Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Everyone exchanged confused looks, unsure what was happening or what to say next

Mr. Langley, with amused interest, turned to lan. “Ian, do you two know each other?”

Ian tilted his head, glancing at Chloe.

Chloe stared straight ahead, pointedly ignoring Ian’s gaze.

Ian stayed silent, so Chloe wasn’t about to break the silence either.

Ian was the Hunter Heir–the most influential figure in Kingsford–and almost no woman dared call him by his first name in public. Only his mother, Miranda, and a select few could pull that off.

Andrea calling him so close and familiar with everyone watching? Even with Chloe standing as her supposed backup, and even if they both tried to play it coy, everyone already had their own take about what was really going on.

Ian completely brushed Andrea aside, leaving her feeling so embarrassed she didn’t even know how to react.

Andrea had done everything she could just to snag an invite to the Annual Gala of Grand Horizon Group, desperate to show Ian she was worth noticing and finally impress him.

What she didn’t see coming was Ian completely ignoring her existence, like she wasn’t even there.

As her eyes landed on Chloe, a calculating glint flickered across Andrea’s face.

Andrea lifted her chin with confident swagger, walked straight up to Chloe, and greeted her warmly. “Mrs. Hamilton, what a nice surprise to see you both here.”

Chloe stood next to Ian with an unreadable expression, deliberately ignoring Andrea’s greeting.

She could feel Ian’s grip on her hand unconsciously tighten.

Chloe tried to discreetly withdraw her hand, not wanting to attract any attention.

Standing side by side, hand in hand, they looked like the perfect couple, but beneath that harmonious facade, they were locked in a subtle tug–of–war.

Chloe knew Ian was being cold to Andrea in front of everyone–his way of protecting her.

Andrea was making such a scene, so eager to broadcast her connection with lan to everyone.

A love where both people actually run toward each other? That kind of thing is rare–no wonder it makes people jealous.

Chloe decided to give them a little push.

Chloe gave Andrea a pointed look and asked, “Miss, you sure sound pretty chummy with my husband. Are

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Chapter 103

you and lan that close?”

Andrea snuck a peek at lan’s face, and the stormy look on his face made her flinch.

Flustered, Andrea blurted out in denial. “Sorry, Mrs. Hamilton, you must have heard wrong”

Chloe tipped her head toward lan with a teasing look. “Honey, did I mishear that?”

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Their gazes met and held–Ian’s eyes searched Chloe’s face, a storm of emotions flickering beneath the surface.

Ian smiled slightly. “If that’s what you say, then that’s how it is.”

The guests around couldn’t help but let out mocking laughter, throwing Andrea dirty looks full of scorn.

Andrea stood under everyone’s gaze, mortified. She clenched her fists, burning with embarrassment–but didn’t dare utter a single word.

Normally, whenever Andrea asked for anything, Ian would spoil her and rarely ever said no.

But tonight, with all these people watching, Ian was completely on his wife’s side–just letting Andrea become everyone’s laughing stock without stepping in. She felt betrayed, like he had just ditched her in public for Chloe.

Andrea forced herself to swallow her humiliation, her body practically shrinking as she muttered, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hamilton. I’ll be more careful with my words next time. I promise this won’t happen again.”

Andrea didn’t dare linger–before Chloe could reply, she spun around and hurried away, almost running to escape everyone’s eyes.

She hadn’t even gone two steps before Patrick stepped right in front of her, cutting off her escape.

Patrick sized Andrea up with a sneer. “Mr. Monroe, since when did the Annual Gala of Grand Horizon Group lower its standards this much?”

Before Tucker could answer, Patrick rolled his eyes and added, “Seriously? Even a wannabe internet celeb can just waltz in now? For a second there, I thought I’d crashed the wrong event.”

Tucker Monroe caught on quick and barked at his staff, “What are you waiting for? Get this woman out of here.”

As things got tense, Andrea reflexively made a beeline for lan, hoping he’d step in and shield her.

Chloe noticed Andrea heading their way, and with barely a pause, shifted aside to leave space, pretty much inviting Andrea to stand in the spotlight.

But Ian reached out and held Chloe firmly by the waist, pulling her right back, while giving her a look that basically screamed ‘Don’t even think about it.

Chloe caught Ian’s warning and backed right off–not about to push her luck this time.

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Chapter 103

IN SE–STAT

Andrea rushed over, but seeing lan totally wrapped up in Chloe–and clearly not even noticing her–her steps faltered and she stopped, awkwardly stuck in place.

Feeling totally cornered, Andrea had no choice but to introduce herself.

She said, “Mr. Monroe, I’m Vivian’s friend. Vivian invited me to come as her guest tonight.”

Just then, a tall woman with killer looks and serious presence walked right over. “Dad, Andrea’s here because I invited her.”

It was Vivian Monroe.

Vivian happened to be Tucker’s most doted–on secret daughter.

With her show–stopping features and all–around star vibe, she’d carved out quite a reputation for herself in the entertainment business.

Patrick grinned slyly, his words barbed beneath the smile. “Miss Monroe, even if the real heiress clique won’t ever let you in, you don’t have to stoop to being friends with some washed–up internet wanna–be, right?”

With that one jab, Patrick managed to roast both of them at once.

He made sure everyone remembered Vivian was just Tucker’s illegitimate daughter,

while also putting Andrea down as a nobody trying to make it online.

Andrea knew exactly where she stood–she didn’t dare say a word.

Vivian wasn’t having it. “Everyone’s born equal–we all earn our living with our own skills. What gives you the right to act like you’re above everyone else, Mr. Lewis?”

Patrick sneered back, “Because I’ve got my father’s name. Simple as that.”

Patrick’s jab hit Vivian right where it hurt.

She was about to snap, but Tucker shut her down. “Take your friend and get out. Now.”

Vivian whipped around and stomped off, burning with anger.

Andrea saw her chance and hurried after, practically making herself invisible as she slipped away,

Andrea had spent ages plotting and fighting her way into this kind of elite scene, and before she could even catch her breath, she got booted before the celebration had even begun.

She was just a nobody from a regular background.

But Chloe’s family was bankrupt now–not much better off than her, honestly.

At least Andrea was hustling for herself these days, not going begging to lan for cash.

But the Irvine family? Total bloodsuckers–all of them freeloaders, just leeching off Ian for everything.

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