Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 181

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Chapter 181

Andrea waited two whole days.

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But what she got was this: her top donor not only dropped his grand plans to whisk her off overseas with a crazy dowry, but he also turned around and demanded she pay back the whopping $600,000 he’d previously showered on her.

Andrea, at her absolute wits‘ end, went to find her mom, Laura.

In a deserted part of the park, Andrea kept her face hidden beneath a mask and dark sunglasses.

Laura couldn’t help blurting out, “Didn’t you say that guy promised you thirty million as a dowry? Why’d he bail all of a sudden?”

Andrea was so frantic, she couldn’t stop pacing. “How could I know he’d flip out like that? The minute I called, he was out here asking for his money back–what am I supposed to do?”

Laura urged, trying to soothe her. “Andrea, you need to work lan for a solution. He’s the heir to Kingsford’s wealthiest family–if he’s got anything, it’s money. There’s got to be a way.”

Andrea yanked off her mask, showing Laura the bruises covering her face.

Andrea clenched her jaw, voice trembling with anger. “Mom, look at this. Ian’s wife did it–she actually hit me! That crazy woman refuses to let him leave her.”

Andrea huffed, “Ian sorted out a place for me and covers Eric’s tuition, but other than that? Not a dime. I tell him I want a new purse, and it’s like I’m talking to a wall. Honestly, I’m starting to suspect he never cared about me at all.”

Andrea shot Laura a quick look, then clammed up mid–sentence, biting back the rest of what she wanted to

say.

Laura grabbed Andrea’s hand, her voice trembling. “Andrea, raising you and your brother was no walk in the park. Your brother’s a lost cause–you’re the only one this family can count on now.”

Laura continued, “I know you’re hurting, but right now, Chloe and your brother are fighting nonstop, talking divorce. Your two little nephews are still so young–can you really stand by and watch their family fall apart?”

Laura added, “I know you can make it big. When your nephews grow up, I’ll make sure they treat you like royalty. Just figure something out–help your brother and Chloe get a house, so they can finally settle down.”

“My head’s spinning, Mom, but I promise–I’ll find a way to get the cash.”

After parting ways with Laura, Andrea slipped off to a quiet corner of the park, trying to hide from the world.

She called Mitchell a couple times, but he kept giving her the same old excuse: “Ian’s busy.”

Her face was still swollen and battered thanks to Chloe’s beating, and she didn’t dare face Ian with a mug like

this.

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Chapter 181

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She’d thought she could hustle that fat guy for a few million to keep herself afloat. Turns out he was a total flake–switched up on her in no time, now even wanting his cash back. Damn, talk about two–faced.

With nowhere else to go, Andrea was barely getting by, forced to rely on online microloans just to cover her basic living expenses.

Meanwhile, at the hospital entrance, Philip dropped Simon off.

“Dr. Irvine, I really appreciate you taking care of Simon these last few days,” Philip said.

Carl took Simon’s little suitcase with one hand and held Simon’s hand with the other. “Mr. Foster, there’s no need to be so polite. Simon and I hit it off, and my parents absolutely adore the kid. You have nothing to worry about–he’ll be totally fine at our place.”

Philip said, “Dr. Irvine, if you’re really serious about getting a divorce, once I close this case, I’ll take care of it for you. Free of charge.”

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat at his offer, then uncertainty crept in as she hesitated.

She bit her lip, glancing at Philip. “Mr. Foster, I don’t want to trouble you.”

Not a single lawyer in Kingsford even dares to take on her divorce case.

Philip’s always been strictly a business lawyer–if he breaks his own rule for her, she’d be in his debt, big time. And with someone like Philip, that’s no small thing.

Seeing Chloe hesitate, Philip said firmly, “It’s settled–I’ll take care of your divorce case for you.”

Chloe watched Philip stride away, then tousled Simon’s hair fondly. “Since your dad’s helping out, I won’t say no. I’ll cover his fee, and maybe he’ll get you some snacks with it.”

Simon tipped his head up, grinning. “That’s what dads are supposed to do, Mom! You don’t have to thank him.”

Chloe looked at Simon, that cheeky little guy, and couldn’t help but sigh with a smile.

‘Why is it that all the best–behaved kids always seem to belong to someone else?‘ she thought.

So smart, so polite, and such a smooth talker–honestly, Chloe had no idea how Philip pulled this parenting magic off.

‘He really is a little charmer, Chloe mused.

With a little time left before her shift ended, Chloe brought Simon straight into her office.

Joanna wandered over, teasing Simon and then shooting Chloe a cheeky look: “So, Ms. Irvine, still not officially divorced yet?”

Chloe just shook her head, her face blank.

Joanna got all gossipy, grinning as she whispered, “Ms. Irvine, I’ve got a surefire way to get you that divorce-

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Chapter 181

trust me, you’ll be single in no time.”

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Chloe nearly dropped the patient file, hurrying over with wide eyes. “Spill it–what’s your secret?”

Joanna said, “My cousin was in the same mess as you–her husband was fooling around, even had a kid with his mistress, but kept her on as the unpaid maid for his whole family. At first, he wouldn’t hear of a divorce.”

Joanna continued, “Eventually, desperation hit. She broke down crying, saying she just couldn’t let it go. Then she told him she’d give him one last chance, but only if they split up first—and he’d have to chase her again, like starting all over. The guy bought it, and boom, they got divorced.”

Chloe thought to herself, ‘You know what? That just might do the trick.‘

Ian was a tough nut to crack, for sure, but maybe if she waited for the right moment, he’d let his guard down and agree to it after all.

She definitely needed to find the perfect opportunity to pull this off.

After work, Chloe called home to let her parents know she’d be taking Simon out for dinner.

Out in the parking lot in front of the hospital’s outpatient building, Ian spotted Chloe walking out with Philip’s son, and he couldn’t help but frown.

Before Chloe could get a word in, Ian spoke up, “Heard your folks finally moved. I had someone pick out a natural jade ornament for them. I’ll give you a ride home and drop it off–might as well stop by to say hi while I’m at it.”

Chloe locked eyes with Ian, her mind racing back to the trick Joanna had just told her. ‘Could this actually work on a guy like him?‘ she wondered.

She cleared her throat and said, “I’ve already booked a restaurant for dinner with Simon. I’m not heading home just yet.”

Ian replied, “Perfect. Let’s go together.”

Chloe hesitated for a split second, debating if she should let him join, then gave a small nod.

Ian hadn’t expected Chloe to agree to dinner with him, and he couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at his lips.

‘It’s not like married couples actually hold grudges overnight,‘ he thought.

Once he handled the whole Andrea situation and cleared up all the misunderstandings between him and Chloe, he figured they’d just go right back to being husband and wife–just like before.

Chloe and lan went to a Western restaurant with Philip’s son tagging along.

Chloe ordered a kids‘ meal for Simon. “No seafood sauce in the soup, and be sure to add a few extra cherry tomatoes to his entree.”

Ian sat across from Chloe, his gaze locked onto her, quietly watching the way she looked after Simon while

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