"If I'm in my big brother's position and married Chloe. I'll never allow her to change anything in my house and office," Vernon said, thinking it was ridiculous to let a woman like his sister-in-law change things inside his office.
"Heh, what the hell am I saying? If I have to marry, she would be the last woman I'd marry on earth," Vernon stated. However, before he could say more, he heard a click from the door, and the door was pushed open.
Vernon saw his big brother— Vincent Gray, standing at the door. He was already suited and looking dapper as always, a trait that should've been inherited by their father, Vaughn Gray. Their father always wore his proper suit, even in the most casual situation.
"Big brother!" Vernon resumed his act to please his Big brother. He walked towards his Big brother and hugged him. Vernon patted Vincent's back twice, and Vincent did the same before they were separeted.
Vincent's mood improved instantly when he saw his Little brother. Vernon took the initiative to ask his Big brother, "Big brother, let's go for brunch! I know a restaurant that will suit your taste!"
"Sure," Vincent agreed.
"Let's use my car. I've never driven you around, right? This would be the first time!"
"That's true," Vincent chuckled. "I lost the chance to be the one who teaches you how to drive. But I guess this would be a good opportunity on how much you grow, Vernon."
"Yes!"
**
Vernon drove with his Big brother to the restaurant that was partly owned by him. They were chatting about many things, mostly business and experiences growing up, but never once had Vernon asked his Big brother about his sister-in-law.
Vernon called the restaurant manager on the way, and they were given the best table with a garden view in front of them.
Vincent and Vernon sat face to face. Vernon looked relaxed— even slouching on his chair uncaringly, while Vincent sat in a very proper manner, waiting for his food.
"Sit back straight, Vernon. You shouldn't slouch like that in public," Vincent chided.
"Gee, Big brother, you're always nosy about stuff like this. Who cares?" Vernon chuckled.
"I care," Vincent replied. His expression became firmer as he disliked how his little brother challenged his authority. "Sit back straight."
Vernon chuckled, but he obeyed in the end, not wanting to make an enemy of his Big brother.
Vincent was much more relaxed after Vernon obeyed his order, "I know that you have something in your mind the whole time, right, little bro?"
"Ah, did those maids tell you something?" Vernon asked back.
"They told me you're asking about your sister-in-law," Vincent said. "If you have questions about her and her life before she left me, you should ask me. I can always give you all the detail that you want."
Vernon's eyes peered for a split second. He noticed that his Big brother was well guarded just by looking at his expression. He lived with Vincent long enough to know that his Big brother was being very serious right now.
'Heh, that's funny. I thought he didn't give a single shit about his sister-in-law. But by the way, he looks very well-guarded just to answer some questions about her. He seems to think a lot about her.'
'Now, the question is… did he think of her with love… or hatred?'
Vernon was disturbed by his own question. He asked himself, 'So what if my big brother is still in love with my sister-in-law? Isn't that better for the plan that I've formed? She could be a great tool for me to succeed….'
'But… I feel annoyed, somehow.'
"Well, I asked your maids about my sister-in-law since I'm curious," Vernon started the conversation. "They told me she is a wasteful woman and gold digger."
"But?" Vincent baited.
"But, I saw many cheap furniture around your mansion, Big brother. I bet she was the one who bought them all," Vernon reported his observation. "I also noticed that she seems to be a good homemaker. Many things are arranged to make your mansion looks like it was owned by an upper-middle-class family in New York. Unlike the Gray mansion, it always looks lavish and untouchable all year round."
Vincent took a deep breath and answered honestly, "Yes, she is a good homemaker, I must admit. She makes the mansion look much more comfortable, even my office, with her touch. I assume you must've noticed the arrangement and cheap stuff laying around."
"Oh, haha! Yes, I noticed and had a good laugh at them," Vernon replied.
"She is a good homemaker, but that's it. Being a homemaker is the only quality she has. She is still a slouch of a woman," Vincent said.
"But, is she really a gold digger?" Vernon continued prying. He also wanted to believe that his sister-in-law was nothing but a gold-digging whore.
But when he saw the cheap furniture around the mansion, he found something wasn't right.
Vincent's lips perked up a bit once his little brother asked the question, "Yes, she is a gold digger. But not in a way that you'd expect."
"What do you mean by that, Big brother?" Vernon asked. "I mean, I just find it a little unbelievable that she is a gold digger but doesn't use the money you provide to buy many unnecessary expensive things."
"That is the way she tries to put the burden on you," Vincent said.
"Huh? What do you mean by that, Big brother?"
Vincent smirked as he knew that his little brother was dancing in his palm now. He was never nervous when facing someone who questioned his actions.
Because he knew he'd always win, no matter what.
"My wife, Chloe Gray— I gave her my black card and allowed her to do anything she wishes with it. But she continues acting like we don't have enough money, buying cheap things to fill our mansion, and always nitpicking about smallest mistake I made," Vincent said.
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