Chapter 26 While lan was upstairs on a call , Chloe slipped out and headed to her parents ' place . 55 vouchers That evening , lan picked her up for the family dinner at the old manor - bringing yet another pile of fancy health supplements for her parents . Chloe got in the car and shut her eyes , not saying a word the whole ride . Ian didn't bother talking either - just stared at his phone , typing away on some WhatsApp chat . When the car pulled through the gates of Hamilton Manor , Chloe followed quietly behind Ian into the living room . Everyone was there : Grandpa Edward , Ian's parents Shane and Miranda , and Mia . Mia rushed over as soon as she saw them and whispered , " Heads up - Grandpa's pissed . " Chloe heard Ian snort under his breath . She glanced up . His jaw was clenched tight , and he was staring at his grandfather like he was looking at his worst enemy . She quickly looked away . Six years ago , Edward had forced Ian and Andrea apart . She left the country - only to come back now with a son Ian never knew about . He was staying in this marriage to save face , but the woman he loved was now labeled a homewrecker , and their kid would grow up called a bastard . Yeah , he must've hated him . " Since when does a Hamilton work as some hospital intern ? What will people say ? " It was Shane , Ian's father . Chloe opened her mouth to explain , but Ian grabbed her hand and cut in . " I supported her taking that job , Dad . If you've got a problem , talk to me ." Edward's cane slammed against the floor . " Quit . Now . If she wants to work , she can join Hamilton Group . " " She's a doctor , Grandpa . What's she gonna do at Hamilton - fetch coffee ? " " Then let her be decoration ! Better than embarrassing the family ! " Chloe almost laughed . So not only did Ian see her as decoration - his whole family did too . Ian stood his ground . " My marriage , my rules . Stay out of it . " 13:19 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 26 Edward's face turned red . " Bring the discipline cane . " Shane glared at the butler , Thomas Quinn . " You heard him . Now ! " As the butler hurried off , Miranda finally stepped in . " Dad , they're just trying to- " " Shut your mouth ! " Edward snapped . A 55 vouchers Miranda didn't even get to finish before her husband Shane cut her off , " Since when do you get a say ? Know your place ! " She went quiet . Chloe stood frozen , holding her tongue . Three years married into this family , she knew how things worked . Edward might be pushing eighty , but he still ruled the Hamilton house . His word was law - no one questioned it . Shane ? The perfect son . Always obeyed his father , never talked back . And he rode Ian just as hard . Miranda was the only one with a heart in this place , but she had zero power . Ian and Mia acted all independent outside , but inside these walls ? They fell in line like good little soldiers . And her ? The broke Irvine girl ? She didn't even get a seat at the table . Ian was his grandfather and father's masterpiece - raised since day one to be their clone . In too many ways , they were exactly the same . If he hadn't screwed around with Andrea , if he wasn't trying to keep her quiet and compliant , he never would've let her take that job . The butler brought the cane over , hesitating beside Ian . " Sir ... just apologize . Don't make me do this ." Ian glanced at Chloe , pushed her gently aside , and knelt on the floor . Shane's voice went cold . " Do it . Until he learns respect . " The butler had no choice . He raised the cane . Chloe looked away . The only sounds in the dead - silent room were the whip cracking against Ian's back - and his choked - down grunts . After a few strikes , Miranda broke first . " Dad , stop ! Please ! " 13:19 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 26 ༩ 63 55 vouchere That's when Chloe saw her chance . " Grandfather . If you want me to quit my job without embarrassing the family ... I have an idea . " If she could get the old man to agree to a divorce right now ? Perfect . Thomas immediately lowered the cane . Chloe's eyes landed on Ian's bloody back . " If you let me divorce your grandson- " " Chloe ! " Not finishing her words , she was cut off by Ian . And he grabbed her wrist . Edward's sharp eyes flicked between them . " You two want a divorce ? " Ian spoke up before she could . " Grandfather , we don't . " Chloe quietly pulled her hand back . She hesitated , about to say something , when Ian struggled to his feet and yanked her in front of him . His face was pale , but his eyes were sharp with warning . " You can mess with me all you want at home , but in front of my family ? Watch your tone . " Chloe looked down and stayed silent . It wasn't about her mentioning divorce - it was about her dragging Andrea and his son into this . Miranda stepped in quickly , trying to smooth things over . " Dad , you've made your point . Let Ian go upstairs so Chloe can clean his wounds . He can't afford to miss Monday's shareholder meeting . " But Edward wasn't done with Chloe . " You have one week to quit your job . Or I'll call the hospital director myself ." Chloe held her ground . " I married into this family - I didn't sign myself away . What I do for work is my choice . " Edward snorted , ripping right into her oldest wound . " Where would you be without us ? When your family went bankrupt , you were almost living in a construction shed . Ian paid off all your debts . Show some gratitude . " " I owe your grandson - not you ." " Whether you like it or not , everything Ian has come from this family ! " Chloe was trying to fire back , but Ian dragged her upstairs before she could . In the bedroom , Miranda set down the first - aid kit . 13:19 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 26 " His back is pretty bad . He might get into a fever tonight . Stay here - we can help if needed . " Chloe didn't argue . She helped lan sit on the bed . He had taken those hits because of her , and besides - she had nowhere else to be tomorrow . Once Miranda and Mia left , Chloe closed the door and began to help lan out of his jacket . He caught her wrist , his expression dark . " Why did you bring up divorce in front of my grandfather ? " A 63 55 vouchers AD Comment