Chapter 40 63 ) 55 vouchers Chloe woke up the next morning to see a message from lan . He'd already checked out early that morning . She took a deep breath , shook off the lingering frustration , and threw herself into work . A week flew by . As soon as Chloe returned to Kingsford , she got a call from the auction house . They'd finished appraising Jill's jewelry set . After talking things through with Jill and Frank , she set a minimum price of 500 million and authorized Glory Profit Auction House to handle the sale . If she could secure at least that amount , it meant she could finally divorce Ian and break free from her miserable situation . On top of that , Carl would be able to finish his courses at that elite private school . Also , Jill and Frank could finally enjoy a better life . From now on , her one and only goal was to make as much money as she could and buy back that jewelry set while Jill and Frank were still around to enjoy it . The next morning , Chloe showed up at work as usual , but was immediately summoned to Richard's office . Richard addressed her respectfully as " Mrs. Hamilton " and tactfully asked if she'd consider resigning . Chloe didn't make things difficult for Richard , just thanked him politely and walked out , feeling utterly crushed inside . Edward had given her an ultimatum at the Hamilton Mansion one week to quit , or he'd call Richard himself . She hadn't resigned in time , so Edward stepped in and made things happen . As Chloe walked out of Richard's office , she unexpectedly bumped into Ian , Andrea , and Clint right outside the elevator . Chloe froze in place . Ian had Clint cradled in his arms , while Andrea was snuggled up close to lan , her head gently resting on his shoulder . Anyone who passed by would think they were the perfect happy family . Even though Chloe had already made up her mind to leave , she couldn't help but feel a stabbing ache inside as she watched them . The moment they locked eyes , Ian's gaze sharpened . He hurriedly set Clint down , instinctively stepping toward Chloe before he even realized it . Andrea caught him by the arm , her voice soft but firm . " Ian , Mrs. Hamilton probably doesn't want us here 13:21 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 40 2700 right now . Clint's still got that fever . Can you take us upstairs first ? Then you can come back and talk to her , okay ? " The elevator doors slid open and lan looked back at Chloe . He hesitated for a second . Then he scooped Clint back up and walked into the elevator with Andrea , his expression torn . As the elevator doors slowly closed , Chloe walked away without looking back . Her heart was broken into pieces and seemed to be scattered by the wind . Inside the elevator , lan held Clint , staring at Chloe's determined departing figure as if he couldn't breathe , feeling a crushing tightness in his chest . He had gone to Seahaven actually wanting to sit down and talk things through with Chloe , maybe even bring her back home . But then Andrea called and messed everything up . Now , after a whole week apart , Chloe had just gotten back , and the very first thing she saw was him standing at the hospital with Andrea and Clint , looking just like a happy family again . When they reached the hospital room , Ian just paused at the door without going in . " If you feel unwell , call the doctor right away . I need to head out now . " Andrea stood at the doorway , watching Ian hurry off , biting down on her lip to keep her frustration in check Andrea thought , her mind racing , ' If I hadn't called Ian that night , I'd never have found out the truth . It turned out lan was the last person thinking about divorcing Chloe . ' He doesn't want to leave her at all . In fact , he wants Chloe to have his child to solidify their marriage . I can't let lan control my fate any longer . I'm determined to drive Chloe out of lan's life once and for all . If I fail , I'll be stuck on the sidelines forever ! Ian went to Chloe's department to find her , but she was nowhere to be seen . He called her , and to his surprise , she answered . Chloe was standing by the river in the park behind the hospital , watching as lan ran over to her . They had grown up together , and Chloe had always thrown herself into his arms . Whenever she was happy , she laughed out loud . Whenever she was upset , she cried without holding back . But through everything , Chloe never stopped running to lan . As long as she could bury herself in his embrace , she felt unbelievably happy , even when he rejected or scolded her . " Chloe ," Ian said softly , stopping right in front of her . Seeing the tears in her eyes , he reached out to brush them away . 13:22 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 40 : Chloe quickly turned her head to avoid his hand , realizing she was crying again . lan gently turned her to face him . " Let's go sit somewhere and talk things through , okay ? " Chloe pulled away , a bitter smile on her lips . " I'm fine . I just recalled my childhood . " 63 55 vouchers She needed to sit down with lan and talk things out . She had to get him to sign those divorce papers , and the sooner , the better . Ian and Chloe stood side by side at the edge of the river . Chloe gazed quietly at the water , while lan couldn't take his eyes off her . He remembered the day Chloe first learned to walk . Her parents had brought her to his house to show her off . All the elders in the room were trying to get little Chloe to walk . But she ignored them and wobbled over to him . She giggled and threw herself into his arms , calling him Ian in her cute baby voice . She had always wanted to be close to him , no matter what . Chloe never tried to hide her feelings , and she never cared what others thought . Ever since Ian lied about a business trip and spent a month with Andrea and Clint , Chloe stopped reaching out to him . He spoke up , his voice filled with longing and regret . " Chloe , I won't explain about Andrea and Clint . But after three years together , even if you don't trust me anymore , just give us a chance to step back and think things through . Please don't end things so fast ." Chloe looked at Ian calmly . " Ian , when I first caught you cheating , I lost control . I couldn't sleep . I went hysterical . I even thought about ending everything. " Ian reached for her hand , but she stepped aside , avoiding his touch . Ian's hand fell helplessly to his side . Chloe looked up , locking eyes with Ian . " When I was in so much pain that I didn't want to live , you just thought I was overreacting . Your indifference hurts more than death itself . " Ian felt Chloe's anguish deep in his bones . He wanted to hold her , but his legs were like stone . Chloe turned to face him , looking straight into his eyes . " Do you remember the day we went to the Hamilton Mansion after our honeymoon ? " Jan's reply was rough . " Yes ." Chloe told him directly . " I overheard you talking to your dad that day . " Ian's eyes flickered , his voice barely above a whisper . " Chloe ... " Chloe kept going . " You said , ' When the Irvine family went bankrupt , you'd step in and save the day . That way , you'd get both fame and fortune . " Ian grabbed Chloe by the shoulders . " Chloe , please ... just stop ." 13:22 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 40 : 63 I 65 vouchers But Chloe shook her head . " You said marrying me was all about weighing your options . I was your last resort , not your first choice . " At this point , Chloe couldn't hold back her tears . Ian hugged Chloe tightly , as if holding on for dear life . It felt like his heart was being squeezed in a vise , making it hard to breathe and almost knocking him off his feet . Chloe didn't struggle . She just leaned quietly against Ian's chest , her voice flat and heavy . " Ever since that day , I've been too scared to stand up for myself . I've been bending over backward to please you , always watching my words and actions in the Hamilton family , terrified that you'd get tired of me and cast me aside ." Her voice trembled . " Ian , I'm not that proud , bossy Irvine heiress anymore. Did you really never notice ? " 1