The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 343

Chapter 343

Chapter 343

Eric and Chloe stood on the sidewalk by the road.

Eric reached out to help Chloe with her bags, but she edged away to the side of the sidewalk, avoiding his hand without making it obvious.

“It’s just some daily essentials. They’re light. I can handle it myself,” Chloe said.

Eric could tell Chloe was being distant.

Ever since that night in Tecnovia, Eric had been trying to win Chloe over.

She hadn’t agreed to anything, but she hadn’t exactly turned him down either.

But now, she was obviously getting colder toward him.

He could sense it.

Eric hurriedly explained, “There were a lot of unexpected things at the party. I should’ve looked after you better. That was on me.”

Chloe shot back, “Eric, do you really think I’m that petty?”

Her words left Eric feeling mortified.

“Sorry,” he said.

For a moment, Eric didn’t know what to do.

It was the first time that Chloe had ever seen Eric so lost and unsure in front of her.

She told him, “Eric, I just want to focus on my career right now. I’m really not looking to get involved with anyone.”

Eric tried to sound as gentle as possible. “Chloe, chasing your dreams doesn’t mean you can’t have a relationship.”

Chloe stood her ground. “But for me, my future and my career come before love.”

They locked eyes.

Eric’s eyes were full of conviction. “But love is rarer than any career success.”

Chloe dropped her eyes, trying to mask the storm of feelings inside.

Eric could say that so easily because he’d never walked through the fire Chloe had.

She suffered bankruptcy, betrayal by the one she loved, a failed marriage, and being ostracized and suppressed.

Chloe did her best to keep her tone calm as she spoke to Eric.

Chapter 343

May

She said. “Eric, to me, love is just an optional luxury. If my personal life ever starts interfering with my work, I’ll resign and find a new place to work.”

Her voice grew quieter as she continued.

Eric was the one who got her this job.

Not long after Chloe started at the hospital, Eric helped map out her career, pushed for her early promotion, and even fought to get her a spot to study abroad, pushing past all the opposition.

If she didn’t have to, she wouldn’t say something that felt like biting the hand that feeds him. She didn’t want to make him feel bad.

But as for Andrea, Chloe really didn’t want to get involved with her at all.

She just couldn’t help the deep disgust she felt for Andrea.

Eric watched Chloe’s reaction carefully, not daring to push the conversation any further.

He immediately backed down. “If you don’t like it, I won’t bring it up again. Just focus on your work, and I promise I won’t take up any of your work time.”

Eric looked straight into Chloe’s eyes, speaking each word with deliberate clarity.

“But Chloe, this isn’t just some passing fancy, and it wasn’t just a one-night thing. I like you. I’ve liked you since the very first day you walked onto campus as a freshman.”

Back in Tecnovia, he thought he’d finally won her over, that he could finally date Chloe openly.

But no matter what, Chloe just wouldn’t give in.

He kept pushing himself, even trying all sorts of cheesy lines, and just when it seemed like Chloe might finally give in, she shut him down again.

He couldn’t keep his feelings bottled up anymore; he had to come clean to Chloe.

Eric’s sudden confession left Chloe completely stunned.

She just stared at him, totally frozen, not even sure how to react.

‘Freshman year?’ Chloe thought, her mind spinning.

Suddenly, memories of the very first time she met Eric flashed through her mind.

He’d come over to help her with her luggage, blushing like crazy.

Chloe and her bestie had giggled about how shy Eric was, and how he’d go red at the drop of a hat.

Chloe now knew the reason.

Eric said, “The first time I saw you on campus, man, I was so grateful that I’d listened to my folks and gone into med school.”

He added, “Chloe, I’ll show you that career and love don’t have to clash. The right person is already waiting

16:38 Fri, May 15 O

Chapter 343

for you, right there in your future.”

Eric was about to say something else when his phone blared out of nowhere, cutting him off.

Chloe watched him as he ended the call, his brow all scrunched up.

She said, “Eric, go do what you need to. I’ll wait for my brother. He’s almost here.”

Eric shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around Chloe’s shoulders, muttered a few words of advice, and then rushed off to his car.

Chloe stood frozen, her heart thundering in her chest.

After two lifetimes, no man had ever confessed to her before.

And yet, she shrank back.

After Eric drove off, Andrea, who’d been lurking nearby, finally emerged.

‘So her name is Chloe,’ Andrea mused.

She’d been a bit too far away to really hear what they were talking about.

Still, one thing was clear that there was definitely something going on between Chloe and Eric.

Andrea thought, “They just argued so fiercely, and in the end, Eric left her alone by the road. Looks like things aren’t so smooth between them after all.’

Andrea boldly guessed that Chloe had tried to get with Eric and failed, so now the two of them had fallen

out.

Andrea cleared her throat and strutted over to Chloe, looking all high and mighty.

She introduced herself with a smug smile. “Hey, Dr. Irvine. I’m Eric’s sister. Wanna be friends?”

Chloe couldn’t help but frown when Andrea handed her a bottle of water.

‘Be friends with her?’ Chloe thought, rolling her eyes. ‘What a joke!

Andrea caught the wary look in Chloe’s eyes, twisted open the water bottle, took a slow sip, and sized Chloe up with a smug, superior stare.

Chloe was clearly losing her patience. She turned to walk away, but Andrea quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

Chloe came to a halt.

Andrea smirked, “I know you’re just a regular doctor at Jordan Hospital, Dr. Irvine. You’re hoping to land yourself a spot in high society, but Eric won’t even admit you’re together. Did I hit the nail on the head?”

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