Chapter 77
Chapter 77
It was lunch break.
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Mitchell knocked on the door of the lounge. “Mr. Hamilton, something’s happened with the Irvine family?
The door opened, and lan stepped out.
Mitchell stepped forward. “Carl somehow found out Mrs. Hamilton got arrested. He ditched school and ran off, but ended up getting hit by a car. He’s in the hospital. Mrs. Irvine fainted at home as soon as she heard the news, and she was rushed to the hospital too
lan’s face darkened. “Get them the best doctors. Make absolutely sure they’re okay?
Mitchell braced himself and continued, “Mr. Hamilton, the Irvine family has asked Neil Reed to handle things. They’ve got everything set for Chloe’s bail hearing, and Mr. Irvine wants to meet with you p>
Ian glanced at his watch.
He told Mitchell, “Get the car ready”
Just as Ian was about to head out of his office, Mia stormed in.
She shot lan a furious look. “Ian, why won’t you let Patrick help Chloe? What are you really playing at p>
Ian’s expression turned cold. “That’s none of your business p>
Mia blocked the doorway, glaring at Ian. “You’re keeping Andrea and her son hidden away, and you won’t even let Chloe divorce you. You’re two–timing shamelessly–you’re a total scumbag, and scumbags like you belong straight in hell p>
“Shut up!” Jan snapped.
He barked, “Mia, say one more word and I’ll send you overseas before you even have time to blink. Maybe that’ll finally get it through your head p>
As soon as Mia heard her brother threaten to send her abroad, she snapped back to reality.
If lan really decided to ship her off, her grandpa and her dad would both one hundred percent back him up.
Not even her mom could bail her out if that happened.
Mia grudgingly lowered her arm and stepped aside so lan could leave.
At I p.m., Jan stepped into the hospital ward.
He pushed open the door to Jill’s room.
Frank and Carl were keeping watch by Jill’s bedside.
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When Carl saw lan come in, his fists clenched and he jumped to his feet, but Frank snapped at him to stary
put.
Seeing that Carl was okay, Ian walked straight over to Jill’s bedside.
He bent down, trying to sound gentle. “Mom, are you feeling any better?
That’s the Hamilton heir for you, someone couldn’t help but think.
He’s got the family act down to a science!
Jill shot lan a look and turned her head away.
Ian straightened up slowly. “Dad, Mom, my assistant said you wanted to see me p>
Ian pretended not to know, and although the Irvines were seething inside, for Chloe’s sake, they had no choice but to hold back.
Frank looked at Jill resting in the hospital bed and lowered his head. “Tan, we’ve already asked Nell Reed to handle Chloe’s bail hearing, but we’re still missing a guarantor
Ian stayed calm as he spoke. “Dad, I’m willing to arrange the guarantor, but I have a condition
Frank and Jill exchanged a glance.
Ian said, “Husband and wife should stand as one. Just talk Chloe out of this divorce, and you don’t have to lift a finger–I’ll make sure nothing happens to her?
Jill fought to sit up in bed. “I don’t care if it costs us everything Chloe is getting that divorce!
Ian didn’t bat an eye at Jill’s determination.
Ian said calmly, “Dad, Mom, Leo is accusing Chloe of leaking Hamilton Group’s confidential files to our rivals just to get back at me for cheating. If those charges stick, Chloe could be looking at anywhere from three to ten years in prison, plus a hefty fine.
Ian went on, “Ten years behind bars won’t just destroy Chloe–it’ll ruin Carl’s education and his future too
Carl shoved his father’s hand away and stalked right up to lan, jaw clenched. “Save your threats! I’ll drop our— see if I care p>
Ian tried to put a hand on Carl’s shoulder, but Carl smacked it away, glaring at him.
Ian kept his cool and said to Carl, “You’re still a kid. You might not get it now, but one day you’ll realize how much school really matters”
Frank pulled Carl back, his face twisted with determination. Even if we go broke, there’s no way we’ll let our daughter rot in jail. We’ll figure something out p>
Jan paused for a moment.
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When Carl saw lan come in, his fists clenched and he jumped to his feet, but Frank snapped at him to stay
put.
Seeing that Carl was okay, Ian walked straight over to Jill’s bedside.
He bent down, trying to sound gentle. “Mom, are you feeling any better p>
“That’s the Hamilton heir for you,‘ someone couldn’t help but think.
‘He’s got the family act down to a science!
Jill shot lan a look and turned her head away.
lan straightened up slowly. “Dad, Mom, my assistant said you wanted to see me p>
lan pretended not to know, and although the Irvines were seething inside, for Chloe’s sake, they had no choice but to hold back.
Frank looked at Jill resting in the hospital bed and lowered his head. “Ian, we’ve already asked Neil Reed to handle Chloe’s bail hearing, but we’re still missing a guarantor p>
Ian stayed calm as he spoke. “Dad, I’m willing to arrange the guarantor, but I have a condition p>
Frank and Jill exchanged a glance.
Ian said, “Husband and wife should stand as one. Just talk Chloe out of this divorce, and you don’t have to lift a finger–I’ll make sure nothing happens to her p>
Jill fought to sit up in bed. “I don’t care if it costs us everything, Chloe is getting that divorce p>
Ian didn’t bat an eye at Jill’s determination.
Ian said calmly, “Dad, Mom, Leo is accusing Chloe of leaking Hamilton Group’s confidential files to our rivals just to get back at me for cheating. If those charges stick, Chloe could be looking at anywhere from three to ten years in prison, plus a hefty fine p>
Ian went on, “Ten years behind bars won’t just destroy Chloe–it’ll ruin Carl’s education and his future too p>
Carl shoved his father’s hand away and stalked right up to lan, jaw clenched. “Save your threats! I’ll drop out— see if I care p>
Ian tried to put a hand on Carl’s shoulder, but Carl smacked it away, glaring at him.
Ian kept his cool and said to Carl, “You’re still a kid. You might not get it now, but one day you’ll realize how much school really matters p>
Frank pulled Carl back, his face twisted with determination. “Even if we go broke, there’s no way we’ll let our daughter rot in jail. We’ll figure something out p>
Ian paused for a moment.
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He said, “All Chloe has to do is come home, and I swear I’ll keep her out of jail. I’ll support whatever she wants to do–no strings, just unconditional backing. I can give her the kind of life most people only dream about, the respect and status she truly deserves. Isn’t that everything you’ve ever wanted for her p>
Jill’s voice shook as she said, “But Chloe doesn’t want any of that p>
Ian could only nod in acknowledgment.
He replied, “Mom, we’re all adults here–sometimes you have to think about what’s really best. Mrs. Hamilton has always treated Chloe like her own daughter, and with all the love you give her too, I know she’d have a much better life with me than locked up in prison p>
“Hamilton Group’s Legal Department works fast. If you really want to save Chloe, you need to decide quickly.” Ian said.
With that, Ian turned and walked out of the room.
After Ian walked out, Carl was seething, his frustration barely contained.
He spun around to face his parents. “Dad, Mom… isn’t there any other way to help Chloe? Something we haven’t tried? ”
Frank let out a weary sigh. “We’ve racked our brains for every possible option. If there was anything else— anything at all–your mom and I would never have gone asking him for help p>
The room fell into a long, heavy silence.
Frank turned to Jill and said, “I just called Neil Reed. He’s already taken himself off Chloe’s case. Honestly, I doubt any lawyer in Kingsford would dare stand up to the Hamilton family’s legal team p>
Frank’s voice was heavy with despair. “If Chloe really ends up in prison, her whole life will be ruined p>
Jill couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. “But Ian’s got another woman and a kid on the side! If Chloe goes back to him, she’ll just be miserable all over again p>
Carl clenched his fists, his voice shaking with anger. “Dad, Mom, the police will make things right for Chloe! We don’t have to bow down to the Hamiltons p>
Justice? Carl thought bitterly as Frank and Jill exchanged a look.
Frank and Jill exchanged a look.
They’d lived through the Irvine family’s heyday–and its humiliating collapse. They’d seen the worst of people.
They knew all too well.
Justice? That’s for those who make the rules.
Frank clenched his jaw and said to Jill, voice heavy with guilt, “If anyone’s to blame, it’s me – not being a good enough father. If it means Chloe loses her freedom and her whole life is ruined in prison, I’d rather see her go
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back to the Hamilton family. At least there she’d still have her career, her friends, and people who care about
her p>
Jill buried her face in the blanket, crying softly in heartbreak.
It was the middle of the night, I a.m., when fan’s phone rang. It was Frank.
At 5 a.m., Ian walked into the bathroom.
At exactly 8 a.m., a black Bentley rolled to a slow, intimidating halt outside the detention center’s gates.
Moments later, Mitchell hurried up to the car, sounding anxious. “Mr. Hamilton, Chloe’s out
lan’s hand froze halfway as he was about to light his cigarette.
He glanced up, catching sight of Chloe as she walked out through the gates.
After a day and two nights inside, she looked utterly exhausted–like she’d just been chewed up and spit our by the world.
Ian tossed his cigarette aside and strode toward her.
When Chloe saw Ian, she swerved away, deliberately avoiding him.
But Ian reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving.
Chloe lashed out with her other hand, trying to slap him.
Ian didn’t even blink–he caught her hand in mid–air, totally unfazed.
They locked eyes, standing so close that the tension between them was almost suffocating.
Ian said, “Your parents asked me to come get you. Don’t get the wrong idea p>