Chapter 8 55 vouchers Andrea felt deeply comforted by Ian's defense of her . She looked at him with soft eyes and urged gently , " Ian , I don't feel like shopping anymore . Please , go after Chloe and make things right with her ." Ian remained calm and unhurried . " Mia is with her . She'll be fine . Let me take you back to the hospital first ." He asked the staff to pack the shoes Andrea had tried on , then led her out of the mall . The driver , Robert Brown , a long - time employee of the Hamilton family , wiped his brow nervously when he saw lan approach . " Mr. Hamilton , " he said , " Mrs. Hamilton just ran past here in tears . " " It's nothing ," Ian replied flatly as he helped Andrea into the car and slid in beside her . Once the door was closed , he said , " Let's go . " Andrea offered Ian a bottle of water , but he didn't take it . She stole a few glances at him , noting his calm expression but distant gaze . He was clearly lost in thought . Andrea cleared her throat and called his name softly again . Only then did Ian snap back to attention . Looking both guilty and conflicted , Andrea turned to him , her eyes pleading . " Ian , " she began , her voice soft , " please promise me you won't tell anyone about me or my son . Ian frowned , a look of confusion crossing his face . " What's wrong ? " he asked and turned slightly toward Andrea , trying to read her expression . Andrea's eyes welled up before she could even speak . " Back then , your grandfather used you to threaten me , " she began , her voice trembling . " He forced me to break up with you and pressured me to go abroad and marry someone else , just so you would let go . " She took a shaky breath , tears now streaming freely . " All these years , I never forgot you . My husband abused me because of it . He forced me to have the child , and I fell into severe depression . There were times I just wanted to disappear and die , but I couldn't abandon my son . " " Maybe heaven finally showed me mercy . About a year ago , he died of a drug overdose . My son and I were free at last . I've been so alone overseas , longing for home , my parents and you . That's why I came back secretly . Ian , I'm terrified your grandfather will come after us again . Please don't tell your family I'm back . I'm so afraid . " Seeing lan nod , Andrea went on , " Ian , I really don't want to relive those painful memories . I'm also afraid of what people might say about us . " She looked at him pleadingly . " Before I fully recover , please don't tell anyone about my son's past , not even your wife . Will you promise me that ? " Andrea's emotions grew more unstable . She even mentioned thoughts of suicide . Ian pulled her into his arms , his heart aching for her . ང " Don't talk like that , Andrea . Everything you went through is because of me . I won't tell anyone what you've endured . I will take care of you and your son . That's my responsibility now . " Hearing his promise , Andrea gradually stopped crying and managed a fragile smile . " Ian , please don't worry , " she said softly . " I'll get better soon . I won't let you worry about me forever ." Ian took Andrea back to the hospital , stayed until she finished her lunch , and then returned to the company . Noticing over a dozen missed calls from Mia and other family members , he paused briefly before finally calling Mia back . When the call connected , Ian asked calmly , " Has Chloe finished throwing her tantrum ? Or is she still causing a scene ? " He didn't even bother with a greeting . From the other end came Mia's tearful shout . " Chloe is missing . Mom and I have been looking everywhere for her , but we can't find her anywhere ." The call ended . Ian froze for a second , then stood up and walked to the window . They're probably working together to fool me again , he thought . Ian's assistant, Mitchell Garrison , stepped into the office . " Mr. Hamilton , should we proceed with the 2:30 meeting as planned ? " Ian lit a cigarette and responded with a calm , affirmative hum , Mitchell had been by Ian's side for years . Despite his youthful appearance , he carried himself with a serious and professional manner . He was smooth in communication , steady under pressure , and highly skilled in combat . He was , without question , Ian's most trusted man . After finishing work , lan left the office on time . Normally , his driver Robert would simply go wherever lan instructed without question , but this time he ventured to ask , " Mr. Hamilton , shall we head home or go to see Ms. Sherman ? " 1/3 P Chapter 8 55 vouchers Ian hesitated for a brief moment before answering , " Home . " A look of relief immediately washed over Robert's previously tense expression , and he nodded in acknowledgment before smoothly pulling into traffic . Ian leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes . ' I was going to stay away a few days to let her cool off . But after what she saw today , she's probably tearing the house apart by now . Half a day has passed , and she should've taken it all out . If she's finally calm , we need to talk . ***** When lan arrived home , Chloe was nowhere to be seen . Following his usual routine , he took a shower , changed into his pajamas , and headed to the study to work . By 9 pm , Miranda and Mia arrived . Miranda had spent the entire day searching for Chloe , her anxiety so intense that she could barely rest . When she saw her son acting as though nothing was wrong , working calmly at home as usual , she nearly collapsed from fury . Ian tried to reassure her . " Mom , don't worry . She'll be fine . He knew exactly how dramatic Chloe could be . Once , he had been a day late giving her a birthday gift . In a fit of anger , she had hidden away on her own . When he finally found her , she was soaking in a hot spring , sipping red wine , and enjoying a massage . ' She loves herself too much to ever actually get hurt . She'd rather make everyone else miserable , Ian thought . Miranda threw a cup of tea directly in Ian's face . Her voice shook with fury . " Ian , I carried you , gave birth to you, and raised you for thirty years . I have always been proud to be your mother . But now I see . You're just as cold and heartless as your father ." Jan remained completely undisturbed , calmly wiping the tea from his face . " Mom , you're overreacting ," he said . Miranda's eyes welled with tears . " Chloe is your wife . She has loved you since she was a child . After a fight , this is how you treat her ? Are you deliberately trying to ruin this marriage? " Ian's tone was firm and resolute . " Mom , we are not getting divorced , " he stated clearly . " I know exactly what I'm doing , and I have everything under control . " Mia gave Ian a thumbs - down gesture . " Ian , you're just taking advantage of the fact that Chloe loves you too much to ever leave . But don't forget . To those who love deeply , they can't bear a single flaw in the one they love ." " Enough ," Ian cut in , his voice sharp and final . Mia fell silent immediately , though her expression remained openly defiant . After Miranda and Mia left , Ian lit another cigarette . At 3 am , he called Mitchell . " Take the next couple of days off from the office . I need you to keep an eye on the hospital . Let me know immediately if you see Chloe return . " Before hanging up , he added , " Chloe's mother just had heart surgery and needs quiet . Be discreet and don't disturb her . " On the other end , Mitchell's eyes widened as he checked the time . ' It's 3 am . Mr. Hamilton asked me to stake out at the hospital at his hour . Has his insomnia come back again ? ' Three days later , there was still no sign of Chloe. Miranda and Mia wanted to call the police and notify the Irvine family , but lan refused . He was convinced she was fine and would return on her own in a few days . lan's father Shane and grandfather Edward agreed with him . After all , the disappearance of the famous lan Hamilton's wife was an embarrassment . Besides , with the Irvine family long bankrupt , Chloe held no further value to them . She simply wasn't worth the trouble . Time passed quickly , and the day finally came for Jill to be discharged from the hospital . Ian sent Mitchell to pick up Jill while he went to handle Andrea's discharge paperwork . At 9 am , Mitchell spotted Chloe , looking safe and unharmed , arriving at the hospital to pick up her mother . He immediately called his boss to report the news . Ian , who was packing Andrea's things , showed no visible reaction upon hearing the news . He told Mitchell to take the rest of the day off . As for Chloe , he was confident she would return home on her own , without him needing to say a word . Jan carried the luggage and stepped into the elevator Andrea . Meanwhile , Chloe was waiting for the elevator with her parents . When the doors opened , she saw lan immediately , holding Andrea protectively in his arms and shielding Andrea from the crowd , just as he had once done for her . 2/3