The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 283

Chloe had assumed she’d need to argue her case a lot more.

To her surprise, lan backed down without much fuss.

Since he was willing to go back to just being childhood friends, she agreed right away.

Letting others off the hook meant letting oneself go free.

Chloe felt a wave of relief wash over her.

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She took the chance to ask, “Ian, let’s get our story straight. How are we going to announce the wedding’s off to everyone?”

lan found himself watching Chloe, her smile lighter and a touch cheeky now, and couldn’t help but let his expression soften little by little.

His voice turned gentle without him realizing it as he said, “As long as you’re happy, just leave everything else

to me.”

Chloe still wasn’t quite used to seeing this softer, low–key side of Ian.

But since they’d come to an agreement and laid everything out in the open, all she wanted now was to go home.

She was just about to speak when Ian beat her to it. “I know you can’t sleep well anywhere but your own bed. I’ll hop in the shower, change clothes, and then we’ll head back.”

Chloe didn’t say anything.

“Well, look at that–Mr. Stone Heart actually grew some feelings. Wonders never cease, she thought to herself.

They walked side by side toward the helicopter.

Not far off, Mitchell was still standing there, completely dumbfounded, trying to wrap his head around everything. Mr. Hamilton slaved away day and night, personally setting up every detail of this proposal scene.

‘Did the proposal really just crash and burn?

“The almighty CEO of Hamilton Group, Kingsford’s number one heir–actually got rejected?‘ Mitchell was utterly stunned.

Early the next morning, the helicopter touched down safely at Hamilton Private Airfield.

The doors swung open, and Ian and Chloe walked out.

Patrick and Mia showed up with a whole squad of friends, everyone armed with a confetti cannon, laughing and shouting as they crowded around.

17:07 Mon, Oct 20

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Chapter 283

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Patrick caught sight of lan in a fresh change of clothes and shot him a sly, knowing grin, as if to say, “Well, well, someone had a busy night.”

Whooping and hollering, everyone shouted, “Congratulations!”

All at once, confetti cannons exploded, shooting bursts of rainbow–colored confetti high over Chloe and Ian’s heads before fluttering down like snow.

Chloe and Ian caught each other’s eyes for a moment.

Chloe tossed Patrick a deadly glare, threw out a rushed greeting to the group, and bolted before anyone could

react.

Everyone froze, the party vibes evaporating instantly as Chloe slipped away without so much as a word.

They all turned their eyes to Ian.

Ian’s gaze was still glued to Chloe’s retreating figure, unable to look away.

Patrick picked up on the weird vibe and sidled up to Ian, asking, “Ian, what’s going on?”

17:07 Mon, Oct 20

He waited until the murmurs died down before speaking slowly, voice cold and powerful, “Chloe is going to be my wife. You really think you can trash–talk her right in front of me? Did you forget I’m standing right here?”

“Sorry, Mr. Hamilton, we were just mouthing off,” one of them stammered, eyes wide.

“Yeah, it was just a joke, we swear!” another quickly threw in.

“We’re all buddies here–seriously, if you care, we’ll watch our mouths from now on,” someone else piped up, trying to smooth things over.

Ian swept his icy gaze over each of them. “It’s nothing–for now.”

He’d make sure they learned their lesson soon enough.

With everyone watching, Ian got in his car and drove off.

After Ian left, Patrick jumped in to break the awkward silence. “Same place tonight, drinks are on me!”

The whole group immediately burst into cheers again.

After Patrick managed to get everyone out, he grabbed Mia and bundled her into the car.

Mia caught Patrick still grinning with that nosy sparkle in his eye. “Seriously, Patrick, what’s with the rush? Got a fire to put out?”

Patrick kept one hand on the wheel and playfully wrapped his arm around Mia’s neck. “Watch the attitude, kid. You don’t apologize today, I’ll toss you in a ditch.”

Mia rummaged in her bag and whipped out an eyebrow razor. Patrick instantly dropped his arm.

Mia grabbed Patrick’s wrist, waving the razor close. “Better start talking–where are you dragging me off to, or I might just draw some blood.”

“I’m not even married yet, so no way I’d make it into the Lewis family cemetery, Just toss me in the Hamilton family plot if you feel like it,” Patrick said with a shrug.

He looked like he couldn’t care less–‘Whatever, do what you want.’”

Mia quickly put the razor away. “And tank our property value? My ancestors would haunt me harder than you

ever could.”

Patrick was rendered speechless.