Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

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Ian’s phone was sprawled on the floor, ringing over and over without a break.

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But Ian was completely consumed by his agony, so caught up in the storm inside his head that he didn’t even notice a single sound from the outside world.

Andrea Sherman tried calling Ian Hamilton three times in a row, but when he still didn’t answer, she could only sigh and give up, feeling utterly powerless.

Early the next morning, Andrea Sherman hurried out of the apartment Ian had arranged for her, only to be cornered right at the entrance of the neighborhood by her brother, Chloe, and her mother.

Chloe didn’t even bother with pleasantries. She went straight for the money: “Andrea, you were the one who pushed us into selling our house and moving to another city, just so we wouldn’t stand in the way of you and that Hamilton guy. Now, thanks to you, we can’t afford to live over there at all. If you don’t give us cash today, this isn’t over–I’m not letting you off the hook!”

Andrea, panicking about people staring, desperately dragged Chloe aside and whispered, “Chloe, could you lower your voice? The place I’m staying in was given to me by Ian, I didn’t buy it with my own money.”

Laura jumped in to remind her, “Andrea, your two nephews are boys and still in school, and your brother and Chloe are struggling to make ends meet. You really ought to lend them a hand. Get Ian to help out more, maybe even buy two apartments, but they have to be in a good school district, alright?”

Chloe nodded without hesitation. “If Ian can set you up with a place to live, he could do it for us too. He’s the richest guy in Kingsford—his pocket change could buy us a villa! If he won’t give us money, we’ll go raise hell at his office.”

Andrea tried to sidestep, sounding flustered. “Chloe, whatever you do, don’t mess with Ian. If he gets angry, he could make life miserable for all of us.”

Andrea hurriedly took out her phone to transfer what money she had. “I’ll send you everything I’ve got right now. Go home quick–make sure Ian doesn’t see you. I’ll figure out a way to get the money for your house.”

After finally persuading her parents, brother, and Chloe to leave, Andrea sat restlessly at home, unable to calm down.

She was strapped for cash, but Ian just refused to give her anything.

If she’d known it would get this bad, she never would have bought into Miranda’s talk about being some independent woman‘ and turned down Ian’s help.

Now, with the baby’s true parentage out in the open, those old geezers in the Hamilton family didn’t want anything to do with her.

Jan’s attitude was anyone’s guess, and the sixty million she almost got her hands on had vanished into thin air.

And the worst part? Jan still hadn’t divorced that bitch Chloe.

She’d called him last night, but he hadn’t bothered to call her back. She had no idea what he was up to.

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The more Andrea thought about it, the more anxious she became.

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She couldn’t just sit around and wait for disaster to strike. She had to find a way to meet lan face to face.

At eleven in the morning, in the CEO Office of the Hamilton Group.

Mitchell knocked and quietly informed Ian, “Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Sherman is downstairs in the lobby.”

Ian paused mid–page, then said, “Send her up.”

Mitchell nodded and soon brought Andrea into the office.

As soon as Mitchell was out the door, Andrea couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted, “Ian, can you lend me some money?”

Ian shot her a look, obvious suspicion in his eyes. “Are you really that desperate for cash?”

Andrea rushed over and stood in front of Ian, practically in tears and looking like she was about to break down.

She said, “Ian, you know my streaming job got messed up and I lost it. Your mom tricked me into that contract–there was a trap, and now she’s asking me for thirty million in compensation. I don’t have that kind of money, so she’s gone after my brother and Chloe, and now they’re both being squeezed and have no choice but to come begging me.”

Andrea paused, voice trembling. “I can barely keep myself together, so how am I supposed to get enough to help them, let alone pay your mom back? I really don’t have anywhere else to turn except you–I’m totally out of options.”

With her face buried in her hands, Andrea couldn’t hold it together anymore–her muffled sobs filled the

room.

Ian turned his back on her and walked to the liquor cabinet, keeping his expression hidden from Andrea.

He said, “The company just rolled out a new project, and cash is tight right now. I can’t give you anything at the moment–you’ll have to wait.”

Andrea bit her lip, a hint of desperation in her voice. “Ian, is there any chance you could personally loan me some money right now?”

Ian let out a heavy sigh, looking away. “After my wife’s miscarriage, my grandfather flew into a rage and froze everything I own. Honestly, I don’t have anything I can give you at the moment.”

The company is short on cash?

‘His personal accounts are frozen too?‘ Andrea’s mind raced, disbelief flashing across her face.

Andrea slowly stopped crying, her face turning ashen.

She didn’t believe a word of it.

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Ian kept an even tone as he said, “Just go home for now. Once things ease up for me, I’ll send you the money.”

Andrea hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she hovered in place.

Testing the waters, she asked softly, “Ian, Clint’s birthday is coming up, and the Labor Day holiday is next week. Could you maybe spare a little time to take us out–just the three of us–for a bit of fresh air?”

Without a hint of emotion, Ian shot a look at the office door.

Mitchell, waiting outside, caught the cue and quickly knocked before coming in.

Ian said, “I’ve got things to take care of. We’ll have to leave this for another time.”

With Mitchell in the room, Andrea held her tongue–there was no way she could bring herself to argue. The disappointment in her eyes was obvious as she slipped out of the office without another word.

Mitchell closed the door and turned back to Ian. “Mr. Hamilton, the DNA test results are back. Ms. Sherman’s child has no biological connection to her late ex–husband’s siblings–it’s confirmed the child isn’t his. That might explain why she suffered years of abuse in that marriage.”

Ian said calmly, “Keep an eye on her.”

As for who the child’s real father was, Ian honestly couldn’t care less.

But if Andrea really had anything to do with his brother’s death, he would make sure she paid the price.

If Andrea ever crossed the line and broke the law, Ian would personally make sure she ended up in prison.

That evening, after her shift, Chloe exited the hospital via the staff corridor, Simon trailing along beside her. As soon as she stepped out, she caught sight of Ian waiting up ahead.

Ian’s gaze lingered on Simon for a split second before he adjusted his tie and walked straight over to Chloe.

Ian asked, “Any plans for May Day next week?”

Chloe’s voice was icy as she spat back two words: “Working overtime.”

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