章節 15: Chapter 15

"I… I need a job."

"A job?" Vernon raised his brow. "Why would you need a job? My brother has given you anything that you want, right? His inheritance alone would be enough to give you a lavish lifestyle, and he is also good at managing his business."

Chloe swallowed her saliva hard. Vernon was undoubtedly correct. Vincent's money was enough to give her a lavish lifestyle until her old days.

But that wasn't really what Chloe wanted.

Chloe married Vincent for his love. Money was just a bonus. But now, even the bonus wouldn't be able to cover the hole in her heart.

Vernon noticed that Chloe got tongue-tied suddenly. Thus, he fished for more information, "Is there any problem with him?"

"A—Ah, no, not at all…." Chloe tried to dodge it. But her nervousness should be telling already. "I—I just want to work. I've been a housewife for so long, I want to work to keep myself busy."

"Being a housewife is already hard work, is it not? You have to take care of everything in the house, on top of caring for your daughter," Vernon said. He was satisfied as he saw Chloe getting more and more nervous. "Don't you think you should focus on raising your daughter first? I can give you a job later—"

"N—No! I need it now!" Chloe reacted as she was about to get turned down by Vernon. But she zipped her mouth instantly as she saw the smirk on Vernon's face as if she had been led by her nose.

"What's with the urgency? I can always give you a job if it's urgent, but…." Vernon got up from the seat. He walked past Chloe and stood right behind her seat.

Vernon put his hands on the backrest of her chair. His finger touched Chloe's shoulder, which made her hunch her shoulder immediately, trying to avoid his touch.

She knew that Vernon wasn't interested in her. He had ladies in stock. He could sleep with anyone he wanted. But to feel Vernon's aura behind her already made her heartbeat accelerate.

She looked down and felt even smaller, with Vernon's eyes burning through her skin as she felt his hooded eyes looking down at her.

"I want your honesty, sister-in-law," Vernon said. He stared down at Chloe, and his pupils dilated, "Do you have trouble with Vincent? I know he can be reckless in his pursuit of pleasure."

…

"I will guarantee you a job after you're telling the truth to me, isn't that fair?"

…

Chloe was desperately trying to hide her marital problem because she didn't want Vernon to drop her request as soon as he heard about the divorce between her and Vincent.

But his offer was tempting…

"Y—You promise to give me a job after telling you the truth?"

"Yes, I can give you the one with good pay, of course," Vernon said. He already had guesses about Chloe's problem but still wanted his sister-in-law to say it.

Chloe started fiddling with her fingers, finding the correct word to bring in the terrible news.

"I… I'm in dire need of money because I'm going on a divorce with Vincent," Chloe said. "I already left the house with Mackenzie and living in a motel with my saving right now. I need money to give my daughter a comfortable life."

"You're not going to ask for money from my brother?"

"Never," Chloe said without hesitation. She might not be the strong woman in movies. She was just a housewife in the process of breaking free from an unhappy marriage. But she was 100% sure that she wouldn't take a dime from Vincent.

It was a matter of pride since Vincent would call her names and mock her for it. But Vincent could also weaponize it in the court. Knowing him and his connection, anything that would disadvantage you in a court could be fatal.

Vernon's grin grew wider, "Your situation is regrettable, Sister-in-law. I can always give you a job, and I can also give you nice pay. I can also provide you with the office's facility. But the job is quite… unconventional."

"I—I will take any job, Vernon— I mean, Mr. Phoenix Gray!" Chloe finally braced herself and looked up. Vernon was looking down at her, and their gazes met.

She held her breath instantly because, from this angle, Vernon looked like the devil holding her in his grasp.

Chloe looked down instantly, hunching her shoulder even more. She felt so small as the devil looked down on her.

Vernon chuckled upon seeing Chloe's reaction. It was truly the reaction that he wanted.

Vernon gently put his hot hands on his sister-in-law's shoulder, making her shudder instinctively.

"Are you sure you want to take the job? Whatever that is?"

"I… I will do whatever for money! You don't understand how desperate I am right now," Chloe convinced Vernon of it. She was ready to take any job, even if it was a hard one.

Maybe he would tell her to work as a cleaning lady that would scrub the office toilet or serve coffee or tea to all the employees in this building.

As long as she got money, she didn't care.

"If you're that desperate, I can give you one job. This is the only job that is currently open in my office."

"W—What is it?"

"You can be my personal assistant, Sister-in-law. Taking care of all my daily needs," Vernon slowly leaned in, whispered in her ears, like the devil chanting his charm, "Especially in bed."