Ch. 781..785: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 781-785
Chapter 781 Chapter 781
Vincent was frustrated because everyone adored Vernon, even though Vernon was obviously a backstabbing bastard who used his vulnerability to ruin the Gray company.
He was the one that shouldn't be trusted, but Vincent was the one who got hated in the end.
He gritted his teeth when he saw Vernon's face on the screen, smiling as if he was the good man in this story.
"Heh, there is no way my little brother is not like me. He is just wearing his mask better. There will be a time when he will take off his mask and show his true face," Vincent said.
He kept his mask for twenty-five years before Chloe until he had enough, and he finally showed his true self after getting married.
As he was still watching the news, he heard a knock on the door. He said nothing as he knew who it was anyway.
Khloe opened the door and stared meekly at Vincent, "Um, Vincent, you have a guest."
Vincent still disliked how Khloe began to call him by his first name without using honorifics. But he also didn't care enough to correct her.
"Who is it?" Vincent asked. He knew that his reputation was on the ground, so it was obvious that no sane person wanted to have anything to do with him.
In fact, all of his business partners who licked his boots before suddenly disappeared after the divorce trial. They even blocked his phone number for an obvious reason.
So it was a surprise that someone came to his mansion and wanted to meet him.
"It's Dorothea Gray, your mother," Khloe said. "She said she wants to have a conversation with you."
Vincent's eyes widened.
His mom practically disappeared right after she made a mess in the Gray Foundation before. He actually thought she was from an overdose, and thus he quickly forgot about her.
"Alright, I'll meet her soon. I have to take a bath first," Vincent said.
He knew that his mother must've wanted to laugh at his condition right now, and he didn't want to allow her to do that.
For the first time in the week, he bathed, sprayed his perfume, and wore a suit.
He walked through the corridor to the guest area and saw Dorothea sitting elegantly on the chair. It was a surprise because this Dorothea looked a lot more toned down than she was before she disappeared.
Dorothea, whom Vincent knew, always kept her figure. Despite her age, she looked youthful and arrogant, and she looked like a cold woman who wouldn't dare to crush anyone who dared to go against her.
But this woman was a little hunched. She wore a simple flower dress instead of the usual flashy gown. She looked kinder, like a regular old lady.
What shocked Vincent more was the two men standing behind her. It was Nigel, and Meyer, Vernon's bodyguard, who helped reprimand him when he was about to attack Chloe before.
Vincent's gaze darkened. He guessed that Dorothea must've been conspiring with Vernon this whole time.
"Good morning, Vincent," Dorothea greeted. "It's been a while since the last time we met."
Vincent sat on the opposite side, facing her with obvious hostility, "You don't need to act nice in front of me, Dorothea. You ruined my life by colluding with Vernon. Had I known you would turn your back on me, I would've killed you long ago."
"Really?" Dorothea kept her smile. She didn't seem to be affected by Vincent's words, but her heart was aching.
Vincent was once her beloved son. She tried her best to raise him right, and even after everything that had happened during the divorce trial, she wished that Vincent had become a new and better man.
But it seemed that her wish was in vain.
Vincent was still the same. He was still Vaughn 2.0, and nothing could change that.
"Well, you are not wrong, Vincent. After I froze the whole Gray foundation, I quickly lay low. But not because I'm scared of you. I don't mind death, truthfully," Dorothea smiled. "We are both sinners. We deserve to die a painful death. But I get my repentance from Chloe."
"She forgives me for all of my wrongdoing and tried her hardest to convince Vernon to at least tolerate my presence."
"Did he think?" Vincent scoffed. "I don't think Vernon wants you after what you've done to him. Do you still remember that you beat him with your wine bottle many times when he was young? You also berated him. I watched everything in joy, by the way."
"He doesn't accept me back, but he tolerates me at least," Dorothea said. "It is the best I can get after all the horrible things I did to him before. But it's okay. At least he trusts me to take care of four boys.
"Four boys?" Vincent frowned. "Did he have four children before getting with Chloe?"
"Oh, don't act dumb, Vincent. We both know that you are the one who made those four boys homeless," Dorothea said.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't remember how you influenced Chelsea until she killed her mother and almost slaughtered her children? They are under Chloe's custody and currently under my care," Dorothea replied. "They are doing well now."
Vincent went silent instantly.
He forgot about those boys after Chelsea was sentenced to life in prison. He was also busy with so much bad press about him, so the fate of those boys was pushed to the back of his mind.
But that didn't matter now. He couldn't be sentenced for that crime because there was no solid proof anyway.
"Did you beat those four boys with a beer bottle too? Don't forget to hit them in the face to make sure you make a mark on them."
Dorothea closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
There was no use in speaking with this heartless man anyway. It felt just like when she spoke with Vaughn back then.
Chapter 782 Chapter 782
"I'm here to inform you about something, Vincent," Dorothea decided to go straight to the point.
"Oh? And what is it? That you shoved heroin into those children's mouths?"
"No, but I wish I could shove it in your ass right now," Dorothea snapped back. But she quickly cleared her throat to calm herself down.
"It's about the Gray family inheritance."
Vincent's smirk disappeared instantly the moment Dorothea mentioned inheritance.
He didn't exactly need the inheritance because he was already filthy rich with the acquisition of the Gray company. But that inheritance was his birthright, and he had to kick Vernon out to ensure he got everything.
And now, he sensed that Dorothea was about to strip it down.
"And what do you want to do about it?" Vincent asked. "You know that I am your only heir, right?"
"Naturally, you are the one dictated by Vaughn as the heir of the Gray family. But I still hold and maintain all the inheritance until I pass away," Dorothea said. "And before I die, I want to make sure that the family inheritance will fall under the hands of the correct person."
"You're a fucking idiot if you think Vernon is the right person! That boy hates you, Dorothea!" Vincent snapped. "He will destroy all Gray family assets out of spite!"
"Calm down, will you? I won't give it to him. I tried to, but he doesn't want it, saying that he is already a billionaire without even that inheritance," Dorothea said. "He also told me that I should've just given it to your daughter, Mackenzie, because the inheritance was intended to be yours in the first place."
"But since you are a crazy man just like your father, I think it's better to give everything to Mackie," Dorothea glanced at Nigel, and the latter quickly put a paper in front of Vincent. "Here is my will, and it is said that Mackenzie Rose Gray will inherit everything. Including the Gray mansion and all of our family's lands."
Vincent snatched the paper and ripped it in half right in front of Dorothea's eyes, "And now it's gone. I am still going to be the one who inherits everything!"
Dorothea's eyes grew colder, "Don't be childish, Vincent. You know it's just a copy. Besides, even if you rip the real one, I can always make it again."
"But you need my agreement to do it!"
"No, I don't," Dorothea sighed. "Anyway, I don't need your signature or even an unwritten agreement. All I want to do is to inform you that you are no longer the heir of the Gray family. Mackenzie is. Chloe and Vernon will handle her inheritance in case I die before Mackie reaches the age of twenty-one."
Vincent gritted his teeth, "You can't do this to me, Dorothea. I've worked hard to get that inheritance, and I will not let anyone take it from me!"
"What kind of work did you do anyway?" Dorothea mocked. "Is kicking your brother out part of that hard work? Oh, Vincent, we are despicable people. We both know you're not the one who'd do hard work."
"Besides, why do you need the inheritance anyway? You got extremely rich after Vernon acquired the Gray company, right?"
"It's not about the money. It's about my pride! I am the heir of the Gray family! I will not give it to anyone, not even my daughter. I will keep it until my death!"
"Well, you better kill yourself as soon as possible because Mackenzie is the new heir now," Dorothea said coldly. She finally got up from the chair and stared down at her son. "You should know that I have no intention to inflict any more pain on you. You are still my son by blood, after all."
"But I also want nothing to do with you. I am done with our awful life in the Gray family," Dorothea recalled the life in the Gray mansion. "I hate your father so much that I wish he'd die, so I can get my happiness. But even after he died, I still can't feel happy."
"I thought I could forget those things as long as I kept up with my lifestyle. I managed the Gray family's money and influence, but it was tiring. I am tired, even now," Dorothea said. "I thought I just need to push forward for a few more years until you're ready to handle everything, but when you showed me the video of you beating Chloe in the Principal's office, I realized that you are just like your father."
Dorothea's lips thinned, her body trembling as she was reminded of the monster she married back then.
If only she could turn back time, she would never marry the devil and let this devil spawn to live in this world.
"I thought Chloe was ungrateful to you because she complains a lot about you. It turns out you are the true monster. You are like your father, a devil that shouldn't exist in this world."
"This is the last time we will ever see each other again, Vincent. You are no longer my son, and I am no longer your mother. Goodbye."
Dorothea turned around and left the mansion, followed by Meyer and Nigel.
Vincent sat silently, staring at his mother's back for the last time.
"Well then, so be it! I don't give a damn about you as well, you fucking hag! I hope you die and rot in hell with Dad!" Vincent yelled at Dorothea, but the old lady didn't even respond.
She left him alone, stranded in this expensive mansion that he owned.
…
"Who needs her anyway? She's just an old lady who'll die in a few years."
He never liked his mother.
He always thought that his mother was useless and not as great as his father. So he couldn't wait to let her die so he'd get full ownership of everything in the Gray family.
"I should be happy that she finally left me alone, right?" Vincent asked himself. "Then why do I feel sad?"
Chapter 783 Chapter 783
It had been a week since Chloe got her divorce paper.
Things went normal after the big event, though she could see that her face had been quite well-known on the internet and TV. People saw her as a strong woman who went through a lot to finally break free from the cage that her abusive husband created.
She wasn't sure about the strong woman part because she felt she hadn't done anything big except stand up for herself, but she still felt good when someone acknowledged her struggle.
"Mommy, what are you thinking?" Mackie asked as they had breakfast as two.
"Hm? Nothing?" Chloe smiled at her daughter. "Why don't you finish your breakfast, dear? You don't like it?"
"I like it, Mommy! It's just… I miss Daddy…" Mackie lowered her head, playing with her scrambled egg with a spoon. "I haven't seen him in a while."
Chloe patted Mackie's head and said, "Don't sulk like that, Mackie. You know that he is working hard for us."
"But it's been three days!"
Vernon left three days ago. He said he had a business meeting in Europe that he couldn't miss. He even left without saying goodbye.
It had only been three days, but Chloe had been sleeping in Vernon's bedroom every single day, missing the warmth of her man.
It didn't help that he left on Thursday, and it was already Sunday without a single text or even call from him.
Chloe tried calling Vernon a few times, but he always replied with;
'Sorry, I'm busy. Talk to you later, love.'
Or
'I'm in a meeting right now. Can't be with you, bye, love.'
Chloe didn't want to be that jealous, irrational wife that would only give her husband a headache. But she remembered this pattern from Vincent.
At first, Vincent would always say that he was busy with work and could not return home, and Chloe tolerated it for a while until she realized that Vincent was just using that alibi to cheat on her.
Her heart hurt whenever she remembered her married life with Vincent, and if it was possible, she didn't want to repeat the same mistake with Vernon.
'I have to be ready. I love him so much, but if he cheats on me just like his brother, then I will leave as soon as possible,' Chloe looked at her daughter, who was still playing with her food. 'I will do whatever to protect Mackie… and our baby,' she vowed while rubbing her stomach.
"Don't play with your food, dear. Eat it before it gets cold," Chloe said.
"Un…" Mackie nodded and began eating her breakfast unenthusiastically.
Right after they finished their breakfast, Chloe heard a knock on the door.
She thought it was Vernon but then remembered Vernon wouldn't need to knock.
She was about to get up when Mackie stopped her, "Let me do it, Mommy! My baby sister shouldn't get hurt!" Mackie volunteered.
She hopped off the chair and rushed to the front door.
She opened it and was greeted by Diamond, who smiled at her, with Meyer standing right behind her.
"Morning, Mackie!" Diamond patted Mackie's head. "Where is your Mommy?"
Mackie smiled wide, "She just finished eating her breakfast! Why are you here, Diamond, Meyer?" Mackie asked.
"We have a surprise for your Mom," Meyer replied."
"A big surprise!" Diamond added.
"A surprise?" Mackie tilted her head. She was curious, but a surprise meant she and her Mommy shouldn't know about it.
"Yes, let's bring your Mommy somewhere. I promise it is an amazing place!"
Mackie didn't really understand what the surprise was all about since there was nothing special today except celebrating the third day of her Daddy's absence at home, which was truly not something that Mackie liked to talk about because she would always get upset about it.
Chloe finally walked to the door after hearing the conversation between Mackie and Diamond.
"Diamond? Meyer? Why are you here?" Chloe asked.
"Homegirl!" Diamond hugged Chloe and then opened her palm. Meyer got the signal and handed a blindfold to Diamond's hand. "We have a big surprise for you and Mackie, but I need to blindfold you first."
"A surprise?" Chloe was just as confused as her daughter. But she trusted Diamond and Meyer so much, so she had no bad idea about it. "Uh, I don't know what that is. But if that will make Mackie stop sulking about her Daddy, I'll go."
"Hmph! Daddy's not home for three days!" Mackie sulked again.
Diamond giggled, "Your Daddy works hard, Mackie. You should be proud of him. Besides, do you not want to see the surprise?"
"I do!" Mackie nodded. "Do I need to close my eyes too?"
"No need. Only your Mom needs to do it. But you must promise you won't speak until your Mom opens your eyes, okay?"
"Okay!"
Thus, Diamond covered Chloe's eyes with a blindfold and held her hand, ensuring she wouldn't trip.
"W—Wait—"Chloe said. "I'm still in my pajamas. Let me dress up first."
"Ah, no need, Girl. I'm sure he'll still be madly in love with you even if you're wearing a clown costume," Diamond commented.
Chloe was surprised but said nothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up.
She was led to enter the backseat of a car with Mackie by her side, "It's okay, Mommy. I'm here! I will protect you!" Mackie assured.
Chloe held her daughter's hand and felt the car was moving.
She was quite anxious about what the surprise was all about.
She hoped the surprise was Vernon proposing to her.
But she doubted that.
He had been so busy with work that he didn't even have enough time to talk with her on the phone, let alone set up a marriage proposal.
It took almost two hours on Sunday morning until Meyer turned off the engine, so they were definitely out of New York City, probably in the suburbs.
Chapter 784
Diamond helped Chloe to get out of the car, and Chloe could clearly hear the gasp of her daughter.
"Mackie?" Chloe asked hurriedly, thinking that her daughter might've been hurt. She wanted to remove the blindfold to check on her daughter, but Diamond quickly stopped her.
"Nu-uh, no peeking until we reach the surprise," Diamond warned.
"But Mackie—"
"I'm okay, Mommy!" Mackie announced.
"Hear that? Is she okay? She's just surprised with what she saw just now."
"Un! It's so amazing!" Mackie cheered even more. "Let's go, Mommy! Diamond! I want to see what's inside!"
"Inside?" Chloe had a lot of questions in her mind. She couldn't wait to remove the blindfold, but since Mackie didn't seem to be in danger, she decided to follow Diamond's lead.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She could hear Diamond's heel tapping through the marble floor. She climbed the stairs until she reached the second floor.
Diamond opened a big door and gently led Chloe and Mackie into a room.a
"Waaaahhh!" Mackie squealed in awe as she looked around her surroundings. "Mommy, it's so big! So cool! There is a hanging chandelier!"
Chloe got incredibly curious about whatever surprise she had. Her expectation was through the roof.
Diamond finally stopped after she led Chloe for a while. She stepped back and said, "Stay right there, Girl. Your Prince Charming will come soon."
Diamond looked at Mackie, who was still looking around and whispered to the little girl.
Mackie's eyes widened and then glimmered with excitement, "Un! I want to!" She tapped her Mommy's hand and said, "Stay here, Mommy! I'll be back!"
"Huh? Will you be okay? Mackie? Diamond?"
…
There was no more answer.
Chloe began to get anxious. She grabbed the black satin covering her eyes, ready to remove it.
But before she could do that, a strong hand gently grabbed her wrist, wrapped his arm around her waist, and hugged her from behind.
Chloe struggled for a second before identifying this hand and how this man hugged her.
This was none other than her own man.
"You should turn around first, love, then you can take off the blindfold," Vernon whispered in her ear.
Chloe quickly turned around and took off the blindfold. Her gaze blurred for a second before she could see her beloved man's handsome but a bit tired face.
Vernon couldn't hide the eye bags under his eyes, but he still looked and smiled at Chloe, even though Chloe could tell that Vernon was nervous right now.
"Vernon!" Chloe didn't wait until Vernon spoke. She hugged him so tightly to release all her worries for the past three days. "Thank god, I thought you'd leave me after you didn't come home for three days!"
Vernon chuckled. He wrapped his arms around her waist and quickly lifted her slightly until her feet didn't touch the floor.
"That's ridiculous, love. Why would I leave? I'm just busy preparing for… everything."
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked. She soon noticed her surroundings.
She was in a ballroom with a beautiful hanging chandelier and a wide white door leading to the balcony with a view of a beautiful flower garden.
"Wait, where are we?" Chloe asked. "Did you rent this ballroom for a surprise today?"
"Rent?" Vernon chuckled. He gently put her down and held her hand, "I never rent. I owe—well, we owe."
Chloe's eyes widened, "We owe? You mean—"
"Yes, let me show you," Vernon led Chloe to the balcony and showed the beautiful flower garden decorated with various flowers, "I set a big flower garden for you. I know you like gardening and how much you like arranging a garden. So this is free for you to decorate further."
"This mansion is huge, with at least twenty bedrooms," He turned around and stared at the ballroom, "It's in the New York suburbs. It took about two hours to reach the city. It might be a bit far, but I love it here. It's less hectic and the perfect place to raise a big family," Vernon turned his head towards Chloe and asked, "Don't you think so?"
Chloe was still stunned by the whole thing, and Vernon didn't wait for Chloe to respond.
He went down on one knee and took a small red box from his pocket.
He looked up with a nervous but wishful face towards Chloe, who was still stunned silly.
"My love, my muse, my destiny, I am not good with words, and no words can convey my true love to you."
"But you should know that I love you—more than myself—more than anything in this world. I need you as much as I need to breathe, and my life won't be complete without you."
"Chloe Carlson…" Vernon opened the red box and showed a beautiful diamond ring glimmering under the sun. "Will you marry me?"
…
Chloe stared at Vernon and the diamond ring consecutively. Her heart felt tight. So tight that no word could come out of her mouth just now.
She didn't know how to express her joy right now because, truly, though she hoped for a proposal, she never expected herself to get it in such a mature manner.
Vernon truly showed that he had grown to be a responsible man, preparing a proper house for their family as a proposal. It might not be the most spectacular or flashy.
But it showed that he was ready to be a husband and a father.
Just as she was about to respond, she heard the music start playing in the ballroom, followed by the sweet voice of their little girl.
~
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.
~
"Did you ask her to sing?"
"Hehe, I just thought it'd improve my success if I let her sing with her sweet voice," Vernon's cheeks reddened a bit. "So, Chloe Carlson, will you—"
"Yes," Chloe replied without hesitation. She wiped the tears of joy pooled at the corner of her eyes. "I am all yours, Vernon Phoenix Gray."
Chapter 785
"Okay, now give me a small twirl and… perfect! Girl, You. Look. Gorgeous!" Diamond cheered and gave Chloe a thumbs-up. They were doing the wedding dress fitting because tomorrow was Chloe and Vernon's wedding day.
Chloe was already past her first trimester, so her belly had gotten bigger, and she was afraid that the wedding dress might feel too tight around her waist and hips.
On top of that, she also didn't want to hide her belly.
This baby was the fruit of love between them, and she wanted the guests to know that she was pregnant with the groom's child.
"Do you feel stuffy around your belly?" Diamond asked as she glanced at the bridal dresser. "It looks good, but if it's too stuffy, it might hurt you since the wedding speeches will take a while."
"It's fine," Chloe assured while rubbing her stomach. "I don't want to hurt my baby as well, so I'll tell you if I feel uncomfortable."
Chloe looked at herself in the mirror.
She was wearing a simple, plain satin dress that reached the floor. There was no accent on the dress or ornaments to make it more interesting.
When Chloe said it was just a simple white satin dress, Vernon was stressed out. He thought that Chloe should get something more expensive and in-your-face kind of wedding dress because he wanted the best for Chloe.
But she simply said this plain satin bridal dress fit her the most.
She had always been a simple lady. She had no huge urge for material possessions. She also felt uncomfortable wearing too many accessories. So she'd only wear accessories on her hair.
As she was enjoying the view of how her wedding dress hugged her body perfectly, she got a call from Vernon.
—
"Yes, honey? Do you need anything?" Chloe asked as she picked up the call.
"I'm at home with Mackie right now. She said that she wanted to see the wedding dress. Can you take a mirror selfie and send it to me?" Vernon asked.
"No, Mommy! I never ask that—Mmff!"
"She's the one asking. I swear," Vernon said as he covered Mackie's mouth.
Chloe giggled, "Can't do. This is only for the special day, and that would be tomorrow. Why can't you be patient?"
"I am patient, but I'm also curious…" Vernon admitted. He released Mackie's mouth after Chloe refused his request.
"Don't show it to Daddy, Mommy! You said it's a girl's secret!" Mackie said on the phone.
"You little—You're just a kid! Why would you need to keep a secret from your father?" Vernon argued with Mackie.
"I'm already eight years old, Daddy! I'm a big girl now!"
"You're only as tall as my waist. You're still my little wolf!" Vernon insisted.
Chloe chuckled as she heard the bickering between them, "Why don't you two busy yourself by checking the wedding venue? I've checked it myself, and I think it's perfect. But maybe you want to add something."
"We did it already, and everything is perfect," Vernon replied. His heart beat faster as he imagined his wedding tomorrow. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I've prepared my wedding speech."
"I've yet to prepare it. Maybe I shouldn't say anything at the altar. What do you think?"
"But I write a heartfelt wedding speech for us…" Vernon sounded dejected, and Chloe couldn't help but giggle.
"I'm just messing with you. I have everything ready," Chloe assured. "I'll talk to you later, okay? I need to talk about the hair accessories with Diamond."
"Alright, tell Diamond to give the best and the most expensive accessory she could find. I won't tolerate it if you're wearing some cheap stuff," Vernon protested since he had prepared ten million dollars and was ready to give more for Chloe's wedding dress and accessories, but she barely used the money.
Even after he insisted on her wearing the most expensive gown, she wanted the simpler one.
Sometimes, he felt like Chloe was far too simple.
This wasn't bad, but Vernon wished she was more vain because no cheap dress would do justice to her beauty.
Chloe giggled before she hung up the call.
Beep.
—
Chloe turned to face Diamond again, "So, about the hair accessory."
"I brought the best jeweler in New York," Diamond said.
A man walked and stood right beside Diamond and opened a big jewelry case.
"I told him to bring his best, and these are everything he has to offer."
Chloe stared at the rows of beautiful hair accessories, from hairpins, hair comb, and ribbons, and all of them were beautifully crafted and embedded with precious gemstones.
Chloe was more interested in the most plain-looking one. But as she was about to reach for it, Diamond reminded her, "Girl, pick that, and Mr. Phoenix Gray will scold me."
Diamond was also distressed because Chloe and Vernon had different tastes. Vernon wanted Chloe to wear everything expensive and exclusive because he wanted the world to see Chloe's true beauty that Vernon saw in his eyes.
But Chloe disliked that kind of extreme expenditure.
"Well, I guess the accessory won't hurt," Chloe said with Vernon in her mind. She looked at each head accessory again and finally picked the one she liked the most other than the plain one.
She shifted her gaze at Diamond, asking for her approval, and Diamond nodded, "That's good. Why don't you wear it now and see if it compliments the dress?"
The jeweler helped Chloe to put on the hairpin she wanted. Chloe asked him to put the hairpin on the right side of her hair above the ear.
"Oh wow, okay, that hairpin compliments you perfectly!" Diamond praised. "You don't need a lot of accessories. I think you have that rare, serene beauty. That one is enough, and it's perfect!"
Chloe gently touched the rose hairpin above her ear. The petal was made out of white gold and embedded with dozens of rubies, so it looked like a beautiful red rose made out of ruby.
Chloe smiled at herself in the mirror. For the first time after ten years, she finally muttered;
"I look beautiful."