Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Vernon hung up the call after he said what he needed to say. He chuckled in mirth as he could clearly hear the desperation in Chloe's voice.

"Of course, she would. Since I blocked all her way out," Vernon said as he drank his whiskey. He had no remorse for what he did, "After all, I've always wanted to know the taste of a shy and modest woman like her."

Vernon was the one who did everything, including threatening those executives to reject Chloe's job application. He might not be as powerful as Vincent— at least not now.

But he was powerful enough to pull some strings, of course.

Vernon called another number, and after a few beeps, the call was connected.

—

"Hello, Vernon?"

"Ah, big brother," Vernon said. "I called just to tell you that I've rejected my sister-in-law's request."

"Really? Did she finally called you out of desperation?" Vincent asked.

"Yes,"

"And you refused to give her a job, right?"

"I don't want to offend you, big brother," Vernon replied.

"Good, I need that bitch to give up with her stupid escape. She doesn't know what kind of idiotic thing she's doing right now," Vincent said. "Anyway, thanks for your help, Vernon. I hope we can work to sort out our family problem soon."

"Sure, sure, big brother. Don't worry about it," Vernon said. "I never have any grudge against you. So we should be able to work together sooner or later."

"Mhm, sure, talk to you later."

Vincent hung up the call after that. Vernon threw his phone onto the bed near him.

He sat on the long sofa and spread his legs. He drank until the last drop of his Dalmore 62 and then put the bottle on his side. He looked at the picture of a beautiful woman in her thirty and her daughter in his phone gallery. His face turned gradually turned reddish, he wasn't sure if it was the effect of drinking the whole bottle of whiskey, but he felt pretty lightheaded right now, "You have a beautiful family. Too bad I'm going to be involved in your life."

—

"See you later, Mommy!" Mackie waved her hand as she pranced towards the school gate.

"Study well, Mackie," Chloe said. She waved her hand and smiled, but the smile slowly faltered after Mackie entered her school gate. The woe in her heart grew as she continued thinking of the worst scenario when she met Vernon just an hour from now.

Vernon was a bastard, and she was convinced that Vernon would not let her off easy. Not after she yelled at him and refused to comply at his office yesterday.

Chloe stood in front of the door leading to the main lobby of Vernon's office. She saw Diamond— Vernon's secretary was already standing inside, waiting for her to enter.

She hesitated for a second but shook her head after that.

Damn it, pull it together, Chloe Carlson! This is for your daughter!' Chloe chanted in her heart as she approached Diamond.

Diamond smiled at Chloe and said in a formal tone, "Mrs. Gray, please come with me. Mr. Phoenix Gray is waiting for you in his office."

'Vernon is waiting for me? Oh no…'

Chloe swallowed her saliva, but she nodded and followed Diamond to the executive elevator. They stood in silence while the elevator went up.

Chloe was a little uncomfortable with the silence, especially knowing that Diamond and her would work together in the future. Thus, she tried to start a conversation, "S—So, how long have you been working with Vernon?"

"Two years," Diamond replied curtly.

"… Then, how many women Vernon ever dated in those two years—"

"Too many to count, Miss," Diamond replied, not wanting to hide the cold, harsh truth to a special victim of her Boss. "I personally managed the contacts of all women he had ever been with. The longest-lasting relationship he had ever been with was with the hottest new actress in Hollywood, which lasted for two months."

"Two months?"

"Yes, Mr. Phoenix Gray is a man who is easily bored," Diamond said. "Though, his good looks, paired with his successful venture and… other physical advantages make him popular amongst the Hollywood circle."

Chloe was somewhat relieved upon hearing that one. He knew that Vernon was a powerful man, just like Vincent, and he was just as fickle as his big brother.

'If he can only last for two months with the hottest new actress in Hollywood, he will probably only tolerate me in a week at most, and I will get dumped,' Chloe thought. 'That's good. I will just take my payment and leave it with Mackie. I'll never get entangled with this bastard or his brother anymore.'

Meanwhile, Diamond sympathized with Chloe. She was the one who knew about Mr. Phoenix Gray's true intention, but she had no right nor obligation to tell Chloe about it.

She wanted to save her ass from Vernon's rage as well.

Ding!

The elevator reached the highest floor, and Diamond led Chloe to the office. She knocked on the door and opened it slowly, "Mr. Phoenix Gray, Mrs. Chloe Gray is here."

"Let her in," Vernon replied.

Diamond opened the office door, allowing Chloe to enter the CEO's office.

Chloe took a deep breath and clenched her fist for a second to muster her courage before stepping in.

The moment she stepped in, Diamond closed the door behind, locking Chloe with the demon CEO.

"Welcome back, sister-in-law," Vernon greeted. Chloe darted her eyes at the figure of a man standing in front of the wide glass pane, staring at the view of the city below.

Chloe stared at the CEO's broad shoulder in silence for a while until Vernon turned his head to the left and looked over his shoulder, "Shall we begin with your interview?"