Ch. 466..470: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 466-470
Chapter 466
"I have an idea."
"And what'd it be?"
Vernon slid the document towards Diamond and said, "This is the contract for the 35% share that he promised. If I sign this, I basically co-own that company with him."
I know that he must've set up a trap with me. I don't know what kind, but I don't want him to get control over me or use this as an opportunity to make me obey him. After all, he's a power-tripping asshole," he added.
"So, what do you want to do, Sir? Do you want to just refuse to sign this and ask for a regular payment for your job instead?" Diamond asked. "Though, it'd be a waste if you just want money as your payment, you should ask for something more."
"I will not pass this up, but I plan to save my ass and also... teach him a lesson," Vernon grinned. He got the idea when his Big bro kept being a racist ass and saw Diamond as a piece of meat he could buy with money. "But this will involve you, Diamond. I need your help in this."
"Me?!" Diamond's eyes widened. She quickly shook her head and took a step back. "Ain't no way-- nah, no, Sir. I'd rather not deal with him and his creepy ass! Eww!"
"Really? Don't you want to teach him a bit of humility too? I actually want you to take part, and you will get A LOT of money, probably more than your time working with me for at least two years," Vernon tried to convince her.
"Money is NOT the problem, Sir," Diamond retorted. "I'd rather earn money from my salary here rather than killing myself against him."
Vernon understood Diamond's reluctance and fear, though nobody wanted to deal with Vincent, especially knowing he could mess anyone's life up at any point just because he felt like it.
But he really needed her contribution here, "I will guarantee-- with my name-- that you will be safe in this. I just need your name and we can proceed."
Diamond saw the seriousness in her boss' eyes. He seemed to be sure he could protect Diamond, even though Diamond was convinced that Vincent would fuck her up, literally and figuratively speaking.
She chewed her lower lip and brought her hands to her chest. She clasped her elbows with her hands before nodding, "Fine, I will take your promise, Sir. I will do whatever you want me to, but remember, I am not kind. If you dare to put me into some crazy shit, I will rope you in and fuck your life too. Deal?"
"Deal."
Vernon agreed without much question. Though both of them knew that Diamond was just saying an empty threat, he should acknowledge her nervousness and had to try her best to keep her safe.
"So, what's the plan all about," Diamond returned to the topic. She wouldn't lie that she was also curious about what her boss would do next.
Vernon smiled thinly and pointed at a spot beside his chair, signaling Diamond to come near him.
Diamond walked around the desk and stood beside her boss. She leaned as she was ready to listen to the whisper.
Vernon smirked and whispered his plan to her ears.
Diamond's expression changed from curiosity to shock and then assurance. After Vernon whispered his plan, Diamond had no fear in her anymore, "That is a great plan, Sir. You should've just told me sooner. You scared the shit out of me."
"Heh, I was just testing whether you have faith in me or not."
"Well, I might be loyal to you for now. But aint no way I'm jumping to a wolf den without a plan," Diamond rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'll go and make another contract between us, with that new one, I will be able to get connected with this deal."
"Mhm, with this, you and I will benefit, Diamond. Don't worry, you can take all the profits for yourself. I just want to put my name there symbolically," Vernon said. He grabbed the shareholder contract and signed it without much thought before handing it to Diamond.
"Understood, Sir," Diamond accepted the file and left the office.
Now Vernon was alone. He felt more relaxed as the biggest obstacle in his mind had been lifted, thanks to Chloe.
'If I hadn't asked her yesterday, I'd simply say no to the offer, and Vincent would not be pleased,' Vernon thought. 'She is right. He might not want to ruin my life, but he wants to pressure me to be his pet. He just wants control over everything, especially people that are close to him. So I have to play according to his rules.'
Vernon had to admit that he underestimated Chloe a lot. He always thought that Chloe was just a housewife, so she was better left doing housewife duty and didn't need to know about the company's affair.
But she was intelligent and neutral in her opinion. Despite her fear and hatred against Vincent, she gave him the correct information that Vincent saw him as his treasured Little bro.
"Well, now I miss her," Vernon said out loud. He picked up his phone from his pocket and checked the contact. He already changed Chloe's name from Chloe Gray to;
Chloe Phoenix Gray.
He knew it'd take a while to realize his dream, but a little wishful thinking wouldn't hurt, right?
"Should I call her?" Vernon asked himself. His thumb hovered above the call button, ready to call her and surely-- listening to her voice would cleanse all the bad energy that seeped in when he talked with Vincent, especially when he had to pretend that he didn't see Chloe as the most beautiful woman he ever met.
That was a lie, she was indeed the most beautiful, and his opinion never changed even after ten years.
"I know that I have to be more strict, especially after our fight this morning, but... ugh, fuck it! I'll just say it quick and hang up immediately."
Thus, Vernon took decisive action and pressed the green call button.
Chapter 467
Chloe was sitting in a daze as she watched random news. Mackie played with her doll house on the carpet, periodically checking on Chloe in case her Mommy was naughty again. Just an hour ago, she tried to cook and clean Big Bad Uncle's room.
Meanwhile, Chloe's mind flew off somewhere after she read the text from Dorothea this morning.
-
Dorothea:
I don't feel comfortable just texting, but I have changed because I realized that I've been so cruel to a woman who went through the same as me, especially at the hands of my own son…
Do you have time to meet? I want to meet you somewhere, and we can talk about this. I will answer everything that you want to know. You can be the judge whether I lied or not.
-
Chloe was unsure what to do in this situation. Her gut feeling told her that Dorothea experienced an earth-shattering change after realizing that her son was a horrible man who deserved to go to jail for all the shit he had done.
But her gut feeling was often wrong. What if this was just a trap set by Dorothea and Vincent? What if Vincent caught her and chained her back into the mansion? He'd force her to play house with him again and probably break her until she told him the identity of her benefactor.
Chloe didn't want to put Mackie and Vernon in danger just because of her idiocy.
As she was fighting with her own demon, Dorothea texted her again;
-
Dorothea:
Chloe? Are you alright?
If you're not ready to meet me, can you at least reply to my text? I'm unsure what to do when you're not answering me.
-
Chloe stared at the text for a while. Her hands typed a few texts that she deleted right after.
She wasn't sure if opening up to Dorothea would lead to disaster, especially since she knew Vernon must've been very upset and would stay upset as long as Chloe kept on her contact with Dorothea.
When she was typing another text, her phone suddenly rang, and she saw Vernon's caller ID.
Dread filled her face in an instant. She darted her eyes at the front door of the penthouse, scared that Vernon might suddenly pop out like he did when she was on the call with Dorothea.
After making sure that she was safe, Chloe picked up the call and muttered;
—
"H—Hello?"
…
There was no answer from the other side. But Chloe could hear Vernon's heavy breathing.
She got a little worried and asked, "Vernon, are you alright?"
Vernon's heart was tickled when Chloe asked about his well-being. Her voice was soft and sweet, like a feather that tickled his heart.
But the more his heart got tickled with such a soft feather, the guiltier he felt.
Because he had to say that Chloe wasn't the most beautiful woman in his eyes, just to save his ass from Vincent's suspicion.
And now he wanted to assure Chloe that his opinion never changed.
"Chloe…" Vernon called her with his deep yet hoarse voice.
Chloe went stiff instantly. She thought she had made another mistake and was ready to get yelled at.
"I…" Vernon paused for a moment before he mustered his courage. "I just want to say that you're the most beautiful woman on earth ever since the first time I met you. And that opinion never and will never change."
"Wha—" Chloe was stunned by the sudden confession. It came out of nowhere, and he sounded so soft, so gentle, unlike the man who was trying to reprimand her for talking to Dorothea this morning.
Of course, she didn't believe that. Though it felt nice to hear, that was just bullshit, no matter how often Vernon said it to her.
Because Vernon had met and dated many rising actresses and supermodels.
But she couldn't help wondering…
"What's wrong, Vernon? Weren't you… angry at me this morning?" Chloe asked.
"I still am," Vernon replied, but his gentle tone said otherwise. "I just want to tell you that, because I'm not sure if I can say it while we're still fighting."
"Also, please take my anger seriously, Chloe. I am angry at you for harming yourself, and you trying to open up to Dorothea is not something that I will ever approve. But I just can't help but adore you. I hope I can see your beautiful, non-crying face this evening."
"Wait—"
Beep.
—
Chloe was jaw dropped at the sudden call and how he sounded genuine. She didn't know how to process Vernon's mood change.
But she was glad that Vernon wasn't angry at her for a long time. She was too used to living a normal life nowadays. Thus, she couldn't imagine if she had to return to live under fear and pressure like how she lived with Vincent and early days living with Vernon.
"Mommy, was that Uncle?" Mackie asked.
"Ah— yes, it's your Uncle."
"Mmm… Mommy, does Uncle make you happy?"
"Eh? Why do you ask that?" Chloe was flustered by the question. Mackie was in her development stage and started to question everything around her. She also started to sense her surroundings, so it was difficult for Chloe to lie.
Though, she didn't want to lie anymore. She just hadn't told Mackie the whole truth.
But if Mackie asked her whether her Daddy was an abusive ass, Chloe might say yes at this point.
"Mm, because Mommy looks so happy when calling Uncle just now," Mackie pointed out. "Your cheeks are red, Mommy!"
"R—Really?" Chloe checked her face with the front camera and confirmed Mackie's statement.
She was so red that she could put a little stalk on top of her head and call herself the cherry woman.
Mackie abandoned her toys and jumped onto the sofa beside her Mommy.
Mackie stretched her hand to touch Chloe's cheek and said, "Whenever Mackie is happy, my cheeks will turn red! Really red! But I've never seen Mommy with red cheeks when with Daddy, unlike when you're with Uncle!"
Chapter 468
"Mommy, you're always red whenever Uncle is around. Does that mean you're not happy with Daddy, but very happy with Uncle?"
...
Mackie's question was very simple, yet gave Chloe no space to lie or maneuver and gave an ambiguous answer. It was a simple yes or no question.
...
Mackie sensed the hesitation in Mommy's heart.
She might not be able to discern fully what happened around her family. But she caught up to the change in her Mommy very quickly.
Usually, her Mommy wouldn't even think twice before saying that Daddy had no fault and was always the best, even though Mackie always noticed the emptiness in her Mommy's eyes.
But now that Mommy's eyes were filled with joy, Mackie soon realized that Mommy never talked good about Daddy anymore, nor did she talk bad about him.
Daddy was simply out of their lives for now.
"Mommy, if you're happy with Uncle, then let's stay with Uncle for a while," Mackie said out of the blue. "I'm sure Daddy won't mind."
Chloe's breath shortened, and she tensed immediately. She couldn't believe what she had just heard from her daughter.
She still vividly remembered how Mackie kept asking to meet her Daddy a few months ago and despairing at how much she missed her Daddy.
Now she decided that they should stay with Uncle a bit longer.
Chloe was speechless and even more speechless as Mackie continued speaking.
"I want to meet Daddy, but if Daddy hurts Mommy like before, I prefer not to meet him now...." Mackie said. "Let's wait until Daddy feels better and stay with Uncle, okay, Mommy?"
"Oh, dear..." Chloe's voice wavered as she embraced her daughter in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Mackie. I don't know how to tell this to you," she muttered.
"Mm, I don't want Mommy to get hurt. If staying far away from Daddy will make you feel better, then let's stay away from him. I hope Daddy will say sorry to you later, Mommy...."
'He will never apologize, dear. But your image of a father figure was crushed already when you saw him choking me up. I don't want you to hate your father completely...' Chloe thought, recalling when Mackie interrupted her fight with Vincent in the Principal's office. It must've caused a great shock to her daughter.
"What do you think, Mommy? Can we stay with Uncle?"
"Mhm, I think we can stay for a while," Chloe replied. "I'm sure Uncle would be happy with us staying."
**
Vernon finished his work quite late in the evening, he arrived at his penthouse around eight, and the foyer was already dark when he opened the penthouse door.
Vernon's eyes darted to the sofa where Chloe usually fell asleep, waiting for him to return home.
Unfortunately, the sofa was empty, and there didn't seem to be any trace of someone around his penthouse the whole day.
Vernon let out a low laugh, ridiculing himself as he actually expected Chloe to wait for him as usual, even though they had been fighting this morning.
"I guess that call at noon didn't change a thing. She's probably still too scared to face me right now."
Vernon threw his briefcase to the sofa and pulled his tie to loosen it up.
He went to the kitchen and was disappointed when he didn't see Chloe there.
He remembered that sometimes Chloe would fall asleep at the dining chair, waiting for him as he returned home late at night.
He was so used to seeing that sight of Chloe waiting for him that he felt at a loss when Chloe wasn't around.
"All this just because we had one fight this morning," Vernon muttered while he opened a beer bottle. He took a big gulp before sitting on the sofa, staring straight into the dark, empty foyer.
He didn't even feel like turning any light because this was his life whenever Chloe wasn't around.
And he was used to this.
He kept drinking the beer while mumbling, "I should've been softer to her-- no, I should never stop her from doing anything. I don't care what will happen next. I don't give a crap if I have to blow up my cover in front of Vincent, as long as Chloe won't get mad at me, let alone shedding her tears."
He knew that he might've been way too soft for Chloe because what Chloe did by contacting Dorothea was wrong and dangerous.
But to be separated from her, even for one night, felt so excruciating. He'd rather do everything she said as long as she was happy.
Vernon burped after he drank the whole bottle of beer. He wasn't drunk at all. It was just a bottle, after all. But he did feel a bit relaxed and didn't like it.
Vernon didn't like the fact that he had to drink alcohol to make himself feel better, it was an old habit he had developed before he reunited with Chloe, and he certainly didn't want that habit to return.
Vernon took off his suit and threw it on the sofa. He unbuttoned his shirt as he pushed his bedroom door open. He turned on the dim light around his room and noticed a figure of a beautiful woman sleeping on his bed.
The woman was beautiful. She was thin but not too thin like she used to be. Her long and wavy chestnut hair was spread on the pillow like a sleeping beauty, and she seemed to be at peace in her sleep.
"Chloe?" Vernon couldn't help calling her name as he was confused about what was happening. He thought Chloe refused to find him because she was scared after their fight.
"Umh... what took you so long...." Chloe mumbled in her sleep before recognizing the voice of the man who had called her name just now. She opened her eyes, sat on the bed, and yawned casually before staring at Vernon with her sleepy eyes. "Um, welcome home, Vernon...."
Chapter 469
"I was waiting for you but accidentally fell asleep. Sorry," Chloe muttered. She got up from the bed and strode leisurely towards Vernon. Vernon stood still as Chloe walked right behind him and helped take off his shirt that had been unbuttoned, putting it on the laundry bin at the edge of the room and returning with a new set of pajamas.
"You should take a warm bath if you're too exhausted, it will make you feel better," Chloe advised. "I will be waiting outside."
Vernon was unresponsive and didn't take the pajama from Chloe's hand. Instead, he kept staring at her with his brows creased. He wondered if he actually got drunk from just a bottle of beer and started hallucinating.
Realizing that Vernon wouldn't take the pajama, Chloe put it at the edge of the bed. She walked past Vernon, heading towards the door before Vernon grabbed her waist and stopped her from leaving.
"Vernon—Ah!" Chloe was startled when Vernon suddenly pulled her from behind and buried her in his embrace. He locked his arms around her waist, ensuring Chloe couldn't escape him.
They stood in this position for a while until Chloe started getting uncomfortable with the heat emanating from Vernon's body. She started wiggling her body around, trying to break free to no avail.
"L—Let go, you're sweating…." Chloe complained. But Vernon didn't care because he had a big question flying around his head.
"Why are you here, Chloe?" Vernon asked.
"Am I not allowed to be here?"
"That's not what I meant," Vernon quickly rearranged his words. "I thought you were still too scared to face me right now. I don't think we will have a normal talk for days after we had a fight this morning." Vernon tightened his embrace subconsciously, unwilling to be separated from the light of his life. "I thought I'd be deprived of you for a while."
Chloe sighed. She said nothing but rested her head on his strong chest. If she had to be honest, she would always be scared of Vernon whenever he glared or yelled at her. That fear might be innate because Vernon was physically very similar to Vincent, just bigger, stronger, and scarier.
But that fear never lasted long because no matter how angry Vernon was, he would never hurt her, and she knew how tender his heart was.
But she knew how prideful Vernon could be. His heart might be tender, but he would still act tough in front of her despite his heartache. Chloe thought she should take the bold initiative, or their meaningless fight would never be resolved.
She believed that as long as she treated him sweetly, Vernon would eventually melt.
And she was right. Vernon was melting right now.
"How am I supposed to be scared of you when you embrace me so lovingly?" Chloe teased. "Besides, I know that you never meant to hurt me."
Vernon felt there was an arrow that shot his conscience. He wanted to admit that he had a lot of grudges and wanted to hurt Chloe as bad as he could just so she could feel his pain.
But he abandoned that idea once he realized Chloe was hurting. Both of them were hurting, and both of them felt solace when they were together.
They were meant to be together since the first time they laid their eyes upon each other.
"I'm sorry," Vernon muttered.
"For?"
"Everything," his voice started shaking. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for thinking that you don't want me. I'm sorry for yelling and scaring you. I'm sorry for everything."
"Why do you think that I don't want you?" Chloe asked. "Vernon, you're always the dearest in my heart."
"But not romantically, right?" Vernon asked.
Chloe's body stiffened, "W—Well, of course, I saw you as my dearest little brother back then. You were just a little boy, so I treated you as such."
"I'm a big man now. Can you see me as a potential spouse?" Vernon asked again. He wrapped his arms around her waist tighter than before, ignoring the obvious discomfort from Chloe because he was sweaty.
He closed his eyes as he waited for Chloe's answer. Though, he already knew what her answer would be.
She'd probably say that she wasn't ready.
That she was still too busy thinking about her problem right now, and Vernon had to accept that answer despite his heartache.
Ultimately, he was just a second choice, a spare tire, because Chloe's love life with Vincent wasn't working as intended.
Chloe paused before answering, "Vernon, you told me this morning that I need to be logical and not act like an idiot. Well, my logic told me that I should never give you a chance."
"That I should leave after I'm done divorcing Vincent, because no matter how much you hate your family, the blood of Gray family still runs in your vein, and Vincent put a deep scar in me, that I just despise all the Gray men equally."
Vernon felt his heart shattering inside. Though it wasn't his ideal dream, he'd still be happy if Chloe treated him as a spare tire because her love life with Vincent wasn't working.
But Chloe actually had the idea of leaving him completely. No matter what he did to make her stay, she would still leave him because he was from the Gray family.
'That's not fair…' Vernon despaired. 'That's not fair at all.'
Vernon's logic started sinking as his despair started eating him up from inside, 'I don't want this. I refuse this to happen. Not when I already have her by my side right now.'
He started having malicious thoughts. His mind unknowingly started creating various plans on how to trap Chloe.
Even if he had to lock her up forever, probably chain her so she wouldn't be able to escape. He even thought of running away with her, abandoning all his plans and staying hidden in any part of Europe as long as they could be together.
'Not fair. This is not fair.'
'I will never let her leave me….'
Chapter 470
Chloe was unaware of the dark thoughts swirling inside Vernon's head. Because she still felt his warmth, the arms around her waist started getting too tight, making her wince a bit.
But she truly believed that Vernon would never hurt her.
So she relaxed and gently put her hand on Vernon's big veiny hands wrapped around her waist. She snuggled and rested her head on his chest.
She slightly tilted her head to look up and stared at Vernon's strong jawline.
Even from this angle, Vernon still looked magnificently handsome.
"Well, that's what my logic told me, Vernon," Chloe said. "But I'm a woman, and a woman also uses her heart more than a man does."
"And what does your heart tell you to do?" Vernon asked. His tone was cold and somewhat carried heavy possessiveness that came out of nowhere in Chloe's mind.
Chloe smiled. She lifted her left hand and pinched Vernon's chin, forcing him to look down until their eyes met.
Chloe nestled comfortably in his chest. She looked relaxed, unlike Vernon, whose eyes were deep and full of unknown thoughts.
"My heart told me to give you a chance," Chloe replied. She said it lightly as if she was already certain of her answer. "Despite your problems, your blood relation with the Gray family, and all the difficult situations surrounding us as individuals, and us as together."
"My heart told me that you're a good guy who can give me happiness, so…" Chloe released Vernon's chin, and her hand wrapped around his neck instead. She pushed his neck down, so Vernon naturally leaned toward his beloved and…
Chloe closed her eyes. She took the initiative to kiss Vernon on the lips. It wasn't even a peck.
It was a deep kiss that lasted a long time. Chloe was bold enough to open her mouth and took the lead to nibble Vernon's lower lip a little before she finished the kiss and opened her eyes.
"So… should I follow my brain or my heart for this one, what do you think, Mr. Phoenix Gray?" Chloe teased.
"Stop thinking and follow your heart instead," Vernon replied quickly. "I will not allow you to think about it. Just use your heart."
"Even if it's dangerous?"
"Doesn't matter if it's dangerous or not," Vernon started getting desperate. He wanted Chloe to be by his side no matter what. "Even if we have to fight the whole world, I will never let you leave me, Chloe."
Chloe's smile bloomed beautifully. She stared at Vernon with eyes glazed with tears, "Alright, Mr. Phoenix Gray, I shall follow my heart and give you a chance."
"As you should."
Vernon took the initiative to kiss her now. Unlike the usual kiss full of passion and lust, this one felt so gentle. Yet, it gave Chloe even more satisfaction than usual.
She felt loved, and Vernon was even happier to give her more than a kiss.
Even though everything about their relationship was dangerous, Vernon wouldn't mind jumping into the warzone if he could steal one kiss from his woman.
**
They spent the night embracing each other, sharing warmth by making out. They didn't have sex, though Vernon was willing. He felt that sex might make him go wild and rough. He just wanted to spend the night embracing his woman.
Thus, he fell asleep spooning Chloe from behind.
Vernon suffered from insomnia before, and he couldn't sleep unless he used sleeping pills, booze, or mind-numbing sex.
But because Chloe was by his side tonight, his mind was relaxed, and his anxiety was suppressed. He fell asleep quickly, leaving Chloe, who was trying hard to reach the AC remote in the drawer.
Because it was stuffy!
Vernon was like a big teddy bear with an automatic heating system turned on to the max. His body was naturally hot, so she needed that air con.
"Ugh— just… a little more…" Chloe stretched her hand until she reached the AC remote. "Got it!"
After she caught it, she turned on the Aircon and was relieved.
She nestled back deep inside Vernon's embrace comfortably and gently caressed Vernon's strong arm.
"It went well, thank god," Chloe murmured. She got the text from Dorothea this evening, about an hour before Vernon returned home.
Dorothea said she would continue texting Chloe until Chloe answered her text, even with a simple yes or no.
Dorothea said that she was worried for her and Mackie's safety. She was afraid that Chloe would make another wrong choice by staying with another wrong man after her son.
'Well, I'm staying with her other son. But I don't think Dorothea will admit Vernon as her son,' Chloe thought. 'The animosity between them is just… too thick.'
'But the more I try to ignore Dorothea, the more I can feel her desperation…' Chloe sighed. 'Vernon told me to use my head, and if I only used my head, I'd leave him soon after I got my salary. I will never give him a chance.'
'So I have to use my heart for him, and I should give the same chance for Dorothea as well. If my heart can make the right choice by staying with Vernon, I'm sure that my heart can also make the right choice by forgiving Dorothea and giving her a chance.'
Thus, Chloe planned to text Dorothea tomorrow morning. Hopefully, they could start opening up and maybe set up a meeting somewhere once Chloe had trusted Dorothea enough.
Chloe looked over her shoulder and saw Vernon sleeping peacefully while spooning her from behind.
Chloe mumbled, "You might not appreciate what I'm doing right now, Vernon. But I'm doing this for you as well. I believe that you deserve a closure with your real mother, maybe there will be that day when you can make peace with Dorothea."
"But for now, I have to hide this from you. I'm sorry, big boy, you have to be kept in the dark for a while. Please don't blame me, I'm just following what my heart tells me to do."