Chapter 55
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Miranda stopped in the center of the room, her posture elegant. “Just a small matter. I’m stopping by to collect a few things on behalf of my daughter–in–law p>
The forced smile on Andrea’s face slowly faded.
Hearing a door open behind her, Andrea quickly pulled her son in front of Miranda. “Clint, say hello to your grandma p>
“Grandma, Clint said.
Miranda’s gaze was dismissive. “Ms. Sherman, I’ve told you before, the Hamilton family does not acknowledge this child p>
Andrea protectively shielded the boy, her words laced with passive aggression. “Mrs. Hamilton, whether you acknowledge him or not, Clint is your grandson. I will raise him to be a good man, and one day he will take care of you p>
A flicker of coldness passed through Miranda’s eyes. “Then let’s pray he lives long enough to see that day p>
Andrea looked
up,
her eyes meeting Miranda’s, and a chill ran down her spine.
Miranda bent down and picked up a cartoon–themed cup from the coffee table. “This cup, Ms. Sherman. Does it belong to a Hamilton or a Sherman p>
Andrea’s eyes darted away as she stammered, “Mrs. Hamilton, Ian bought that for our son p>
Before the words were even out of her mouth, Miranda let the cup slip from her fingers.
It shattered on the floor with a sharp crack.
“If you can’t even afford a single cup for your son,” Miranda said softly, “I imagine nothing else in this apartment has anything to do with you either p>
Andrea kept her head down, unable to meet Miranda’s gaze.
After all, Jan and Chloe weren’t divorced yet. Every penny she took from him was illegitimate.
Miranda raised her hand, and several bodyguards stepped forward.
She glanced at Andrea with utter disdain. “Ms. Sherman, considering you have a child with you, I’ll give you thirty minutes to pack your things and get out p>
Andrea was in disbelief. “Mrs. Hamilton, you can’t be so cruel to us p>
Miranda kept her tone frost–cold. “Believe me, this is me being polite,” Miranda replied. “When my son and his wife are officially divorced, I’ll show you what real cruelty is p>
Intimidated by Miranda’s stare, Andrea slowly lowered the phone she had been about to use.
Jan’s feelings for her were uncertain, and he was still hesitant to divorce Chloe.
13:25 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 54
This was not the time to antagonize the old woman or cause a scene.
Swallowing her pride, Andrea took her son into the bedroom to pack.
Half an hour later, Andrea emerged with a suitcase, only to be stopped by a bodyguard.
6)
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One bodyguard opened the suitcase to inspect it, while another approached her. “Ms. Sherman, please leave the designer bag p>
Andrea glanced at Miranda, then put the bag down, her face burning with shame.
A bodyguard fetched a garbage bag, emptied the entire contents of her purse into it, and handed it to her.
Andrea bit her lip, humiliated, and took the plastic bag.
After the bodyguard checked her suitcase, he returned it to her.
Her eyes red, Andrea looked at Miranda. “Mrs. Hamilton, may we go now p>
Miranda put down a small succulent she had been holding and walked slowly toward Andrea.
Her eyes fell on the black garbage bag in Andrea’s hand, and her words were sharp. “Smart people know that you become who you surround yourself with. But you have to bring something to the table to earn a seat p>
Miranda paused, letting her eyes sweep Andrea up and down. “What exactly do you bring, Ms. Sherman p>
With a final, dismissive look, Miranda turned and left.
Andrea stared at Miranda’s proud, elegant back, her body trembling with suppressed rage.
From the old woman’s words, it sounded like Ian and Chloe’s divorce was imminent.
She had to seize this opportunity to marry Ian and become the matriarch of the Hamilton family.
She would make Miranda regret ever treating her this way.
Later that afternoon, at Ian and Chloe’s home.
Mitchell Garrison and the butler were directing movers as they loaded valuables from the master bedroom and study into a truck.
In the yard, Patrick Lewis commented to Ian, “Chloe doesn’t think the house is dirty, she thinks you’re dirty. What’s the point of moving p>
Patrick continued, “Until you come clean, she’s never going to forgive you. Just wait for her to file for divorce p>
Dressed in an impeccable black business suit, Ian’s expression was unreadable. “I’m giving her time to cool off while she’s studying abroad. I’m not giving her a chance to file for divorce p>
The words had barely left his mouth when a taxi pulled up, and a crying Andrea Sherman stumbled out.