Ch. 51..55: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 51-55

Chapter 51

"I understand, Mrs. Gray. After all, Mr. Vincent Gray also told me that you're often going on spending sprees, buying expensive stuff even if he already told you to stop. Please be mindful of your spending, Mrs. Gray…."

'Oh, FUCK THAT GUY!' Chloe cursed in her heart. He still had the balls to slander her, even though both of them knew how little Chloe spent for herself.

It was all for mansion maintenance, including the employees he fucked, and their daughter's necessity. She barely bought anything that cost more than 50 bucks for herself!

Chloe forced a smile toward Mrs. Andrew, "I think he is just exaggerating. I don't think he should speak like that when we both know that he spends a lot to fund his hobby—"

'—of fucking his side pieces and paid them.'

"Please excuse me. I have things to do after this."

Chloe left the principal room towards the school administration office to pay for Mackie's tuition.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Andrew watched her back, and after making sure that Chloe was far from her office, she called a man;

—

"Hello, Mr. Gray?"

"What?"

"Mr. Gray, your wife came to the school just now. I've told her about the whole situation, including the problem with the other kids and yours," Mrs. Andrew reported. "She seems calm, but I can see that she looks helpless…."

"Have you told the school administrator to increase the tuition fee for my daughter double the previous semester?"

"Y—Yes, Mr. Gray. Your wife will have to pay around forty thousand dollars for this semester, or if she wants to pay annually, that would be around eighty thousand dollars. Twice the amount of what the other parents have to pay," Mrs. Andrew informed.

"That's great. You've done a great job, Mrs. Andrew," Vincent said.

"T—Then, you won't take this case to court, right, Mr. Gray? The school doesn't have enough funding for you to demolish the building. We will be forcibly closed if you decide to take the land…."

"Of course not, Mrs. Andrew. But you must work with me if you want to save your school, understand?"

"Yes, thank you so much for your generosity, Mr. Gray."

"Good, I'm busy now. If my wife suddenly says something about her current condition, don't forget to tell me."

"I will, Mr. Gray…."

Beep.

—

Mrs. Andrew sighed in relief after he got the confirmation from Vincent Gray that he wouldn't do anything with the land.

The school was a private school standing in a gated community. It was a fairly old, prestigious private school with its outdoor sports yard, greenhouse, and many more.

And they got all that in New York, which was already a miracle of its own.

Without The Gray Family's generosity, this private school would never have been erected.

Mrs. Andrew was trying her best to save the school she had dedicated her life for decades.

But… she didn't know what would happen to Chloe Gray. Because his husband, the powerful Vincent Gray, was manipulating the situation around her.

"What's wrong with them? I thought they're a happily married couple— until I heard about the adultery, unfortunately…."

Mrs. Andrew had no interest in being involved in a married couple's quarrel. All she wanted was to save this school, even if she had to sacrifice someone.

"I'm sorry, Chloe Gray…." Mrs. Andrew mumbled, and she closed the principal office's door.

**

Chloe went to the school administration office to pay for Mackie's semester tuition. It should be around twenty thousand dollars for one semester, which was already extremely expensive for Chloe's standard.

Since it was Vincent who paid Mackie's tuition before, twenty thousand dollars was nothing but pocket money for him.

'I hope Vernon wouldn't mind if I borrow some money, just in case my salary won't be enough,' Chloe wished in her heart.

She stood in front of the counter and said that she wanted to pay Mackie's tuition, "Mackenzie Rose Gray."

The clerk typed in her computer and said the amount, "The total for one semester would be forty thousand dollars, Mrs. Gray. Would you want to pay in cash or with a card?"

Chloe's eyes widened instantly, "F—Forty thousand?! Isn't it supposed to be twenty thousand before?!"

"The school's upper management already finalized this decision, Mrs. Gray. You need to pay this amount."

Chloe was absolutely speechless. How could the tuition fee double in only six months?! She was already prepared to go into debt to Vernon for that twenty thousand. Because she doubted her salary would be that much per six months because she was basically just a maid in his apartment.

But forty thousand...

That was so damn absurd!

Chloe gulped and prepared herself for a negotiation, "I—Is it possible to pay half of it for now? Or maybe… if there is any cut from the upper management, this is a bit shocking…."

"You need to pay it fully every semester, Mrs. Gray. That is the in the contract that has been signed by all parents when their children entered the school. If you cannot pay it in full, then your daughter will be put in a tough spot," the clerk said.

Chloe's legs trembled as she felt so weak.

Forty thousand dollars was way too much for her expense, and she didn't know how to say this to Vernon.

But she had to ensure that Mackie continued studying, even during this tough time.

'I don't know if Vernon will be angry with this… I feel he will definitely yell at me for using literal forty thousand dollars from his black card.'

'I mean, Vincent did the same… he even tried to scold and humiliate me for spending 100 dollars on a cheap dress, saying that I'm too fat to wear it….'

'Oh god, what is happening with my life?! Why is everything so difficult?!'

Chloe started lamenting. She was trying to keep her calm even right now. So she took out her wallet and put the black card on the counter, "I'll pay with this card."

Chapter 52

After she was done paying, Chloe walked out of the school building feeling weak from head to toe. She tottered towards her car and entered.

She sat in the driver's seat while staring at the front with an empty gaze. The burden of forty thousand dollars was on her shoulder now. She had to face Vernon while saying she had used that much money from his black card.

Chloe shuddered out of fear. She already imagined what kind of face would Vernon make once he found out about it.

"Or maybe he already knows about it? I know you can get an email from the bank if your credit card has been used to a certain amount. Oh God, I don't know how to face him this time."

…

"Please don't fire me, Vernon," Chloe begged alone in the car because she wasn't sure if she could say it in front of Vernon once she faced him later.

Her phone vibrated suddenly, and she checked the caller.

"Why you—" Chloe was frustrated when she saw the caller, who was the devil who threatened the old principal using his family name just to make sure everything was going his way.

Chloe picked up the call, ready to vent;

—

"What is it, Vincent?"

"Why are you talking to me so wryly? Do you not realize that I'm still technically your husband?" Vincent taunted, but really, he was smiling while calling Chloe.

Vincent leaned on the executive chair, staring at his empty office, "Today is the day to pay for Mackie's tuition, right? If you don't pay the amount, Mackie's education will be in trouble. You don't want her to be expelled from school, right?"

"She will not be expelled just because of money!" Chloe replied harshly. She felt humiliated because she was trying her best to stay afloat for her daughter, while Vincent just played around like he never had a family. "Do you know what the principal has told me about you? You used your family's power to intimidate her! Vincent, you're despicable!"

"And? Family's power and connection are there to be utilized. I don't care about your opinion, Chloe Gray—"

​ "—It's Chloe Carlson for you!" Chloe insisted on using her maiden name when talking with Vincent, as she felt gross just thinking she would stand beside him as his wife.

Vincent laughed low, thinking that Chloe's reaction was funny, "I just told that old principal that I can always take the matter of the land to court since the land where the school is erected is still legally my late father's. I can always take it if I want since my dad only let them borrow it out of generosity, no lending, or giving up the ownership."

"But you did this to protect your affair with those women! Do you know that your daughter got into a fight with your side chicks' children? You're hurting your own daughter!"

"I'm not hurting her, not at all," Vincent replied lightly. "What I did is showing my daughter there is a consequence because her mother is a dumb bitch who cannot admit defeat and be obedient to her own husband—"

BEEP.

—

Chloe hung up the call instantly. She knew there was no point in talking to an asshole like him. He would only twist her words and turn them into a weapon toward Chloe.

"Does he even love his daughter? I get it if he hates me, and I don't care anymore. I don't even care if he purposely tries to make it difficult for me since there is nothing I can do about it."

"But Mackie… what he did right now is hurting his own daughter!" Chloe was frustrated. She was so frustrated that she wanted to pull her hair out. "I swear to God, once I have enough money to move to another state, I will fucking do it!"

Chloe calmed down after a while. Since she knew that she wouldn't be able to do anything about Mackie's problem, she planned to let her study in this private school for the whole semester and pass to the next grade before they could move away to a cheaper state, away from New York and the grasp of the Gray Family, especially that waste-of-oxygen man named Vincent Gray.

"Okay, take a deep breath and relax, Chloe. You still have to face the real monster in his office later. You have to explain about borrowing that much money from him. That's your real problem for now."

Chloe started the car and pressed the gas gently, leaving the school and heading back to Phoenix Tower. She needed to cook for Vernon's lunch since he demanded her to bring a lunchbox.

It took her almost three hours to return to the apartment, cook the food, and then go to Vernon's office building.

Chloe parked the car in front of the hotel lobby and gave the key to the security guard, "Would you mind driving the car to the VIP parking downstairs? Boss is waiting for his lunch, and I don't want to be scolded."

"Sure, Mrs. Gray," the driver accepted the car key, and Chloe rushed to the VIP elevator. She checked her watch, and it was already 11.30. She feared Vernon would scold her even more if she was late for his lunch break.

She was also a little worried that Vernon might not like her cooking.

'Okay, Chloe, relax, relax… worrying over this will not change anything, seriously,' Chloe said in her heart.

DING!

The elevator stopped at the highest floor. Chloe straight towards the CEO's office door in front of her.

The door was half-open, and she didn't see the sign of Diamond sitting on her seat in front of Vernon's office.

'That means either Vernon and Diamond had a meeting outside, or they are talking about something inside the office,' Chloe thought.

Once she was near the elevator, she suddenly heard Diamond's voice from inside;

"Mr. Gray, are you sure about this? Don't you think it's a bit cruel for her?"

Chapter 53

"Mr. Gray, are you sure about this? Don't you think it's a bit cruel for her?"

"No, it's not cruel at all. She said that she wanted to be treated like a regular worker, so I did," Vernon replied to Diamond. "This is the perfect contract for her. Don't you have the same contract?"

"But my salary is not this small, Sir! This is— this is—"

"Shut up, Diamond. She is working for me, I have all the rights to give her a contract, and if she doesn't like it, she could just leave," Vernon said.

Chloe's heart sunk once she heard that. She had many suspicions growing in her head right now.

'Contract? So, it's like a work contract, right? How bad could it be?' Chloe thought. She tried to be positive, but that positive idea got dispelled instantly, 'Wait, no. This is Vernon Phoenix Gray we're talking about. Of course, he will not let me off easy.'

Diamond took a deep breath to calm herself down. She knew she had no say in this matter, but she was Chloe's friend. She even said that she would protect her and her daughter. Diamond tried her best to reason with her boss, but really, this was Vernon we're talking about.

"If there is nothing I can do, please excuse me, Mr. Phoenix Gray," Diamond said. She turned around and walked to the door.

Once she passed the door, she turned to the right and saw Chloe was eavesdropping the whole time.

Diamond's expression turned sorry. She didn't know what to say to Chloe other than, "I'm sorry. I can't do much."

Chloe was petrified, especially with the sorry expression on Diamond's face. She didn't know what was waiting for her, but she didn't want to make Diamond feel guilty for something she couldn't control.

"It's okay, Diamond. I know you're trying…."

Diamond smiled bitterly at Chloe and looked over her shoulder to check on Mr. Phoenix Gray, who was busy reading a document.

"The devil is waiting for you. Just brace yourself and be brave, okay?" Diamond said.

Chloe swallowed her saliva hard, but she nodded and walked inside the CEO's Office.

Diamond closed the door, so Vernon and Chloe could have their time alone.

Chloe walked in and stood in front of the CEO's desk. Vernon was still busy with a document until his hawk eyes darted towards Chloe and lifted his head slightly.

Vernon fixed his glasses and asked, "You're eavesdropping the whole time, correct?"

"A—A little, Sir…."

"Well, there is nothing to hide anyway," Vernon said. He pushed a red file on the desk towards Chloe. "Open that file. You'll see the contract we're talking about."

"A contract?"

"Aren't you the one who said that you want to have a salary?" Vernon sneered. "What? Scared?"

"N—Not at all, Sir…"

Chloe put the lunchbox on the chair and grabbed the file. She opened it and read the contract that Vernon was talking about.

…

Vernon observed Chloe's expression, and her expression turned from nervous to shock, horror, and then nervous again. Just like what he expected.

"What's with your expression? Don't tell me you're backing off after reading it."

"I…" Chloe was very nervous indeed, and after reading the contract's content, she got even more nervous and scared. She looked at Vernon, who sneered at her.

Basically, there were three main points inside the contract;

1. Chloe would be given a salary per six months. The amount was yet to be disclosed by Vernon in the contract, unfortunately.

2. Chloe would work on three things, preparing Vernon's suits every day and doing all of his laundries now, different from the previous agreement that she only had to wash the suits and shirts. Now she also had to wash everything else, including his underwear.

She also had to cook three times a day, like a maid, and deliver lunchbox.

And lastly, she had to be ready whenever Vernon Phoenix Gray wanted to use her body for his pleasure.

3. Car, apartment, and black card were all facilities for Chloe, but Chloe could not use the black card for whatever she wanted. Besides necessities like groceries, gas, et cetera, Chloe had to pay ten times the amount back to Vernon.

However, if she couldn't pay it back, it would be debt, and Chloe had to pay the amount back in another favor.

"T—TEN TIMES?!"

Chloe almost lost footing as she read the amount she needed to pay. She looked at Vernon with hopeless eyes, "S—Sir, what kind of favor are you talking about here?" Chloe asked. She already imagined many bad things that she would never want to happen. "Is it… sex?"

Vernon's sneer turned into a smirk, "Why would it be sex? It's already part of your job, correct? Just make sure that you won't be in debt with me, or you will have to pay ten times the amount. It can be deducted from your salary, of course."

"T—Then, how much is my salary, Sir?" Chloe asked. She didn't know how much would she need, but ten times the amount was already completely unaffordable for her, especially with Mackie's tuition, which was forty thousand per six months.

"Your salary is nothing to laugh at. Do you know that the median income in New York earns roughly around a hundred thousand dollars a year? You will earn more than that," Vernon said. "Do you know how much Diamond earns a year by working with me as a secretary?"

Chloe shook her head cluelessly;

"She earns seven hundred thousand dollars. I am very generous to people who work closely with me, including you, sister-in-law," Vernon said, stating an unbelievable amount of money that Diamond earned a year from him.

So that was the reason why Diamond decided to stay and continue to work with Vernon. Because that amount of money was worth it compared to the amount of work. Vernon might even overpay her at some point, but knowing how rich Vernon was, seven hundred thousand dollars was nothing for him.

Chapter 54

Chloe forgot to breathe for a moment when she heard the amount of Diamond's salary. It was astronomical for her, and probably for everyone else for a secretary job. It completely blew her mind away.

Now, she knew that Vincent was richer than the rising devil CEO— Vernon and Vincent's wealth comparison should be 1:10, and she didn't add the invaluable connections that the Gray family had for generations.

But Vincent was born with all the privileges, while Vernon decided to strip it away and start anew without any help, at least that was what Chloe heard from Dorothea.

After she heard the amount that Diamond earned, Chloe had a little expectation in her heart. Of course, she hoped that Vernon would give her the same amount because if she got that amount, she could just work with him for a year at most, and then she could resign and leave with Mackie to another state, where they could start a new life and be happy together.

They might never have the same amount of luxury provided by Vincent or Vernon, but it was for the best, right?

Vernon noticed the hopeful gaze in Chloe's eyes. He knew what she was thinking right now;

'She must've wanted to escape and live far from New York after earning enough money. I will show her who is in control here.'

"Do you want to know how much will I pay you?"

"Y—Yes!"

"I am far more generous to you than to Diamond. Despite you not having the same amount of work stress as her, I value you more," Vernon said.

'Value me more?' Chloe gulped. The more she heard about it, the more suspicious she got.

Vernon leaned in on his desk, and Chloe took a step back because she got intimidated by that hawk gaze, "Sister-in-law, I will pay you one million dollars a year."

"O—ONE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR?!" Chloe's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. She never had that amount of astronomical money given to her. She would literally be a millionaire in just a month!

She started drooling, thinking about all the benefits she could reap just by working with Vernon.

Even with Vincent, she would never see that amount of money because she would be shamed for buying something for herself.

She might be a billionaire's wife, but she never felt any privilege with Vincent.

But with Vernon…

Vernon found it ridiculous that Chloe acted so excitedly. Obviously, she was just pretending. She was his brother— Vincent Gray's wife. She could cash out that amount in less than a day if she wanted.

One million dollars was literally nothing for Vincent.

Honestly, her reaction was almost like a mockery in Vernon's eyes. The way she acted so exaggeratedly as if she had never seen a million dollars in front of her.

Vernon sneered, 'You think you will get the last laugh? I will be the one who laughs, Sister-in-law.'

"But, I cannot give you the salary instantly, I will give it to you per six months, and that should be around five hundred thousand per six months," Vernon said, giving the correct number for Chloe.

"I—I'm okay with that!" Chloe replied excitedly.

Vernon smiled mysteriously, "Sister-in-law, do you think I don't know you used the money on my credit card? I got the notification that you used forty thousand dollars from my black card."

"Ah— I used that for Mackie's tuition fee… for some reason, the semester fee doubled, so I have to pay around forty thousand a month…."

"And that would be a debt to me, right? You owe me money by using my credit card for personal use," Vernon said. "And you told me you WILL pay any personal expenses using my card with your salary."

"Y—Yes, I said I will pay it back with my salary—"

"Sister-in-law…" Vernon got up from his chair and walked around the desk until he stood behind Chloe. He leaned in until his chin rested on Chloe's shoulder and then pointed at one statement in the contract;

"Do you see that? Any kind of debt to me, you will have to pay ten times the original amount. Since you're paying forty thousand for your daughter's tuition per six months, that means you will always be in debt with me, about four hundred thousand per six months, or eight hundred thousand a year."

Vernon's smirk grew wider as he whispered in Chloe's ears, "That means you will only get two hundred thousand dollars annually instead of a million because I will always deduct your salary before giving it to you. If you want to escape this, you must wait for at least a year until you get enough money to pay for your daughter's tuition."

'And I will continue making sure that you cannot escape me. I have a lot of plans for you, sister-in-law,' Vernon said in his heart.

Chloe went silent instantly, she lowered her head, and her eyes continued staring at the contract in her hand.

Vernon took this as a shock. She must've been shocked that she would only get two hundred thousand dollars a year instead of a million.

It must've been very little for her, who was a billionaire's wife before.

'You're nothing but a gold digger, sister-in-law. I will never let you get what you want.'

"Why did went quiet so suddenly? Do you think two hundred thousand dollars is too little for a billionaire's wife like you? I'm pretty sure that my brother—"

"Is this for real, Vernon?" Chloe asked in a low voice.

Vernon raised one brow, "Of course it's real. You will only get two hundred thousand dollars a year. Do you think the amount is too little for you? I'm sorry, I cannot do more than that."

Of course, Vernon could do more. He might not be as rich as his big brother, not yet. But he was a multi-millionaire, almost reaching a billionaire status at this point.

Chapter 55

"Of course, it's real. You will only get two hundred thousand dollars a year at most. Do you think the amount is too little for you? I'm sorry, I cannot do more than that," Vernon said. "But worry not. I will handle your tax, so you will get the fixed amount after I deduct your salary to clear your debt to me."

Chloe continued staring at the contract for a while, and a drop of tear wetted the contract. She wiped it immediately.

Vernon frowned when he saw the tear;

'Was it too shocking for her? Just because I gave her two hundred thousand per year? Is it that humiliating for her? That means she will have to be stuck with me for a year at least.'

'Does she not realize that's already a decent amount of money in New York? I mean, it's decent earning for one person, considering she doesn't need to pay for rent. Or she is just way too spoiled by my brother that she can't imagine living with that small amount of money?'

Vernon got even more peeved once he started thinking many negative thoughts. He was already annoyed at Chloe, but now he got even more annoyed by her reaction.

"Listen, Chloe, I don't care if you—"

"Thank you," Chloe suddenly said. Vernon went silent instantly. He thought he heard it wrong. Why would she say thank you for this? It was basically a trap to make her feel poor and humiliated. To make sure that Chloe wouldn't think of mocking him even more.

Vernon straightened his back while standing behind the petite woman, "My decision is final. If you want to leave, you have no other place—"

Chloe turned around before Vernon finished his sentence. She looked up at the devil CEO, who was stunned when he saw her eyes glazing with tears. Chloe opened her arms and wrapped her hands around Vernon's neck, and pulled his shoulder down, so Chloe could give him a warm hug.

"Thank you so much, Vernon…." Chloe murmured as she continued hugging him.

Vernon was stunned. He allowed Chloe to hug him for a while until he realized that Chloe basically controlled him just now.

Vernon pushed Chloe to separate himself. He glared at Chloe with suspicious eyes, "W—Why are you hugging me like that? Do you know your position right now?!"

"Ah? I was just expressing my happiness," Chloe said with a relieved smile. "I thought you would completely strip me out of my right and put an evil contract for me to sign. But this is far better than I expected."

…

"What?" Vernon couldn't believe his own ears. He expected Chloe to beg for forgiveness since she had obviously mocked him many times.

But he saw Chloe, who had such a pure smile as if the weight had been lifted from her shoulder.

"What are you talking about? Can't you read the contract? There is nothing beneficial for you there."

"Ah, I mean, the contract is very… controversial, especially the obligation to pay my debt ten times the amount. I feel like you're acting like a giant loan shark here, haha…." Chloe chuckled, full of happiness. "But you gave me lenience and allowed me to save two hundred thousand dollars annually. If I can be frugal, I can save as much as a hundred eighty thousand dollars."

"But I will deduct your salary ten times the amount of your debt—"

"Yes, that's true, but as long as I'm careful with my spending, by the end of this year, I can still get that much, even with your ten times debt rule," Chloe replied. "Oh, I can't believe I will get so much. Thank you, Vernon!"

​ …

Vernon was so confused that his brain short-circuited for a while.

Did he hear it wrong? Two hundred thousand dollars was 'so much for Chloe?

'Don't kid me! I know you get much more from my brother!' Vernon thought, refusing to believe that Chloe wasn't pretending right now. But seeing the smile on her face made him tongue-tied. He wanted to yell, but at what expense?

What right did he have to yell at her right now? Especially when he was the one who set up the rules for her.

"D—Do you know that you will only get two hundred thousand dollars a year at most? And added with many things you need to use my credit card, you will be down to a hundred fifty, or even a hundred thousand dollars a year."

"I know, isn't that great?" Chloe giggled happily.

"W—W—Wait, don't you think that a hundred thousand dollars are too little?"

"No?" Chloe tilted her head. She didn't understand Vernon's concern and what made him react as if he had seen a ghost or something.

"I can save a lot of money and give Mackie a good life later! This is perfect!" Chloe said. She smiled again at Vernon, who was too shocked to react. He stood there like a statue— a tall and handsome statue at least.

Chloe walked towards Vernon again and tiptoed to hug him, "Thank you so much. I don't know how to thank you enough for your generosity."

Chloe was a little disappointed that she didn't get the one million from Vernon. But she felt that Vernon was just trying to scare her off. It was unreasonable to demand one million for the job that she did. She knew humility, maybe a little too much of humility, because Vincent really dragged her to the ground.

Besides, a million dollars a year for what she did might be too much. She was just an old woman doing a maid job… and another questionable thing…

Two hundred thousand dollars, Chloe already planned about staying for a year or two at least, saving enough and moving to a cheaper state with Mackie.

'Ah, I didn't know that Vernon could be this kind. What's with the ruckus before? Why would Diamond protest about this?' Chloe thought. 'Hopefully, Vernon will let me work for him for two years in the future.'