “Chloe, we’re just hanging out tonight, but fan got totally
wasted p>
Chloe glanced at lan, sprawled out on the couch like he didn’t even know what planet he was on, and couldn’t help but frown.
Patrick and Mia exchanged a look, then Mia grabbed her bag and bolted out of the room.
Patrick said, “Sorry, Chloe, but Ian’s totally wasted and keeps calling your name. He’s got a private suite upstairs. You two are pretty much a done deal already–spending the night to look after him shouldn’t be a big thing, right p>
With that, Patrick shut the door behind him, grabbed Mia by the arm, and they both made a quick exit.
Chloe took her time and settled down next to lan on the couch.
She knew lan’s drinking skills–nobody could ever drink him under the table.
Besides, he was never the type to show up at these kinds of hangouts.
She sneered inwardly, ‘Wasted? Calling my name? I’m not buying it for a second!
Chloe flexed her hands a bit, then nudged lan to see if he’d wake up.
When he didn’t react, she moved her hand right to his thigh and twisted–hard.
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