Chapter 257 Chapter 257 lan stared at his phone screen , lost in thought , He felt his body and soul slowly drifting apart , as if he were slipping into a daze . A900 It wasn't until Miranda called his name several times , her voice anxious , that he finally snapped back to reality . Ian followed Miranda's gaze to Edward , then asked , " Grandpa , what did you just say ? " Edward's expression grew dark . He said , " lan , the business world is a battlefield . As CEO , you have to weigh every decision twice over . Cutting ties with the Quinn family does us no good - it's all downside for Hamilton Group . After all these years running this company , how could you slip up with such a basic mistake ? " lan stood up , unhurried , and smoothed out his suit jacket . He said , " Grandpa , the decision's already made and the order's been carried out . If you have an issue with it , let the board vote me out . " Edward was left speechless , his face darkening with fury . Shane jabbed a finger at lan , his anger boiling over. " One day , the whole Hamilton family will be yours ! Everything we've done - every sacrifice - it's all for you !" Ian looked at his father , his expression unreadable . " Dad , have you ever once thought about what kind of life ! actually want ? " he asked , voice flat , as if all his energy had been drained away . Their eyes clashed in a fierce standoff , neither willing to back down . After several seconds , Ian , utterly exhausted , turned away . His steps heavy with disappointment , and left the room . Miranda caught up to lan at the doorway , worry clouding her features . " lan , I'm free tomorrow morning . Let me take you to the hospital for a check - up , her voice tinged with concern . Ian tried to sound as gentle as he could . " Mom , I'm really okay . Don't worry about me , " he replied . Miranda watched her son's lonely , defeated figure , her heart aching with helplessness . She stormed back into the living room and , right in front of Edward , challenged Shane . The Hamilton family is already Kingsford's number one elite . Our wealth tops the charts in all of Avalonia . Why do you keep forcing lan to chase after more ? " Shane shot back with a snarl , " What would you know ? You're just a woman . The business world is a battlefield -right now , the Hamilton name sits at the peak , and everyone bows their heads to us . But the moment we slip , everyone out there will be eager to stomp us into the ground . " Shane spat , " Soft hearts don't win wars , and sentimental fools get eaten alive in business . If lan keeps letting his feelings blur his judgment , he'll crash and burn just like Frank Irvine did years ago . Mark my words , he'll be the reason the Hamilton family goes under someday ! " Edward was adamant . " Business isn't a charity , and we're in it to win . If we let him keep following his whims 16:04 Mon , Oct 6 Chapter 257 O vouchers letting his emotions lead , he'll never make it really big . He'll end up missing out on everything he could've accomplished . " The living room had turned into a war zone - nobody was backing down , and the argument was chaos . Back in his car , lan's hand instinctively went for his painkillers . He unscrewed the bottle , only to realize it was already empty . Gritting his teeth against the pain , lan started the engine . Over an hour later , lan stepped out of a downtown pharmacy and spotted Chloe's parents in the distance . The two of them walked out of the supermarket together , their arms full of groceries . They probably couldn't carry them any farther , so they set the bags down and paused to catch their breath by the side of the road . Just as lan was about to step forward to help , he saw Arthur jog across the street , grab a few of the bags , and walk with Chloe's parents as they crossed . Ian stood frozen , unable to move for a long moment . He knew Chloe's parents didn't want to see him , but he still wanted to help , to do something for them . But Arthur beat him to it , doing what he'd hoped to do - instantly making lan feel like a spare part . Moments like this - when he realized he was just an extra , completely unnecessary - kept happening over and over again . These little ' extra ' moments were everywhere , always making him feel useless and powerless . This constant sense of helplessness , like he couldn't do anything that mattered , was almost enough to break him . lan had no idea how he even made it home . He stood under the cold shower , forcing himself to endure the freezing water , hoping it would snap him out of his haze . But the clearer his mind became , the more unbearable the pain grew . At around eight that evening , Patrick showed up at Ian's place . Не pur the thermos down on the coffee table and said , " Chloe made this porridge herself . I was thick - skinned enough to ask her if I could bring some for my grandma , and she actually packed some up for me herself . " Patrick didn't stick around . He just dropped off the porridge and left . 16:05 Mon , Oct 6 Chapter 257 lan sat on the couch , wearing a dark bathrobe . He quietly planted himself there , just gazing at the thermos on the table . After what felt like forever , he finally reached over and opened the lid . The familiar scent wafted up , bringing back memories and heartache . It had been way too long since he'd had anything Chloe cooked . ' How long has it really been ? ' Ian wondered , a twinge of loneliness tightening inside as he tried to remember . Pretty sure it was after Andrea came back ... That was when Chloe stopped making anything for me completely , he thought , bitterness and longing mixing quietly beneath the surface . A sharp pang gripped Ian's heart , and his hand shook as he picked up the spoon for a taste . It was corn and shrimp porridge , with some shredded chicken thrown in . " All those old memories came crashing in , lan thought , his eyes stinging and turning red before he even realized . Chloe really didn't have much talent in the kitchen . After they got married , she insisted on learning how to cook , just because his stomach was always giving him trouble - she wanted to look after him herself . The very first recipe she ever learned was this porridge . That night , when he got home from work , Chloe brought out the porridge she'd made , looking all proud and a bit nervous , He took a bite , complained the taste was nothing special , and said it was just a waste of her time . He told her not to bother making it again . It was only later that he learned she'd secretly spent a whole month practicing , and that bowl was the best she'd ever made . Back then , he'd been so careless - never cherishing a single thing she did for him . Now , here he was , eating the porridge she'd cooked, but it was only here because someone else had to bend the truth just so he could taste it again . A hollow laugh escaped Ian - he couldn't help but mock himself . But before he knew it , his laughter faded , and tears shimmered at the corners of his eyes . Ian collapsed onto the couch , every ounce of strength drained from his body . His stomach hurt , his chest ached - he couldn't eat , couldn't sleep . He just lay there , painfully awake through it all , until morning finally came . 16:05 Mon , Oct 6 Chapter 257 55 voucher : It was almost quitting time the next day , and lan was sitting in the Hunter Corp. Executive Office . He was staring blankly at Chloe's latest Instagram post , lost in thought . She'd actually taken the day off just to attend Philip's son's parent - teacher conference - and even picked up the boy after school on Philip's behalf . Is she res really thinking about getting together with Philip ? ' lan wondered , jealousy gnawing at him . ' Does she seriously want to play stepmom for somebody else's kid ? ' he thought , the bitterness almost choking him . Ian's breath hitched , and before he could stop himself , he dialed Chloe's number . Chloe was holding Simon's hand as they crossed the street . When her phone lit up with Ian's name , she didn't even hesitate - she hung up right away . " Godmother , I think someone's following us , " Simon said out of the blue , his voice a little uneasy . Is he just getting paranoid ? Chloe wondered . Chloe glanced around , then shrugged it off . " Are you just trying to spook me again ? " she joked , not the least bit worried . But Simon grabbed Chloe's hand and suddenly started running . They jogged across the street , and Simon puffed , " Godmother, how can you be so not alert ? You really need to watch out ! " After that , 5 Simon used his smartwatch to call his bodyguard , but he just couldn't get through no matter what . Chloe looked at Simon , feeling a sudden jolt of anxiety . I remember lan mentioning once that Philip took on a really nasty court case , Chloe thought , the details . suddenly flashing through her mind . After Philip won the lawsuit , the defendant lost big time . To get back at him , the opposing side kidnapped his wife and son . In the end , his kid made it out alive , but his wife ... she never woke up again . " Wait , could someone be after Philip again - this time going after his kid ? ' Chloe shivered , the thought making her throat go dry . ' Shit , this could turn ugly fast . Her fingers hovered over Philip's number , but she didn't hit dial . ' He's all the way in Yarland right now .... if I call , he won't make it back in time . Chloe gripped her phone tighter , fighting down the anxiety . Even ' Real threat or not , no way I'm taking chances , Chloe told herself , instantly switching into high - alert mode . 16:05 Mon , Oct 6 Chapter 257 50 voucheES- " Simon , stick close to me . We're going straight to the hospital ," Chloe said , keeping her voice calm and protective . She grabbed Simon's hand and hurried toward her car . The hospital was the nearest safe spot , and with Eric Jordan there , Chloe trusted he'd know exactly how to deal with whatever came up . Chloe opened the back door , ready to usher Simon inside first . But in the very next instant , a hand lunged out from inside the car and forcefully dragged him in . Ө