Chapter 36 : 4663 E55 vouchers That night , after his shower , Ian walked into the study in a clean set of pajamas . The divorce papers lay on the desk . His gaze caught on the paternity report beside them . His fingertips brushed the faint puckered marks on the paper - teardrops , fallen and dried . Ian sank into the chair , weariness etched into his posture . He pictured the moment Chloe had seen the report , and something sharp twisted low in his chest . He skimmed through the divorce papers . Stopped at the added clause . Jaw tight , he tipped his head back , drew a long breath , and went to pour himself a drink . Hours passed . He paced the study alone , glass in hand , eyes raw with fatigue yet wired awake . She was really going to sell Jill's heirloom emerald jewelry set . Just to spite him . Just to leave . Near dawn , he pulled out his phone . " Mitchell , " he said quietly , " Watch Mrs. Hamilton these next few days- especially if she goes near an auction house . " Back in the bedroom , he finally went still - and saw the trash can . The things she'd thrown away . His gaze darkened . Slowly , he crouched beside it . One by one , he picked each thing out in silence . A toothbrush . A mug . Hair ties . Cosmetics . The photo frame from her nightstand . He remembered her voice on their wedding day . " I could give up my life , " she'd said , " but I'll never give up on you ." A sharp ache rose in Ian's chest . He pushed himself upright , bracing a hand on the doorframe . His shoulders folded forward , forehead pressed to his wrist . " Chloe ," he murmured , voice low and raw , " you won't give me even a shred of trust ." The words rasped out of him , heavy with exhaustion . Sleep wouldn't come . He changed clothes , took the paternity report and his keys , and went downstairs . At one in the morning , he stopped outside a shabby old housing complex on the city's outskirts - the place Chloe's parents had been reduced to . He rolled the window down . Lit a cigarette . Smoke curled in the dark as he stared up at a fourth - floor window across the street . One hand held the cigarette . The other clenched the report . His eyes flickered with something uncertain- 13:21 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 36 like a man weighing choices and finding none bearable . E55 vouchers . The passenger door opened . Patrick slid in , followed Ian's gaze to the building . You can't abandon Andrea and her son just to win Chloe back . And you're too afraid to tell her this test is fake . So what's the point of sitting here ? Ian silently looked away , flicking the cigarette butt from his hand . " Chloe was just upset for a moment . " Patrick stared at him . " You think even calm , shell stomach you playing happy family with Andrea and her kid ? " I'll explain ... enough . " Ian said quietly . Patrick let out a low laugh . He was sure lan had lost his mind . And not just a little . After Patrick stormed off . Ian stayed where he was , alone in the car . He didn't drive away . By the time the sky paled at the edges , he pulled out his phone and sent Chloe a message . Then he turned the car around and drove back to Hamilton Manor . Edward was already up for his morning exercise . When he saw tan walk in at dawn , he frowned and told Thomas to wake everyone . In the sitting room , lan set the paternity report on the table . ' Clint is my biological son , " he said quietly . " If you still don't believe it , I'll take another test in front of you . " Miranda picked up the report - and nearly fainted on the spot . Mia shot her brother a panicked glare and caught their mother by the arm . Ian stood before his grandfather , gaze hard with resolve . " Grandfather . Dad . I've proved the boy is mine . If you so much as touch Andrea or her son - if you threaten them again - I'll legally register the boy under my name . I'll bring them both into this house . I'll make their place here official . " Shane's face went dark . " And Chloe ? You're still married . If word gets out you fathered a child with another woman - do you understand what kind of scandal that would be ? " " I'll keep them outside the family , " Ian said , voice even . " No one will know who he is . And I will not divorce Chloe ." Edward rose slowly to his feet . " Even if I spare them , do you think Chloe will ? " " She's kind ," Ian answered softly . " She will ." The old man hesitated - then finally nodded once . " If the child is yours , then he's Hamilton blood . You can support them . Protect them . But you will not give them the Hamilton name . " " Fine . " lan said . " As long as you don't touch them . " 13:21 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 36 63 EX 55 vouchers Edward's eyes narrowed . " If you're certain you can keep Chloe from making a scene - and from divorcing you -then I'll stay out of it . " With that , Ian left the manor . Chloe loved him . Even knowing about Andrea and the boy , she only fought him at home . In public , she still protected his name . She was giving them space . Giving them a way back . She wasn't trying to end things - she was forcing him to explain . Forcing him to come back to her . She would never follow through with the divorce . Ian left the manor and drove straight to the office . When Chloe woke that morning , Ian's message was already on her phone . He'd asked to see her that night . She didn't reply . Around noon , Eric called to say the jewelry appraisal would be ready in a week . She could wait a week . After everything , she could wait that long . Jill came by the hospital to bring her lunch . " Chloe , since you and Ian are planning to divorce ... your dad and I were thinking maybe Carl should transfer to a public high school ." " No. " Chloe's answer was immediate . " Mom , you said it yourself . That jewelry's worth over 500 million dollars . Carl's starting senior year . Even if I pay Ian 300 million dollars , what's left will see Carl through graduation . The Irvines may have fallen , and I may be divorcing Ian ... but nothing matters more than Carl's future . " Jill unpacked the lunch containers one by one . " You're right . Let's see how it goes ." Chloe crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her . " Trust me , Mom . I'll get that jewelry back . " Her nose stung , her voice wavered . " I loved Ian for years . Married him for three years . Gave up the field I loved . Gave up working abroad . I gave him everything - and was left with nothing . " Her voice wavered , soft and shaking . " From now on ... I won't put my faith in love . Or marriage . I'll work hard . I'll make money . I'll give you and Dad the life you deserve . " Ian stood outside the break room , lunch in hand . Through the glass , he saw Chloe folded into Jill's arms , crying like a child . Something tightened behind his eyes . He drew a long breath , tipped his head back - and knocked . 13:21 Thu , Oct 2