Ch. 681..685: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 681-685
Chapter 681
Vincent knew that the company's stock would plummet anytime soon because this case would become a huge hit to the company.
The company had been going on a slope because of Chelsea and Chloe's video and also the failed advertisement caused by Vernon. Many of the shareholders had already inquired and protested about this, but Vincent ignored them all because he thought he could handle this. Everything would return to normal when he got his hands on Chloe again.
But now that things had come this far, there was no way he could avoid those packs of wolves.
"Fuck! Why do I have to meet them right now? I'm seriously not in a good shape to meet anyone!" Vincent complained. But in the end, he had to bathe and prepare himself as he would become fresh meat in the middle of hungry wolves.
**
Meanwhile, Chloe and Vernon were watching the news after they had their breakfast.
She sent Mackie to the thirteenth floor to meet with her cousins because she wanted to play Snake & Ladder with them, so Vernon and Chloe had the morning all for themselves.
Chloe rested her head on Vernon's shoulder as they snuggled together on the bed, watching the news about Chelsea's murder case that was being broadcasted on almost all TV channels, sparking debate everywhere.
Just like what they're watching right now. Four female presenters were talking about this case and every rumor that those Paparazzi and News reporters got from the police department.
—
"I heard that Miss Chloe is trying to cut ties with her husband, because she has been abused, but that might be a baseless rumor."
"Yes, that might be a baseless rumor. BUT, there is always a case of a man who is good with everyone, but is actually very different behind closed doors. Maybe Vincent Gray is actually a completely different person with his wife."
"Nevertheless, there must be a reason why those poor boys decided to go with their Aunt, they must've trusted her a lot."
"They must be. They went through a lot, so it's no wonder they want to be with someone that could give them safety. Miss Chloe must've been a very kind person in order to gain the boys' trust."
"Despite the rumor though, there is no way Vincent Gray is not tied with this case somehow. Chelsea Davis and Vincent Gray are in-laws, and with his wife leaving him, there might be another woman in the relationship."
"And that woman is Chelsea Davis?"
"Could be, though I find it a bit ridiculous, because you know…."
The four presenters were exchanging looks of understanding, confirming that everyone in the room had the same idea.
—
Vernon was awed by the rumors circulating on the TV. He didn't expect the effect to be this amazing. He really thought that people in the police department wouldn't say this much to the Paparazzi and news reporters.
He looked at Chloe, who was snuggling in his arm, pulling the blanket as the weather was chilly outside. Her eyes were still on the TV, and he noticed a little smirk as she listened to the hot news.
At first, he only listened to Chloe send those hyenas to the Police Department early in the morning, so they could get good news coverage about Chelsea's case. He thought the impact of the news wouldn't be this crazy, because the police usually tried to stop the media from getting too much information regarding a brutal case.
So he believed that Chloe must've done something when she visited the Police department to retrieve the boys.
"What did you do when you're in the police department, my love?" Vernon asked calmly.
Chloe's eyes were still on the TV as she replied, "I met with the head of the police department, or at least an office with a high ranking position that leads the investigation. He's the one keeping the boys in his office when I retrieve them."
"He asked me about many things to help with the investigation, and I did not hide anything from him. I let him know everything that Vincent did, every crime that he committed to me and his highly possible connection to Chelsea's case. I also told him about Chelsea's obsession towards Vincent, and how Vincent has been trying to get his revenge on me."
"I asked him about the date where they would announce the murder case to the public, since they've been delaying it because it involves Vincent Gray, a highly respected billionaire. But it seems that they have already finished their investigation and know the truth in my words despite being unable to pull Vincent into the case due to lack of evidence."
"I think the Officer knows that I am the one who's pulling the strings behind the crowded Paparazzi and news reporters. The reason why the police department gives so much information to those hyenas is because they can at least drag Vincent into this case to smear his public reputation despite being unable to drag him to the court as a possible suspect."
Chloe bit her lower lip as she got annoyed, "I wish they do a better job finding evidence though. I believe Vincent left his track somewhere."
Vernon was in awe with the development of his plan.
He underestimated Chloe too much. It seemed she also had some vicious bone in her, though it was only for one person.
He never thought she had the idea of smearing Vincent publicly like this. She really saw the opportunity and took it without hesitation.
Chloe looked up at him and smiled, "I'm sorry, Vernon. This is the best I can do to smear him in public. Maybe if I have another chance, I will do more."
Vernon wrapped his arm around Chloe's waist and pulled her deeper. He kissed her on the lips and replied, "What are you talking about, love? You've done something incredible! You did something that I could've never thought of."
"You're an amazing woman, Chloe."
Chapter 682
Chloe giggled as she got praised by Vernon. She wouldn't lie. She was happy with the compliments because she finally did something that made him happy.
"I'm sorry for being useless for so long, Vernon. I will always try to support you no matter what," Chloe said. "I've always wanted to be useful to you because you've done so much for me."
"You're never useless—You know what, let's just ignore that," Vernon said, knowing there was no use in convincing Chloe no matter how hard he tried. Maybe it was her self-confidence that made her feel worthless occasionally. So it was Vernon's job to assure her that she mattered the most in his life.
Without her, he would go crazy.
"Let's just get into the business. Because I need my reward for yesterday," Vernon said as he kissed Chloe and went down to kiss her even further.
Chloe giggled shyly, "Say no more, I'm more than willing, Vernon."
**
Diamond arrived in the office around ten, knowing well that her boss must've been sleeping or snuggling with her homegirl in his apartment right now.,
Diamond was excited after seeing that Chloe's plan to smear Vincent in public had come to fruition. Who would've guessed that her sweet homegirl was able to come up with an absolutely devious plan by using rumors to ruin Vincent's public reputation?
Even Diamond couldn't come up with a better one!
"I always know they are meant for each other," Diamond said. "Chloe is a sweet woman with a strong sense of protection for her loved ones. She might look weak, but she can be vicious when her loved ones are threatened. She is a perfect match for a cold man like Vernon who was vicious and cruel, but had a soft spot for his family."
Diamond enjoyed reading the comments on many Social Media platforms. The topic of Vincent resurfaced again, and at this point, it would become the topic of the month or even the year because of how big the case was and how it involved a highly respected billionaire.
Vernon came to the office about an hour later. He had a perverted grin on his face, indicating that he had done something with Chloe last night or this morning.
Nevertheless, Diamond was also happy with the mood change because handling her boss when he was agitated was a nightmare.
"Come to my office, Diamond," Vernon said, and Diamond quickly tailed her boss to the CEO's office.
Vernon sat in his usual executive chair, facing Diamond with a grin, "Did you see the news today?"
"Of course, Sir!" Diamond replied joyfully. "It's so fun to see a bastard like Vincent get his reputation smeared in public by his own ex-wife!"
Vernon's grin widened, "But we shouldn't let ourselves be swayed by this quick victory. Remember our main goal against Vincent?"
"Yes, to get him in the rock bottom until he can't recover anymore, so he won't be able to touch Chloe once she is forced for the divorce to get processed in court," Diamond said.
"Yes, we need to make him in absolute ruin so Chloe would be able to leave him completely, and he won't be able to destroy her happiness at all," Vernon said. "So, how's the cremation process?"
"Just like what I told you before, Sir. I've handled it all, it will take ten days because of holidays though," Diamond reported. "Don't worry about Maria's henchmen, our men are currently torturing them enough so they wouldn't dare to say a thing."
"Good, I'm at peace knowing that old bitch is done for," Vernon nodded. "I've always hated her guts. Her ruthlessness knows no end. Now that she's dead, Vincent won't have any competent subordinate, at least not as competent as Maria."
Diamond remembered something when her boss mentioned a subordinate, "But Sir, what about the woman you mentioned yesterday? Vincent's ex-slut, don't tell me she is—"
"Yes, it's Priscilla," Vernon confirmed without hesitation. "I've already met her yesterday. I gave her fifty grand to get herself treated, she needs to look glamorous in front of Vincent."
Diamond's eyes widened, "Are you sure about this, Sir?"
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because it's Priscilla! That hoe is for the street!" Diamond complained. "She is obviously a gold digger, what if she got swayed by Vincent and turned her back on us?"
"Don't worry, Diamond. She won't betray us this time," Vernon said firmly. "Because I know that she wants Vincent more than his wealth."
"She wants Vincent? Like… that man?"
"Yes, it's weird, I know. But it's obvious that Priscilla has an obsession with Vincent when I met her yesterday, so we can use that to our advantage," Vernon said. "I will have her infiltrate Vincent's office and become his secretary once more."
"I don't think that Vincent will accept her back, Sir. I mean, it's obvious that Vincent is over that woman already."
"Don't worry, I know just the way to force him to accept Priscilla as his secretary. I have everything planned, and in the end, Vincent will have nowhere to go."
Honestly, Diamond was still unsure about her boss' plan. She felt there was a high chance of Priscilla going to betray them. After all, she was just a gold digger who wanted money more than anything in this world.
But her boss seemed so sure about his plan, so she could just yield and follow instructions, "Well, you're the boss. Just so you know, you need a plan B in case this fails, which it probably will anyway."
Vernon chuckled, "Put some trust in me, Diamond. I know Priscilla more than you expect."
"Really? Did you ever…"
"No, not at all," Vernon's smile dissipated when he imagined himself with Priscilla. The image was so disgusting that it ruined his mood immediately. "I just know because Priscilla's obsession is similar to mine for Chloe, though probably more shallow."
"I know that Priscilla wants to have that title as Mrs. Priscilla Gray more than anything in this world, so let's make sure that she gets what she wants, shall we?"
Chapter 683
Vincent took a deep breath as he exited the elevator and entered his office.
The secretary's seat was empty, which was weird for Vincent. Usually, Maria would sit there, working on something or greeting him in the morning.
She was truly a hard worker, loyal, and dedicated. Maria never skipped work, even when she was really ill.
She got hospitalized for her old body once or twice, but after she recovered, she would return to work. She was a remnant that his father left as well.
Vaughn told him before that Maria was their dog. She was obedient, loyal, defensive, and suspicious of people around her. She was the perfect secretary that had been helping Vincent for so long.
So Vincent was visibly distraught when Maria was absent without any notification like this.
"What if something happened to her?" Vincent wondered. "Last time I heard from her, she was trying to find and catch Chloe. What if Chloe's benefactor is actually that powerful? Maybe that man sniffed through Maria's plan and had her killed before she could do anything.
Vincent shuddered as he began to theorize the identity of Chloe's benefactor. He knew that man was really powerful because no poor or weak man would be able to forge Mackie's document from the previous school, so she would enroll in another school without notice.
He also knew that the man must've been well connected because he was able to hide Chloe in a very private place that Vincent couldn't reach.
Lastly, he also knew that man must've treated Chloe quite well because she became fatter, and her skin was glowing in the video where she fought with Chelsea in public.
Vincent's lips thinned as he was trying to hold his rage, "That man is an idiot. How could he allow Chloe to be happy like that? Does he not know that a woman like Chloe deserved to live in misery, or else she would leave him once she got bored?"
Vincent still vividly remembered how Chloe was so talkative and cheery, talking with so many men whenever they had a party. Even on their wedding day, Chloe was the source of attention for almost all the men in the venue, married or single.
"Tsk, I don't know how that bitch is able to hook this powerful man. I thought I suppress her enough, but she has always been a slut in her life, that's why she can seduce any man she wants."
Vincent was convinced that a powerful man must've done something to Maria. He hoped that Maria was still in hiding rather than dead, but he had to be prepared for the worst.
Thus, he called the head of the HR department and told them to interview some candidates for a female secretary.
He didn't have that many requirements, but he told them one thing, "She has to be beautiful. No matter how smart she is, if she's not a beauty with a nice body, then reject her."
"Understood, Sir. But it will take at least a month for us to get a replacement, because Christmas and New Year are near," the head of the HR department said.
"Then assign someone to be a secretary immediately."
"But Sir, how about Mrs. Maria Orien? I don't think she'll be happy if you find another assistant."
"She's not around," Vincent replied curtly, not wanting to talk about Maria because he had a bad feeling about her fate. "Just do what I say, I need a secretary to replace her. Now."
"Yes, Sir. I will assign someone as temporary secretary until we hire a new one."
Beep.
"Damn it, why is everything not going my way? What went wrong with all of my plans? Vincent got frustrated knowing that Chloe must be enjoying her day with that bastard while he was suffering right now. "Is this what you want, Chloe? Do you want to see me suffering? You ungrateful bitch!"
**
Vincent went to the meeting room an hour later. He had an emergency meeting with five major shareholders of the Gray company.
Two of them were part of the Gray family's branch family, while the rest were fellow billionaires with more than seven percent of the company's share.
In total, they had at least forty-five percent of the share, while Vincent had the rest, so he was technically still the De Facto owner of this company.
But that didn't mean he could ignore these people.
Forty-five percent was huge, and they had the strength to influence the company's internal decisions.
Usually, they were very tame. They would obey whatever Vincent had in mind for the company because the Gray company was really powerful and always generated massive profits.
Now that Vincent's scandal had smeared his clean public image, the company's stock dropped drastically, and these hungry wolves were ready to eat him for his failure.
Vincent ignored their eyes as he walked to his chair in the meeting room. He sat and put his hands on the desk as he opened the meeting.
"Since everyone is already here, then we should start with this meeting," Vincent said. "I know that everyone is worried about the news, but everything is under control, and I will fix it."
"And how would you do that, Mr. Gray?" One of the shareholders asked. "We saw the news this morning. You've been implicated with murder. That's not something you could fix easily."
"And don't forget about the scandal of that crazy joker lady that was trending in social media a week ago."
"And the failed launch for our cosmetics, because everyone on the internet laughed at you for it. This series of failures is not something you can fix easily, Sir."
Vincent was annoyed by these people who had zero faith in him.
Of course, he knew it wasn't an easy mistake. Without Maria, he had nobody to help him micromanage this stuff.
But it was a way to calm these wolves down
"I will take measures by deleting all kinds of posts in social media about me, and about the murder case, I will make a statement in public. I will do a press conference to clear my name, and things will go back to normal," Vincent said.
Well, he said that things would go back to normal, but he doubted he'd ever recover from this.
He knew things were spiraling out of control because Chloe wasn't here. Vincent wasn't in control of himself without Chloe around because she needed to take the blame.
The major shareholders were looking at each other, seemingly discussing with their eyes. They really thought they could force Vincent Gray to step down from his position as CEO.
But seeing how calm he was at handling this, they realized it wouldn't be easy.
Thus, they finally drew a decision after a long silence.
"We will give you a chance, Mr. Gray. You should make a press conference to address the rumor about your involvement with the murder. That is the only way to clear your name," one of the shareholders said. "But if we find that you are lacking, then please forgive us, but we will have to force you to step down from the CEO's position and let someone else handle the work."
"Yeah, we don't want to lose even more money, Mr. Gray. Your scandal is really dangerous. Surely, you don't want your company to be destroyed because of this stupid rumor, right?"
Vincent clenched his jaw silently. He was so angry at these people who dared to dictate whether he should step down or not.
He felt humiliated because the ever-powerful Vincent Gray shouldn't be dictated to by someone else other than himself.
But he had a bit of clarity after destroying everything in his master bedroom, including smashing the frame of his wedding picture with Chloe.
He ought to rip the picture, but he hesitated and then decided to keep the picture, though the frame was already broken.
Thus, Vincent nodded calmly and assured, "This press conference will clear everything, and our stock will go up again. Don't worry about it."
"We hope so, Mr. Gray. But I'm wondering whether this is all just a slander, or if you're actually involved with that crime. No offense, Mr. Gray, we just want to make sure that things will be okay for our business."
Vincent scoffed, "Do you really think that I will settle with that crazy woman? She's indeed my sister-in-law. She has always been obsessed with me and has always been insane. That's why she used me as her reason to do something as nefarious as killing her own family."
"Do you really think that I'm as crazy as her? Why would I kill my own in-laws when I'm still happily married to my wife?" Vincent said confidently.
But the others in the room weren't convinced, "But, Mr. Gray, the news said that your wife left you."
Vincent's grin vanished instantly. He looked at the shareholders with eyes that could kill, then replied, "My wife is in my house. She's a shy woman, that's why she never shows up in public."
Chapter 684
"But the news said that she's the one who took those poor boys. Are they in your house now?"
"Oh, if those boys are in your house, we should use them during the press conference," one shareholder said. "If those boys are with you, then your name will be cleared immediately, Mr. Gray."
"Yeah, we can use your wife and those boys to gain the public's trust once more. Because at this point, the public is rooting for the boys, and everyone is in love with your wife because she's an angelic beauty with a good heart."
"But the rumor said that your wife left you, that rumor is not true, right?"
Vincent's body trembled as he tried his best to hold his fury. He was angry at these bastards and their nonstop chatters and useless questions.
He was even more annoyed knowing that Chloe and those four useless boys weren't in his grasp right now and were nowhere to be found. So he couldn't drag them to a press conference to clear up his name.
'I will have to think of a way to handle this bullshit without Maria,' Vincent thought. 'Everything is a mess right now.'
"I will handle everything, don't worry," Vincent said. After having enough of these shareholders' bullshit, he stood and added, "The meeting is adjourned. I will contact all of you once I've done the press conference. You will see the result after that."
"And when will you do that press conference, Sir?" The shareholder asked.
"Mid January. I still need a bit of preparation and I still have things to do," Vincent replied. "Besides, Christmas and New Year is around the corner, the public will soon forget about this and business will be good as always."
"We hope so, Mr. Gray," the shareholders said simultaneously. They were skeptical that Vincent could recover from this.
True, the public would soon forget about the scandal because of Christmas and New Year, but the holiday season was also a very risky situation to have.
During holidays, many people stay in their homes, which means they have a lot of free time. They could use that free time to start gossiping about Vincent, and the rumors would spread like wildfire.
They were very skeptical but couldn't do anything other than wait for Vincent to do something.
Vincent returned to the CEO's office after the meeting. He got a new secretary, a man who was actually the manager's secretary.
The young male secretary bowed politely at Vincent, who just entered the office, "Good afternoon, Sir. The documents that you need are on your desk."
Vincent eyed the young man from head to toe. He frowned, and his frown turned into displeasure as the male secretary stood before him, waiting for an order.
"Why are you here?" He asked.
"The HR department said that you need a temporary secretary to replace Mrs. Maria, Sir. I happen to be the most competent for now, so I will be here until we get a replacement."
Vincent rolled his eyes, "Tell them to give me a female secretary. I don't care if she's worse than you, but my secretary needs to be a woman."
The male secretary was shocked, "B—But, Sir, you are the CEO, and I happen to be the only one that knows about your line of work currently. It'll be a mess if someone else takes this position."
"Then you can do the work outside while that female secretary will be working here in my office," Vincent said. "What do you want to do here inside my office anyway? Stripping naked? You fucking disgusting homo! GET OUT!"
The male secretary flinched. He quickly left Vincent's office and headed to the HR department to get another woman as Mr. Gray's secretary because that was what Vincent wanted right now.
Vincent sat on his chair. He leaned and stared at the ceiling for a while, thinking of all the mess he had to deal without Maria's presence right now.
"This is all because of Chloe," Vincent muttered. "If that bitch didn't leave me, then I can use her as my punching bag, so my mind will be cleared each time I go to the office."
Without Maria working for him, Vincent had zero ideas how to find Chloe right now.
Of course, he could always do a massive manhunt to find her, but that would definitely alert the man she was with right now. He still didn't know the identity of this man, so he couldn't make a rash move.
He just knew that man must be powerful, or at least at the same level as him.
"Vernon was so fucking useless for giving me list of millionaires in New York before," Vincent sneered. "Obviously, that man must be a multi millionaire, or even a billionaire on par with me, but also with political connections."
"It should've been easier to filter the list of billionaires in New York, but most of them are very secretive, just like my late father."
Vincent's late father, Vaughn, was also a billionaire before him. He was the one who did all the work before, developing the business from a mid-sized company to a billion-dollar company.
Meanwhile, Vincent's task was to maintain the position, making sure that the company would stay powerful after Vaughn's death.
Vincent still remembered his late dad's message for him.
-
'My son, if you want to be a successful man, you have to make sure to keep everything under your control, including your woman.'
'In fact, your woman is the property that is likely to rebel. You have to beat her if she dares to fight back, and you have to make her desperate enough, so she won't even think about running away.'
'You have to know that we are above them. We are basically their God, while they are our pets. Remember, we're the one who feeds them and gives them shelter, we deserve to train their obedience like a dog.'
-
Vincent gritted his teeth as he got frustrated, knowing he had failed his father.
He failed to maintain the company's success, and he also failed to keep his wife in check.
Heck, he also failed to make his little brother obey him. Vernon acted like a wild mutt in front of him, thinking that he could stand on his own without his help, and even dared to fight back.
"That bastard dares to fight back against me, his own Big brother. I should teach him a lesson," Vincent said. He asked Maria about Vernon's company report before, but since Maria was missing, that meant he had to do it all by himself.
He wanted to destroy his little brother's company, so Vernon would return to him, begging to be saved.
Thus, Vincent called his most loyal dog Gregory Maxwell.
That old man would do anything for him as long as he could be on his good side, "Well, it's time for you to be useful, you dirty old bag."
Vincent called Gregory Maxwell and waited for him to pick up.
That fat old man usually picked up on the first second of the call. He was so desperate to survive with the Gray company because his company was under Vincent's mercy.
But it took more than five seconds for this fat old man to pick up now, much to Vincent's annoyance.
—
"Good afternoon, Mr. Gray," Gregory Maxwell greeted perfunctorily. "May I know if you need something?"
Vincent also disliked the way this man talked so coldly to him. Usually, Gregory Maxwell sounded very sweet, as he would always try to please Vincent in any way possible.
But he had to put his displeasure aside and get straight to the point.
"I need you to do something for me, Mr. Maxwell," Vincent said.
"And what kind of task do you have for me, Mr. Gray?" Gregory Maxwell asked. His voice got even more strange and alienating, as if he didn't want to get a call from Vincent, which was just ridiculous.
Who wouldn't want to get a call from a powerful man like Vincent Gray? Everyone wanted the chance to get on his good side, so Vincent would give them a project or any work.
"I want you to work with my little brother, Vernon Phoenix Gray. Get on his good side, and make a contract with him. After you're done with it, you should report to me about the contract and all the systems his company has," Vincent said. "Don't worry, I will give you a good reward for your hard work later."
Gregory Maxwell went silent for a moment. Then he scoffed as he found that ridiculous.
"Then I should tell you something, Mr. Gray," Mr. Maxwell said. "First, I don't need your instruction, because I am currently working with Mr. Phoenix Gray right now. I already signed a contract with him months ago, around the same time you humiliated me in your office."
"Oh, that's good," Vincent approved. "That means you're halfway done. Come here and give me all the information about your contract and the project that he has. I give you two hours to reach my office."
Chapter 685
"Two hours to reach your office?"
"Yes, exactly two hours," Vincent said. "Or else, I will cut your company off completely. I know that you don't want that to happen, right, Mr. Maxwell?"
Vincent was very confident with himself. He knew that Gregory Maxwell's company wouldn't be able to survive without his aid. So he could do whatever to boss that fat old man around.
He thought Gregory Maxwell would beg to be spared, as he usually did.
However, this time was different.
"Oh no, two hours before you cut off our cooperation, what should I do?" Gregory Maxwell sneered. He had that mocking tone that Vincent disliked. "I think I know what I should do, Mr. Gray. You may as well cut any cooperation we have right now, because I'm not going to meet you and be your dog."
Vincent's eyes widened. He had never been disrespected by this old bastard, no matter how much Vincent abused him.
"How dare you, you fat, crooked, old man! Do you really want me to cut your company completely? Do you know what kind of mistake you just made?!"
"Oh, I do not make any mistake, Mr. Gray. Yes, I don't care if you cut off any remaining cooperation between us," Gregory Maxwell said.
"You—Your company will fucking fall if not because of me! You should be here, kissing my feet right now!" Vincent yelled, but the old man only sneered in response.
"Not anymore, Mr. Gray. Your little brother already got me a much better contract and longevity of the cooperation. He's also much better at treating me, I don't need to cut corners because he makes sure that I get my share fair and square. He also made sure that I get to save my company as long as I work without trying to hide things from him," Gregory Maxwell said. "He might be scarier than you, but he's a far better businessman than you will ever be, Mr. Gray."
"So I don't give a flying fuck if you want to cut me out of your company. It's better that way, so you will stop bothering me."
"Good bye, and good day, Mr. Gray."
Beep.
—
Vincent was absolutely stunned by the audacity of that old bastard. He didn't even have time to react before Gregory Maxwell ended the call abruptly.
He tried to call that old man again, but the call did not connect this time.
It seemed that Gregory Maxwell actually blocked him.
Vincent gritted his teeth, "THAT BASTARD! HOW DARE HE BETRAY ME AFTER ALL I DID TO SAVE HIS COMPANY?!"
Vincent was so angry at Gregory Maxwell for his betrayal, but at the same time, this became a wake up slap for him. If a man like Mr. Maxwell, who was so hellbent on saving his dying company with the help of Vincent Gray, actually turned his back on him and went to Vernon instead, that meant Vernon must've done something great for that old man.
"Damn it, am I underestimating him this whole time?" Vincent wondered. "I helped her by sparing his company. I didn't try to monopolize his business because I thought he's just my cute little dog brother who won't do anything against me."
"Who would've thought that I've been raising a wild mutt that bites his owner's leg instead?"
Vincent wanted to know how big of a problem Vernon could be. Gregory Maxwell was the most desperate of his underlings, so he thought it'd be easy for him to use that old man to gather information.
But, of course, he still had plenty of other business partners who would be more than willing to do things for him.
"It's fine if that old bastard left. I still have lots of people who want to work with me," Vincent smirked as he felt assured. "Vernon Phoenix Gray, you wild mutt. I wanted you to work under me for the rest of your life. You're my little brother, you should respect and obey your big brother."
"But now that you're burning the bridge between us, then let me show you what kind of mistake you made."
Thus, Vincent began to search through his contact to find a willing business partner.
**
Vernon was sitting in the office, reading through some documents he had to deal with today, mostly about product shipping from and to other companies because the holiday season was the best time to earn huge cash.
As he was busy reading, he got a call from none other than Gregory Maxwell, that old man he used to get in contact with Vincent's other business partners as well.
Thus, he picked it up without hesitation.
—
"Good afternoon, Mr. Maxwell, is there anything you need?" Vernon asked.
"Good morning, Mr. Phoenix Gray!" Gregory Maxwell had a completely different tone when speaking with Vernon compared to Vincent.
He had a lot of gratitude for Vernon because this man was able to save his company and only needed him to account for their expenditure also and adequately take responsibility for his orders.
He also gave Gregory Maxwell a lot of lenience without humiliating him, as Vincent did.
Let's say Vernon was a much better boss and businessman than his Big brother.
So Mr. Maxwell spread the news about Vernon Phoenix Gray in his circle, so those businessmen who have been desperately trying to hang tight to the Gray company could finally move to a better boss who wouldn't try to kill them.
Vernon also learned a lot from his own Big brother. He noticed that his Big bro was truly not a good boss. He was abusive to his business partners and was generally a megalomaniac that nobody really liked in person.
Though Vernon knew that some of those businessmen could be unbearable, most of them chased the same thing as him. They all wanted profit for their respective businesses, so Vernon realized that he just had to be a better leader to appease those businessmen, and it wasn't so hard for him to make them obey his rules.