Ch. 126..130: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 126-130
Chapter 126
"Sir, it might not be my place to speak like this. But I don't think you should trust your Big brother's words. After all, we both know that he is not a good person, right?" Diamond said. She didn't want her homegirl to be slandered without proof!
"I don't trust him, not in the purest sense, at least."
"What do you mean, Sir?"
"… My sister-in-law acted exactly like what he described," Vernon said. "I still can't believe what he said 100%, but I must be careful nonetheless."
"But Sir—"
"Don't question me more, Diamond. This is a private matter between my sister-in-law and me. I don't like a pesky secretary," Vernon said, basically shutting down Diamond, who wanted to continue arguing.
Diamond pursed her lips instantly, but she couldn't help but feel frustrated for Vernon.
'He exploded in rage because Chloe didn't see him and all of their sexual activities as serious, but he is also the one who made it that way by not trying to be gentle with her! What kind of unbelievably childish behavior is this?!'
Diamond always knew that her boss was a big manchild. But she didn't expect that he could be twice unbearable when facing Chloe.
'Seriously, what is his problem with her? Why is he so harsh on her?!'
**
Chloe sat in silence and checked her watch.
Two hours had passed since Vernon left with Diamond, and it was already three P.M.
Chloe texted Diamond, asking if Vernon's meeting would finish soon or not, and she got a reply from her;
-
Diamond: It will end soon. He mentioned that he was hungry, so you should prepare lunch now.
Chloe: Okay, thanks, Diamond.
-
Chloe got up from the sofa and went to the pantry to prepare the lunch for Vernon. She cooked according to Vernon's tastebud when he was a kid, and there was no protest from him, so Chloe continued cooking just like she cooked the little Vernon.
She entered Vernon's CEO's office with a tray full of food. Chloe was stunned when she saw that almost all the statues and paintings, even small decorations, were gone in Vernon's office.
The furniture had been replaced, so it seemed that Vernon left nothing untouched. He literally destroyed everything.
"Now I see why Diamond is hysterical…."
Chloe put Vernon's lunch on the table and started looking around to check the stuff Vernon destroyed yesterday.
"Honestly, I don't understand why he was so mad at me. Did I answer it wrong? But isn't that what he wants? He used me just for his relief, so I assured him that I feel nothing for him…." Chloe sighed. "Look a this, he destroyed everything just because he is angry! If he's still the same little Vernon, I will spend at least one hour scolding him for throwing such a huge tantrum over nothing!"
Chloe chided this imaginary little Vernon in her head while looking around, finding it very annoying to see many items that suddenly disappeared from the office.
Vernon and Diamond had just finished the meeting and returned to the top floor. When they arrived, Chloe was nowhere to be found, and the CEO's office door was opened.
Diamond could hear Chloe's voice inside the office but couldn't catch what she was saying. But she could hear her calling Vernon's name in a bad tone many times.
Diamond panicked instantly, thinking that Chloe might have been letting out some steam. You were bound to do that when you had a shitty boss like Vernon Phoenix Gray.
'But not like this girl! You're going to be in deep trouble!'
Diamond took the initiative by blocking Vernon's path and said, "Sir, let me talk to Chloe first."
Vernon looked at Diamond with hawk-like eyes that made her tremble in fear, "This has nothing to do with you. Step aside."
"S—Sir, Chloe is…"
"Step aside, or you will regret it, Diamond."
Diamond gulped. When Vernon threatened her with that, it wasn't only her job that'd be on the line. But her whole family's job and businesses.
'I'm sorry, girl….'
Diamond finally stepped aside and watched as Vernon swaggered past her, heading straight to his office, whose door was wide open.
To be honest, he also couldn't hear Chloe fully. But he did hear his name being called in a bad tone many times.
So he thought his Sister-in-law might have shown her true face, the face of a scheming gold digger who wanted to play around with his heart.
But when he entered his office, he saw his sister-in-law taking a picture of an empty wall and then started searching for something on Google.
Then, she started chiding, "Little Vernon, do you not realize that you can't just destroy things when you're angry? You have had this problem for so long…."
"Let me find a cheap but good painting on eBay. Maybe we can find something similar to what you destroyed before," Chloe murmured, and she opened eBay to search for cheap but good paintings that would fit the wall. She wanted to make this place less intimidating, "Hmm, maybe a flower painting would be good? Ah, no, no, Vernon said he hates flower painting so much because that's a girl thing, hmm…."
…
Vernon silently closed the door and leaned on the wall. He crossed his hands and listened while observing his sister-in-law right now. She seemed busy with her own world, talking with this little Vernon in her head, scolding him like he was actually there.
She was chiding nonstop and even told this imaginary little Vernon not to be a bad boy, or he'd be punished.
Somehow, it also reminded Vernon of his Big sister Chloe. She was bright, active, and fussy. She wouldn't hesitate to scold Vernon when he destroyed things in the Gray mansion.
Vernon had had this habit of destroying things since he was a kid. Because no matter how many things he destroyed and how 'valuable' they were. Everything was simply worthless for him, and since nobody was there to reprimand or even scold him, Vernon was often destroying things just for fun.
Chapter 127
That was… until his Big brother came with his girlfriend, Chloe.
She was smart, bubbly, yet attentive and strict when needed. At first, Vernon was hostile toward her because she took his Big brother's attention. Since Vincent was the only one who actually cared for Vernon.
So Vernon pranked her— a lot.
'Yet, she insists on taking care of me, giving me everything I lacked. She did it continuously until I… I...' Vernon's gaze darkened, thinking it was ridiculous for him to have that feeling for a stupid woman like his sister-in-law.
He wouldn't lie that his anger deflated instantly as he watched Chloe scolding this 'little Vernon' in her head while worrying about unnecessary stuff. It was the shadow of the confident, fussy, and smart woman in the past.
Unlike her current self, which was very quiet, shy, and also with an unreadable expression. Vernon always sensed that something was wrong with the current Chloe Gray;
'Maybe that bubbly, smart, confident woman I met as a kid is just a farce to attract my Big brother. That's why he hates you after marriage because you shed all your pretenses,' Vernon thought.
'Which one is the true you, sister-in-law? Why did you change so much after ten years? And why did you say so many hurtful things about me back then? Am I that worthless to you?'
Chloe took a picture at the corner of the room and said, "I think there is a tall potted plant here, right? I think it's the Monstera flower. Don't you know that's an expensive plant? Little Vernon, just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you can destroy things! Don't you know that many people out there want things you have? They want it, but they can't afford it. That's why you got to control your anger!"
"Oh, didn't you remember what I told you before? If you get angry daily, your skin will turn permanently red! Do you want to be called tomato boy? No girls will ever date a tomato boy!"
The edge of Vernon's lips twitched. It was the lie that Chloe made when he was a kid, something that absolutely fooled and terrified him. Because he kept thinking of himself having a permanent tomato red face that would make him so ugly!
So, Vernon started controlling his anger, at least to a manageable level, because he didn't want to be the tomato boy!
"That's why you need to control yourself, or I will start calling you tomato boy now!"
"So, you're going to call me tomato boy now?" Vernon finally opened his mouth and snapped Chloe out of her stupid narration with Little Vernon in her head.
Chloe turned around instantly, and her face paled in less than five seconds. She clutched her phone and took a few steps back with her shaking legs.
"Why are you backing off like a rat? Did I scare you?" Vernon smirked. He walked toward Chloe, who kept taking a step behind her until her back hit the wall.
Chloe almost lost all her strength when Vernon stood one foot away from her. His intimidating figure and hawk-like eyes looked down at her like he was a hawk that would catch a rat as his prey.
Vernon scoffed when he saw his petite sister-in-law almost slumped on the floor. She was shaking heavily. All of her bubbliness and sweet scolding that Vernon heard just now vanished without a trace.
Vernon was disappointed but not mad. At least he saw the old sister-in-law that he fondly remembered, even though it was all fake.
'Everything is fake. She said she cares for me a lot, but she also said that I'm disgusting and not worth her time because I won't be as good as my Big brother.'
'But why can't I be mad at you now? Is it that easy for me to forgive you just because you showed a bit of that fake sweetness in front of me?'
Vernon was distraught by his own taught for a few seconds when he noticed a movement of his sister-in-law.
Chloe actually tried to stealthily escape Vernon, but Vernon quickly took a step forward, blocking her escape, and squeezed their bodies together.
Chloe's breath stiffened. She dared not to look up because she was too scared to look at Vernon's face.
Vernon used his finger to lift Chloe's chin up, so their eyes could meet. Chloe closed her eyes instantly, terrified of what would come next.
She was ready to be scolded, ridiculed, or maybe beaten if Vernon wanted to. After all, she experienced all of those with Vincent.
Vernon's heart sank when he realized his sister-in-law didn't even want to look at him. Maybe it was because he was too disgusting to look at, just like what she said back then.
"Open your eyes, sister-in-law."
"V—Vernon, I—I—" Chloe stammered as she struggled to say sorry and wanted to beg for Vernon's forgiveness. She was too engrossed with her fantasy of scolding Little Vernon that she held dearly in her heart, so she didn't even realize the honest Vernon was watching her the whole time.
"Open your eyes, sister-in-law," Vernon repeated his request.
"I—I can't—" Chloe replied with difficulty. "S—Sorry, I'm sorry… I—I can't, Vernon…."
Vernon's lips thinned, and he was very disappointed, but he couldn't do anything since his sister-in-law didn't even want to look at him just because he was disgusting.
Vernon didn't know what part of his body was unattractive or disgusting for his sister-in-law. He was working his body out until he had the body of a greek god and a face that would make every woman he met drown in a pink fantasy.
He had never put his heart to anyone, treating any woman he dated as nothing but a fleeting sensation before he returned to his hometown, the concrete jungle of New York.
But everything was in vain…
'No matter what I'm doing. I am still disgusting for you, huh? You're truly a woman who can't be satisfied. Maybe my big brother is right about that….'
Chapter 128
'No matter what I'm doing. I am still disgusting for you, huh? You're truly a woman who can't be satisfied. Maybe my big brother is right about that….'
Vernon wanted to ask Chloe about his relationship with Vincent. But he had lost his will, 'I will ask her later when she can look at me in the eyes...'
Chloe felt Vernon squeeze their bodies even tighter than before, but he said nothing for a while. Chloe felt Vernon's hand trailing from her chin, going down to her neck. She was scared that Vernon might have choked her to death after this.
But he did nothing. He released his hands from Chloe and turned around, "You can open your eyes now and leave. You don't need to stay in the office today. I will tell Diamond to bring the lunch box to our apartment."
Chloe opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Vernon's wide shoulder and his back. Chloe stared at Vernon's back for a while. She knew it might be a little unbelievable, but when she saw Vernon's figure from behind, the only word she could use to describe him was… lonely.
'How… how could a powerful young man with a bright future and thousands of high-class ladies lining up for him… look so lonely?' Chloe wondered.
Her instinct told her to approach Vernon and hug him from behind. She once told Vernon that she would never leave him. Even if his parents didn't want him, she would be the one who took care of Vernon.
But he was the one who left without a trace, not her.
Then, when he returned, everything changed. There was no more adorable Little Prince and no more bubbly, bright Big sister. Both of them changed for the better… or worse.
Chloe wanted to hug Vernon from behind and pacify him, telling him after ten years that she was still here and would never leave Vernon alone. But her fear took over her body. Chloe decided to grab her phone that she dropped when Vernon approached her and left the room, escaping as quickly as possible for the sake of her life.
Vernon watched until Chloe left him alone. He felt pain in his chest, so much pain that he wanted to cry, "You said you'd never leave me alone, Big sister. You're a dirty liar…."
Vernon clenched his fist as he was holding the pain in his heart. He wiped the tears that were pooling in his eyes. He wanted to be angry, as always.
The rage in his heart fueled his desire for revenge, but when he wanted to curse at her, he remembered how Chloe scolded him and called him Tomato boy whenever he was about to get angry, deflating his anger instantly.
So, there was an excruciating feeling in his heart that couldn't be healed. He wanted to unleash all his rage at her but could not because he also couldn't bear to see her getting hurt.
Vernon gritted his teeth and slammed the table, "No, you can't be like this, Vernon Phoenix Gray. Don't let her creep inside your heart again. She is not worth it and will never be."
"Nobody is worth your time. It will stay that way forever," Vernon said to himself. It was more like a chant he often used to ensure that nobody would see through his ice-cold heart.
**
Chloe closed the door and was greeted by Diamond, who looked at her with worried eyes. It was like a Deja Vu since they were in this exact same situation not long ago.
"Chloe, are you okay?" Diamond asked anxiously. "What were you babbling about anyway?"
"I... I am okay. I was just talking to myself. Vernon's habit of breaking things when he is angered has always been a problem since he was a kid. So I scolded the kid version of Vernon in my head. I just didn't know that I'd get caught red-handed by him…."
"But he didn't do anything to you, right? Oh God, I won't be able to forgive myself if he hit you or something—"
"No, I'm okay. I was just… shaken…." Chloe replied. "I thought he'd hurt me. But he didn't. He just let me go and told me not to stay in the office today. He wants me to return to the apartment."
"Then, what are you waiting for? Go now! I don't want him to explode again!" Diamond said anxiously.
"Y—You're right. I can't stay here for too long. I don't want him to destroy things again," Chloe grabbed her bag and told Diamond; "Don't forget to bring the lunch box to the apartment. Vernon said that you will be the one who carries it."
Diamond nodded, and thus, Chloe entered the elevator and descended to the first floor.
She sat in her car for a while, staring emptily as she tried to calm herself first. She kept thinking about Vernon and that her instinct told her Vernon was very lonely.
"Why would I think of that? Vernon is obviously living the best of his life right now. He is literally untouchable on top of the ladder. Probably his only competitor is his own Big brother, Vincent…."
"But why do I feel that he is very lonely? Is it because of that woman in Vernon's heart?" Chloe asked herself. "What kind of irreparable damage did she to him? How could she be so vile, hurting Vernon until he turned like this…."
"I want to help him. After all, I'm the one who took care of him when he was young."
"But how? How am I supposed to help him when he found me disgusting?"
Chloe dwelled on this idea of helping Vernon for a while, "First, I need to know the identity of this woman. She must be someone in Europe because as much as I remember, Vernon had never shown any interest to anyone— man or woman— when he was still living in the Gray mansion back then."
Chapter 129
Vernon thought that his mood would affect his appetite. But turned out he still ate his sister-in-law's lunch clean.
"This is bad," Vernon murmured while staring at the empty plates on the table. "Her food is too good. I can't control myself. Did she put some kind of love potion in her food?"
Vernon had a little thought about it and shook his head after, "No, that's an idiotic reason. Why did I believe in that kind of superstition?"
"Her food simply suits my taste. That's why I can't control myself," Vernon said. "Maybe I need to eat out tonight. I don't want to face her, knowing she is disgusted with me."
Vernon got up from the seat and walked to the door. He opened the door and stuck his head out.
He looked around, and after realizing that his sister-in-law had really left his office, he was relieved.
"Do you need something, Sir?" Diamond asked.
"Hm, clean the plate in my office and bring the lunch box to my apartment," Vernon ordered.
Vernon returned to his desk and busied himself reading some documents he needed to sign and study more for his projects.
Diamond knocked on the door and entered politely. She cleaned everything, but before she left, she gathered her courage and asked her Boss, "Sir, why can't you have a normal conversation with Chloe? You always seem angry and… irrational whenever she is around."
Vernon stopped reading for a second— gave Diamond a displeased look for a second— and returned back to his document.
"Sir—"
"It's not your problem, and I don't want to talk about it," Vernon replied. "Just because you befriended her doesn't mean you can pry about our problem."
"… Do you hate her, Sir?"
"Hate? That is a soft word you use there," Vernon finally dropped his document and straight at Diamond's eyes with his hawk-like yes, "I don't hate her. I despise her."
Diamond was trembling out of fear, but she braced herself and asked, "Then why don't you just give her money and let her free?"
"We still have some unfinished businesses. I won't let her free until I get what I want."
"Sir…" Diamond couldn't believe that she was so emotionally invested in the problem between Chloe and Vernon. But she just couldn't help it. "Please don't hurt her. She is trying her best to survive. She doesn't deserve whatever you're planning!"
"It's not your right to dictate what I'm going to do with her. You're paid to work under my order. Just shut up and do your job," Vernon said coldly.
Diamond knew that her Boss was a cold-hearted bastard. But she never knew the length of his evilness. She was worried that he might destroy Chloe's life until that poor woman had no way to recover.
"Don't forget to bring the lunch box and tell her I will not be in the apartment tonight. I want to let off some steam in the club," Vernon said.
"… Understood, Sir…"
Diamond reluctantly left the office since there was nothing she could do other than wish the best for both of them.
**
Vernon busied himself until the time showed 8 in the evening. Diamond already left two hours ago. He was just occupying himself to dispel the thought of his sister-in-law in his mind.
But he had already finished all the documents he had to check and sign, and his brain automatically thought of his sister-in-law again.
He kept remembering the bubbly, sweet, strict Chloe he grew up with. He had so many fond memories with her, and he couldn't let go, despite knowing that Chloe had faked everything. He knew that every sweet thing she did was fake because he listened and witnessed with his ears and eyes what Chloe said to his late father, Vaughn Gray.
Vernon closed his eyes, and he clenched his fists again. He was trying to dispel any idea of giving her a second chance.
But his heart didn't want to follow his logic…
"Argh, I don't want to be played like this!" Vernon got up from his chair and grabbed his wallet, car key, and phone. "I don't want to keep thinking about her. Vernon Phoenix Gray, you're not an idiot! What's the use of you being an Oxford graduate with honors when you can't even differentiate between a good woman and the bad one?! Don't be a fucking idiot!"
"I'll just drink the night away! I don't want to think right now!"
Vernon entered his car and drove away to the private bar where he usually drinks with his colleagues. He was already a VIP, so all he needed to do was show his face, and he'd get one room all for himself.
Vernon sat inside the room alone. The room was very similar to a hotel room, with a big bed if he wanted to play with any of the high-class hookers the bar provided.
Vernon sat on the long sofa instead, with a waitress who somehow wore an even tighter suit that accentuated her body from head to toe.
The waitress blushed when she got stared at by Vernon Phoenix Gray. This man was a god's work. His face, wealth, intimidating aura… he'd make any woman wet just by calling her name with his deep voice.
Vernon leaned on the sofa, spread his arms, and arrogantly put his shoes on the table. He observed this waitress from head to toe. She was beautiful, young, and was obviously trying to seduce him. Because he had noticed her near the entrance of the bar before, and her suit wasn't as tight as this.
'She even has two buttons off, hah….'
"Are you new here?" Vernon asked. "I visited this bar often, and I've never seen you before."
"Ah— I've been working here for two weeks, Sir…" the waitress replied. She was working in this private bar for money, but who would've expected that she'd catch the attention of Vernon Phoenix Gray, the devilishly handsome CEO that dated a lot of rising female stars!
"Um… Mr. Phoenix Gray, may I get your order?" the waitress asked shyly.
"Hmm…" Vernon smirked. "I have a lot in my mind tonight. So give me a recommendation, so I could relax and forget about my problems for one night."
Chapter 130
"I have a lot in my mind tonight. So give me a recommendation so I can relax and forget about my problems for one night," Vernon said, using his charm to lure the waitress in.
Of course, the waitress was more than excited. She thought she had won the golden ticket to the rich and happy life by spending the night with Vernon Phoenix Gray.
"I—I suggest Mr. Phoenix Gray try our seven-star fantasy. It's a new set of drinks consisting of seven kinds that will be delivered periodically."
"And those seven drinks will be able to make me drunk enough to forget about my problems for one night?" Vernon chuckled. "You know I need more than just a drink, right?"
"I—I know, Mr. Phoenix Gray. That's why I… I am willing to accompany you for the night," the waitress volunteered.
Vernon scoffed, "What's your name?"
The waitress was surprised that Vernon Phoenix Gray wanted to know her name. That meant her appearance passed his standard, 'And after this, we will spend the night together, and my life will be smooth-sailing from now on!' the waitress thought.
"My name is Nicky," the waitress introduced herself bashfully.
"And how old are you?"
"Twenty-one…"
"Oh? You're barely legal to drink, but you're working in a luxury bar like this? That's bold," Vernon said with a smile.
"I—I am a university student. I'm working here to earn money to pay off my student debt earlier," Nicky said.
"Hmm, well, that kind of money is trivial for me. I can give you all the money to pay off your student loan. But I'm not going to give it for free," Vernon said.
Nicky already imagined all her student loans paid upfront, and Vernon Phoenix Gray would be in love with her after having wonderful sex together.
'OMG, this is like a story from a novel! One night stand that turns to be a blossoming romance! I will be Nicky Gray!' Nicky thought. 'Ah, this will be easy. I will act as if I'm enjoying his dick, and boost his ego, then he will think I'm the perfect woman!'
Vernon watched this woman's expression gradually change after he baited her. It was something very predictable for Vernon. Nobody was able to reject his advance. His body, charisma, and money were the ultimate combo to hook any woman he met…
Except for his sister-in-law…
This waitress in front of him was no different. She looked fidgety— trying her best not to jump at him and started making out.
Honestly, Vernon wasn't in the mood to do it tonight. But he thought the only way to forget about Chloe at home was to drink until he was very drunk and started fucking any woman by his side.
It was a way for him to relieve his stress before reuniting with his sister-in-law.
"Give me that seven-star fantasy set. I want to drink for the whole night," Vernon said.
"T—Then, may I suggest myself be the one who serves you?" Nicky volunteered, full of excitement.
"Yes, you will serve my drink and accompany me for the night. I don't mind at all," Vernon said.
Nicky was over the moon once Mr. Phoenix Gray allowed her to accompany him. This was a dream come true!
"I will prepare the drink set first. Please excuse me, Mr. Phoenix Gray," Nicky said.
"Hm."
Vernon stared at the door in a daze. He had nothing in his mind other than Chloe at home. No matter how many times he tried to dispel her off his thought, she just kept coming back.
"She is like a pest. Why can't she get out of my head?" Vernon murmured. "This is because she showed that fake sweet, bubbly, but strict Chloe that I grew up with…."
While Vernon was busy with his thoughts, his phone vibrated inside his pocket. He frowned because, as much as he remembered, he had already finished all the work for today after signing the last document.
However, his expression soon changed when he saw the caller.
Chloe Gray.
He hesitated to pick up the call, so he ignored it until the call ended. However, his sister-in-law insisted and called again, forcing him to finally pick it up.
—
"What?" Vernon started the conversation on the phone with a sharp tone.
"Umm… Vernon, where are you right now?" Chloe asked.
"And why do you need to know?"
"I was just making sure you're alright..."
"Bar," Vernon finally replied.
"I see," Chloe nodded. She wasn't that surprised, nor did she have the right to dictate Vernon to do stuff.
Chloe wanted to warn Vernon not to drink too much because it might be dangerous, knowing his popularity and status.
But Vernon was a grown man, so he must've known how to control himself.
"Um… how long will you spend in the bar?"
"Do I really need to say it to you? Why do you care about that?"
"I just want to make sure to reheat the dinner for you if it's not too late," Chloe replied. "Diamond told me you're busy in your office, and now you're in the bar. So I thought you haven't had a proper meal for dinner yet…."
"I'm not in the mood to eat your food tonight," Vernon said. He grinned as he had the idea to trigger his sister-in-law. "I won't be home soon. I'm going to have fun here. I've found a new woman to spend the night with."
Chloe wasn't all that surprised. After all, Vernon was a rich, handsome, powerful young man who had the world in his hand.
He was also unmarried and didn't date anyone right now, so there was no problem with him having fun outside as long as he did it safe.
But, as his big sister figure, Chloe didn't want Vernon to catch STD outside, so she said, "I understand. I won't cook for you tonight. Don't forget to use a condom, okay? You still need to be careful. It's dangerous out there."